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Why I Do What I Do
I wasn't always the guy who had it figured out. In college I lost 90 pounds — and the journey taught me that fitness isn't one-size-fits-all. What works for one person can completely fail another. That frustration pushed me to stop guessing and start learning.
I came up as an athlete — wrestling and football — so I understood hard work. But understanding the science of how the body adapts, recovers, and grows? That took a decade of obsessive study, a Master's degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology, and training alongside some of the best coaches in the world through KILO Strength Society.
Ten years and hundreds of clients later, I work out of DIAKADI — San Francisco's premier personal training facility — where the learning never stops. Every program I write, every tempo I prescribe, every phase I design is built on that foundation.
40X0 Training exists because you deserve more than a generic workout. You deserve a system.
What is 40X0?
Tempo prescriptions aren't new — coaches have used 30X0, 20X0, and 31X0 for decades to manipulate how fast a lifter moves through each phase of a rep. But 40X0 is my favorite, and it's the foundation of everything I program.
The 4-second eccentric isn't arbitrary. A slower lowering phase puts your muscles under tension longer, drives greater hypertrophy, and builds the kind of control that transfers across every lift. Pair that with the "X" — Intended Maximum Concentric Acceleration — and you get explosiveness without sacrificing form. The result is a tempo that works whether you're picking up a barbell for the first time or chasing a new PR.
It's not the flashiest prescription. It's just the one that works — for building muscle, developing strength, and keeping you training for the long haul.
The System Works. But Only If You Do
No program — no matter how well designed — works without consistency. The 40X0 methodology is built for long term results, and long term results require showing up week after week, phase after phase.
That means following the program as written. Hitting your tempo. Logging your weights. Trusting the process even when progress feels slow.
The clients who get the best results aren't always the most athletic. They're the most consistent.
“Thanks to his expert guidance, I not only recovered safely, but I’ve lost 15 pounds and I’m now stronger and lifting heavier than I ever thought possible.”
Anita V.
“At 57, this is the first time in my life I've been truly consistent, dedicated, and inspired when it comes to fitness—and that's largely because of AJ.”
Harry T.
“Working with AJ has truly been one of the best investments I’ve made.”
Vivian Z.
Starting Your Journey?
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