Tamara Hughes

DAVID AND I HAVE BEEN PART OF THE FITNESS PROFESSION FOR SO LONG IT’S JUST PART OF WHO WE ARE. AND WE LOVE BEING ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE ACHIEVE THE RESULTS THEY REALLY LONG FOR. EVERYONE WANTS TO LOOK BETTER. EVERYONE WANTS TO FEEL BETTER. AND WE LOVE HELPING THEM DO THAT. I COULDN’T BE IN A HAPPIER PLACE.

Tammy with Big Back Grips at the Muscle Beach booth

BIG BACK GRIPS USER PROFILE INTERVIEW: TAMARA HUGHES

Full disclosure: Tammy Hughes has been part of the Big Back Grips story since we first launched in 2007. She has been on our packaging, our website, at our events and in our hearts for everything she did to help a start-up take root. For Tammy is one of the nicest, most generous, most welcoming people we know. And we’ve been providing Big Back Grips to her husband, bodybuilder and trainer David Hughes and his clients since about the same time.

She is also an accomplished fitness competitor, having placed first in the International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA) Classic in her native Australia.  She manages one of Los Angeles’ most respected gyms.  And with David, brings her experience and knowledge to (Big Back Grips dealer!) Get Hughes Nutrition which they own together in Simi Valley, CA. Since Tammy’s also a Big Back user, we asked her to be part of our Big Back Grips User Profile page.

Interview Questions

BBG: Of course on of the reasons we’re interviewing you is because we know you’re avid Big Back Grips user. What did you use before BBGs and why did you settle on BBGs? How do they help your workout?

TAMMY: Well, I used to use gloves. Little pink ones. But let me tell people how I even discovered Big Back Grips: You guys wanted to shoot some pictures in the gym that I managed, and you wanted to use me – ME! – on your packaging. And while I was working out with your grips during the photo shoot, I realized my little pink gloves weren’t doing anything to help my workout. Nothing! They were just, well, pink. The first time I did a set of cable rows with the grips, I knew I didn’t care what color they were. They gave me an amazing set and that was that! And Hollywood Gym became your first retail dealer.

BBG: Professionally, what’s your opinion of other grip solutions, especially weight lifting straps?

TAMMY: Chalk is ok, but kills your hands. And a lot of gyms don’t allow it anymore. And gloves, well, gloves are just gloves. They may pad, but they don’t grip. Weight lifting straps are just not good. Not good at all. Too many bruises. Too easy to injure your wrists. There you go.

BBG: You started life in Australia. What brought you the United States? And why Los Angeles in particular?

TAMMY: It was quite by accident, really. In 2005 I came for a visit. Just three months. I was going to stay with a friend in LA for three months, and then go home! But I didn’t. I stayed put. Los Angeles was just a wonderful city. Very international and very welcoming. And then I was lucky to get an athletic sponsorship with Hollywood Gym, the gym that I now manage. And America became my home. I love it here.

BBG: Your life now is very different than when you first arrived. A new family. And a new business, with Get Hughes Nutrition.

Tammy in competition

TAMMY: You’re right. It’s been almost seven years and things are very different. I married a most AMAZING man, David Hughes, who’s been an international bodybuilding champion for 22 years. David and I now own Get Hughes Nutrition, in Simi Valley, California. It’s a supplement store and a personal training studio. David and I have been part of the fitness profession for so long it’s just part of who we are. And we love being able to help people achieve the results they really long for. Everyone wants to look better. Everyone wants to feel better. And we love helping them do that. I couldn’t be in a happier place.

BBG: What was the most challenging part of launching a new store? How is it going so far?

TAMMY: It’s going very well, thank you. The hardest part – and anyone who has done this will know what I mean – the hardest part is that you do everything. Everything! From stocking shelves to overseeing websites, printers, vendors, a lot of things you’re doing for the first time. And even though it’s the hardest part, it’s also the most fun, because it’s all a challenge, all a chance to learn something entirely new.

Tammy performs seated cable row with Big Back Grips

BBG: You also manager an extremely well known Los Angeles gym. What’s the most important part of managing a successful gym?

TAMMY: Mostly you just have to make sure that people who come into the gym find the gym they’re expecting: clean, well equipped, everything working. And a good atmosphere. If you can do that, you’ll be fine.

BBG: What are your workouts like now? How have they changed as your life has changed?

TAMMY: Well, there’s a lot more going on now to try to squeeze a good workout in. But you do. It’s part of the bigger picture. And I’m really loving it all right now.

Tammy with Big Back team mate Lucy on Stage at Muscle Beach