Interviews with the top names in the Malaysian Fitness Industry - Julian Underwood
For our very first feature of our series of interviews with some of the top names in our local Fitness Industry, we have a Personal Trainer like no other, and who is a familiar name - he is none other than Julian Underwood. Conducting the interview, is Malaysia’s top Fitness Blogger, DM, author of dailymuscle.com.
DM: Hi Julian, thank you for taking the time to share a little bit about yourself to our readers. Can you tell us what is your educational or previous training background?
Julian: Well I am a graduate with a BSc in Economics. An internationally qualified group exercise instructor of more than 6 years, as well as being certified in strength conditioning and injury rehabilitation from the National Sports Council. I have also obtained an international and accredited certification in personal training and well as being the country’s only Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist from prestigious American Council on Exercise. I have also been part of the education committee of the sports science Faculty of University Malaya in 2005 and have contributed in the course development (pedagogy) for the National Fitness Council of Malaysia in 2007 for their Certification. My education also includes being certified as a Neurolinguistic practitioner (NLP) from the National Federation of Neurolinguistic Psychology.
I have had the opportunity to have worked in the finance industry for 3 years following which I have been in product management for a pharmaceutical company for 7 years.
My fitness experience includes being a S.E.A games coach for the field event athletes in the ’90-’91 period. I too have had the opportunity to lead the fitness department as a National Fitness Manager for the largest fitness chain in Malaysia. I have also had the fortunate experience of being one of the official judges for The World Women ‘s Fitness Championship and the Asia Pacific Men’s Fitness Championship in 2005as well as Fitkids World Championship 2007. I am also currently an American Council on Exercise Academy Specialist involved and providing continuous education for trainers.
DM: In a nutshell- What is your training philosophy?
Julian: Not too sure which ‘NUT’ you are referring to, would it be the small peanut, the moderate sized Brazil nut or the massive coconut?? Ha ha ha ha …. You know that I can go on talking for ages. ….. I will give you the Brazil nut version: well MY training philosophy follows a few principles, whether it’s for clients or training trainers there are 3 main principles I adhere strictly to and they are’ attention to detail’ which is of utmost importance and this is what separates the Professionals from the Amateurs, the Boys from the Men’.
You know me, and have experienced my training… Attention to detail is imperative in communicating, educating, training, and teaching. We can’t 2nd guess anyone and hope they know what we are talking about. Giving them the details empower them.
I don’t own a Peugeot, a BMW or a Mercedes or an Audi……Safety! Safety! Safety! That’s the second main principle and that’s the reason why I drive a Volvo. We are in the fitness business that’s all physical activity…. Things can go wrong and we have to be utmost careful in thought, word and deed. This is the Brazil nut version. I will give you the coconut version some other time if you need me to.
DM: What are your goals as a personal trainer/coach?
Julian: Well as far as goals go its simple, I want to make a difference in people’s lives…..based on data, only 20% of the general population strive to make a difference by making changes in their respective industry, the rest just follow.
Firstly, I won’t settle for anything less than the best. People rely on my services and input so I try to get myself educated from credible and respectable organizations to assist.
Secondly, I try to inspire and motivate people who aspire to be the best they can be.
And finally, to maintain my sense of humility, the phrase “Eat Humble Pie” keeps one from being too arrogant and cocky…. You don’t want that when you are dealing with people.
DM: Who in the field has influenced or helped you?
Julian: Would you believe ‘Spiderman’ actually got me started in all this….ha ha ha ha!!
If it was not for that Marvel hero character, with his fantastic athletic physique, nimbleness, agility, power, strength and super cynical sense of wit…I would not be where I am now answering your questions. That’s the character that got me all started.
As for people in the field that have influenced me, they are the icon of physical culture, Joe Weider. Then there are those whom I have had the pleasure of personally being trained by. My first guru, Juan Carlos Santana (the former strength conditioning coach for the NFL San Francisco 49’ers) ,Mark Slavin from the Resistance Training Institute(US), Frank Drew from Les Mills, Dr Len Kravitz ( while I was in Australia),Peter Ling who mentored and got me started on Neurolinguistic Psychology, and the wonderfully sweet Dr Suzanne Hosley who gave me a chance to co- found Fitness Innovations Malaysia.
As for people who have helped me…. I must thank YOU, DM, who put in a good word on your blog without me even knowing it until one year later. Ha ha ha ha!
DM: What are the 3 best general training tips?
Julian: That’s easy….
1. Get educated from valid reliable sources,
2. Strive, don’t easily give up on something you have started and
3. Stay with the basics, don’t think of all the other fancy stuff if you have not done the basics or got it right.
DM: Do you train or rehabilitate females any differently from males?
Julian: Since I am currently the country’s first and only American Council on Exercise Certified Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist who deal specifically with clients with chronic illnesses as well as musculoskeletal issues, my scope of practice does not entail rehabilitation but post-rehabilitation. We work together with other health care professionals with regards to our clients. A physiotherapist is involved in Rehabilitation, whereas, I provide corrective restoration which involves cardio respiratory, strength and endurance, flexibility and provision of general nutritional advice for special population all rolled into one. My scope is to take over where the Physiotherapist has left off.
As for training males and females differently…. that’s a load of rubbish!! There is NO reputed publication from any credible organization or institution….I stress the word reputed…. That has recommended that women train differently than men. The only difference, depending on their goals, is that females respond differently to the same exercise that men do. Females can still do compound exercises like deadlifts, pushups, squats, leg presses, lat pulldowns, clean and presses that the men do. There is nothing ‘un-feminine’ about these exercises. These exercises work the relevant muscles according to how they are structured (Kinesiology). However, because of their genetic makeup (‘having about 35% less muscle than men do and also having much much less testosterone than men do’ quote from Dr Len Kravitz- American College of Sports Medicine research contributor) they would have to carry less weights ….but the exercise stays the same. It has also been documented that females can accommodate endurance exercises better than men do. Again they train the same…but are capable of more endurance work.
Females have been found to also be 7times more prone to knee injuries compared to their male counterparts, again due to having less muscle which helps keep the knee strong and lack of testosterone hormones to help strengthen and increase muscle repair. So women are encouraged to include some form of plyometric training at a more advanced stage in their training progression. Otherwise generally speaking I don’t train my female clients any differently than the males.
DM: Can you describe what a typical training session consists of for your clients?
Julian: Generally speaking when I walk in to a session there must be these priority principles :
• Education- help empower them to be independent.
• Justification- They must know why they are doing the exercises and its functionality.
• Remind- Always subtly remind them why they have embarked on the program so they don’t lose track of why they are doing it in the first place.
• Inspire- Progression is the key to achieving a higher end goal, so inspiring them to give that little bit extra, makes the body respond and become better than it was before. Letting them know how far they have come or progressed and appreciation of all the work that has been done.
Other than the principles mentioned above there is no typical regimented session that I would provide, it’s always different and fun. However the core principles of my training session would require an incorporation of cardio, muscular strength and endurance and finally flexibility.
DM: How do you monitor training intensity-how far do you push?
Julian: Safety is my priority…That always comes first. I am trained to follow guidelines established for safety and effectiveness. If they are beginners then intensity levels are moderate (enough that they feel worked). The body responds to overload principle, as long as the client has worked hard enough or slightly more than what he/she is capable of doing for that day, then that will contribute to an overload and subsequently with proper recuperative nutrition and rest the body supercompensates (it becomes better than it was before). So in a sense, I would not say I “Push” my clients, but I try my best to “Inspire “them to take it to the next level. That always works out better than shouting and screaming on top of your lungs…Ha ha ha ha!!
DM: Who are your typical clients?
Julian: They are mainly humans ….. Did that tickle you?
Almost 20 years experience under my belt and I have worked with sorts of people of ages from 13 till 76, all coming with differing needs and ailments. I am qualified to train clients who are “apparently healthy” who want to manage their weight, as well as those in the “special Population” category, those with chronic illnesses and musculoskeletal ailments who want a better living through a proper fitness program. So I would say they are typically non-athletes with a goal of improving their fitness components.
DM: Do you use any supplements?
Julian: For a 43 year old who trains hard and am in the best shape of my life….simple answer……Yes!!
DM: Well said, Julian. You’ve always been a mentor to me, and this interview has been very inspiring and eye-opening to me, and I’m sure it will be to all those who read it as well. Thank you for your time.
To contact Julian Underwood or to know more about his services as a Personal Trainer, do view Julian’s listing on our Trainer Directory.
FitnessIdeas would like to thank both Julian, and DM, for having contributed to this interview. Stay tuned for more interviews with the big names in the Malaysian Fitness Industry - only at FitnessIdeas.org!
Do you know someone who deserves to be ranked among Malaysia’s best trainers? If you do, drop us an email at info@fitnessideas.org with details of your nominated trainer, and WHY he/she deserves to featured on FitnessIdeas - and we will do the rest!
