You are going to make choices as you enter the world of fitness. You choose a gym, a trainer, a meal plan, a workout schedule, a commitment level, a lifting partner, the clothes you'll wear, and even the physique you desire. But, the hardest choices are on the supplement page, where 500 companies vie for your attention and purchasing power.
New companies like IMAGE Sports sometimes struggle to make an immediate impact, but IMAGE has made incredible strides in the past two years. Its growth has been impressive, and its stack's efficacy has been a pleasant surprise.
Check out the workout provided below by NFL linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo. He gives his reasons for signing with IMAGE and a no-bones breakdown of its products. The choice is yours, so choose a company that can help you discover the body image you desire.
What is the essential goal of Image Sports?
IMAGE Sports has developed an extremely strong platform dedicated to performance-driven individuals and athletes focused on improving their overall image. Keep an eye out this coming year on Bodybuilding.com for more content and products from IMAGE. This next year we will continue to prove why we are a unique, strong, specialized brand that will help you define your image.
Have you had any growing pains in your early existence on the supplement market?
There were definitely a few. Keeping up with demand in the beginning was a challenge! IMAGE is an exclusive, high-end, supplement brand aimed at elite consumers. We knew we had great products but were surprised how quickly word spread and sales took off. It certainly exceeded our expectations. We feel the rapid growth IMAGE experienced proved that there was a sizeable void in the market for a top-of-the-line, performance-based brand.
What has it meant to your company to expand to global markets, and places like Bodybuilding.com?
Bodybuilding.com has been the best part of this continued growth process. IMAGE was initially available only to a limited amount of retail locations and is now part of the ever-expanding online presence of Bodybuilding.com. IMAGE can now help customers around the globe reach beyond their previous limits to achieve their physical or performance goals.
Your Test 7 PCT is one of your best selling and highest-rated products on Bodybuilding.com. Why has it been so successful?
Quite simply, it really works.
What are some of your other top products right now?
That's a tough one because every product has created such a strong following and filled a void in the market. I'd have to say the momentum behind 4D PUMP™ and VEIN™ has been significant though and not slowed down since we launched them.
Are you coming out with any new and exciting products in the near future?
Absolutely! We are always looking for innovation and ways to improve the products available to those looking to reach a higher level of performance. Brace yourself because 2014 is going to be a huge year for us. Look for the new Image Weight Loss Protein™ to make a big impact right out of the gate.
Let's say a customer wants to lose fat and increase muscle mass and is just starting a fitness regimen, can only afford one product, and he/she comes to you. Which one supplement do you recommend? Why?
A fitness regimen is all about balance and you need to balance your supplements too. It's difficult to pick just one product from the Image Sports line without thinking of pairing it with another product for the best possible results. But the best product in the line to cover multiple needs will be the new Weight Loss Whey™ launching in early 2014. This Premium Whey Protein Blend helps build lean muscle mass and has ingredients known to support weight loss.
What do you believe are the best and worst things about the supplement industry?
What's great is that even when the economy dipped, the sports nutrition industry was booming. I mean look when we started. At the beginning of 2012 the economy was almost at its worst and IMAGE Sports took off from the day of its inception and hasn't looked back since. We've had unparalleled growth. The worst part is when companies lose focus on quality and the real reason they are in business—to help people achieve their physical best. Our focus at IMAGE Sports is firmly set on exceeding expectations. Our customers trust our products and we will continue to earn their trust.
How important are the trade shows and expos to the growth of your company?
Our industry is the type where your consumers want to use all of their senses to gauge a product. They want to see and touch the packaging, they want to taste the live product, they want to hear more info about it, and this may come as a surprise, but they even want to smell the product, especially if it's a drink mix. The tradeshows and expos are a great way to put the product in people's faces. We stand by our brand and each one of our products so of course we want to put the product in hands and spread the word. These shows are a great way to get new customers to try and then buy. Because once you try IMAGE, you'll forget any other brand exists.
What separates your company from all the others in the industry?
Results. IMAGE Sports is a premiere, high-end, exclusive "not available everywhere" brand that was designed and tested to provide performance based solutions for all bodybuilding, athletic, and fitness goals alike. You won't see us launching a product just because of a trend. We are committed to making products that really work and deliver the results our customers expect.
Ethics are important to supplements buyers, what does your company do to ensure ethical standards?
We wouldn't be a high-end brand if we didn't use high-quality ingredients. Our success in creating superior products has built a strong and reliable following with our customers. We manufacture our products under GMP (good manufacturing practices) practices, which is an important factor overlooked by other supplement companies at times. It is imperative to us that our customers are getting what they see on our labels.
Some supplement companies are a flash in the pan, and go out quick. What have you done to ensure that Image Sports sticks around?
IMAGE Sports is here for the long haul. That's why we have assembled the best research and development team that hand-selects only top-of-the-line, proven ingredients, then performs trials and revisions for our formulas until the end product exceeds expectations. We don't take shortcuts, we don't go for the cheap stuff, and we certainly don't copy what the "other guys" are doing. Extra thought goes into each formula we create. We are only interested in creating best-of-the-best products and want to keep our customers happy and coming back for more. We believe that holding ourselves to a higher standard is the best way to create and maintain brand loyalty.
How has new media assisted in your rapid growth? How do you best interact with your fans and customers?
New media has been a valuable tool in our marketing and advertising plan. This type of communication allows us to interact with our consumers and take things to the next level. We engage our consumers and provide valuable content while receiving invaluable feedback from them. It allows us to improve our business from customer service, to sales, to product formulas, to product offerings and more. Web videos, blogs and social networks are some of the new media forms we've had great success with. What's even better is that new media is available 24/7. Whenever you want it, you have it at your fingertips. It's all about being available when the consumer wants you.
How do you go about pricing your products? Is there some complex calculus involved?
We set a standard for the superior ingredients that create our products and we maintain a price that's in line with our competitors. It's hard to achieve both at times but the quality behind IMAGE Sports is never below expectations. We don't use any fillers and we don't take any shortcuts. If you have to ask yourself how a product is so cheap then chances are it's really not up to par. You get what you pay for. IMAGE is a brand for consumers unwilling to compromise quality.
Interview with Brendon Ayanbadejo
How long have you been involved with Image Sports? What made you join the team?
Image Sports contacted me in early 2012. They knew of my achievements in the NFL and got a good feel for what I am about through my Facebook, Instagram, etc. I know my DNA can only take me so far. I am big into supplements and performance. Image Sports knew they had the highest grade and best supplements on the market and once I tried them I would be sold. They were right and I have been on the team ever since.
When training, what is your favorite Image Sports supplement? How do you use it?
Depending if I am speed, power, or endurance training I switch up my Image Sports supplements. Last June I did a triathlon and I did pretty darn well. In August I went back for a second go around at the same triathlon. I used a stack of Alarm Ultra (2 scoops) and Dexyfen, one pill. It was a sprint triathlon and there is not much of a margin to cut down on your time. I knocked a whole 2 minutes off my performance. The best thing about it is that I beat the race and the first time I did this particular race it beat me. I was so stoked about my performance and I know Image Sports products made the difference in my performance. If I need a massive pump and just that extra edge I know can get it from and 4D Pump and Vein. I often travel and if I don't have my stack with me my strength and performance suffers.
The supplement industry is rife with ineffective products, how do you know Image Sports' products work?
I've run the gamut of supplements from an EAS sponsorship to compounding my own supplements, which gets to be expensive. I trust Image Sports because I know I am going to get what is on the label and their products are in a class of their own.
Has your performance in the gym improved using Image Sports' supplements?
My performance stack is complete with Image Sports pre- and post-workout products. There are weeks where I need to knock out 20 workout sessions in one week. That's more than most people do in a month. I am always ready to train and my bases are covered with these products. My workouts kick my butt, but within 36 hours the soreness is out and my muscles feel full and recovered.
The IMAGE Sports Weight Loss Whey will be released in January 2014 and I will be adding that to my stack as soon as it hits. The ingredient profile is unlike anything I have seen before. Unreal.
How has being sponsored by Image Sports helped your career in the industry?
As an influencer in the athlete and performance industry, it helps to have a huge brand back you up. Not only does it help when fans and friends see me on their facebook or webpage, it is also a vote of confidence and support. There is always someone new on the block trying to knock you off the top. After 13 years in pro football, I am transitioning into the health and fitness industry and I plan on being here for a long time. Thanks Image Sports!