Fitness Gets Personal
by Gigi Cowell
By now, many people have already abandoned their New Year’s resolutions to begin an exercise program or lose weight. Hundreds of health club memberships— so zealously purchased in January—have been dropped like last year’s fruitcake.
Some, who have successfully managed to stay on track, may be motivated by a different philosophy; that is, rather than focusing on the negative definition of the word “resolution”, have chosen to embrace the positive, and found the “re-solution” to a healthier lifestyle.
For these people, the spark ignites when they make
the decision to begin an exercise program, but the flames
of determination and motivation still need to be fanned.
This is where a personal trainer can be of help.
“The one thing that sets utilizing a personal trainer
apart from exercising on your own is the element of
motivation,” says Carter Shelton, a personal trainer in the
Kansas City area. “My clients are less likely to skip their
session if they know we have a set appointment, which
helps to keep them on track.”
Originally a fitness instructor at Fitness for Life, now
known as Fitness Together, Carter noticed the influx of
50 to 60 year olds flocking to personal training sessions—
in fact, the demographic of his clients was almost exclusively
comprised of this group. Although some were interested
in weight loss, many were anxious to fend off the ill-effects
of osteoporosis, heart disease and diabetes through regular
exercise and strength training.
Personal training sessions can be held in a gym setting
or, as in Shelton’s case, scheduled in a client’s home.
These private sessions can be arranged around even the
most difficult personal schedules, and can meet one to
four times per week. Sessions normally last about 50
minutes, and utilize exercise bands, tubing, lightweight
medicine balls and floor work.
Dietary guidelines are outlined in the first sessions, but
most personal trainers, including Shelton, stress that they do
not promote “dieting.” The focus is on educating the client in
lifestyle changes—which means making smarter choices with
regard to sugar, fat, supplements and overall eating habits.
When it comes to engaging a personal trainer, only
the serious need apply. Whether or not you choose to
work in your home or in a gym setting, the trainer will
work you for the full session, and will keep the appointment
time you have established. And at $40–$50 per
hour, this commitment is definitely not for the slim-wallet
set; however, the benefits are measurable for those who
choose this avenue.
Ronna Nussbaum of Prairie Village, Kansas has worked
with a personal trainer for more than six years. Initially
seeking to prevent osteoporosis and other mid-life woes,
this “50 something” mother of four (and grandmother of
two) found Carter Shelton through a private referral.
Now, in addition to gaining the upper body strength to do
20 push-ups as well as modified chin-ups, she can boast
arms that “look great in a strapless dress.” Recently, she
has expanded her workout to include boxing, which has
added a fun cardio element to her weekly routine.
“For someone that had never exercised, working with
a personal trainer has totally changed my life,” states
Nussbaum, “and having a regular appointment has eliminated
the temptation to skip out on the workout.” Furthermore,
Nussbaum says that she now schedules her other
weekly activities around her workout, making it a priority
because she can “see and feel the benefits every day.”
Not surprisingly, personal trainers and training programs
have found their way on-line, where sites such
as workoutsforyou.com, changingshape.com and liveleantoday.
com provide access to “cyber-trainers.” Touting
customized programs that are available in the privacy
of your own computer, many of these services offer 24/7
access, weekly assignments, and e-mails that are answered
by certified personal trainers.
But what many of these sites lack is the bond that is
formed between a personal trainer and his client—a bond
that can lead to motivation and eventual success. Whatever
your comfort level requires—on-line support or a more
traditional approach—a personal trainer may just be
the “re-solution” that can jumpstart your new year, and
lead you to a lifetime of better health and wellness.
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