Interview With James Rizzo

Featured Personal Trainer - November 2010





Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'
Photos by: BBPics.com


James Rizzo, 31 years old, has been in the fitness industry every since he was 15 years old. He obtained his first certification at 17 years old through IFPA - International Fitness Personal Trainers Association. Since then, he has moved to New York about 7 years ago to pursue acting and modeling. He has been featured in Exercise for Men Only, Men’s Health, NFL Catalogue, Saks Fifth Avenue Catalog, Men’s Exercise and AXL magazine.

"...What sets me apart from all other trainers in my ability to relate to a client from my past personal experience as a child and looked at as an outcast. I, then, use my motivational to change their mind-set and ultimately their body."


WP: What made you decide to get into the fitness industry?

I molded myself into the fitness industry per say because growing up as an only child, I was very shy and was teased a lot because of my appearance of being tall and lanky with glasses. I quickly became very defensive and couldn’t rely on others because of my lack of trust so I needed to stand on my own. Over time, I came to know myself and what I needed to do to develop the confidence I yearned for. I took up exercise as a hobby at first; only to build my body as a means to construct self-confidence and respect from others. It later became my passion, which drives me to excel today.

WP: What is your educational background? What are your certifications?

My educational background is a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing. My certifications include AAAI/ISMA, IFPA, NSCA, Pre and Post natal, and CPR.

WP: How long have you been a personal trainer?

I have been a trainer for about 14 years and I specialize in weight-loss, nutrition, injury-rehab, boxing, balance/coordination, bodybuilding, and sports conditioning.

WP: What do you feel sets you apart from all other personal trainers out there?

What sets me apart from all other trainers in my ability to relate to a client from my past personal experience as a child and looked at as an outcast. I, then, use my motivational to change their mind-set and ultimately their body.

WP: Where do you train your clients? Do you train them in a gym, at home, or where?

I train my clients either at their residence if it is equipped with a fitness center, or in a gym and some in a private training studio. I work primarily on the upper-east side and mid-town west side of Manhattan, NY.

WP: How much time per day do you typically spend with a client?

My sessions with my clients are always an hour and it consist of either total body conditioning whether its strength or endurance based or breaking up body parts such as chest/back, for those that train three or more times a week.

WP: How many days do you suggest your clients to work out in a week?

I suggest that my clients workout a minimum of twice a week, three times ideally with me and the other days they should be doing some form of cardiovascular exercise between 25-45 minutes on their own depending on their ability.

WP: What helps you get up each morning?

The fact I am providing a service that generates immediate results for clients with realistic goals, whether it’s short-term or long-term is what drives me. There is no better feeling to see the look on a clients face when they accomplish something they never thought possible. You feel completely energized and extremely confident when your done training with that and me is what drives me to get up everyday and do my job.

WP: What motivates you?

The ability to market myself as a fitness icon is what motivates me. I want to market myself with workout DVDs and motivational books for those who lack the self-confidence to change their life for the better. I am living proof that if you put your mind to something, you can accomplish anything!

WP: What forms of exercise do you find to be the most effective for the following? To gain mass:

I find the most effective exercises for gaining mass is compound movements; using free weights such as dumbbells, barbells, etc. Compound movements are your staple exercises such as squats, dead-lifts and presses because you use multiple muscle groups to help strengthen the entire body and develop a stronger core.

WP: To lose weight?

I suggest my clients get down to the ideal body weight of body fat percentage they would most likely to be at by incorporating some form of cardiovascular activity whether it’s a favorite recreational sport such as swimming, running, basketball, boxing etc. These workouts are great for burning calories and getting your heart rate up which us ultimately what you need to do to lose weight.

WP: To cut?

Cutting is also known as toning up or defining your muscles to make them look and feel denser. The best way to do this is after you get down to your ideal body weight or body fat percentage is to target train these muscles using low weight and performing much higher reps. You should always seek to receive peak contraction, squeezing the muscles as tight as possible forcing the blood to flow to the desired areas.

WP: Before competition?

I find before competition, diet is most important because that is what is going to dictate how you’re going to look for your big day! You need to train your body and time it for 10-12 weeks of dieting and intense exercise before your show; cardio, cardio, cardio is crucial to getting ripped!

WP: Do you also model? If so, tell me about it.

Yes, I do all forms of modeling mostly fitness modeling as well as high fashion. I’ve been featured in exercise magazines. In addition to being featured as the model that performs the exercises, I also create my own exercises and explain them in the feature as a contributing writer. For example if they are looking for a back or chest routine, I will create the program and see it from start to finish on the pages of the magazine from the writing to modeling how to perform the exercises.

WP: What are you goals?

My goals are to market myself as fitness professional with aspirations of owning a gym with a motivational fitness atmosphere, creating my own workout DVDs, books, nutritional products and supplements, and designer fitness clothing.

WP: How does your trainer differ when you are modeling and when you are not?

My background is in bodybuilding. When I was growing up, I was inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Hulk Hogan and wanted to develop mass so, I ate a lot of food and worked out to build muscle and put on size to my tall, skinny frame. Now I’m striving for more definition and try to stay camera ready at all times for modeling. I can have an audition unexpectedly at any time so it’s very important for me to stay lean which is why I lift lighter weights with higher repetitions and I always eat clean.

WP: What future projects do you have planned?

I have just started teaching group classes at my NYC luxury high rise where I will also be marketing myself as a fitness professional to further expand my business. I constantly update my website and I am always working on new forms of marketing including social media such as You Tube, Facebook and Twitter.

WP: How does your routine and life changes when you go from pre-contest to off-season?

In the past, I’ve let my body fluctuate between 10-20 + pounds. Now I try to keep myself at 5-10 pounds because I always have to be ready. I have to be available for shoots, casting and agents. I see a lot of agents so I need to be ready at all times.

WP: What do you like and dislike about competing?

Since dieting is the most crucial element in preparation for a show you really have to monitor every meal that you have, weigh your food, take in enough protein, eat enough carbs and precisely time your water weight 10-12 weeks prior to competition. I am not fond of dieting but, I am very strong willed and have strict discipline, because I know it is all worth it in the end. Always do what is right, not what is easy.

WP: What would you change about the judges in the competitions?

I would like bodybuilding to be less political. Size, symmetry and proportion are the three main aspects to be judged and I feel that these are overlooked because bodybuilding is becoming more political.

WP: Are you NPC?

Yes. I came in second place in heavyweight division in Delaware State. I came in 4th place in the East Coast Classic. But, I am no longer interested in competing. I am concentrating on modeling and acting.

WP: What are your strengths and weaknesses in your physique?

My strengths are my back, biceps and abs. My weaknesses are my calves and my triceps.

WP: What keeps fitness interesting to you?

Constantly changing my routine is what keeps fitness interesting to me.

WP: How have you changed over the years?

I have gotten so much more mature and I feel much more focused on my goals for the future.

WP: Any shout outs?

I want to make a shout out to Vida the Fitness Diva, my dear mother and father and my mentor, my grandfather; Vincent Rizzo.

WP: Explain your workouts to me.

My workouts consist of a brief stretch followed by a brief period of cardio to warm up. Then I go right into my workout routine, which consists of free weights, calisthenics and abdominals. I use low-moderately heavy weight for high reps to failure; incorporating abdominals in between sets with no rest.

WP: What is your diet?

My diet consists of complex carbs in the morning for a source of energy such as bran muffin or whole-wheat wrap with egg whites and turkey. My diet consists of 5 meals a day smaller portions at more frequent intervals so you are not overeating. That is how I keep my body lean and mean.

WP: Who had the most impact on you in your life thus far?

My grandfather and my childhood idols; Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hulk Hogan and Rocky had the most impact on me.

WP: What were you like in high school?

High School is when it became clear that I was not happy with my status in school, making friends and I felt like an outcast. When people saw me change physically, it gave me the confidence I needed, I also changed emotionally. To this day, there is nothing I can’t accomplish.

WP: What are your hobbies outside of fitness?

My hobbies are fashion, catching a good movie with a date, skydiving, and anything challenging.

WP: What type of music do you listen to?

I listen to rock and roll, hip hop, techno, and alternative.

WP: Tell me about your family. Your spouse, kids, etc.

I am an only child and my family is my friends. My parents have been extremely supportive of me and I would not be here today without their unconditional love.

WP: What supplements do you take and why?

Green Tea Extract to boost my metabolism, fish oil for a healthy heart and good immune system, Glucosamine and Chondroitan for my joints, a thermogenic at times and a diuretic at times to deplete my water weight and whey protein.

WP: What accomplishments have you achieved thus far in your life that you are proud of?

My biggest achievement to date is that I own my own condo, I am an entrepreneur running my own business in the toughest city in the world and I think my physique speaks for itself.

WP: How would you like to improve, if any?

I work to improve myself little by little each day critiquing myself, mind and body and always strive to learn something new every day.

WP: Anything you would like to mention before we close?

My quotes that I live by:

"Hard work is synonymous with results."

"Do what’s right, not what’s easy"

"The world meets nobody halfway...If you want something, you have to earn it."

WP: It's been a pleasure interviewing you!

Thanks! You’re welcome.