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Training Tip
“Motion is lotion"
"We can't maintain what we don't attain."
Ivan believes that every move made during exercise is meaningful, therapeutic, and good for the body. He takes a comprehensive approach to fitness that includes cardio to build stamina, weight training to increase strength, functional exercise to improve function, yoga for mobility, and balance training to boost coordination.
Education/Certifications
Fitness Experience
Favorite Exercise: Dumbbell Row
Blazquez, IN, Warren, BL, O'Hanlon, AO & Silvestri, LR. (2012)."An Adequate Interset Rest Period For Strength Recovery During A Common Isokinetic Test," Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Oct 23.
Oliver, GD, Stone, AJ, Wyman, JW & Blazquez, IN (2012). "Muscle Activation of the Torso During the Modified Razor Curl Hamstring Exercise," International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 7(1), 49-57.
Blazquez, IN, Warren, BL, O'Hanlon, AM & Silvestri, LR. (2009). "An Optimal Interset Rest Period for Strength Recovery During a Common Isokinetic Test," Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 41(5), (Suppl. 535).
Warren, BL & Blazquez, IN, (2005). "Strength Recovery Rest Periods During Isokinetic Testing," Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 37(5), (Suppl. 260).
Warren, BL & Blazquez, IN, (2004). "Rest Period for Strength Recovery During Isokinetic Testing," Proceedings: XXIInd International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports, International Society of Biomechanics in Sports, pp. 143-144.
"Six months before my wedding, I enlisted Ivan in a battle at which I was failing. At my wedding, the only thing exclaimed almost as often as congratulations was what did you do – you’ve lost so much weight. I wish I could post a video of my wedding as a testimonial of Ivan’s dedication, knowledge, and motivation. Because I’m so happy with what we accomplished, I have continued to train with Ivan now that the wedding is over. Ivan’s passion for what he does is reflected in his workout sessions with clients. His drive to know more about what he is doing – new machines, how our bodies work, nutrition, etc – make for a trainer who is a real expert in what he does. What he practices he understands in an academic sense – I think that his MEd in sports science and that he has been published in a scholarly journal attests to that fact more than I can. As a person who competes in strength competitions, he is often struggling to meet his own goals, giving him firsthand knowledge of how hard this can be. While I am not competing at a professional level, what he does is relevant to what we all go through in training. He changes our routine constantly and I’ve learned that each machine has an unending number of uses in the hands of a creative, knowledgeable, and dedicated trainer. I particularly have benefited from a combination of strength training and interval training he prescribed for me. I’ve enjoyed watching my progress through the strength tests and body measurements he does periodically. It has given me a way other than the scale to monitor and understand my progress. And, he has always been willing to target our workouts to a new goal. After the wedding was over, I turned my sites to the Crescent City Classic and our training reflected my new goal. Most importantly, Ivan has given me a renewed sense of confidence and physical health. Perhaps vainly, I also do it because I like the way I’m looking these days. Thanks to Ivan, the battle at which I was failing has become a battle that I am happy to fight."
--- Stephanie, 33, Writer & Editor
"Training with Ivan over the past year has improved my golf game and my posture lowered my body fat and increased my core strength. At the age of 53, I feel younger and more limber than I have for years. The best part is, I enjoy the training sessions. Ivan keeps them interesting by constantly changing the exercises, and developing new ones. He truly gives “personal” training sessions, designing a combination of strength building and functional exercises for each session to work on my particular needs, and to build on what I’ve already accomplished. When I started, I was skeptical that my strength and appearance would noticeably change—they have. This year, I’ve substantially raised my goals and expectations, and while I may not be drafted to model men’s athletic wear, I’m hitting the golf ball farther, running again, and for the first time I can do a few pull-ups."
--- David, 53, Attorney
“I had just about decided not to buy any more sleeveless shirts or dresses, and resign myself to shapeless arms, when I started to work out with Ivan. He insisted that I did have muscles throughout my body and that with some coaxing, they would become stronger and more noticeable. Amazingly, he was right, and at fifty +, I find that I am more fit than I have been for most of my life. The changes began immediately. Ivan has a talent for developing exercises to target specific muscles. No doubt his body-building competitions contribute to this ability, as well as his studies in exercise physiology. Many sessions with Ivan also develop into mini-lessons in motivation, positive thinking, or good nutrition. Whatever my mood, my workouts with Ivan are a positive part of the day. I know that he is putting his best efforts into developing my potential--how can I do less?”
--- Julie, 50+, Attorney
"I began working with Ivan in the Fall of 2007, at the beginning of my junior year of high school. I was trying out for the football team, and wanted to get myself into good shape. I got a good feeling from our very first workout--a feeling that Ivan knew what he was doing. We talked about why I was there, what I wanted to achieve, and how we would do it. And then, simply put--we started doing it. My workouts with Ivan were fast, fun, and satisfying. He knows how to be your trainer, and also your friend. I always left feeling satisfied--and within a few weeks, I began to see results in my body. When I found out what position I would be playing in football (defensive tackle), Ivan modified our workouts to include football drills outside on the field to improve my skills. When I was out of town during the summer, Ivan wrote me an awesome workout plan I could do on my own--and even included some motivating quotes!
When I finally started playing games in the Fall of 2008, I had become a monster--the quickest, strongest, and most explosive I've ever been in my life. My hard work with an experienced trainer translated into big results on the football field. I quickly became the team's dominant defensive force, easily finishing the season as the team's leader in sacks and a close follow in tackles, including a season-high of six sacks in one game. Ivan even came out to see a few of my games. One remarkable thing about my success is that I don't consider myself to be very interested in athletics. My primary interest lies in creative writing, and I've won almost $4000 in writing awards over the past year. However, I was able to have great success on the football field with just one or two short workouts a week with Ivan.
I have absolutely nothing negative to say about my time with Ivan, and I'll carry the physical and mental benefits of my training with him for years. I also just feel like I know how to work out now--what my approach should be, what muscle groups to work, and how to get the results I want. I would highly recommend Ivan to any person who wants to improve their body and their life. I feel confident in saying that you will get what you want when you work with Ivan."
--- Tim, 17, Student
“Ivan is not only an extremely knowledgeable and professional, but he has taken the time to get to know me personally. I started seeing him once or twice a week because of osteopenia (early-onset osteoporosis). He surprised me with how easily he came up with a solid core of exercises to increase my bone density. After a year, my condition had improved dramatically. He is creative, motivational, and completely understanding. Recently, somewhat on a whim, I decided I wanted to run a half marathon. When I told him I wanted to run, I believe his exact words were "Let's do it!" He helped me one hundred percent of the way. He even came out to the race to cheer me on and watch me finish. Ivan is not only a top-of-the-line trainer but a great person. We joke with each other, we have fun, but I know I am getting one heck of a workout with him that is perfectly suited to my needs to get me in top shape physically and mentally.”
--- Tom, 18, Student
Stressed? If you're feeling it, chances are your child is feeling it too. You know the signs; when your mind starts racing and your heartbeat starts racing, your tendency is to get louder and faster. But what you and your body and your child need is for things to slow down and start making sense.
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