Martial arts and fitness training expert, Julien Greaux, has over 20-years experience practicing, and competing in the fighting arts. He now offers his considerable talents to the wider health and fitness community. Julien, who has for many years, worked in the fitness industry, and due to the marketability of his physique, has been featured on the cover of over 20 magazines and developed a reputation as someone who is consistently in shape.
Further, Julien’s professional manner and advanced knowledge base has advantageously enabled him to achieve stunning results as a trainer. These combined factors made him the obvious choice for Fitness/Mixed Martial Arts director at jamcore training.
Early Years
Having arrived in America in 2002, from his native St. Barth in the French West Indies, Julien, quickly began promoting his martial arts and fitness modeling skills. Julien’s big break came when he was discovered by photographer Irvin Gelb, who eventually introduced him to Weider Publications – the rise has since been meteoric. Now Julien aims to revolutionize the martial arts industry through the passion he has for all the fighting disciplines, combined with his MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) camp concept, which, through expert instruction from some of the world’s greatest exponents, teaches its students how to integrate the various arts to become a physically and mentally superior athlete. Along the way, Julien would like to discredit the perception that the martial arts serve as a breeding ground for violent thugs. “There are great potential benefits for everyone through the incorporation of mixed martial arts as an adjunct to their regular training programs,” says Julien.
“Now I’m focusing on how I can promote the sport, so that people who have been resistant to martial arts can understand my passion for it, and hopefully be willing to try it for themselves, rather than allow preconceived notions and stereotypes to inhibit them.” With experts like Julien leading the way, the martial arts are sure to gain momentum into the 21st century and beyond.
How did you get started in the fitness/martial arts industry?
I started studying martial arts with Karate at the age of nine. I began Karate because I was a very hyper kid and was fascinated by action movie stars, especially Bruce Lee and Jean Claude Van Damme. Since then, I’ve been practicing many forms of martial arts during the past 20 years, including: Karate, Taekwondo, Thai Boxing, Judo and Ju Jitsu. I started to weight train at 15. I came to the US in 2002 and was working as a gardener in the Hamptons. I was just attending the Night Of Champions in New York and was discovered by photographer Irvin Gelb.
I was watching the Night of the Champions contest in New York. I met photographer, Irvin Gelb, who gave me his card and told me I had great potential. I kept the card and three years later I decided to go to L.A. I called him and he introduced me to the people at Weider Publications. That’s how everything started.
Where does your motivation come from?
Man I just think it’s in my blood, when I was 16 I use to train twice a day when we had a school vacation, thats how dedicated I was. While my friends were hanging out by the beach, I was either training, or eating or sleeping, haha. Today my motivation comes from my daughter Gianna, I want to be a role model and a super dad. Also I have been training for 20 years and I never ever gave up at any point. Why? Well because it’s my passion and I love what I do.
Today I’m more focused and motivated than ever and nothing or nobody is going to stop me on reaching my goals.
What workout routine has worked best for you?
I train seven days a week, incorporating weight training, martial arts, stretching and cardio. I used to do more of a bodybuilding type workout for the first 10 years, but I now have a more athletic approach towards my training and more functional.
Watch the videos below for more information on my workout routine: (Source: bodybuilding.com)
Day 1 – 10 Exercise Full Body Circuit
Superset:
- Burpee Pushups: 1 set of 10 reps
- Pullups: 1 set of 10 reps
- Alternating Lunge: 1 set of 50 reps, 25 each leg
- Vertical Jumps: 1 set of 10 reps
- Bench Dips: 1 set of 10 reps
- Side by Side Jump Over A Bench: 1 set of 10 reps
- Triangle Pushups: 1 set of 10 reps
- Hanging Leg Raises: 1 set of 10 reps
- Alternating Knee Ups: 20 reps, 10 each leg
- Crossover Running Plank: 1 set of 20 reps, 10 each leg
- Hanging Side Leg Raise: 1 set of 10 reps
1 min rest between circuits, complete circuit four more times.
Day 2 – 3 Exercise Circuit
- Smith Machine Bench Press: 1 set of 10 reps
- Smith Machine Squats: 1 set of 10 reps
- Smith Machine Deadlift: 1 set of 10 reps
1 min rest, complete circuit 4 more times.
Episode 3 – Julien Greaux’s 12 Week Circuit Training Diet Plan
Meal 1:
- 1 cup Cottage Cheese
- 1 cup Strawberries
- 2 Whole Grain Tortillas
Meal 2:
- 2 scoops Syntha-6 Protein with Water
Meal 3:
- 2 Lean Beef Patties
- 1 cup cooked Rice
- 1 tbsp Hummus
- 1 Apple
Meal 4:
- 2 scoops of Syntha-6 Protein
Meal 5:
- 2 Chicken Breasts
- 1 cup cooked Oatmeal
- 1 serving Salad with Fat Free Dressing
Supplements
- Thermonex: 3 pills before breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- NO-Xplode: 1 scoop before workout
- Syntha-6: 2 scoops after workout
Day 4 – 6 Exercise Ab Circuit
- Arm and Leg Raise with Exercise Ball: 1 set of 10 reps
- Alternating Leg Ups: 1 set of 20 reps, 10 each leg
- Running Plank: 1 set of 20 reps, 10 each leg
- Torso Twist: 1 set of 20 reps, 10 each side
- Leg Kick: 1 set of 20 reps, 10 each leg
- Alternating Toe Toucher: 1 set of 20 reps, 10 each side
1 min rest, complete the circuit 4 more times.
Day 5 – 6 Exercise Upper Body Circuit
- Cable Crossover: 1 set of 10 reps
- Cable Row: 1 set of 10 reps
- Cable Machine Alternating Biceps Curl : 1 set of 10 reps
- Cable Pushdown: 1 set of 10 reps
- Reverse Cable Flyes: 1 set of 10 reps
- One Arm Kettlebell Swing: 1 set of 10 reps, each arm
1 min rest, complete circuit 4 more times
Photography By: Pavel Ythjall
If you have to pick only 3 exercises, what would they be and why?
My 3 favorite exercises by far are, bench, squat and the deadlift. Simply because they are the base and roots of bodybuilding and you engage all your muscles by performing squats and deadlifts. I like to keep it simple, as back in the old days us guys didn’t have all these fancy machines, and they looked insane.
Old school training is where its at!
When trying to cut down do you prefer to use HIIT or just normal cardio?
Honestly I don’t change anything on the cardio; I just eat a little less at night. I’m ready to go 24-7. But I always mix my cardio up with, high intensity, low intensity, intervals, and jump rope etc to really melt the fat fast.
What is your supplementation like?
I’m lucky to be sponsored by BSN and they have some really good supplements. But once again I keep it super simple, I take Syntha 6 for protein, No Xplode for pre workout and Endoburn on and off, it’s a kick ass fat burner.
Favorite Bodybuilders?
My favorite bodybuilder for achievements is hands down Arnold, for the physique it would be the famous French bodybuilder back in the 90’s Francis Benfatto, insane shape, symmetry, proportion and ripped to the bone.
Favorite Quote?
I’d rather die standing than live on my knees (and I mean it), we only have one life, believe in your dreams, work hard and sooner or later the opportunity will come, just be ready. Because you may miss the biggest opportunity of your life.
Sponsors: http://www.bsnonline.net/
Photo Credits: Alex Ardenti, Jason Mathas, Per Bernal, Pavel Ythjall, David Ford, Johann Vayriot, Alex Ardenti, Kevin Horton, Irvin Gelb, Robert Reiff & Blake Little
