Anne at Zen Pulse
I am an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, AFAA Certified Group Exercise Instructor and an AFPA certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant. My programs are a mix of strength and power conditioning designed to stimulate fat metabolism and build muscle while developing core strength, and most training sessions feature high intensity training intervals in 360 degrees of movement with close attention to alignment and mind-body connection. In addition to functional power training, I have a passion for Russian Kettlebells and Vinyasa Yoga, and will be completing my Hardstyle Kettlebell Certification (HKC) in July 2011 and 200 Hour RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) Training in 2012.
I ultimately decided to start training because I wanted to help create change on a daily basis. Physical change may take time, but I am able – on an hourly basis – to help improve my corner of the universe by gifting clients with healthy self-image and a side of endorphins!
I was actually planning to start with nutritional counseling, but I started with personal training to get access to the industry quickly and see how I liked it. I loved it! I trained part time for about 6 months at a boutique fitness center and decided to go full time when my client load picked up to the point where I could no longer sustain both my “day job” and my passion for fitness. I am forever grateful to the manager at the club in Virginia who sat with me at Starbucks one day and talked me through what it would take to get my certification and told me to come find him once I had it.
What was it like on your first day with your first client?
I was terrified and terrifically excited. I’m not really one for “making mistakes” – and a first crack at anything is always difficult. An hour (and a mistake or two) later, I realized that I was good at this. Intuitive, even. And that she left feeling better about her body, better about her tennis game and better about her health. I was hooked.
Mistakes, they’re bound to happen, how did you handle making mistakes?
What are the 5 best exercises to challenge your body?
2. Push Up Variations (shoulder strength and endurance)
3. Pull Ups (upper body strength, scapular stability and sheer mental grit)
4. Box Jumps or Step-Ups (Hip stability, knee mobility and cardio)
5. TRX or Barbell Roll-Outs (CORE CORE and CORE!)
What advice can you offer someone just starting out training?
What do you feel is the #1 thing that personal training offers a client?
Stability. Every client struggles with something different and every trainer has a different skill set. But every client needs someone they can lean on when they don’t trust their bodies, don’t understand their behavior patterns or just feel stuck. A trainer or training team offers long-term stability in schedule and goal-setting, which puts in perspective the day-to-day variations in self-image, personal performance and weight.
From Double TRX |
Nick at Los Gatos Health & Fitness
Certifications: NASM CPT/PES, NSCA CPT, TRX,
Why did you decide to start personal training?
I became a trainer initially because I was passionate about fitness. As I grew in the industry I looked at helping clients from a multifaceted approached that went beyond creating a well rounded weight training and cardiovascular routine. Lifestyle modifications are paramount for success, and behavioral adjustments are the foundation these changes are built on. I am continually inspired by the ability we all have to change for the better. Knowledge is an important quality to possess as a trainer but just as importantly I strive to bring enthusiasm and positivity to my clients and friends. My mantra is the 5 P’s of success Passion Purpose Practice Perseverance Progress
What was it like on your first day with your first client?
My first day with a client was a little intimidating. Luckily I had already spent two years working as a fitness administrator working alongside some of the greatest trainers in the area. It is a lot of responsibility to take on the task of helping an individual strive to attain their goals. They are investing a substantial amount of money, time, and hard work.
What advice can you offer someone just starting out training?
I made plenty of mistakes in my short career. No mistake is greater than
making your client immobile by injuring them, and thankfully I have
avoided that thus far. Oftentimes its not what you do thats a mistake
its what you dont do. Some of my earliest programs lacked the components
that I see now as essential such as: stability training, power
training, and functional full body exercises.
What are the 5 best exercises to challenge your body?
Choosing 5 top exercises are tough but here are mine:
Squat
Deadlift
Clean
Pullup
Dips
What do you feel is the #1 thing that personal training offers a client?
A strong piece of advice I would offer to someone new to training is to remember you are in charge, not your body. It is nothing but a result of your environment. Change your environment and change your life.
The #1 thing a personal trainer has to offer their client is the enthusiastic blueprints to a new body and a new life.
Ah, words from true wisdom. I love it! Thanks for the input! I hope this information has helped at least one person- in any aspect of fitness. Let me (and Anne and Nick) know what you think about this post. Comments!