Amy Dixon is one of the most dynamic fitness instructors and Master Trainers in the industry today.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise physiology.  She is AFAA, Johnny G. Spinning Program, Schwinn Cycling, Stairmaster Treadmill and Gravity certified.  Amy is the official spokesperson for Women’s Health Magazine, a fitness and nutrition educator at the college level, a personal trainer, a cardiac rehab specialist, a fitness DVD star and choreographer, a BOSU Master Trainer, a Schwinn Cycling Master Trainer, a GRAVITY Master Trainer, and the writer and former director of a wellness program established for the national organization called Senior Friends. She is a former World competitive power tumbler and coach and uses that experience everyday in her classes.  With over 15 years of teaching experience, she is best known for her energy and enthusiasm for fitness.  Her energy is contagious.  She delivers a fun, performance based class and works hard to educate and motivate her students to achieve extraordinary results.  She has also been a part of the Nike Rockstar Fitness Academy in Los Angeles. 

Name: Amy Dixon

Birthday: June 27, 1976

Location: Ogden, Utah

Website: www.amydixonfitness.com

Diet Detective: Hey Amy, thanks for answering our questions. We know you’re an exercise physiologist and personal trainer – how did you get started?

Amy: Fitness has been a major part of my life since the age of four.  I grew up loving and participating in many different types of sports and competed at the World Level in Power Tumbling at the age of 12.  Participating in sports allowed me to connect with my inner athlete and I wanted to help others do the same.  When I started college my goal was to become a history/health teacher and possibly coach cheerleading and other sports.  But when I started the teaching program, I felt like there was something more for me.  I changed my major to Exercise Physiology and started teaching Group Fitness classes at the local gym in Ogden, Utah.  Now I live in Los Angeles doing what I love day in and day out.  My world comes together when I am teaching a class or working one on one with a client. 

Diet Detective:  Can you tell us a bit about your DVDs – what makes them different from all the other fitness DVDs on the market.  Which one is your favorite?

Amy:  I currently have three DVDs on the market titled; Ultimate Fat Burn, Total Workout in Ten and The Perfect Body Workout.  All of my DVDs incorporate many different fitness formats; such as cardio, strength conditioning and flexibility training.  All of my strength exercises are dynamic and work the entire body so as you transition from strength to cardio you will notice that your intensity stays up.  I am a firm believer that intensity is the key when it comes to exercise and changing the body.  My DVD’s will really push you.  If I had to pick a favorite so far it would be Total Workout in Ten.       

Diet Detective:  What makes what you do different from other fitness experts and trainers?

Amy:  I truly believe that I have an ability to coach my classes and clients.  My motto is if you don’t know what to expect…you don’t know what to give.  I always let my classes and clients know my expectations, and then I provide the journey.        

Diet Detective: What do you do when you “fall of the wagon?”

Amy: I try not to beat myself up about it.  If I have a weekend of excess, I just try to go a little harder with my workouts at the first of the week and eat clean to make up for it.  I am learning that all or nothing doesn’t work for me so I am more about moving toward moderation.  I personally don’t want to give up Mexican food…and I don’t have to.     

Diet Detective: Tell us the biggest secret that trainers typically don’t tell their clients, but should?

Amy:  Spot training doesn’t work…you are given one body with a particular genetic make-up.  You can get the best body possible with what you have been given.  Don’t promise what you can’t deliver. 

Diet Detective: How do you get a body by Amy Dixon? What do you need to do each day?

Amy:  Every day is different but I can tell you that I try to be active every single day.  It takes good old fashioned hard work.  Variety is what works for me at different levels of intensity.  If you stopped by my club you would see me teaching indoor cycling, treadmill, strength training, core strength and stretch classes and even a little yoga.  When I am not teaching, I like to do interval treadmill workouts, kettle bells or the elliptical trainer.  I am truly a gym rat.  I spend at least 3-4 hours a week working at a high level of intensity and the rest of my workouts at an intensity that is comfortable but challenging.  As far as diet is concerned, I try to eat as clean as possible.  I eat lean proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables and complex carbohydrates. 

Diet Detective: Out of all the celebrities you’ve trained—who is the hardest working? And why? What can we learn from her/ him?

Amy: I have had the pleasure of having many different celebrities in my classes over the years.  Out of all of them I respect and admire Jodie Foster the most.  She is dedicated and works hard.  She has an amazing body and truly puts in the time to look the way she does.  She is real and that is something that I respect when it comes to living in Los Angeles.  You have to learn how to sift through the ego.   

Diet Detective: Do you think that women need to exercise and train differently then men? If so, how?

Amy:  I don’t!  A lunge and a push-up is the same whether you are a girl or a boy.  I love total body training and the principles and philosophies are the same for girls and boys.  It might just be that women lift a little lighter then men.

Diet Detective: In all your years of training what do you consider the three (3) best non-weight related exercise (e.g. lunge). Can you also explain how to do the exercise?

Amy: A squat, a lunge and a push-up.

Squat – Stand with feet hips distance apart.  Sit down until knees are in a 90 degree angle.  Weight should be primarily in the heels.  Press up through the heels and do it again.

Lunge – Stand with feet together.  Step forward with right foot leading with heel.  Bring right knee to a 90 degree angle and keep hips square.  Bend the left knee slightly.  Push off of right foot and return to standing.  Repeat the sequence with the left leg leading. 

Push-up – Come into a high plank position with legs extended long and wrists and hands directly below your shoulders.  Back should be level with shoulders and heels.  Hands are wider than shoulder width apart.  Bend elbows and lower chest down toward the floor.  Get as close to the floor as possible and push up through the hands to high plank position.  Neck should be a natural extension of the spine throughout the exercise.     

Diet Detective: If you could only do only one strength training exercise (using weights) what would it be?

Amy: Clean and Press – It incorporates strength and power in the lower body for the squat and strength in the upper body for the overhead press.  Total body = Excellent Returns 

Diet Detective: What is the worst strength training exercise for women? Or one that is the most frequently done incorrectly?

Amy:  Arm circles…they burn but they won’t change your body.  P.S. Men, please don’t let me see you doing arm circles. 

Chest flye standing with dumbbells...gravity must oppose the muscle group that you are working.  So a chest flye done standing with dumbbells is really working your shoulder.  If you do a chest flye lying down on a bench or stability ball with dumbbells you will be able to feel the difference immediately.  Say hello to your chest and not your shoulders.

Diet Detective: What’s your favorite “junk food?”

Amy: Can I only list oneJ?  Chocolate….and anything you can find it in.   

Diet Detective: What’s your favorite healthy breakfast?

Amy: Egg white omelet with mushrooms, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and grilled chicken breast

Diet Detective: Who do you respect most, or who motivates you?

Amy:  My two young daughters Bella and Ava motivate me every single day to be the best person I can possibly be.    

Diet Detective: If you had to choose a specific song or band to get you excited for your workout, what would it be? What other songs are on your iPod?

Amy: Don’t hate me…but Bon Jovi’s classic Livin on a Prayer.  I know…it is a classic to me.  I also love listening to a big mix of music.  I love Justin Timberlake, Journey, Timbaland, The Foo Fighters, Muse, Beyonce, Madonna, and The Beatles.  Sky is the limit with me. 

Diet Detective: What do you do to reduce stress/relax/center your mind? Do you participate in an organized relaxation activity such as yoga, meditation or tai chi?

Amy: Spend the day at the spa.  When I have time for a massage I will do it.  I also try to do a Yoga class as often as possible. 

Diet Detective: What was your worst summer job?

Amy: Mowing lawns and washing walls…not good times…

Diet Detective: What’s your motto?

Amy: Capture your moment

Thank you!!!!

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