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About the company:

Michael Benavidez is Founder of F.I.T.T. Therapy.

F.I.T.T. Therapy specializes in the holistic application of clinical bodywork, customized exercise prescription and application, and fitness nutrition counseling for the post physical therapy client, the young up and coming  athelete, the seasoned fitt weekend warrior, the  professionally trained, or anyone who suffers from chronic pain associated with muscular and/or myoskeletal injury.

Why are you excited for 2012 Fittest Fitness Pro?

I’m excited to compete because it is an extension of me, my company, and the message I want to send to all my clients.  ”You can do this!!”

What is your strategy for staying fit with your demanding schedule?

My good friend Alex Charfen, CEO of The Charfen Institute, told me that “A habit is not formed from a certain length of time of consistency, but from a daily intention that is consciencely made every day. ”  Being F.I.T.T. is a choice, not a goal.  For me to live and have a business that is congruent with my own personal goals means following through with the choice to be, stay, and exceed F.I.T.T.   That being said I follow the F.I.T.T. protocol for my own personal strategy for fitness and for my clients exercise and therapy strategy:

Frequency – How many workouts do I perform per week?

I like to get in 5-6 days per week but don’t go below 4 days per week.

Intensity – What are my focuses for each workout and maintain the balance between recovery and intensity?

My focused intensity is currently on running more consistently and maintaining upper body strength with military calisthenics.

Time – How much time per workout / per week?

Making sure I hit my minimum (3 hours per week or 180 min per week) and scheduling time according to my schedule with could vary from a morning run, a mid day lift, or a late night foam roll and stretch routine.

Type – Choosing specific personal phase of training and making sure it is either to progress or recover me.

I want to do exercises that make me feel powerful, accomplished, and in alignment with my yearly and quarterly goals which this year is trail running and more obstacle course races like Tough Mudder and Spartan Race.

What is your current favorite workout to do and why?

Currently I am loving running again and incorporating calistentic exercises like multiplanar squats/lunges, varied grip pullups, and explosive pushups at half mile markers to incorporate intervals. I experienced enough running and sport injuries to hate it, but was always envious of the runners on the lake or on the trails. So, I decided to SUCK IT UP AND GET S.M.A.R.T. AND F.I.T.T. All the education in the world does nothing without planning, action, and evaluation.  And so I deal with the pain and learn from it.  I encourage myself and my clients to not let pain be a wall to stop you, but a wall to climb and overcome.  Cause if you sit there and just fester in your pain, physical or emotional, it is a far worse pain that you will feel.  The pain of giving up.  And that is not acceptable!!! Come March I look forward to hitting the trails running with a backpack and seeing how far and hard I can go.

What is your favorite gym, studio, or fitness class in Austin?

Anytime Fitness in Westlake – I’ve worked in large box gyms for majority of my career and for most it’s great.  But I’ve learn the major factor for finding the right gym.  Location, location, location and this gym is the best for me.

In regards to classes and studios I don’t attend currently myself, but as a part of my practice I am always putting my clients on the path that I see will best get them the physical and emotional results that they are needing.  Be it Pure Bikram Yoga, Fit and Fearless, Pur Bar, or Crossfit.  I tell them exactly what I know will do their active lives justice.

Why is being a fit fitness pro important to you?

I’ve been the fat kid and the overweight adult.  I have overcome multiple sport and non-sport injuries from IT Band Syndrome to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  I know the destructive power of sloth and the obsessive power of pride.  Being F.I.T.T. means maintaining the balance between those deadly sins and living a life active full of energy and conveying those practices to everyone who wants change.  That’s why I do what I do and why I am a F.I.T.T. entrepreneur.

What is your largest fitness accomplishment in the past year?

My largest fitness accomplishment in the past year has been completing the Tough Mudder last November and getting back to loving 5k runs.

Give one piece of advice to others looking to get fit and healthy as a busy professional.

If it’s important to you, you will make time for it!!

What is your favorite healthy meal?

2 Gluten free waffles with almond butter and black berry preserves.