 TRANSFORM!
Transform! It’s uncanny how many times, just in the last
30 days, people have come up to me and said…”OMG!
I’ve gained 10 lbs during my vacation. I ate everything
in sight and there were no gyms around. I’m a porker.”
And the alarming one I heard from a youngish friend “…my
cut on my finger became an emergency room incident.
My diabetes and no-exercise lifestyle has got to change!”
And, of course, the classic complaints I’ve heard countless
times “I need to tone up. Idon’t want to get ‘big’.
I just want to have arms like Madonna’s” Oh yeah,
that’s all… What this is all about is transformation.
To get arms like Madonna or to manage a serious disease like diabetes,
we need to change towards healthier lifestyles that involve serious
commitments to diet and exercise.
This newsletter’s theme is all about transformation…from
taking the first steps of picking a trainer to a real life before
and after feel-AWESOME story from one of our very own. So read
on, get inspired…transform!
From iVillage: How do I Pick a Trainer?
 There
are many reasons to hire a personal trainer. Maybe you haven't
done anything physical since you climbed the ropes in elementary
school gym class. Or maybe you want to train for a specific goal,
like running a marathon or completing the local walk-a-thon at
the end of the summer. In either case, you want some guidance
on how to get in shape quickly and safely.
Whatever your reasons for hiring a trainer, it's a good way to
learn the subtleties of working out and getting into shape --
as long as you hire a good trainer. There are plenty of quacks
out there who don't know the difference between a push-up and
a push-up bra. A bad trainer can turn what should be a fun and
positive experience into a nightmare and, at the very least, without
a good one, you won't get any closer to achieving your fitness
goals. Here are some basic requirements for a personal trainer:
1. A certification from a reputable organization.
There are a tremendous number of personal training certifications
out there. Some require no more than attending a one-day seminar
or answering a few questions via mail or the Internet. Some of
the best are:
• The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health
Fitness
Instructor The American Council (ACE) on Exercise Personal Trainer
• The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Certified
Strength and Conditioning Specialist or Certified Personal Trainer
• The National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer.
A passing grade on any of these certification exams ensures that
your trainer has demonstrated at least a minimum level of knowledge
related to proper exercise choice and technique. All of them also
require a current certification in CPR, a real bonus.
2. An academic degree in a
fitness-related field such as exercise physiology,
physical education, or some other concentration related to health
and fitness.
Nowadays colleges and universities have bachelor's and master's
degree programs that prepare trainers for teaching people how
to exercise. Exercise physiology, for example, is the study of
the human muscular, skeletal, circulatory and nervous systems
and how they respond to exercise. Exercise physiologists learn
how to teach safe exercise to prevent injury and to modify exercise
for those who are already injured. But there is so much to know
and opinions change so quickly that a trainer's education shouldn't
cease after receiving a diploma. We still recommend that a trainer
have a current certification or two so you know she is keeping
up with the times.
3. Experience
Has your trainer most recently completed a stint slinging hash
at the local diner? Is he appearing in regional theater as Othello?
Look for a trainer who has at least two years of steady experience
either on his own or in a health club rather than a trainer who
is moonlighting to pick up extra cash between gigs.
4. Insurance
It is very important that your trainer carries liability insurance.
Even when you work with a qualified trainer, there is always the
risk that you may get injured. A good trainer who is "in
the biz" will be smart enough to have proper insurance coverage
for her benefit as well as her client's.
5. A Fitness Evaluation
Ask your prospective trainer if he performs some sort of fitness
evaluation to start. This will help determine if you have any
medical concerns that may prevent you from doing certain exercises
and it will also help shape your program and give it direction.
At the minimum, this evaluation should include these basic measurements:
• Health History This sheds light on your medical history
such as whether or not you have high blood pressure or a high
risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
• Aerobic Fitness A trainer will usually determine how
much stamina you have by performing a short test using a step,
bike, treadmill or track.
• Body composition To determine how much body fat you have,
the trainer will measure your body composition. The most common
method involves pinching you in different areas with a pair of
oversized tongs known as calipers. Most trainers will also take
certain key measurements such as the circumference of your waist,
hips and thighs.
• Strength By having you perform exercises like push-ups
or abdominal crunches until exhaustion, a trainer can determine
how much strength you have to start. This will help her set your
initial weights and decide what exercises you need to work on.
• Flexibility A trainer may have you touch your toes or
reach towards a metal box to get a handle on how flexible your
muscles are. Once again, this will help her choose certain exercises
to include in your program.
6. Personality
A trainer may have impeccable credentials, but if you need a kind,
gentle approach and she barks at you like a drill sergeant, you're
in trouble. Be honest with yourself. Do you prefer the drill sergeant
approach or the sympathetic, psychoanalytical approach? It helps
to get a recommendation from someone you know and trust, so you
can ask lots of questions about a trainer's training style. You
can tell a lot by getting the skinny on a trainer's rep.
7. Time Availability and Budget
You can have a perfect match with all of the above points but
if you and your prospective match-made-in-gym-heaven trainer can’t
agree on a time to train and for how much, then you’re back
in the same deconditioned state that you were in. Some might even
argue that these two areas position higher in this checklist.
But, whatever, you do, you can’t forget these two key areas.
Before and After: A Real Life Story from Andy Clay
July 5th, 2005, another 4th of July weekend in the books. As
I walked down the hall I got a good look at myself in the full
length mirror in the hall, not just a casual glance but that hardcore
reality check. There I stood 39 years old and 228lbs. What happened
to that chiseled physique I had 18 years ago? That physique built
by the Marine Corps. I was a Marine after all, the best of the
best. Once a Marine always a Marine. That is definitely not what
I saw that morning in July when I looked in the mirror. Thousands
of burgers fries, and shakes later I saw only a remnant of that
proud Marine I was many years before. For years I had relied on
my sharp wit and sense of humor and forgotten what it felt like
to be really fit. I was getting ready to turn 40 and definitely
looking it.
Then something happened, for just a split second I believed I
could be that again. That's all it took. I spent my 20's in the
health club business and even though I was around fitness all
the time I lived on a 50lb roller coaster. I was either in great
shape, waiting for the day I couldn't maintain my grueling 3 hour
workouts. I was on the gaining cycle where my clothes gradually
became tighter and tighter, leaving whatever designer I was currently
wearing embedded in my waistband. Or I was at the top end promising
each and every day , " Today is the day I'll start exercising
and eating right." No matter where I was I was in a world
of shame and self deprivation.
On July 5th 2005 I put down the fork. I made a promise to give
myself “six pack abs” as a 40th birthday present.
I took 20+ years of experience in the fitness industry and went
to work. I promised myself three things: 1) no compulsive training
2) no starvation and 3) I will not quit. Over 6 months I lost
50 lbs and in the next 2 another 8. At no time during that period
did I spend more than 90 minutes a day training. averaged between
45 minutes to an hour 5 days a week. I never skipped a meal, after
the first 30 days never felt hungry. My best friend and business
partner would meet me at the gym and just laugh. He would say,
"Dude I hardly recognize you." It has completely changed
my life. I will never tell anyone there is a quick fix, because
there isn't.
I spent the better part of 20 years relying solely on my sense
of humor and quick wit to meet people. And more importantly not
let you see how miserable and ashamed I was underneath. Ididn't
go on a diet, or start a workout program. I adopted a new lifestyle
and worked it from the inside out.
My experience with others. I get to take my new lifestyle and
use it to support myself. What a gift! I will close by saying
if you are willing to give yourself the gift of just an hour a
day and change the way you eat you can transform you life. Believe
me it's worth it!!!
P.S. I turn 40 May 23rd and that six pack I promised myself is
turning 40 with me.
You can contact Andy at blue_clay@,msn.com or look for other trainers
at trainwesthollywood.com/trainers.html |
Quickies:
TRAIN/SOMA Event: Body Shake ‘06
 Wake
up, jump up and shake your groove thang at our annual fitness,
pilates and dance fest this coming Sunday, May 21st, from 10am
to 4pm. Sponsored by SOMA, TRAIN and Aphrodite, come check out
what the shaking’s all about…Massage Chair, Live Music,
Food & Beverage, Pilates Demonstrations, live dance showcases,
PG-Rated Pole Dancing Demonstrations and Goodie Bags filled with
coupons for skin and body products and fitness classes. Come visit
the TRAIN parking lot!
If you are a local business and would like to gain exposure to
our fitness-minded guests, this is an excellent opportunity to
gain new clients and unite with businesses in the community by
donating to the gift bags that will be passed out during the event.
Please contact Gabrielle Gumbs at 818-631-5718.
TRAIN News:
New SPIN class! Starting this Wednesday, May 10th, at 8am Blue
Clay Fitness will be introducing its Rock N Roll SPIN class. Let
Rick and Andy take you into a rock n’ roll journey into
the world of Spinning. Used to classes that put you to sleep with
house music?? No snoozing here! This is an all-rock class from
Rage to Tool to Pearl Jam.
Check it out every Wednesday and Friday at 8am.
Community News:
Support West Hollywood Council Member Abbe Land ’s run
for State Assembly. The next major event in her campaign will
have Sheila Kuehl, State Senator, supporting her in a fundraising
event at The Lot in West Hollywood hosted by Global Cuisine by
Gary Arabia. Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 18th from 530-730pm.
RSVP by May 14th to Drew or Adrianna at 310 477 8081.
Show your support for Abbe! Be at The Lot on the 18th.
Trainer News:
It's been a very exciting 2006 for Fitness Trainer, Ben Sullivan.
Thanks to Discovery Networks two fitness productions THE GYM,
still running twice a week on FitTV and SHIP OUT/ SHAPE UP, re-running
on both the Travel Channel and FitTV, Ben was able to make a little
trip to New York in March where he signed with Abrams Artists
for Hosting and Broadcasting. Now, that ROCKS, and the opportunities
keep coming.
If that wasn't enough, when Ben returned from NYC, he received
a phone call from a lovely friend at 5Alarm Music and Rescue Records.
She said come on down and bring your songs...Yep, Ben signed a
little bitty publishing agreement with 5 Alarm Music and Rescue
Records! Wow! Is this really happening? Yes, it is! Congrats to
Ben Sullivan—moving and shaking.
If you’re interested in meeting Ben or re-invigorating
your body and soul with him, contact him at: benlsullivan@mac.com.
He’d love to hear from you!
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