Butt Seriously

How does it feel to be known as the “booty queen” of the fitness industry?

Amanda Latona: (Laughing) It’s awesome! You know, back when I was in school, butts weren’t cool and of course I had a big bubble butt. I got made fun of for it, but now everyone wants my butt!

What are the best jeans for girls with butts?

AL: I love Bebe jeans. They have great stretch, and that is the secret: You don’t want them too tight or they flatten you out, and if they’re too loose and baggy, it’s ugly. The right amount of stretch emphasizes your curves without flattening and gives you a little room to grow in the offseason! (Laughs)

Have you changed anything lately about your training?

AL: Well, I don’t need to add any more size, so I am working on refining the muscle I have and am doing more cardio. I only do HIIT cardio these days — no more steady state; I get bored with it, and I think the HIIT is way more effective for burning fat. I do all different things, but my favorite is sprinting. I start with a 20-minute incline walk on the treadmill, then do 20 minutes of sprints at max incline. I’ll sprint for 30 seconds, then rest for two minutes to recover, and repeat. I usually get in about six to seven sprints in 20 minutes.

Your background is singing. How did you get into working out?

AL: Honestly, it was through singing that I got into working out! When I was 18, I was in an all-girl group in Orlando that was managed by Justin Timberlake’s mom, and with our contract came a gym membership. I had never played any sports in high school — in fact, I would get notes from my mom to get out of gym class as often as I could! — but I went to the gym one day and saw this woman who was all diesel with a six-pack and I was like, I want to look like that. I was hooked instantly. I trained twice a day, had my egg whites and oatmeal even when we were traveling abroad, and have been training ever since.

Do you still sing?

AL: Yes, every day in the shower! (Laughs) I was actually with a girl group here in Vegas when I first moved out, and I would sing again if given the chance, but after three record deals, you kind of stop pursuing it as a career. When you’re 18, you want to be Britney Spears and have the fame and the limo, but when you’re 30, you just want to be happy. Perspective changes as you get a little older.

Do you have any pets?

AL: Yes, I have two dogs: Kayci is a Maltese/poodle — a Maltipoo — and Luke is a Maltese/Yorkie — a Morkie. Morkies are the cutest, sweetest things in the world, but they’re not at all smart. I call Luke “Dory,” like from the movie Finding Nemo, because he can’t remember anything from one minute to the next. But he makes up for that in sweetness.

How do you stay motivated to train?

AL: You know, it’s hard and there are days when I seriously do not want to train. Just the other day I had no desire to go to the gym. So I prayed on it, then got up off the couch and went to the gym and had the best workout ever. People should never feel guilty if they don’t have the drive to do it sometimes. I am not a superhero — I have days when the last thing I want to do is work out, but you make yourself go and you get it done and you’re better for it.

You’re sponsored by BSN. What is your favorite BSN supplement?

AL: I love N.O.-Xplode. It’s the first product I ever took of BSN’s, and I am still taking it now. I use one to two scoops preworkout to increase my energy, focus and strength. I never train without it.

Do you listen to music when you train?

AL: Absolutely. I love me some hip-hop for weights, and in fact, I have a whole playlist that is all about the booty! For cardio, I like things with a strong beat like cardio remixes or some David Guetta and Tiesto — high-energy stuff.

What is the worst pickup line you’ve ever heard at the gym?

AL: “Do you work out?” Really, dude, that’s the best you’ve got? (Laughs)

What is your ultimate goal with the sport?

AL: To win a big pro show: the Olympia or the International. But I also want to help motivate other people to work out. The thing that keeps me going is the lives I am touching and the people in the sport. I never thought when I started this that it would turn into such a wonderful platform, so it really is a huge blessing.

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