Los Angeles Personal Trainer

Just did an interview with THALIA and it went great. We talk about moves that you can do at home as well as tips and techniques to follow to get and stay fit!

Tune in!

Lalo Fuentes, CSCS
Personal Trainer and Lifestyle Coach
Los Angeles California

Back in 2007 I was putting together some ideas for my first DVD. One of my friends insisted I should meet her client, who was the owner of a big fitness DVD company, to give me some guidance. I met with the client to find she was an overweight businesswoman with an even bigger attitude. Over the next hour she bluntly told me that I didn’t have any idea what a fitness video should be like or what American audiences wanted. Then the final few, defeating phrases we exchanged:

“Tell me something Lalo, is your video going to be FUN?” she taunted.

I replied, “Well, it is going to be challenging and…” but she cut me off before I could finish.

“Then it won’t sell!” she snapped. “Come up with something fun and people will buy. If you need somebody to produce it for you, we can help.”

Those were pretty much the words that closed that meeting. I walked back to my car with my ego feeling like it had been beaten with a bat over the last hour. It’s over, I thought. All that effort, time and money to create what I thought a perfect video should be like; it was for nothing. I felt like I’d been wasting my time on something that wasn’t going to work. I felt stupid.
On my way back home, I started thinking about all the possible ways I could make this video “fun” so people would buy it; music, props, costumes. The very things I disliked about fitness videos. Every idea just kept leading me back to something I didn’t want my video to be like in the first place.

So, I went back to the drawing board… and didn’t change a thing. Why? I decided that I was going to do something that I would enjoy working out to, like if I were creating it with myself as a client in mind. The Fun Factor lady was right; this was something completely different than other videos out there. It didn’t have bright lights or colors, no extremely happy people behind me doing the exercises, no porn-like music playing on the background. I knew that this video was either going to succeed or it was going to sink badly, but I was willing to live with it on my terms. People may like easy, but they want to see results. I decided to create the tools to deliver them, but it had to be physically challenging. I don’t know about you, but challenging is my kind of fun.

Months later, the Fun Factor company almost closed shop due to lack of sales, while my video got featured on TV, radio and magazines, including SHAPE as DVD of the month. The sales were (and still are) something I never expected. We started receiving orders from people all over the U.S. and the rest of the world including Japan, Germany, Australia, England, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Vietnam, Peru, Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Spain and Portugal. How these people learned about my video? I still have no idea.

Up to this day, there are still people who just don’t get it. To these people: Good things in life don’t always come easy. Why do you think I went to college? Do you think I was in my biology class thinking, this is so much fun!? I didn’t, because it wasn’t, but I knew a good education would benefit me in the future.

I truly enjoy exercise. I know it’s good for me, but that doesn’t mean I wake up every morning before my alarm because I cannot wait to go workout. Think twice! I’d rather sleep in, but I do it because I like the way a healthy body feels, and the way it looks too. I like to know that no matter what activity the day brings, I’m not going to feel like the last kid to be picked to play at recess; the one nobody wants on their team.

Big exercise companies know most of us are lazy. They know that in order to get their hands in our pockets they need to sell us something that promises to be fun and easy. They advertise their product like it will get us runway model looking bodies while we sit watching ‘American Idol,’ sipping on a root beer float. If it were that easy, everybody would be fit already. People act like being healthy is doing somebody else a favor, rather than doing it for them selves. They want to have a body like so-and-so, but they don’t want to give up their daily grande Mocha Frappuccino. That wouldn’t be living! They want to get lean and look thinner, but don’t want cut this or that out of their diet. They don’t want to get sore, or much less sweat. They need something that’s easy and that won’t make them give up their so-called pleasures in life. Many companies know that’s what we want to hear, rather than what we need.

Funny enough, a few weeks ago my rep suggested that I should check out this new abdominal machine because they needed a spokes person for their infomercial. The machine was actually pretty good and seemed to work the way they described it. Even though it was a big chunk of money, I declined. What was my reason? A few sections of the script they would not change:

“That makes it easier to get a tight, toned tummy AND lose those ugly love handles, too.

You can have so much fun on this, you shouldn’t even CALL it exercise.”

So, what made me start doing fitness videos? Two things. First, I wanted to help people achieve their fitness goals to give themselves something to be happy about. Second, I got tired of people asking me to write them a fitness plan at every party I attended. Instead, I give them a training session wrapped inside a case. You might think they would stop asking, but they still do. I just keep pointing at my DVDs. I wanted this to be the closest thing to training them without having them come over or without having to spend their vacation money on training sessions.

If you want to get in shape it’s not going to be an easy journey, but it will be a worthy one. Regardless of what type of exercise regimen you’re doing to achieve your goals, if the program, class, DVD or instructor is too easy, no matter how they may promise to make you look instantly amazing, you won’t. Your body needs to be challenged to transform from fat to fit, period.

Lalo Fuentes, CSCS
Personal Trainer & Lifestyle Coach
Los Angeles, California

If the US wins the World Cup… Could you imagine what would it be like? A few years ago tennis was a sport that not many people could care much about. These days, over 20 million Americans have played tennis at least once! And did I mention that tennis is a great sport? Just look at the bodies of tennis players, guys or girls and you’ll agree with me. The same thing goes for soccer; look at David Beckham or Cristiano Ronaldo. Not to mention what a great sport it is for kids; soccer helps them develop, interact with others, and just enjoy themselves, something kids should do anyways.

If the US wins the World Cup… Could you imagine what would it be like? Groups of friends calling each other to get together for a quick soccer match. A little BBQ on the weekends after a great game that you just finish playing with old and new friends.

“A lot has happened in my life. I have worked hard and it is nice to know that sometimes hard work gets rewarded. This is the kind of thing I wanted, the chance to help my country, the chance to show I could produce great things, the chance to do what I know I can do. It is amazing.” – Landon Donovan

Maybe, in a few days…we are not going to just be cheering for the Lakers or the Celtics but also for the USA vs. Argentina or some other country with great players like Brazil.

And Last but not least, If the USA wins the World Cup, maybe we can include the word fútbol or futebol into the English dictionary so we can stop using the word soccer…Just an idea.

GO USA!! Keep them coming!!

Lalo Fuentes, CSCS
Personal Trainer & Lifestyle Coach
Los Angeles, California

We are very happy to announce that SHAPE magazine Germany will be featuring Lalo Fuentes in this July 2010 Issue. The article will be 7 pages long featuring Lalo's signature moves and of course, his unique FREEZE technique. Here is a quick video blog where Lalo and Tara Macken talk about the article. Don't forget to pick up a copy of SHAPE this July!

Hope you guys are enjoying the World Cup as much as we are. Let the best team win!
Cheers!

Isabelle Deluca
LaloFitness

Send us your fitness questions to: AskLalo@LaloFitness.com

IndieShop.com is a new online store where you can purchase LaloFit DVD's along with many others from a wide array of amazingly talented independent designers. Next month, IndieShop the TV show will hit the air in over 40 million US households (check website for listings). IndieShop is expected to be a huge hit and we could use your help before IndieShop is promoted to a mass audience.

The website has just launched and there may be a few kinks to work out. We are offering a 15% “Friends and Family” Coupon Code on most items to encourage you to use the site and provide feedback about your experience. You can enter your comments by clicking on “Contact” at the bottom of the IndieShop.com home page or send an email to info@indieshop.com. You may receive an email to remind you to provide feedback about your experience.

This discount is expect to last for a short time only so please do not delay in placing your order. Enter GO INDIE in the Coupon Code space in the checkout process to receive the discount. Your assistance is much appreciated! You will be proud to say that you were a part of IndieShop when everybody is talking about it!

Cheers!

Lalo Fuentes, CSCS
Personal Trainer & Lifestyle Coach
Los Angeles, California

Oscar De La Hoya & Fitness DVD LaloFit at the 3rd annual George Lopez Celebrity Golf Classic benefiting the George and Ann Lopez foundation.

George Lopez has been recognized for his amazing work in giving back to the community, and today is just another example of how much he cares. I am excited to be a part of such an inspiring charity, one that not only creates positive and permanent changes for underprivileged children and adults confronting challenges in education and health, but also increases community awareness about kidney disease and organ donation.

Cheers!

Lalo Fuentes, CSCS
Personal Trainer & Lifestyle Coach
Los Angeles, California

This past weekend I've been working on a fitness trailer for me and a team of top trainers that I'm putting together. I'll be introducing them to you very soon!

have a great week!

Lalo Fuentes, CSCS
Personal Trainer & Lifestyle Coach
Los Angeles, California

This is a short video of my recent trip to NY. It was short, I left Friday afternoon and came back to LA Saturday night. The weather was great; there was a snowstorm the day before so everything was cover on fresh snow. I met some great people and got to see some friends I haven’t seen in ages, fun times.

Enjoy!

Lalo Fuentes, CSCS
Personal Trainer & Lifetyle Coach
Los Angeles, California

After many requests, we are pleased to announce the Online Coaching program by Lalo Fuentes, starting April 1st, 2010.

This program is the perfect way to achieve a healthier body. You will have direct contact with Lalo no matter where you live. For what it would cost you to buy one Latte a day, you can get a healthier, hotter you. Lalo’s goal is to make it affordable enough so that anybody with the desire to become fit inside and out can join.

Because of the personalized nature of Lalo’s Online Coaching service, we will only be considering 15 people at a time. On March 20th, we will be selecting the first 15 candidates. If you would like to be considered, send us an email telling us why in 200 words or less. If you don’t get selected, don’t worry - your name will be placed on the waiting list and we will contact you as soon as there’s a space available.

Send us an e-mail to: OnlineCoaching@LaloFitness.com

Muy buenos días desde España,


Permítame presentarme y que no lo haga en inlgés. Acabo de adquirir sus dos videos en Collagevideo, pero acabo de ver que tiene una guía de Fitness, mi pregunta es si está en español.

Por otra parte, he estado curioseando el blog y los programas de entrenamiento; ¿puedo preguntarle si tiene en cuenta la frecuencia cardiaca, y por tanto el trabajo aeróbico y anaerobico realizado para diseñar un programa?

Un saludo,

Milagros
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Good morning from Spain,

I just bought both of your videos at Collagevideo but just noticed that you have a Fitness Guide, does it come in Spanish as well?

Also, I’ve been reading your blog and your fitness tips. My question is, while designing your fitness program, did you take in consideration the frequency of the cardio as well as the anaerobic moves?

Cheers,

Milagros

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Hola Milagros,

Gracias por escribir. Si, a guía de ejercicios viene también en español.

A la hora de diseñar el programa de ejercicios para el video tuve muy en cuenta de hacer una rutina que tenga incluida trabajo aeróbico mezclado con ejercicios de fortalecimiento. Es por eso que hay tres ejercicios de fortalecimiento seguidos por dos o tres de aeróbicos y despojes un descanso de 30 segundos. Esto hace que tu cuerpo logre quemar mucho mas grasas y calorías que si solo estuvieses haciendo ejercicios de fortalecimiento. El descanso de 30 segundos es para que puedas recuperarte y poder seguir la rutina con buena postura pero al mismo tiempo es un descanso mínimo para que poder mantener tu ritmo cardiaco elevado.

Cuando hice este video, lo hice lo mas parecido posible a un entrenamiento que hago con mis clientes.

Espero disfrutes del video!
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Hi Milagros,

Thank you for writing. Yes, the fitness guide comes in English and Spanish.

When I designed the moves for my fitness video, I did plan the frequency and the amount of cardio and strength training exercises. There are 3 strength training moves followed by 2 o 3 cardio moves, this makes your body burn more calories and fat. After that circuit, there’s a 30 second brake. This brake allows you to catch your breath so you can continue with the workout with good form. At the same time, by just taking 30 seconds we are making sure your heart rate stays in a good zone.

When I did this exercise video, I wanted to make it as close as one of the sessions I have with my clients.

Hope you enjoy your video!

Lalo Fuentes, CSCS
Personal Trainer & Lifetyle Coach
Los Angeles, California