AMBASSADOR COMPETITION

***UPDATE***
Thanks everyone who voted, I really appreciate your help! I won the competition and am now the New Ambassador for GoNutrition!
ORIGINAL
I have been using GoNutrition Supplements for over a year now, I recommend them to my clients and gym members, so when an opportunity came up to apply for a sponsorship I was excited to apply! Out of 150 people I have been chosen as one of 5 finalists, one of whom will win a full sponsorship which would mean the world to me!The final athlete will be chosen by public vote which is live now! CLICK HERE TO VOTE JULIA
I don't know when voting will finish so I need your help now!
Please can you spare a sec to click on this link and scroll down, click the button by my name to register your vote. m in the lead as I write this, but its really close, so every vote is vital!
If you have a sec to support me I would really appreciate it!
Many Thanks!!
Below is the bio that is listed on the website so if you like my bio, please show your support!

BIO JULIA HUBBARD

'I’m a former Team GB Bobsleigh Athlete, Masters 200m World Champion and current Natural World & Natural Olympia Figure Champion, earning Pro status in 2014. I am currently preparing to compete in Figure and Bikini competitions in the USA, Spain and UK in October and then I will be focussing on more competitions in 2015 along with the Masters Athletics World Championships in Australia'.

I have a degree in Sports Science & Physiology and have been Personal Training for nearly 20 years. During that time I’ve also worked in Gyms, Sports & supplement retail, Promotions and owned my own Gym. After 5 years competing in the Figure class of natural bodybuilding, I now also coach other women to compete and I love helping them achieve their personal goals. Highlights in my fitness career have been a feature in Muscle & Fitness mag and a cover on Ultra Fit Magazine. Competing in Bobsleigh then Athletics & Bodybuilding have all given me amazing experiences and opportunities to travel and meet new people and I hope to continue this for the foreseeable future!

 

I would love to be an ambassador for GoNutrition and I feel I would make a good ambassador as I have such a varied background in the world of health and fitness. I would really like to inspire other people to chase their sporting dreams despite whatever barriers they face. I have overcome the adversities of being diagnosed with a heart condition and recovering from a broken back (bobsleigh accident), so I can also empathise with how tough many people find it trying to get fit. I’m almost 40 and believe in lifelong health and fitness, its never too late to get started on improving your health & fitness! I’m also a Vegetarian athlete, so I love to inspire others who wish to follow this lifestyle to reach their goals on a Vegetarian diet too. I already use many GN products and recommend them because I love them.”

As well as the above mentioned achievements, Julia has also bagged herself the following titles:

 

Bodybuilding:

2015

INBA World Champs Dubai

4^th Figure

4^th Sports Model

4^th Bikini

2014

2^nd PNBA Miss Olympia Silver Figure USA

1^st INBA Olympia 3 x Gold Medalist USA

1^st World Champion WNBA Fitbody SPAIN

1st NAC UK Championships

1st NAC Beach Body Physique & Bikini

1st NPA West Britain Trained Figure

4th Sport Model INBA World Champs SLOVAKIA

2013

1st British Championships Trained Figure NPA

1st South West Britain Trained Figure NPA 2013

1st Miss Galaxy Universe Supreme Champion Fall Classic

1st Miss Galaxy Universe Supreme Champion June Show

1st West Britain Trained Figure NABBA

1^st Miss Hercules Toned Figure WABBA

4th FitFactor Bodypower

2012

2nd DFAC WORLD FINALS USA

1st BNBF British Trained Figure Champion

1st Place NPA South

1st Place BNBF Wales

1st Bournemouth Bodybuilding Show

1st Place Miss Galaxy Fitness Champion

2nd Place Miss Galaxy Fitness Model

2nd Place Miss Galaxy Overall Champion

1st Place WABBA Miss Aphrodite

BodyPower Bodyfitness 2nd Place 2010

Ms Hercules Bodyfitness 2nd Place 2010

Athletics:

World Masters Championships Brazil 2013

Bronze in 100m Bronze 200m

European Masters Indoors 2013 Spain

World Champion 4x200m Silver 400m, Bronze 200m

World Masters indoors 2012 Finland

World Champion 4x200m Silver 200 & 400m, Bronze 60m World Champion 4x200m European Masters Indoors 2013
Silver 400m, Bronze 200m

World Championships 2011 USA

World Champion 200m 100m Silver World Championships Bronze 100m & 200m Masters Athletics, Brazil 2013

World Champion 4x200m European Masters Indoors 2013
Silver 400m, Bronze 200m
World Champion 4x200m World Masters indoors 2012
Silver 200, 400m, Bronze 60m World Masters Indoors 2012
World Champion 200m w35 2011
Silver medalist 100m w35 2011World Championships Bronze 100m & 200m Masters Athletics, Brazil 2013
World Champion 4x200m European Masters Indoors 2013
Silver 400m, Bronze 200m
World Champion 4x200m World Masters indoors 2012
Silver 200, 400m, Bronze 60m World Masters Indoors 2012
World Champion 200m w35 2011
Silver medalist 100m w35 2011 World Championships Bronze 100m & 200m Masters Athletics, Brazil 2013
World Champion 4x200m European Masters Indoors 2013
Silver 400m, Bronze 200m
World Champion 4x200m World Masters indoors 2012
Silver 200, 400m, Bronze 60m World Masters Indoors 2012
World Champion 200m w35 2011
Silver medalist 100m w35 2011

Plyometrics

I love Plyometrics. As a sprinter and as a bodybuilder! There's so many ways to incorporate them into your training. If im doing a track session I do running drill plyos and if im at the gym I do bodyweight and box plyos. I will focus on track plyos in another post for sprint specific drills and plyos.  Here I am looking at the benefits of gym based plyos. This playlist demonstrates some of my favourite gym based plyos.

 

 

 

 

So what are plyometrics?

Basically they are jumping and hopping exercises that help develop speed, power, explosive strength. They are an advanced training technique.

 

Who should use them?

Athletes have used them for years to improve sports performance, but the general gym user and physique competitors will benefit from them too!  

 

How do you fit them into your routine?

You could make a circuit of a few of them as a conditioning session, you could use them as a TABATA session  (type of high intensity cardio) or for advanced lifters, you could include them in a superset with strength exercises like Squats, deadlifts and leg press (this is quite taxing on the central nervous system so if you do this, just do it for  a few weeks then have a break from it) Plyos are often included I general circuit training and bootcamps.

 

How do I get started

Start with two footed exercises and a few sets with full recovery and build up volume gradually. Progress to single leg (hopping) exercises as a more advanced exercise as more stress is placed through the joints. 

 

Different uses

If you are using plyos for conditioning, take short recovery's between sets. To develop speed, power, strength and explosiveness, perform exercises fast and take full recovery between exercises so you can generate as much power as possible!

 

Results

Regular plyo training in conjunction with strength, conditioning, sport specific training etc can assist sports performance, improving speed, strength and explosiveness. So they are essential for any sports where acceleration, speed and explosiveness are key! As a physique competitor I use plyos instead of cardio to maintain muscle mass on my legs, keep a great shape in quads, hamstrings and glutes and its so much more fun than endless cardio!!!! As plyos are high intensity exercise they help boost your post exercise metabolism, go great to use if trying to lose fat!

 

Considerations

Plyometric exercises involve an increased risk of injury because large forces are generated whilst performing them. Plyos should therefore only be performed by well conditioned individuals under supervision. You should already have good levels of physical strength, flexibility, and coordination before embarking on plyometric training. Make sure you don't do plyos every day, recovery is important! Always check with a doctor & Fitness professional before starting any new exercise regime!

 

So that's my beginners guide to gym based plyos! Im off to the gym now and i'll be finishing my session with tabatas of a couple of my favourites! Im 3 weeks from my first comp of the year so I want to fire up my metabolism with some high intensity work!

 

 

 

Athletics

Coming Soon, I will be blogging as I prepare to compete in Masters Athletics events. Posting training sessions, tips, technique videos, nutrition, races, information and product reviews.

Got a question about sprinting, masters athletics, training or nutrition? Comments below and I will see what I can do!

In 2012 I was featured in a 6 page article by Muscle & Fitness Magazine about combining the two sports, Bodybuilding and Athletics.

Check out my other blog The Sporty Vegetarian for nutrition information. Not just for vegetarians, I am posting recipes for high protein snacks and tips on nutrition when travelling & competing.