Personal Training: Fifth Anniversary
by KC Bajai
I saw the pictures from 1996 and was horrified! I was 225 lbs and I looked five years into the future and realized i could be 250, or 200... I choose 200. It took me a whole year to get myself into the gym (YMCA) regularly. I had and used ALL (if not more) of the excuses you've probably used and are using right now as your weight keeps increasing and your health slowly decreases. I gave myself a FIVE YEAR plan. Not 5 months to a beach body, or pair of Speedos! Five years and all I wanted to do is lift my own weight.
By the turn of the 21st Century I'd was hooked. I'd made noticeable improvements on my physique and I actually looked and felt younger than I was five years earlier. I was planning my next five year plan: conditioning. I'd dropped 25 lbs. primarily through intense weight lifting and muscle development. I didn't know why at the time and didn't care... but I know now.
I became a regular fixture at the YMCA - and just as energy creates energy, success spurs ambition. I was strong and bulky, still had a big stomach so I set my sights to reducing that. UGH, had to do cardio, had to start running and even started taking group exercise classes. 2003-2004 were my strongest years to date. Bench press was up to 290, squats were at 405 and leg presses were in the 600s. In 2004 I decided I wanted to be a personal trainer. I'd put it off for years because I generally lose interest in activities I do for money, but by '04 I had lots of time on my hands even with working two jobs.
PT certification became a reality for me on January 31st 2005 and for a year people would ask me to train them, but they would seldom follow through. I started working in a gym in Dec. of '06, started group fitness training at Temple in May of '07, and expanded GX classes to Uni. of the Sciences, St. Joe's, 12th St. Gym and started as a Personal Trainer at the YMCA where I'd dropped the weight and muscled up in the first place. Last year I started teaching GX classes at the Y as well.
To keep me sane I've devised policies which I adhere to. Anyone who gives me my first opportunity I remain exclusive to for the first year. Such was the case with Temple, I didn't even entertain the notion of teaching fitness classes anywhere else for that first year. Also, I returned to train at the YMCA because that's the establishment I credit for helping to turn my health around... some sort of loyalty and give-back probably developed either in the cub scouts or the military.
For the first five years of PT Certification I offered my services to friends and people I knew for free. I'd post items online answer questions and put together beginner routines to get people started. I'd explain calorie counting, heart rate, etc. and how to strategically drop weight and gain muscle tone. Maybe 5% took advantage.
Starting February 1st Yours Truly becomes professional - I'll be happy to train you... for a fee. I have my schedule rolling around in my head and will probably post it on fb. I may even reignite my dormant website.
Fitness Consultations start @ $25.00 (up to ah hour) includes health eval.
PT starts @ $75.00 an hour plus expenses (such as paying a guest fee at a gym. There are gyms in the area that allow trainers to use their facilities.)
If you're a member of the Y, come on up while I'm working and there will of course be no charge, provided I'm not busy with a client (or playing solitaire... just kidding about the solitaire.) If you're a Temple student, you may have to go through channels unless you want to engage my services on your own. (Temple may be providing PT services this year.)
So, that's the deal my friends. I love what I do, I love my peeps - but the paper seems to make ALL the difference. Money adds value and perhaps if you've forked over some cash for training you'll take it more seriously.
Is THIS the year you'll start your new lifestyle? Keep the promises you've made to yourself? We shall see.
