Lindon James – building a fitness movement

Lindon James is a man on a mission – to make fitness a lifestyle choice in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

The vehicle that this 31-year-old fitness instructor is using is his two-year-old “Be Fit Movement,” launched officially in June 2015, which has a current active membership of over 100.

To hear the narrative from James, a well-known cricketer, as we sat briefly in the PH Veira Stand, it all started by chance at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, where he trained after work.

“You had one or two persons who would come across to exercise,” whom he freely assisted. They brought their friends, and the group soon grew to about 20. This went on for about three years.

However, on June 9, 2015, James, who “grew up playing cricket,” launched his Be Fit Movement, which works out at the Arnos Vale Playing Field for 90 minutes daily, Monday through Thursday each week.

James is passionate about exercise; in fact, because of this discipline for fitness, his cricketing colleagues named him “Mr Fit”. He developed the habit of training and getting fit at an early age, routinely working out for five days a week.

James is a wicketkeeper batsman who has captained national youth and senior teams. He worked at the Kingstown Port for nine years and on contract playing cricket in Dominica. He, however, has found a niche that provides an income, fulfils a passion for personal fitness and an ambition to help others get fit and stay fit.

His work day typically begins around 5 a.m. with a personal workout, before engaging about 30 persons for a group session at 5.30 a.m. Breakfast; one-on-one sessions between 8 a.m. and 10.30 a.m; rest; personal training at 3.30 p.m; and an afternoon group class that begins at 5 p.m. follow in that order.

Occasionally, there are sessions between 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

Be Fit members arrive for their workout with purpose, decked in their “Be Fit Movement” tee-shirts.

This is one of the items which they receive in one of two membership packages that cost $60 monthly after the initial fee.

Well-toned physiques of Be Fit members are quite visible; but members have also reported improved cholesterol and good heart rates – results which motivate their instructor.

James offers advice on nutrition and detox plans and makes referrals to nutritionists where needed, since he believes that healthy living “is not just working out and losing weight; it’s 80 per cent your diet and 20 per cent working out”.

In the Best of SVG 2017 Awards, James clinched the spot as “Best Personal Trainer”, an accolade that “means a whole lot” and has served to inspire him.

“You’re out there and you may be thinking you are not getting anywhere…something like this shows you that people [are] really looking at you and it’s a very good thing.

“It’s a lot of work, but I’m prepared to do what I have to do,” to make Be Fit a household name.

At the end of that day’s workout, Be Fit members rolled up their mats, drained their water bottles and prepared to head home.

With a mischievous wink, one member makes eye contact and states simply “brutal,” with a broad, satisfied smile.

Such stuff, no doubt, are added motivators for James, as he looks towards having a fitness centre with wide open space, ropes, the whole works…sometime in the future. Lindon may be contacted at 494-4917.