By Kevin Gleason
Published: 2:00 AM - 06/30/10 - Times Herald-Record
A.J. Kmiec couldn't gain weight for the life of him. Everything changed when he started taking a dietary supplement called Cyto Gainer while undergoing a strict training regimen.
Kmiec, entering his eighth-grade year in the Pine Bush Central School District, has gained 21 pounds since arriving at Rick Scarpulla's gym in August.
He didn't just gain weight,'' says A.J.'s mom, Maria. He gained muscle. And we've never been able to get him to gain weight.''
Adam Kmiec, A.J.'s dad, says he got the go-ahead from a doctor before allowing A.J. to use Cyto Gainer. He thought it was good stuff,'' Adam says. The stuff in there is all natural. There's much more weight on him and he's faster. And he was quick before.''
They are certain A.J.'s workout regimen and supplementation helped him recently make the prestigious New York Red Bulls Academy youth soccer team. The squad, which had about 200 kids try out, starts in August and will play games around the world.
A.J., now at 92 pounds, says he hears a lot about kids trying one supplement after another because of their uncertainty over products.
Right combination
John S. Burke Catholic lacrosse and football player Rob Malcolm, a senior come fall, admits to trying all kinds of different stuff in past years. Whatever went down the easiest and tasted the best,'' he says.
But Malcolm, a 5-foot-10, 220-pound guard and nose tackle, credits supplements and consistent workouts under Scarpulla with helping him drop about 25 pounds the past six months. I lost all bad weight,'' he says. Then I started gaining good weight.''
Scarpulla, a longtime Division I college strength coach and local trainer, realizes there's a thin knowledge base regarding supplements. Kids and parents are faced with sifting through mounds of information, much of it inaccurate, before drawing conclusions on the need for supplements. Scarpulla is very particular about the products he recommends.
Life-changing product
One product he advocates is Muscle Milk, a supplement that has helped change one Washingtonville High kid's life. Nick Karnavezos, who will be a sophomore, says sound training and supplements have contributed to improved confidence and self-esteem. His parents agree, saying Nick's confidence has improved night and day'' since coming to Scarpulla's gym in August. He's gained at least 40 pounds, to 140 or so, during that time.His sport always has been basketball. But Karnavezos, once leery of playing football because of his weight and lack of strength, plans to play the sport this fall.
kgleason@th-record.com
