So here it is, my account of my fitness genes experience. Its taken some time, between getting my kit, taking and mailing my samples, patiently awaiting my results, to my results delivery and interpretation. The time has arrived, so let me pull back the curtain and let you in behind the scenes...
First thing I'd like to say is this journey has been a fun and educational one. I first embarked upon this experience with a recommendation from my friend and colleague Dan Palacios. One day he came in with new sense of focus and drive in his workouts, I thought it was simply him finding a new level to take his training, but when I asked him what lead to this new found inspiration, his answer was "I got genetically upgraded..."
-Alright, let me be honest, this conversation didn't happen but the recommendation came nonetheless (it sounded cool though right?)
OK now back to business, so here comes my kit and with it tons of excitement! Opening the kit, it had very detailed and user-friendly packaging. Informative pamphlets giving step by step instructions on how to collect your sample and what to expect from the process (mailing, receiving results, and interpreting results). Sample collection is simple and straight forward, just collecting some saliva in the tubes, closing everything up nice and tight and mailing it back in the included packaging.
Next up comes the registration, just as simple and straight forward as the sample collection is the online registration process. It involves entering some metadata (name, gender, weight, etc) and taking a quick survey on lifestyle and exercise habits.
So after a few weeks of waiting, along come my results. Wow, so much information! So much detailed information, more than I initially anticipated. As a fitness professional and someone who's been athletic and active my entire life I had a pretty good understanding of how my body responds to various types of exercise and nutrition. Fitness GeneGeneGeneGeneGeneGeneGeneGeneGeneGeneGeneGeneGeneGeneGenesGenes took this understanding to a deeper level. Not only did my DNA analysis confirm some anecdotal thoughts (like my insulin function aka sensitivity to carbs and sweets), but also gave insight into things I didn't know about myself (I'm genetically a morning person, go figure!).
When looking at my analysis, two specific results stick out to me as particularly unique and interesting. My results revealed that I have an allele for the gene MCT-1 which states that I have a greater capacity to clear lactic acid, now this alone isn't that special, this allele is common in endurance athletes; however I have a higher presence of fast twitch muscle fibers. The allele for the ACE gene suggests that I am a much better power athlete, and should focus on lower reps and more weight leading to hypertrophy. Now these two alleles are opposite in the which they work independently, however present at the same time, it means that not only can I lift very heavy weight for low reps, but also that my body recovers fairly efficiently from this physical stress, allowing me to repeat bouts of strenuous exercise.
These nuggets along with my recommendations for nutrition (higher calories, macronutrient goals, caffeine and carbohydrate sensitivity, micronutrient recommendations, etcetc.) give me a complete and clear pictetcetpictetceturpictetcetpictetceturureure of what it takes for me to be in the most optimal health and physical shape necessary. Fitness Genes gave this fitness professional a more clear picture of his body through the science of genetics. If it can help and surprise me, I am confident it can help my family, friends, and clients. To get genetically upgraded yourself follow the link below and use my code "WARD10"!
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