Meet Earl Hamilton. He’s a former collegiate soccer player and now personal trainer in Washington, D.C. We caught up with him for some tips on how to get in shape for the summer while there’s still time.
1. Summer is here. What are simple steps Washingtonians can take to get beach ready?
As the summer months approach so too does the trend of becoming fit and “beach ready.”
Exercise and diet are the two components needed to tone up for the summer. Exercise consists of doing cardio and light weight training and a healthy diet includes eating lean meats, vegetables and, fruits.
2. How did you get into personal training?
I always had a love for sports and fitness. I competitively played basketball, soccer, and ran track through high school. Many of my most memorable undergraduate experiences came from being a student-athlete at the Catholic University of America. The hard work and dedication required to excel both physically and tactically on the soccer field was a great segway to becoming a strength coach and a personal trainer. I realized that I had a passion for strength and conditioning the summer leading into my junior year at Catholic University. I began to take physical fitness serious, researching exercise routines to help develop my body and cardio level. The nutritional portion did not fall far behind as I wanted to optimize every training session to the best of my ability. After seeing tremendous results I wanted to share my knowledge with others. I started off small training and composing exercise programs for friends, teammates, and other athletes at Catholic University. Upon graduation I decided to become nationally certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist. This led to a number of internships and coaching positions in the field of strength and conditioning. I am currently employed as a personal trainer at Results Gym on Capital Hill and as a Strength Coach at Oxon Hill High School. I will be pursuing my Masters at Georgia State University this coming fall 2015.
3. Barack Obama’s office calls and says that he wants to start a new workout routine – but he only has 45 minutes a day. How would you train him?
I would train Barack Obama using plyometric training. Plyometric exercises are activities that allow a muscle to reach maximal force in the shortest possible time. They are great for building strength and burning calories. An example of a plyometric exercise would be a jump squat. To perform a successful jump squat little time is to be spent on the ground. A plyometric exercise requires quick bursts leading to the development of strength and power. Plyometric training would also benefit Barack Obama on the basketball court improving his vertical and overall explosiveness.
4. Washington, D.C. has been named one of the fittest cities in America. What makes our city such a great place to stay in shape?
Washington DC does a great job of promoting activity by hosting running clubs, athletic leagues, marathons, and bike sharing. Whether it’s getting to work during the week or looking for an activity on the weekend the District provides avenues to stay fit. This is what separates Washington DC from many other cities in the United States. It is important to make a conscious effort to provide residents with active transportation alternatives; as well as, fun activities.
5. What is the best running route in DC?
As a Gonzaga College High School graduate I am biased and nostalgic for the running route that paved my high school career. The 3 mi. run from Gonzaga to the Washington Monument is a beautifully scenic route passing by the Capital and Botanic Garden. While the route is a great representation of the bustling District of Colombia, it also provides sidewalks the entire route making it easy for runners to navigate through the city.