FitSugar

Trainer Gains Weight to Better Understand Clients: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:30:00 -0800

There are plenty of personal trainers who didn't always live healthy lives and worked hard to shed a bunch weight to reveal inspiring physiques. When someone is overweight and working out with a trainer, it can be motivating to know the person playing boss has been there before. But a trainer/former underwear model who becomes overweight by choice, just to lose the weight once he's hit his goal weight? This is something new.

Typically weighing in at a muscular 180 pounds, Australian personal trainer Paul "PJ" James is halfway to his goal weight of 265 pounds in an effort to better understand his overweight clients. He intends on living with his new body for a few months, and come Summer he'll encourage his clients to lose weight together. James hopes to gain insight into why some of his clients skip sessions or are unmotivated to work out.

The difference between James and his clients is that he is gaining weight by choice, while many people at an unhealthy weight have not exactly chosen their bodies. He's loading up on doughnuts, fried chocolate bars, pizza, and pasta with creamy sauces, but many overweight individuals eat because of emotional issues and the food serves as a source of comfort.

What do you think of this little experiment, is it cool or not?

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Would You Date Your Trainer?

FitSugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 03:30:00 -0800

Former American Idol contestant Kimberley Locke recently revealed that she is dating her trainer Harvey E. Walden IV from Vh1's Celebrity Fit Club. Locke said:

"We go running and everything, but the whole working out in the gym thing didn’t go so well.”

"Two bossy people? He wants me to do things his way. I want to do it my way - I’m going to do it my way. It didn’t work out.”

So of course it all goes back to you guys. If your trainer was someone you find attractive, would you date your trainer?

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Holiday Fit Tip: Tip Your Personal Trainer

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:00:00 -0800

I know that with all the things you've got going on this holiday season, the last thing you need is another person to add to your gift recipient list. However, don't forget to tip your personal trainer. If you have no idea what to give, a good rule of thumb is to give the value of one session with him or her. If that seems a bit much, then try to come up with something more personal or homemade. In the end it's the thought that counts, but it is a good idea to turn those thoughts into something a little more tangible.

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Tips From Jessica Biel's Trainer!

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Jessica Biel continues to have one of the most wanted bodies in Hollywood. So when her trainer, Jason Walsh, tells Forbes a few things Jessica does to stay so fit, I am all ears.

Here's the deal:

Jason Walsh, the man responsible for Jessica Biel’s lingerie-clad body in this summer’s I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, says that maximizing any workout requires a mastery of the basics.

"Learn how to squat properly, crunch properly and how to do push-ups and pull-ups - two of the best upper-body exercises," he says. In addition to a weekly three-day cardio regimen, Biel spends three alternate days focusing on muscle development and toning by doing lunges, crunches, squats and core work.

Walsh suggests that beginners hire a trainer for a month or pick up a book like Core Performance by Mark Verstegen in order to learn the basics and understand how to avoid injuries.

Squats, crunches and push-ups might need to be added to my list of exercises I can't live without. Though I've got to say, I'm not sure pull-ups are in my cards, even if it means getting one step closer to getting Jess's bod.

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Do you prefer to workout alone or with a friend?

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 03:30:00 -0700

We all have our own strategies to help ensure that we workout. For some of us it is making an exercise date with a friend. Others prefer to workout alone and consider exercise time "personal time."

How about you...

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How to Get Lance Armstrong's Trainer

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 03:07:12 -0800

Chris Carmichael is not a household name, but he is the coach behind the legend Lance Armstrong. Who, although he participated in one of the least popular sports in the U.S., is a household name. Want to know some of the secrets behind training to become one of the world's top endurance athletes?

Then head on over to trainright.com, the website of Carmichael Training Systems. Check out the free videos, there's a slightly goofy one about peanut butter, or pay $9.99 for pod cast running or cycling work outs. You can also sign up for a free nutritional news letter.

Okay, so it is not like really having Lance's trainer, but it is cool to get some tips and inspiration from the man behind the Man.

Pump Up Your iPod

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 12:00:00 -0800

PumpOne Personal Trainers are fitness training guides that you can download to your iPod, Nano, Treo and other devices.

The guides guide you through your work out with photographs of exercises showing the starting and ending positions of exercises, complete with easy-to-follow tips. And you can use them while listening to your play list.

PumpOne Trainers are like having a little exercise book, study guide, or personal trainer all on your iPod or other device.

Choose from cardio, Yoga, Pilates, or ab toning. They even offer a work out to use when you travel.

Some of the programs offer more than 1 level so you can build on your knowledge. They range in price from $20 - $50.

How's it work? Download PumpOne to your computer. Then upload it to your iPod or PDA device. Now it's ready to use - anytime, anywhere.

Enter The EnterTrainer

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 16:30:00 -0800

Many of us have the luxury of working out at home on our own equipment in front of our own TV. The problem with such a luxury is that it is quite easy to slack off and not workout as hard as you would at the gym or with a trainer.

The Entertrainer ($139.99) basically works like a remote control except that your intimidating personal trainer is holding it. The device monitors your heart rate and when you are not working your heart rate up to par it lowers the volume of your TV until you bring your heart rate back up. If you don't pick up the pace, it will eventually turn your TV off. If Britney is on Ellen and just about to reveal everything about her rocky marriage with FedEx, you better keep on keepin' on!

Imagine if everyone at the gym had to use an Entertrainer. One slacker in the cardio room could ruin it for everyone. People would be yelling at each other to work harder. Talk about pressure.

Buy it here.

Fit's Tip: A heart rate monitor is included with your purchase, so don't worry if you don't already have one. Remember to keep the Entertrainer within 5 feet of you so it can read your heart rate.

How to Choose a Personal Trainer

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 03:00:00 -0700

If you're in the market for a personal trainer, you may be a bit intimidated by those that you see at the gym. I have seen trainers yelling at their clients, which to some people may be motivating, but to others it's just downright scary. Here are a few tips from the American Council on Exercise on picking the right trainer for you:

Ask for references: Ask the trainer for the names and phone numbers of other clients with goals similar to yours. Call to see if they were pleased with their workouts, if the trainer was punctual and prepared, and if they felt their individual needs were addressed. The best personal trainer to hire is the one others give high marks to.
Make sure the trainer has liability insurance and provides business policies in writing: Many personal trainers operate as independent contractors and are not employees of a fitness facility. You should find out if the trainer you want to hire carries professional liability insurance. A reputable personal trainer should also make sure you understand the cancellation policy and billing procedure. The best way to avoid confusion and to protect your rights is to have those policies in writing.
Look for a trainer who is able to assist you with your special needs: A personal trainer should always have you fill out a health history questionnaire to determine your needs or limitations. If you have a medical condition or a past injury, a personal trainer should design a session that takes these into account. If you're under a doctor's care, a personal trainer should discuss any exercise concerns with your doctor, and should ask for a health screening or release from your doctor.
Find out what the trainer charges: Rates vary, depending on the trainer's experience, and the length and location of the workout session. For example, a personal trainer who works in a fitness club will probably charge less per hour than one who works independently and needs to come to your home or office.
Decide if this is someone you can work with: Some people like to exercise in the morning, some in the evening. Will the personal trainer you're talking to accommodate your schedule? What about the trainer's gender? Some people do better working with a trainer of the same sex; others prefer the opposite sex.

For a few of my own personal tips read more

Shop around: Meet them and see if you bond before setting up sessions. Chances are that if you don't feel the bond, they don't either, and there is no harm done in finding another.
Ask for certification: Certification in the fitness industry is a relatively new thing so some trainers have not been certified. Certified trainers have actually been educated on training, whereas those who aren't may just be going on experience.
Take the freebie: Most gyms offer a free session with one of their trainers when you sign up. Take advantage of this as you may click with that trainer and want to use them in the future.
Be honest: Just as you should be honest with your doctor, you should also be honest with your personal trainer. This is the best way for him/her to help you to the best of their abilities. If they can't (or aren't qualified to) do what you're looking for, they should tell you.

Celebrity Trainers Who Tweet

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:50:09 -0700

More and more celebrity trainers are using Twitter to broadcast healthy eating tips, motivational words, and exercise advice. The trainers also reply to questions directed at them via Twitter, which help make users feel like personal clients.

Start following these trainers to feel red-carpet-ready every day - minus the hefty price tag. And don't forget to follow FitSugar on Twitter, too!

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