Height: 6ft / 183cm
Weight (stage): 98k
Weight (off-season): 105k
Web: www.jamesalexanderellis.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JamesAlexanderEllis
WHAT MISTAKES DID YOU MAKE AS A BEGINNER
AND HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS TO BEGIN?
James Alexander-Ellis : I made fast progress during the first year, but then i got very distracted by University, drinking, partying etc. I also didn't watch my diet that well! Be consistent, that's my main piece of advice, as without consistency there is little long term gain with training.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE ANYONE
STRUGGLING TO STAY MOTIVATED?
James Alexander-Ellis : Think about why you started working out in the first place, and think about how terrible it would be just to have an "average" physique like most people. Nothing is better than having a supreme body to be proud of, it says so many positive things about you and is better than ANY sports car!
WHO ARE YOUR IDOLS?
James Alexander-Ellis : Mostly they are my rivals in the WBFF federation. I think its important to be motivated and inspired by those around you and those whom you have to compete against.
James Alexander-Ellis : One of my favourites for sure is the Stiff Legged Deadlift, as it gave me decent hamstrings after years of having none. Plus I REALLY feel it, and i have good form - so i get DOMS easily when i nail a few heavy sets!
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
James Alexander-Ellis : Fitness related, but not entirely competition related: I changed my career virtually overnight 5 years ago from working in an office as an Architect - to a Personal Trainer and Strength Coach. I was dissatisfied with my lifestyle and wanted to be my own boss, so i changed my life very quickly, taking a big risk… and it paid off. If i hadn't done that we wouldnt be speaking today and i would never have stepped on stage for sure!
QUICK FAVORITE: PRESS OR PULL?
James Alexander-Ellis : Press!
HOW DOES YOUR OFF DAY LOOK LIKE?
James Alexander-Ellis : Wake up at LEAST 1 hr later than usual, with no alarm to wake me up! :-)
HOW DOES YOUR TYPICAL WEEK IN THE GYM LOOK LIKE?
James Alexander-Ellis : Off season its 5 day a week bodybuilding split training, minimal CV or conditioning work. In competition prep, which is usually 12-16 weeks, its twice a day training mon-fri, with weights in one end of the day and either CV or metabolic work (or both) at the other end! 1 workout on Saturday OR sunday, and the other day taken OFF!
DO YOU PREFER TO WORKOUT
ON YOUR OWN OR WITH A GYM BUDDY?
James Alexander-Ellis : I used to prefer working out alone and have done so consistently for last few years, but recently i have been training with my friends Laura Madge and also my friend and coach Scott Leeson. I would say that i prefer to work out in a pair these days as it ensures i turn up to my scheduled workout time, and i will probably workout a bit harder!
WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO IN THE GYM?
James Alexander-Ellis : I would listen to Trance, mostly Armin Van Buuren and the A State Of Trance podcasts.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE FOR ALL THE GUYS
WHO WANT TO GET NICE TONED ABS?
James Alexander-Ellis : Number 1 tip: For every hour you might wanna spend working our your abs, spend the time that week working your legs and focusing on the big compound lifts instead. Its a much better route to fat loss!
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE IN THE FUTURE?
James Alexander-Ellis : I have already done so much in my fitness career and competing, my future goals are more centred around being successful with the business side of things, and continuing to build a lifestyle in which I am happy and content. If I can do well in my next show in 2 weeks, that would of course be nice, but it's really just a hobby/sport that i enjoy and not the centre of my existence.
ONE DAY IN LIFE. WITH WHICH ONE
BODYBUILDER WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIFT?
James Alexander-Ellis : Of course, Arnold… the cocky young Arnold from the 80s. I'd be fascinated by his mindset and his attitude, moreso than his training techniques.
DO YOU PREFER TO STAY LEAN ALL YEAR ROUND
OR BULK AND CUT METHODE?
James Alexander-Ellis : Ideally i would stay lean, but as a WBFF competitor I have had to make a few tweaks to my physique and build some muscle in just a few months. This has involved straying away from the 5% body fat look! This year i went up to 10% in my "off season" and last year up to 15%! For this and next year i will stay leaner.
WHAT DOES YOUR SUPPLEMENT SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?
James Alexander-Ellis : I am luck yo the sponsored by Sci-Mx, one of Europe's largest supplement companies, so i use their products almost exclusively, aside from a few extra "health" related supplements (Vitamins, Fish Oils, Magnesium etc)
I use Ultra-Whey, which is their best Whey Isolate product when i need low carbs and i use Omni-Mx Leancore which is for post workout when i need carbs (40g Protein, 40g carbs per serving). They also make a variety of BCAA products which my current favourite is BCAA Intra-workout Rippedcore, mainly because it tastes like no other prep/intra workout drink!
So it's mainly Protein and BCAAs making up my supplement schedule, once a day for each, i like to keep it simple.
DO YOU TRY TO LIVE LOW CARB OR
HOW DO YOU SET YOUR NUTRITION FOCUS?
James Alexander-Ellis : I try to keep my carbs in check all year, rarely straying above 300g a day, and often using a cycle of moderate to higher days. I can comfortably exist and maintain my weight on a cycle of 150g carbs, 250g protein, 100g fat a day with 1 or 2 high carb days which have a cheat meal in the evening (for social reasons!
WHAT DOES YOUR DIET CONSIST OF WHEN CUTTING?
James Alexander-Ellis : At its lowest, 6 days of:
2500Kcals
20g Carbs, 250g Protein, 120g Fat!
1 day of:
3500Kcals
300g carbs, 200g Protein, 50g fat.
QUICK FAVORITE: BARBELL OR DUMBBELL?
James Alexander-Ellis : Dumbbell, for convenience and "feel"
FAVOURITE QUOTE?
James Alexander-Ellis : "Fortune Favours The Bold"
I love this so much i have it tattooed on my traps. It is so relevant for anyone chasing a dream or a goal!
LAST ADVICE FOR ALL OUR BLOG FOLLOWERS !!
James Alexander-Ellis : The "secret" that everyone always want to know about, the key to building an amazing body, isn't any one detail, exercise or thought. It is simply the consistent and long term application of a burning desire to achieve it. I have given up many things for my fitness, whilst others have chosen to indulge or relax or whatever. It's personal choice, and we make our choices every minute and every hour in day of our lives.
