Andrew Bostinto – NGA Founder & President

How more fitting is it than to have the very first inductee in the Natural Bodybuilding Hall Of Fame than the man who started it all. I have known Andy since 1992 and I have not met a more sincere and honest man that has done so much for natural bodybuilding. Andy stands by his word, (which is hard to find in these corrupt days of athletics). Andy believes in treating athletes with respect and support. His heart and spirit is one of honor and duty. Politics is a word Andy despises and since I have known him he has made sure it is not present in the NGA. Andy is a natural born leader that has taken the NGA from nothing to the largest Natural Bodybuilding Organization in the world. Every NGA member and promoter will agree on how proud they are to be a part of Andy’s organization. Andy continues to fight the good fight among the battles of the natural organizations. His tenure in WWII helped Andy to lead the NGA above all the others.

It is not supremacy that Andy seeks, but the ability to serve a cause. His cause is to fight the use of steroids and other illegal drugs. Andy contributes endless hours on improving the NGA and giving natural bodybuilders a chance to compete on a fair playing field.

Andy became a trainer 25 years before the word certified became a national prerequisite. His vast knowledge has been contained in the world renowned NGA certification course. Here is a highlight of some of his past and present clients.

Al Pacino (Andy received screen credits for Carlito’s Way).
Penelope Ann Miller (Andy received screen credits for Carlito’s Way).
John Lequisanno (Andy received screen credits for Carlito’s Way).
Annebelle Sciori (Whispers in the Dark)
Martin Bregman (Hollywood’s famous producer)
Cyndi Lauper
Patrick Stewart (Star Trek, received screen credits for “Safe House”)
Placido Domingo
Ari Meyers (Kate and Allie – TV Series)

Andy’s Experience

1983 - Present

One-on-one executive fitness trainer and nutrition consultant to musicians, film and T.V. stars, directors, producers, corporations, and fitness centers.

1978 - 1983

QueensCollege - lectured: "'Value of Exercise and Nutrition."

1955 - 1978

U.S. Air Force Reserve, Director of Royal Canadian Air Force Fitness Program - tested and evaluated Air Force Pilots.

Published Books and Articles

1994

Chief-author: "The NGA Trainers/Instructors Certification Course."

1989 - Present

Contributing writer regarding bodybuilding, fitness, and health for "Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness" and "Exercise for Men" magazines.

1988

Co-author: "MENFitness Facility Management

1974 - 1976

International Health Club Consultant Corp.: Vice President - designed facilities for corporations, homeowners, and health clubs.

1971 - 1974

Jack LaLanne Health Club: Nutrition Consultant and Service Supervisor - for ten spas. Responsibilities included designing internal gym floor layouts, staffing, and training of lifeguards, fitness trainers and floor managers for each facility. Controlled overall administrative policies and procedures of service management.

1963 - 1972

Olympia Health Club: Owner and Operator - Noted as one of the top bodybuilding competition gyms in the NYC area.

Professional Achievements

1979 - Present

National Gym Association (NGA), Founder and President - The NGA is a non-profit organization with a dual mission: to support through education and encouragement the art and science of natural strength training and bodybuilding, and to provide more than adequate anti-drug information to support its slogan: Drug-Free Athletes of America. The NGA's intent is to speak for and further the betterment of its constituency of gym owners. This takes the form of co-op advertising, group product purchasing, newsletters and legislative intervention, etc. In 1991 converted the NGA to sanction only "natural" bodybuilding contests, which are promoted nationally. Also promotes and sanctions qualifying contests for the NGA Professional Natural Division. Promotes, produces, and directs The American and The United States Natural Bodybuilding Championships. These events contain top natural amateur bodybuilders as featured in a variety of bodybuilding magazines throughout the United States.

1978 - Present

Appears on a number of local T.V. programs such as Regis Philbin, Geraldo Rivera, Eyewitness News (Channel 7 with Rolanda Watts), Joe Franklin, and Jean Paar discussing physical fitness and bodybuilding in individual and panel formats.

1979 - 1991

Promoted, produced, and directed The Mr./Ms. Metropolis and The NGA Physique Classic Bodybuilding Championships. These events contained the top NYC area amateur bodybuilders and were shown on WCBS "Two on the Town" and CBS "30 Minutes."

1965 - 1979

World Bodybuilding Guild (WBBG) & International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB) - judge & representative. Officiated national and international events (i.e., Mr. Olympia 1970-1971), including competitors such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno.

1977 - 1978

Won Senior Mr. America, Sept. 10, 1977, Madison Square Garden, New York.

Andy’s other Professional Achievements

Managed, designed, and implemented fitness and nutrition programs for Jack LaLanne's and Vic Tanny's Health Clubs. Private consultant for Olympia Gym, Mid-City Gym, Apollo Health Club, International Gym & Health Club, and 21st Century Nautilus.

Volunteered teaching physical fitness programs for emotionally and socially disturbed children at CreedmoreStateHospital.

Below are some people you might recognize. Lets see what they had to say about Andy’s life achievements.

I have known Andy Bostinto for many years. There should be more people in the Physical Fitness profession that are as dedicated. I'm proud to recommend Mr. Bostinto's knowledge and teachings.
– Jack LaLanne

I wish you the best with your book. I hope I look half as good as you do when I am your age. You are a big idol for a lot of people. Everybody needs somebody to look up to.
– Arnold Schwarzenegger

I highly recommend the NGA certification course for those who want to maximize their training, health, and lifestyle. It is a must for all serious trainers.
– Lou Ferrigno

During the preparation for the film "Carlito's Way" I received the attention of Andy Bostinto as a personal trainer and diet consultant. He always handled himself with professionalism and displayed a knowledge and love for his subject.
– Al Pacino

Our sessions which lasted for 12 weeks began to show quite a change in my upper body in a period of just 3-4 weeks. Spending 1-2 hours in the very best possible company with a man, if anyone knows what they're doing with bodybuilding, it's Andy. Whatever I got today, I owe it to Andy.
– Patrick Stewart

Business men and Mr. Americas alike have benefited from his knowledge and experience.
– Regis Philbin

Anyone interested in improving their abilities or career potential in physical fitness could benefit from this certification.
– Bill Pearl

Certainly there is no book in the industry for personal trainers so extensive, so complete, or so well thought out.
– Larry Scott

Gym Endorsements

What I liked most about the course was that the information provided in the manual was not only pertinent in our role as trainers, but presented in a simple-to-understand manner.
– Richard Romeo, Dir. Of Licensing and Support, Powerhouse Gym

Your NGA certification is the best. We have sent dozens of our trainers from all our gyms to get NGA certified and we will continue to do so in the future.
– Mike O'Brien, Fitness Director, Gold's Gym, NY and NJ

If someone is a personal trainer and they have not taken this course, than they left out a very valuable piece of education.
– Bill Leonello, Owner, World Gym, Babylon, NY