Interview with Holistic Health & Fitness
By admin at February 1, 2012 | 8:06 am | Print
Company Name: Holistic Health & Fitness
Company Address: Shop 1, 2-4 Graham Street Bacchus Marsh
Phone Number: (03) 53675353
Website: www.holistichealthfitness.com.au
1) Can you tell us a little bit about you as a personal trainer and the services, training you offer to your clients?
I have been in the personal training industry for over 10 years. I started as a fitness instructor at my local YMCA, then became a personal trainer, and then went on to study Exercise & Sport Science at Uni. After completing my degree I worked at several gyms and personal training studios across Melbourne before shifting back to my home town and opening my own studio which has now been in operation for 6 years. Services we offer include holistic weight management including personal training, boxing classes, cross-fit classes, 30min express-strength circuit, meditation classes, yoga classes, self-development classes and lifestyle coaching.
2) What’s the history behind your passion for personal training, how did you get started training people?
I have always enjoyed a healthy and active lifestyle, and have always wanted to help others share the same level of health which I have.
3) It seems that as Australian’s we keep trying to get fitter, but not too many out there manage to achieve their goals. What is the secret behind a successful personal training program?
Personal Training is not just about the fitness side of things, but rather about everything else going on in a person’s life. It is essential for personal trainers to deliver a holistic service if they are to truly help their clients not only achieve but rather maintain great health and wellbeing over the long term.
4) Personal training is surely not just about “doing exercise” , what can you tell us about the physiological part behind any training? How important is the motivation and the mind set?
This is the most important part of any personal training program. The number one reason why people hire a personal trainer is for motivation – as a trainer if you cannot help your client to become motivated, then you will always struggle to help your clients achieve the results they are after.
5) What makes a good personal trainer?
A good trainer should be able to connect with their clients on an emotional level, have a sound knowledge of fitness and basic nutrition principles, be a great coach and mentor, and also be someone who takes a holistic approach to health and fitness.
6) Tell us a little bit about your personal training sessions and classes, what type of training can someone expect while working out with you?
In a typical 1hr session, we would start with a warm-up and basic stretches. Then, depending upon some ones goals, we would usually perform 40minutes of high intensity weight training – consisting of a mixture of cross-fit and conventional resistance training, interspersed with some high intensity cardio. This is followed by a full PNF stretch-down. Then we would usually go over the client’s diary to check that they are eating to support their goals/results and make improvements.
7) How important is nutrition in the path to achieve any personal training goal?
I have a personal saying which I recently published in a book that I wrote in 2011… “Healthy weight management is 1/3 what you chew, 1/3 what you do and 1/3 living true.” What you chew is everything which you put in your mouth – so yes, nutrition is an important component of any personal training goal, especially weight management.
8.) We all know there are many personal trainers out there, what do we need to ask to a personal trainer before starting a program, how can we guarantee we are a good match to work together?
Firstly make sure that they are qualified at least as a Cert IV Personal Trainer and also that they have national registration with someone like Fitness Australia or Kinect. It’s also important to find out the trainers strengths and ask them what success stories they have had in training other clients like you. Determine if they confident that they can support you in your goals. For example, if you wanted to run a marathon, but your trainer hasn’t ran a marathon before or has never trained anyone else for a marathon, then they may not be the most suitable trainer for what you want to achieve. It’s also important that you click with your trainer – try a few sessions first before you lock into a long term training program.
9) What is a normal day in your life as a personal trainer?
On Monday to Friday I wake between 4am and 5am, train clients until about 1pm and then spend the rest of the day working on other aspects of the business, including cleaning, writing programs, writing articles/newsletters, etc. I also train myself in the afternoons or sometimes in the mornings if I have a break. I do not work or train myself on Saturday and Sunday – instead I have it of completely as I believe the weekends are for rest – this helps me to keep a great work-life balance.
10) Can you tell us about a personal training success story that can inspire us? Maybe one of your students? Maybe your own?
I have helped hundreds of clients lose weight and get fit over the years, but I would have to say that the most rewarding would be 3 of the clients whom I trained who now operate their own personal training businesses. Not only have they mastered their own goals, but they have become so empowered in doing so, that they have chosen to make it not only their goal, but also their career to help others do the same. And for me, that makes it all worthwhile.
11) Now, for the last question… we invite you to plug your personal training service. What makes you a Top Personal Trainer? What message do you want to send to anyone reading this and thinking of contacting you to start their personal training program?
The best thing about our personal training service is that instead of just fitness, we offer a holistic approach – mind, body and spirit. And unless you get your mind right first, you cannot expect to succeed in your physical goals and especially so over the long term. If you are truly ready to change, and is willing to live true at all costs, then we can help you.