Price: $2.50 Orange Tangerine flavor Gives you a healthy blast of energy to 
recharge your fuel tank.
Looking for more AVC Elite Training Store products? Contact Amy with product questions or to order your Bonk Breaker Energy Chews.
I came to know Amy and AVC Elite Training for the main purpose of trying to find a trainer for my 15 year old daughter. I searched the internet and came across the Newton website and after clicking a few things on their page I found AVC Elite Training and Amy.
Initially, my main goal was to find someone who knew the sport of running. My daughter had done a season of Cross Country at her high school and struggled the entire season. I was heartbroken watching her come in dead last at every meet.
From my perspective, I would watch her run and I just knew her form was not correct. After her season of Cross Country, I was astonished when she told me that she was planning to do Cross Country again in her sophomore year. I knew then that I needed to find someone to train her and set her up for success in running.
At our first assessment with Amy, she ran with my daughter Katy and took some pictures of her running. She assessed that Katy was in fact not running correctly and that she was heel striking along with some other imperfections in her running form. Amy encouraged Katy in helping her make some corrections while running and practicing her form.
Amy then told us about her Group Training program she facilitates. At that time I only had thought that Katy would join her program, but then Amy looked at me and said, “YOU should do it too Kelli! It’ll be fun! You and Katy can do it together!” I decided to jump on board and I have been so happy since!
At that initial running assessment with my daughter Katy, Amy also introduced us to Newton’s. I purchased a pair for my daughter and they too have made a tremendous difference in her running. She has made great improvements with these changes from her running form, to her footwear, to the training.
Now I am in my 3rd training Program with AVC Elite Training. The training is rigorous and challenging. I am completely drained when the workout is finished, but at the same time I feel such a sense of accomplishment as I drive away after each training session!
What I have noticed about Amy is that she truly and genuinely cares for people. That’s not a character you find in a lot of people. She is fun and encouraging and I think she enjoys “kicking our butts” in workouts.
I am forever grateful to have found Amy and am so thankful for all she has done to help my daughter…and getting me in shape too!
~Kelli
Fitness can be a family bond with enduring rewards. AVC Elite Training has mothers and daughter duos like Kelli & Katy, in-laws, siblings and many husbands and wives who train together. Come explore for yourself how the family that trains together, stays fit together!
Let me just start off with this. I am not a “sporty” person. I was never that girl who made all the goals while playing soccer in PE class. I didn’t run around with the boys playing football at recess as I much rather preferred to sit on my trusty bench under a giant, shady tree and read a book. So, as you can imagine, my family was quite surprised when I decided to join my high school cross country team at the beginning of my freshman year. I had no clue what I was getting myself into.
For the entire season, I was always in the back…. always! Every single meet, I was that girl – the one that everyone claps for at the end because even if she got a terrible time, at least she tried.
To be honest, I wasn’t all that ashamed of it because at every meet, my time improved. I was getting faster even though I had to walk a lot. My endurance level was not strong enough yet to last 3.1 miles. At the time, I didn’t know it was due to my lack of muscular endurance and my improper running form.
As the cross country season neared its end, I was finally able to start keeping up with some of the girls on my team. I remember our last week of practices, and how my coach kept telling me that I had improved a lot since the beginning. I wasn’t where I wanted to be, but I was still improving.
And then the season ended… right as I started to feel like I might be getting good at the sport. So as a result of this, I made it my personal goal to continue to do cross country throughout all 4 years of high school.
Time went on, and as spring rolled around and I decided that I should start training. My mom and I had tried some cross-fit places, but none of them worked for us. Then my mom stumbled upon Amy’s website of AVC Elite Training, and we decided to check out her programs. The first thing she did was schedule an appointment with Amy to examine my running form.
I knew that I was doing something wrong. I had gotten some minor injuries during the XC season, and didn’t want to be injured again due to improper running form. We met with Amy and she had me run around the block a little. She immediately knew what I had to fix. She even told me how to correct my running form and gave me exercises to help improve and perfect it.
Amy also ordered me some Newton running shoes. I LOVE them! I still wear them on every run as I feel they are a game changer. Anyway, since that day that I met with Amy every time I would go out for a run, I kept in mind her tips and could feel the difference. I didn’t tire as easily, I could go without stopping for a longer time, and I wasn’t getting hurt.
Around the beginning of summer, my mom and I decided to join Amy’s Group Training Program. I wanted to start getting in shape for the season. I had never experienced a workout like this! Seriously, it was intense.
My mom and I joined in the middle of the program and all the people there were so strong and had crazy endurance. My mom and I were practically DYING during the sessions, but we kept with it and became stronger each time we trained. Amy got us hooked on FLUID, which helped a lot as we didn’t realize how dehydrated we were and the difference between feeling hydrated and how it helps in our training.
We continued to improve and were eventually able to keep up with the others. I was able to improve my strength and endurance from these work-outs in every way.
At the beginning of August this year, my second season of cross-country began. I am a sophomore currently and I knew that this season would have just as many mountains to climb (both literally and figuratively) as last season.
I still hadn’t perfected my running form as of yet, but was constantly working on it and thinking about trying to improve. I began the season confidently. I went to all the practices and gave it my all.
I was actually able to complete 4 miles without stopping. I was ecstatic! That morning after practice, I was texting my mom practically all day just saying how I was so proud of myself!
Then, first meet rolled around. I don’t know if I was just really nervous or didn’t drink enough water because I did terrible and felt terrible. I don’t even remember my time, I completely erased it from my memory. It was like 40 something. I had never gone that slow before. I had to stop a couple times which I hadn’t done once during practice.
So… we called up good ol’ Amy who looked at my running form and again was able to point out some things. This time, it was extremely difficult for me to make the changes she suggested in my form. I was so sore from working out muscles I didn’t even know existed. But, as we cross country people are best at… I persevered.
My next meet, which Amy was able to attend, was still in the 40’s (like 40:05 or something like that). It was a better time than my first meet, but still, not at all where I wanted to be at this point, I was getting frustrated. I didn’t understand why I wasn’t improving.
The next week at practice, I made it a goal to keep up with one of the girls on my team. I liked her pace, so I decided to make it my pace (which was way faster than my personal pace, might I add). I was able to keep up with her with the consequence of being totally dead after practice. I think I fell asleep in my chemistry class every day that week, but that’s beside the point.
I decided that I was done with being slow. I was literally mad at the fact that I was always in the back. Amy said that there were a lot of gals that I could certainly run equally as fast as if not faster.
All I remember thinking before the race was…”What the heck? What’s the worst that could happen?” When the shot was fired, I ran faster than I ever have. I ran like there was a hot boy in front of me and a creepy guy behind me. I remember thinking, Come on, is that all you got? And I kept in mind all of Amy’s tips about my knees, picking up my feet and all the other tips she provided.
I got a 33:11 at that meet. I improved by 7 minutes in one week!
And all the sudden I discovered a strength and endurance inside me that I didn’t even know existed. My meet after that, I got a 33:01…AND..I wasn’t last! My last meet was just a couple days ago. I ran a 31.
I still cannot believe how much I have improved, and I owe much of it to Amy. She has helped me so much. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude. Her theories and tips work! Like most times with trainers, they tell you things and you’re like YEAH THERE’S NO WAY THAT’S HAPPENING, but she is just amazing with athletes and her knowledge with running is incredible. I am so blessed to have had her help me, it has been immensely beneficial.
Now that I know how to run correctly, have my strength and endurance levels up, and am confident in myself, I can say that I am excited for the next season. I’m going to stick with this thing; turn my weaknesses into strengths.
So let me just end with this. I am a runner. I run. I’m slower than a herd of turtles stampeding through peanut butter, but, I run.
And it can only get better from here. Wish me luck.
~Katy
Looking for a running PR? Meet Mesa Newton Running Coach Amy and get an run analysis and footstrike assessment to discuss your route to natural running success.
Whether you’re fairly new in taking on the sport of running or a seasoned runner who has been running for many years, chances are you have experienced or will experience some sort of overuse injury. It’s an ongoing story as research shows that about 50% of runners are injured every year.
Running injuries can occur for different reasons from rotational forces and/or impact, friction, propulsive forces or all of the above.
One of the major causes in experiencing injuries as a runner is due to improper gait and running form. The primary culprit – heel striking.
Wearing a running shoe with a high heel which creates a high ramp angle sets your body up for disaster. Your body is already thrown out of balance placed into a tilted position with your hips being thrown forward and your back being arched before you even head out the door. Your body will compensate with each step you take in trying to get balanced. In addition, wearing a running shoe that is too cushy will prevent the foot from feeling the ground beneath them. Blocking the feel of the road will prevent the runner from teaching the body how to run naturally and efficiently. Hello injuries!
Looking to enjoy healthy running? Get help from a Natural Running Coach who provides observations, helpful tips, practice drills and more. Amy can help make the transformation from heel striking to Natural Running less painful to keep you injury free for a lifetime as a runner.
Listen to how it has worked for other AVC Elite Runners.
Wow Catalina! When Amy announced the 20M and 50K Trail Run-Trek Event on Santa Catalina Island, I was on board from the start. It had been a desire of mine since I heard of AVC Elite Training’s previous experiences there. Amy guided us through the Tough Mudder experience successfully in February 2013 and I was ready for another challenge for 2014!
Amy, our coach and mentor, worked with diligence in creating a trail running and trekking program that would simulate the terrain of the Trans Catalina Trail. Her coaching provided us with an incremental program of increased miles, trail difficulty, in addition to support in all aspects of preparation for this event. Weekly emails informed us on fluid and food intake, trail direction and any outstanding questions. Amy provided throughout hydration and fuel information helping us learn how much and when we needed to consume both. She provided products that were invaluable for our time on the trail. BONK bars and FLUID drinks were easy to digest and gave me the energy I needed to accomplish increasing miles and time on the trail.
As the weeks advanced so did our miles (and our groans)! Ten, thirteen, fifteen, miles…oh my! I am a lifelong runner and the most I had ever run in one distance was 13.2 miles (a half-marathon) so one can only imagine how overwhelming a 50K distance would seem not ever completing even half that mileage let alone 31.7 miles!
As the miles increased, so did my two nagging injuries that I have been battling off and on for years. Amy was insistent that I care for them and offered alternatives and possible remedies. I utilized Rock tape, which I had learned about from my Tough Mudder experience with Amy, as well as Sore No More. These were beneficial in coping with my piriformis syndrome and lower back issues. Amy encouraged massage, vibration, foam rolling and checking with my podiatrist to cope with a nagging neuroma that has been plaguing me for quite some time.
The next “gentle nudge” from her proved beneficial as well. Though resistant at first, I acquiesced to Amy’s suggestion in using trekking poles for our long endurance training Saturday’s in preparation for the super steep climbs that we would be tackling in Catalina. 
I must admit, I had never used poles before and was skeptical. Amy instructed me on the proper use of the poles and encouraged me to practice carrying them on my runs. She explained how to implement them on super steep climbs for efficiency and economy. These proved to be a lifesaver, as they helped take the pressure off of my injuries and allowed me to complete the required miles on our long endurance trail runs.
Finally, the day had come for all of us to head to Catalina Island. Amy made the trip carefree and a success. She arranged for our ferry ride providing terrific accommodations at a lovely boutique hotel which also included breakfast each morning for all of us.
This was so much fun as we had the whole place to ourselves taking up the entire hotel! There was a celebration dinner along with optional dinner arrangements for other nights.
This certainly took the anxiety out of our anticipated Trail Run and Trek, which was challenging and definitely an experience to remember.
Ah, the feeling of elation when I completed the 31+ miles, and ran towards those who were camped at a restaurant waiting for us! I must admit, that I was a little tired, but felt great! As with Tough Mudder, I did not experience any debilitating soreness or discomfort, which I know is directly related to the training I received under Amy’s instruction. I can’t emphasize enough, how critical Amy’s method of training has assisted me in completing this challenging goal.
A most significant aspect of this experience is the friendships I have developed and treasure with the AVC Elite Training Family. My hat is off to you Amy, as you continue to provide not just a physically challenging experience, but one that encourages growth in both mind and body.
I am thrilled to be part of the AVC Elite Training Team!
~Cynthia
Are you ready for a new challenge of mind, body and spirit? Stay tuned for another AVC Elite Special Event coming soon. We promise more adventures are on the way!
It’s back to school time for kids in Arizona so it is also back to training season for many athletes. Let’s start with a review of nine key training truths that can help you choose an effective training routine to achieve the fitness results you want.
1. Did you know that the only way to increase and maintain muscle is through resistance training?Pound for pound after the age of 30, the person who does not resistance train loses an average of 7 pounds of muscle every 10 years and replaces it with fat.
Even men and women in their 80’s can develop muscle mass through resistance training. It’s the closest thing to the “fountain of youth!”
Running is a great way to strengthen the cardiovascular system and the muscles that move us forward in one plane, but does not strengthen the stabilizing muscles in your lateral and rotational planes. So, you MUST do resistance training to increase lean tissue.
Additionally, squats are king in muscle utilization and caloric expenditures.
Don’t say “I can’t squat because it is bad for me and they hurt.” You are basically squatting every day when you sit down and stand back up which the average person does about 15-30 times a day.
If you do feel discomfort during a squat, it is due to imbalances in the body. And these imbalances can be resolved with the help of a good trainer and quality training program.
As your muscles become smarter with an increasing range of challenging exercises and movements (performance and consistency), the better that muscle memory becomes.
And this means you bounce back better after a little time off and that the muscle you lost will be far easier to regain due to that muscle memory. So enjoy those vacations!
In actuality, resistance training is complimentary training that provides comprehensive skill development. Cross training expands your skill set to provide performance gains while keeping you injury free.
Lebron James loves kettlebell training and push ups. Michael Phelps loves weighted pull ups and woodchops with the medicine ball. Roger Federer loves lateral lunges with a twist and jumping rope. Usain Bolt loves squats and plyometrics (box jumps).
AVC Elite Training incorporates a wide variety of resistance training methods that keep your workouts challenging, motivating, exciting, safe and highly effective.
Check out how you can achieve the results you want – without being confined in a gym or membership contract – while having fun…right here in Mesa, Arizona.