James Alexander Ellis

Bodybuilder, Fitness Model, Personal Trainer

James Alexander Ellis is a UK Professional Bodybuilder who started weight training when he was 18 years old to improve his “pear-shaped” body.

He started working out every morning, and it wasn’t long until his body started to look athletic with a healthy v-taper.

Taking a break from weight training to focus on University, James left the weights room behind. However, it wasn’t until he became unhappy after University in his new job as an architect that James went back into the gym.

After only two years of training, James stepped on stage and won his first competition. From there, he went on to win his Pro card with the WBFF. Needless to say, James worked hard and has now become a world-class athlete and personal trainer.

This is his story:

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Athlete Statistics

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Accomplishments

Competitions

• Bodypower’s USN “Best Body” Winner 2011 (Birmingham)
• NIFMA Open Class 2011 (Belfast) – Gold Medal (Fitness Model Swimwear Category)
• Miami Pro UK Championships “Muscle Model” (London) Winner 2012
• WBFF/Fitness Atlantic 2012 (Connecticut, USA) Male Fitness Model 1st Place (Pro card) 2012
• WBFF Fitness Atlantic 2012 (Connecticut, USA) Muscle Model 2nd Place 2012
• WBFF Word Championships 2012 “Pro Fitness Model” Finalist (7th Place)
• WBFF Word Championships 2013 “Pro Muscle Model” Finalist (5th Place)
• WBFF Word Championships 2015 “Pro Muscle Model” Finalist (6th Place)
• WBFF European Championships (London) “Pro Muscle Model” Finalist (3rd Place)
• WBFF Word Championships 2015 “Pro Muscle Model” Finalist (3rd Place)

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“Document your progress over time, with photos and journals – This has been invaluable to me the last few years”

Biography

Weight Training At 18

Born in London, in 1978, James Alexander-Ellis first started training and experimenting with weight lifting at the age of 18. As James said, “I made some of my fastest gains – even with a very limited selection of weights at home.”

One of the reasons the motivated James was his weight issue. He said he felt uncomfortable when he was a teenager with his shirt off.

This is when James decided to start training and change the shape of his body. In a matter of no time, James saw a v-taper and dropped a few pounds without paying attention to his diet too much.

James continued training on and off until the age of 22 until he took three years off to focus on studying at Universty. But it was by the time he hit 25 that James started to get serious. He would train first thing in the morning before his office job and decided to hire a personal trainer.

“I’ve been steadily improving since then, but I’d say that year was a crucial turning point for me – training properly, and training early.”

Competition History

Since James started his fitness journey, he’s won two high-profile international titles and been awarded the WBFF Pro card where he placed 2nd as the Male Muscel Model in Las Vegas.

In 2012, he was also awarded “The Body of 2012” on a popular YouTube channel. This has been a humbling experience for James as only a few year prior to this, he was only a beginner.

“That sort of recognition and status means a lot to me and drives me forward every day to achieve more and more… I now get messages from people all over the world telling me that I inspire them – this is immensely rewarding.”

Since hs first competitions, James has appeared numerous WBFF shows placing in the top 10 or higher each year. It’s clear to see James found his passion with bodybuilding.

Achievements

James says that making the switch from his office job as an Architect to Personal Trainer & Strength Coach has been the best decision he’s made in his career.

“I reached a major crossroads in my life and I made a big choice to leave the office lifestyle behind and pursue my lifelong passion for iron.”

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A younger James Alexander-Ellis.

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Training

Cardio

In the offseason, James will only do HIIT in intervals on the treadmill or the rowing machine. These sessions will have bouts of 15-30 seconds high intensity, and 30-60 seconds low intensity for around 15 minutes.

However, when James needs to get ready for a contest, he’ll use a combination of interval training and steady state cardio at a low intensity.

“The intervals ramp up catecholamine production, which in turn mobiles fat stores to be burnt.”

Muscle Building

James will follow a Poliquin training system, and for the majority of his training, he’ll use German Body Comp for his cutting phase, and then add in German Volume Training for hypertrophy in the build up to his bulking phase.

In the offseason muscle building phase, James will focus on German Volume Training, including an Upper lower split 5 days a week.

Jame’s Contest Prep Workout

 

Monday

• AM: 10 mins HIIT then 60 mins low-intensity CV.
• PM: GBC or Advanced GBC workout (full body split – 8-15 reps of 3-4 sets)

Tuesday

• AM: 10 mins HIIT then 60 mins low-intensity CV.
• PM: GBC or Advanced GBC workout (full body split)

Wednesday

• AM: 10 mins HIIT then 60 mins low-intensity CV.
• PM: off

Thursday

• AM: 10 mins HIIT then 60 mins low-intensity CV.
• PM: GBC or Advanced GBC workout (full body split)

Friday

• AM: 10 mins HIIT then 60 mins low-intensity CV.
• PM: GBC or Advanced GBC workout (full body split)

Saturday

• AM: 10 mins HIIT then 60 mins low-intensity CV.
• PM: GBC or Advanced GBC workout (full body split)

Sunday

• AM: 10 mins HIIT then 60 mins low-intensity CV.
• PM: off

Jame’s Offseason Workout

Monday

• AM: German Volume Training Chest & Back (10 sets of 10 supersets)

Tuesday

• AM: German Volume Training Quads, Hams & Abs (10 sets of 10 supersets)

Wednesday

• AM: off or just HIIT

Thursday

• AM: German Volume Training Shoulders & Arms (10 sets of 10 supersets)

Friday

• AM: off or just HIIT

Saturday

• AM: Routine begins again, GVT Chest & back etc

Sunday

• AM: GVT Quads & Hams & abs

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Nutrition

Keto And Re-feeds

James will generally follow a Ketogenic diet with timed re-feeds throughout the week. He will take on high GI carbs post workout with his protein shake to spike insulin, then after 3-5 days, he’ll take a day off to re-feed on starches and fruits.

As he draws closer to his competition, he will reduce his fat even further and slightly up his carb intake. He can do that at this stage as he will be leaner and will be able to tolerate more carbs due to increased insulin sensitivity.

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Idols and Influences

His favorite bodybuilders of all time – Flex Wheeler. In Jame’s opinion, he had the perfect physique for a bodybuilder.

“Still a little massive for my personal tastes, but oh did he ever manage to keep it aesthetic – never seen anyone match his small joints, huge muscles, and round delts.”

As for the modeling world, James names Roger Snipes, Shaun Stafford, Bill Davey and Frank Sepe.

For the WBFF physique competitors, James says Sean Harley, James Ellis, Ryan John-Baptist, Rob Riches, Micah LaCerte are all among the people he respects the most.

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What we can learn from James Alexander-Ellis

James started weight training like most people around the age of 18 to improve his physique and his confidence.

However, it wasn’t until he left University that James could focus full time on his dream of becoming a professional bodybuilder. James is now a world renowned athlete and personal trainer.

If we can learn anything from James it to follow your dreams, makes plans, and work hard. With the same drive and ambitious nature as James, you too can achieve greatness.