AboutBrad J Loomis Expertise I am a WNBF professional bodybuilder and fitness trainer who is well versed in Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology. I am equally well versed in muscle hypertrophy and fat reduction. I have coached male, female, and teenage competitors all to top 5 finishes, 2 with class wins. Competition prep and posing are other subjects I love to teach. I am very good with nutrition, but will admit that I am not a dietician. I hold a Bachelors Degree in Radiologic Science, a Personal Training Certification with the IDEA Health and Fitness Association and am a certified RKC (Russian Kettlebell Challenge) Instructor. I am most knowledgeable in Anatomy, kinesiology and Exercise Execution, especially Compound and Isolation free weight exercises. I also love to answer questions about motivation.
Experience I have won 3 overall titles with the ABA/INBA and several class wins. In August 2008 I won the Overall title for the INBF Washington State Natural Bodybuilding Championships earning my WNBF Pro Card. I have owned and operated "Healthy Bodies Fitness" in Portola, CA for 6 years. During that time I have taught literally hundreds of clients in nearly every way. You name it and I have used it as an avenue for coaching/teaching. One on one personal training, seminars, 10 week challenges, week long courses, group training, step aerobics, what ever it takes to spread the word of health and fitness and keep my business thriving in a small community. I have also authored a book "Design your own NUTRITION" which is being represented by ST Literary Agency.
Organizations W.N.B.F (World Natural Bodybuilding Federation) ABA/INBA (www.naturalbodybuilding.com)RKC I (www.dragondoor.com)
A.R.R.T (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists)IDEA Health and Fitness Association
Publications March 2007 Issue of IDEA Fitness Journal (Member Spotlight)AST Sports Science Website (Interviewed by IFBB Pro Jeff Willet)www.bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/healthybodies,www.inbf.net,www.californianaturalmuscle.org,www.youtube.com/healthybodys
Local Paper "Portola Reporter"
Education/Credentials My background is in Health Care. I earned my Bachelors in Radiologic Science and have worked in Diagnostic Imaging for 13 years, thus my vast knowledge of anatomy. I also hold my personal training certification with IDEA Health and Fitness Association. The rest of my knowledge comes from frequently reading the journals of The American College of Sports Medicine and American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. There are other journals out there, but those are my favorites.
Awards and Honors As I mentioned above, I am a 7x Natural Body Building Champion.
2003 Novice Overall Champion ABA/INBA Northern Nevada Natural
2004 Open Medium height division winner ABA/INBA Western USA Natural
2006 Open Overall Champion ABA/INBA Naturals Nationals
2007 Open Short class winner ABA/INBA Mr. Millenium and Mr. Reno
2008 Open Overall Champion ABA/INBA Mr. Millenium
2008 Open Middleweight winner INBF Capital City Naturals
2008 Open Overall Champion INBF Washington State Naturals(Earned WNBF Pro Status)
Past/Present Clients To many to list, but I am especially proud to have done consulting with Tony Bennett.
Expert: Brad J Loomis Date: 3/13/2008 Subject: Length of Workouts
Question QUESTION: Hi,
My name is Neil and I recently started bodybuilding. I have heard/read several places that workouts should be kept short (45 mins- 1 hour) to inhibit cortisol release or something. However, I am accustomed to doing long, 2-2 1/2 hour workouts almost every day and have been seeing pretty good results. Would I be improving faster if I cut my workouts shorter (even though that would mean fewer total sets)?
Also, how does cardio fit into this equation? Is it counted in the 45-60 minutes? I generally, on non-school-days, do 30-60 minutes of cardio AFTER my workout. Is this still ok or is this doing the same damage that a long workout would do? And a related issue is, if I want to drink a post-workout protein-and-carb drink, should I drink it after weights and before cardio, or after the cardio?
Thanks for helping me sort out some stuff,
Neil Kumar
ANSWER: Neil,
I don't know about you, but if I can get the same, or even better,
results by working less, I will. I can't imagine lifting heavy weights to failure for 2 hours. Unless of course I do more talking than grunting. If you are working to failure in a 6 rep range, taking 2 minutes of rest between each set, doing 6 - 9 total compound movements and 2 - 4 isolation movements in each and every workout like the American College of Sports Medicine recommends, than yes, your workout should be done in under an hour. And you should be thanking GOD that it is over.
Why do you do 30 - 60 minutes of cardio? Did some one tell you to do that? Did you read it in a magazine? Is that what your local "gym expert" does? Because quite honestly if you are looking for a lean physique, you will get better results if you try to drill yourself into the floor, in other words don't pace yourself, for 15 minutes. Additionally, try to separate your cardio from your weight workout. That way you get two spikes in your metabolism in stead of one.
As for your protein shake, just get it in, and make sure you don't puke it up when you are doing your cardio. That stuff is expensive.
Good Luck
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks,
By the way, I forgot to ask: I have had intermittent problems with mild gyno- and I was wondering if my fondness for edmame (soy beans) might be a problem- I've heard that they contain phytoestrogens, which makes me think they might cause estrogen problems. I mean, these are green veggies with lots of protein so they seem like a good thing to eat, but not if they're gonna give me bitch tits. I also heard a similar thing about flax, which is a type of EFA that I use- that it also contains phytoestrogens. Should I avoid these things?
Thanks
Answer Neil,
I can't imagine that the soybeans and flax oil would cause your problem. Our bodies do not just build up estrogen naturally. They are equipped to keep things in balance unless you start messing with your hormones by taking steroids or other anabolic enhancers.
Either way, soy is a poor protein source. Soy lacks the amino acids in the same proportions as regular protein sources like meat, whey, and eggs. With out those amino acids in the proper percentages, it makes it damn hard to build muscle. It's like trying to make you car run on alcohol instead of gasoline. It might work, but it runs like hell.
As for you EFA's don't quit taking those. Just try to balance them out by getting your Omega 6's as well. There is a lot of research out there showing the anti-catabolic properties of EFAs. I take roughly 2g of Omega 6s from fish oil concentrate and 1g of Omega 3s. This is certainly not a formula I came up with, but what I have read in the medical journals.
I know that is not much of answer, but I don't know a lot about your problem and I can only advise you on what I know.
