Spotlight Trainer of the Month
K.P. Jayakumar

I am Jay (K.P. Jayakumar) from Chennai ( India ). I am a science graduate (B.Sc) from Madras University . When I was a teenager I was very thin and decided to do something about my physique to make it presentable. I wrote to John C. Grimek the editor of Muscular Development. John responded to my letter and helped with routines to gain some mass and strength. Bill Pearl and Frank Zane, two contrasting physiques were my early inspirations. Later, Larry Scott helped me in improving my lagging pectoral muscles. ‘Dr.Squat' articles helped me to learn more about scientific training. In the course of time I competed and won several body building titles including Mr. Chennai. Mr. Tamil Nadu state, Mr. Southern India and many more. I opened my own gym-‘Olympia Fitness Centre' in 1995 and in the year 2001 opened its branch in Chennai.

I have successfully trained many aspiring body builders including many title winners. Later I started concentrating on personal training. My clients include one of India 's Top male film stars Mr. Kamal Hassan and female stars Simran and Mumtaz. I am also training some models and corporate people. Now I have my ISSA certificate, I feel that sky is the limit for my future expansion of business.

I have been conducting body building seminars to aspiring body builders and to those who want to open their own gyms and also to those who want to work as coaches in the gyms. In my seminars which normally conducted for 3 days in a row (9.00Am to 6.00PM) I teach them the anatomy, physiology and kinesiology of muscles, theory classes on various exercises, practical classes to show the proper execution of exercises, Tips on Nutrition, Injury, prevention etc.etc. I have enclosed a few photographs taken during in one of my seminars.

I was the person responsible for introducing major American food supplement manufactures, Muscle Tech and Twin Lab in India . I am the fitness consultant for the companies who are the distributors for those products to American food supplements companies in India .

I edit two body building magazines in one of the Indian languages-Tamil. I have enclosed the cover shots of these magazines along with my ISSA examination paper to you in Dec'2004.

I am a voracious reader. I have collections of all the leading American body building magazines and an equally impressive collection of body building and Nutrition books.

I am planning to add more qualifications to my professional list in the near future. And may be visiting you all in person at your place.

In the mean time I will be continuously in touch with you to share my experience and learn more from you.

Thank you once again for giving me an opportunity to feature me as a spotlight trainer and also for including me in the Fiscal Fitness guide.

With warm regards,

Jai

(K.P. Jayakumar)

An Interview with Jai (K.P. Jayakumar)

•  How long have you been a personal trainer?

Nine years.

•  Do you work for a club, on your own, or do you have your own facility?

I have my own facility, the Olympia Fitness Centre in Chennai ( India )

•  How many clients do you work with on a weekly basis?

About 10 clients

•  What is you average number of sessions per client per week?

3 to 4 times a week

•  What do you charge for your services?

This varies from person-to-person depends upon their goal and the time I allot for them. On the average I charge $ 25.00 per session

•  What inspired you to become a personal trainer?

Learning is my passion. Teaching what I learned is the urge I feel. Body building is in my blood. What more reasons do I need to become a personal trainer?

•  What are the key factors you attribute to the success of your business as a personal trainer?

My commitment to the task on hand. I give 100% service to my clients. My clients believe that I follow what I preach. The way I motivate them is another solid reason for my success.

•  What types of marketing have produce the best results in helping you grow your business?

It is the mouth-to-mouth advertisement given by my satisfied clients, which gets me more clients. My total involvement in bringing the best out of my clients gives my clients the kind of satisfaction and builds their confidence in me.

•  How has ISSA certification enhanced your business credibility?

When I flash my ISSA identity card in support of my professional qualification the atmosphere immediately gets electrified. I can sense it. This is a new experience for me. ISSA certification is recognized even in far away places like India . In fact my ISSA certificate gave me big business from two major companies (Airtel mobile and IKEA-the Sweedish giant in furniture manufacturing).

•  What advice would you give some one just starting out as a personal trainer?

Be committed, learn to motivate and always update your

Knowledge in your chosen profession.

•  Other comments:

Keep yourself up to date with the happenings in the fitness world wide. Get certified by reputed institution like ISSA. Keep reading; get organized. Be a role model by keeping yourself healthy and fit. Be modest and friendly.