PT Diaries

December was a busy month filled with travels and festivities.  In January I got back in the swing of things, working out with my Personal Trainer twice a week and running two to three times as well. I haven’t been to the Steve Nash Sports Facility in two months but yesterday morning I packed my bag and committed to going to my favorite spin class. The class doesn’t start until 5:30 p.m. but I knew if I wasn’t there by 5:20 p.m.  I risked the chance of not getting a bike. I rushed out of work, battled the traffic across town and arrived at the gym at 5:10 p.m. A lineup of 25 people has already formed in front of the class room.  “Jeez this class is getting popular! I didn’t leave work early for nothing; I better get a freaking bike!!” I groaned as I darted to the changing room, stripped off my clothes and changed into my workout gear as fast as humanly possible. With my laces still untied I grabbed a face towel and dashed to the end of the lineup.  I stood there tapping my right foot nervously. The lady in front of me turned and asked “How many bikes in the room?” “I’m not sure, maybe 30.” I responded. She glanced at the line and shrugged.

The door to the spinning room opened at 5:15 p.m. sharp and the people from the earlier class came out and the line slowly marched in. When I got near the door I noticed there were few bikes still available and jumped on the first vacant one I walked by.

Tim walked in and headed to the instructor bike at the front of the class. I noticed he bleached his hair since I last saw him.  “It suits him” I thought to myself as I started warming up to Lady Gaga on my iPod.  Twelve minutes before the start of class and all the bikes were occupied with eager cyclists.  A few stragglers came waltzing in and stood at the front door with a stunned look on their faces, scanning the room. “Sorry we’re full.” Tim said with a smile.

“Ok class, lets get’s started….” Tim said enthusiastically. I took off my ipod and braced myself.  Tim’s spin class is broken into three equally painful sections.  His music selection is high energy and carefully synchronized to his prearranged workouts. While a class setting can be impersonal compared to a one on one personal training session, Tim has a unique way of connecting with the group and pushing us beyond our limits. Personally I’m not big on inspiration talk but he delivers his motivational lines without the cheese factor. “What brought you here today? Think about your goal. Are you trying to lose weight?  Going on vacation?  Training for a specific event? See your goal, reach for your goal. It’s at the top of this hill.”

Half way through the second section of the class I was drenched in sweat and a puddle had started to form under my bike; I’m working much harder than I did in the past but I was barely winded.  “Yeah yeah yeah” Tim shouted out.  I gave even more effort; if Tim said to give a half a turn on the dial I would give it a full turn and still managed to find the strength to spin faster and faster.  The calisthenics and weight training I’ve been doing at deWolf Training is definitely paying off. I was feeling like a real athlete when out of nowhere I got the worse cramps. I check the clock to my right and saw there’s only 10 minutes left. “Are you on your edge? Are you giving 100%?  It doesn’t matter to me, only you will know. But you came all the way why not give it your all?” Tim asks. I took a big gulp from my water bottle and told myself “Ignore the pain and finish strong!!” By the end of the class my body was definitely fatigued but I felt great! “My glutes will hurt tomorrow.  Let’s hope my deWolf doesn’t have squats on the menu.”

If you’re looking for a hard core cardio workout that is different every time I highly recommend Tim’s Wednesday 60 minutes 5:30 p.m. Spin Class at the Steve Nash Sports Facility. He has a great energy and teaches a unique and intense spin class. Oh yeah… and if you still have oomph after he’s spun you out, feel free to join him right after for a killer 30 minutes abdominal workout.

PS – Don’t forget to arrive early.

PT Girl xo

As mentioned in my previous blog, once upon a time I had a serious gym phobia and as a result the first year and a half I worked out outside with my Personal Trainer Steve. Under no circumstance did we set foot indoors. For 18 months, come rain, snow, sleet or shine we were out there twice a week. Steve’s fitness knowledge was apparent from the start but his subtle approach at breaking down the physical and mental limitations I’d place on myself was crucial to my development.

My only reference point to “sports “or “fitness” was equestrian jumping and a few seasons on the basketball team as a teenager. So when Steve asked me what my fitness goal was I offhandedly said “I wanna run a 10 km race under an hour.” Where that thought came from I had no idea but I believed this to be unattainable and had no intention of following through.

Each session Steve would make me do a variety of resistance exercises but always incorporated some running; and every couple of weeks I would notice I was capable of going a bit further before I had to stop to gasp for air. Before I knew it I was jogging for over 30 minutes without stopping. It took me a long time to admit it, but I was enjoying the workouts and even though Steve was a tad self-lovin’ he really grew on me.

Then one day, out of nowhere Steve reminded me of my goal and told me it was time to sign up for a race.  I tried to back pedal and make excuses but he would have no part of it.

I ran the Sun Run as my first 10 km race in 58min 24sec. When I crossed the finishing line I felt completely exhilarated and at that very moment I knew there was no turning back…I was absolutely hooked!!

PT Girl xo

The Personal Training Phenomenon

In 2008 approximately 261,100 people were employed in the fitness industry.  A growth of 29% is predicted between now and 2018.*  This is an above average growth for any sector and is due to the increasing number of people who are choosing to spend their time and money on fitness as well as the  recognition from corporations’ of the long term benefits health & fitness programs have on their employees.

A Personal Trainer should provide you with the proper guidance for reaching your fitness or weight loss goal. They should hold you accountable for your successes as well as your failures.  Finding the right Personal Trainer can have many benefits such as: quicker results, speeding up your learning curve and providing a great source of knowledge and motivation.

What to look for in a Personal Trainer:

1. Proper Certifications &  Insurance
2. Listens to your wants and needs
3. Records your progress by taking regular measurements or conducting fitness test
4. Able to provide a solid network (chiropractors, physiotherapist, massage therapist and contacts to sport specific training)
5. Enjoys his job and gets excited about your session – a good attitude
6. Professional  and accountable
7. Ends the session with a stretch

My Personal Trainer’s Warning Flags:

1. Doesn’t look more physically fit than you
2. Plays doctor and diagnoses your injuries
3. Takes calls or text messages during your session
4. Ignores your questions or needs
5. Arrives late for your session or doesn’t return your calls
6. Recommends trend diets and questionable supplements/herbs

*Statistics taken from United States Department of Labor http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm

My fitness journey started about three and half years ago… let me rewind.
I wouldn’t say I was fat  but soft and definitely out of shape. At 27, standing 5’6” I weighed in at 140 lbs. Ok…ok… I lie… 145 lbs. I loved smoking, especially when I consumed excessive amounts of alcohol. (I’ve managed to give up the smoking a few years ago.)

On the weekend I’d eat out with friends, consume thousands of calories in wine, GG martinis and shooters. When the dj went home and the lights were turned on I would head to the nearest drive-thru for my night cap.

My exercise routine involved online shopping for Billy Blank Tae Bo tapes. I attempted the workouts a few times telling myself that Billy’s 30 minute routine would melt away the cheese curds and gravy from the last poutine I ingested.

So how did I end up in a park discussing my fictional fitness goals with Steve the Personal Trainer of Pulse Personal Training I asked myself as I sat in the spring grass trying my damnedest to look interested in his pitch. I was completely out of my element; I hated everything about gyms (hence the outdoor meeting), my cardio was horrible. I wasn’t able to jog for more than 5 minutes and my attempt at doing a push up was comical.

Over priced Lululemon wear, skinny bitches & meatheads made me nauseous… and yet there I was nodding my head in agreement to Steve’s every word as he kept nattering seemingly unaware of my discomfort. As my uneasiness transformed to irritation I couldn’t help but to think about the two people who were to blame for me handing over my first of many cheques to Steve, not to mention that my ass was now wet!

Who are the culprits responsible for me dishing out tens of thousands of dollars on Personal Training? Mike a coworker and overzealous fitness freak who was training for his second Iron Man and Julie a good friend who always shared in my over indulgence of food & booze. Mike’s daily tales of swimming, running and cycling and Julie’s admission she’d been seeing a personal trainer was just the right formula to summon guilt about my own complacency. I cursed them both as Steve said “12 more squats, come on!”

PT Girl xo