The road to fitness can be long and bumpy but a personal trainer can be a useful tool when it comes to battling workout boredom, squashing excuses and staying motivated.
At the Port Moody recreation complex, there are many qualified personal trainers to help you articulate your fitness goals - and keep you on track to achieving them.
Here's a rundown on a handful of the centre's trainers:
LORI PERIANA
Number of years as a personal trainer: 13 (plus seven years as a fitness instructor before that).
Specialties/classes taught: "I've taught everything over my 20 years. I presently teach the indoor cycling classes and I like to train women in their late 30s and older. Having gone through the kids, body changes after kids, the body changes that come with aging, I feel that I have the experience to guide women experiencing the same things."
What do you enjoy about being a personal trainer? "Seeing the change in my clients as they get stronger and fitter - not just the physiological changes but the mental changes as well. There is a feeling of empowerment as women see improvement in their health."
Personal training philosophy/approach: "I believe in gentle pushes. Most people don't know what or how much they are capable of without someone there saying, 'You can do this, just try it!'"
How do you measure success? "By the accomplishment of small goals; for example, just getting into the facility twice in one week is an accomplishment. Changing the amount of sugars that one eats in a day is an accomplishment. These small goals being met at a constant rate lead to bigger goals being met."
What strategies do you use in your own training when you hit a roadblock? "I always look at the number and intensity of my present workouts. Am I working out as hard as I can? Also, I mix up the workouts, change things up a bit, with more interval or circuit training for a month or so, and then maybe change it up to have longer cardio sessions."
Certifications/awards: BCRPA-certified in Fitness Leader Supervisor, Fitness Leader, Personal Trainer.
Contact: 604-469-4735.
TRINA PETERS
Number of years as a personal trainer: 11.
Specialties/classes taught: "I specialize in Third Age (45+ years old) but also love to train beginners as well as those wanting to kick it up a notch. I teach mainly cycling and Third Age classes."
What do you enjoy about being a personal trainer? "I love teaching people, seeing their improvements and helping them realize how good they can feel."
Personal training philosophy/approach: "Train functionally. Train for what you need and want in your life. Train to feel good physically and mentally."
How do you measure success? "Success depends on the individual. It may be measurements, more energy, sleeping better, less aches and pains or being able to do something they had not thought possible."
What strategies do you use in your own training when you hit a roadblock? "I change it up. Depending on what is frustrating me, I may change my exercises, my eating or the timing of the workouts."
Certifications/awards: Diploma in physical education, BCRPA-certified as a Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor/Third Age/Supervisor of Fitness Leaders/
Contact: [email protected].
TAMARA GRAND
Number of years as a personal trainer: 4.
Specialties/classes taught: "I teach group fitness classes including Step, Bootcamp and Indoor Cycling. I have certifications in Bosu and TRX, both of which I regularly use with my personal training clients."
What do you enjoy about being a personal trainer? "I love working in an environment of positivity. Everyone who comes to the gym is looking to make positive changes in their life. I love being able to help my clients define their goals and work together with them to find their best path to health and fitness."
Personal training philosophy/approach: "Train your body the way it was designed to move. Practise squats, lunges, pushes, pulls and twists - movements that we all need to be good at to ensure a high quality of life today and long into the future."
How do you measure success? "Many of my clients initially want help with weight loss; they don't enjoy exercise and have very little confidence in their own capabilities. I feel like our training relationship has been successful when they begin to recognize some of the other benefits of exercise - more energy, better sleep, stronger bodies and an enthusiasm for coming to the gym."
What strategies do you use in your own training when you hit a roadblock? "I write a fitness and healthy lifestyle blog, and turn to other fitness bloggers for inspiration and new training ideas. Even trainers need a source of motivation and accountability."
Certifications/awards: BCRPA-certified as a Personal Trainer, Weight Trainer and Advanced Fitness Leader, PhD in biology.
Contact: "I blog about fitness, food, family and knitting at fitknitchick.com and on Twitter and Instagram @fitknitchick_1.
MARIA MORANO
Number of years as a personal trainer: 13 years as an active rehabilitation specialist, athletic trainer and personal trainer/coach.
Specialties/classes taught: active rehabilitation.
What do you enjoy about being a personal trainer? "The challenge of identifying limitations and connecting with the client in a program that addresses the limitations. It is extremely rewarding to observe clients transform their belief system regarding their limitations and how their lives have been enhanced in the process."
Personal training philosophy/approach: "Form, function and fitness - designing fitness programs that have purpose. Building a strong foundation that emphasizes form and addresses posture. Applying these enhanced skills and awareness to movement patterns that improve function. Lastly, addressing fitness with programs that incorporate what you have learned and help you achieve your goals."
How do you measure success? "Varies with the client but includes functional tests/success in their sport or activity and setting and achieving goals."
What strategies do you use in your own training when you hit a roadblock? "Reassess goals - are they realistic with the client's lifestyle or wiliness/passion to comply with the program? Re-adjust program/goals to match lifestyle desired by the client."
Certifications/awards: bachelor of human kinetics, certified exercise physiologist, certified strength and conditioning specialist (National Strength and Conditioning Association), awarded trainer of the year by the Western Lacrosse Association Sr. B in 2004 and 2005.
Contact: www.formfunctionandfitness.com.
ISAIAH BALDISSERA
Number of years as a personal trainer: 4.
Specialties/classes taught: One-on-one and small group training for all fitness levels, athletic performance training, effective stretching.
What do you enjoy about being a personal trainer? "Helping my clients transform themselves and lead healthier, happier lives. When I see a grandparent who now has more energy to spend with grandkids, or a young person who has increased in self-confidence, or when a person of any age can lessen the discomfort or pain they experience daily - that's what keeps me going. "
Personal training philosophy/approach: "Physical fitness should be a means to an end, not an end in itself. A healthy body gives rise to countless opportunities to live life more fully. When you train so that you can do more of the things that you love, whether that be your favourite leisure activity, travelling the world, or simply taking an evening stroll with your spouse, exercise makes more sense."
How do you measure success? "Action is the fundamental key to all success. If you've taken the first step to embark on an exercise program, join a class, or speak with a personal trainer, you're already on the right track and ahead of most. Secondly, I measure a client's success based on where they have come from and where they want to go, not on how the scale reads, how much a friend has improved, or some kind of "ideal standard" portrayed in the media. I want to see you become your best self inside the gym, but more importantly, outside of the gym, where it counts, and I'm committed to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be."
What strategies do you use in your own training when you hit a roadblock? "Mix it up. When I hit a plateau, I like to try something new. In the past year, I've been fortunate enough to have had time to train with the bobsled and skeleton teams in Whistler, take up fencing and climb some of the best peaks in the area. Find something that pushes you just outside of your comfort zone. The risk is always worth the reward."
Certifications/awards: BCRPA-certified Personal Trainer and Weight Trainer, Third Age Certified, Olympic Torchbearer (awarded for community involvement in health and fitness).
Contact: EveryStretch.com - a website I designed where everyone can learn to stretch effectively, for free; also: isaiahbaldissera.com.
