Photo Courtesy of Christian Cianfrani. Appearing with former Baywatch star Jeremy Jackson. WHAT DO YOU DO?
AND HOW DID YOU GET INTO THAT FIELD?
"I don't call myself a Personal Trainer but rather a 'Fitness Professional'.
I teach people of all ages, with various goals and backgrounds, how to achieve their desired goals in the most effective plan and execution. I always played sports, since I was 7 years old, and even as a kid I became a leader on my teams because I loved to teach. I carried this attitude into the U.S. Army.
I eventually became the Physical Training Officer, where my program spread to an entire aviation battalion. After that I knew my purpose was to help the world with fitness and health."
DID YOU REQUIRE SPECIFIC TRAINING?
"Yes it does require specific training. There are too many "personal trainers" who take the easiest route to work at a local fitness club or to freelance. Some are not even certified. There are also many trainers like myself who take the tougher route because we are simply curious about knowing everything. I graduated from the National Personal Training Institute which required 500 hours of practical training along with multiple written and oral exams. After that, I earned my CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) which is the gold standard of certifications. I earned my Masters Degree in Exercise Science in 2012 and I continue to study and have multiple certifications."
DO YOU TEND TO SEE MORE "TRAFFIC" THIS TIME OF YEAR, AROUND THE NEW YEAR?
"I always see more gym traffic at the New Year. People mentally see it as a fresh start. Some studies have shown a 33-50% gym membership increase in the 2nd week of January. However 80% of those people fade away by the 2nd week of February."
BEING IN LOS ANGELES WHERE PEOPLE MAY BE MORE IN TUNE WITH APPEARANCES THAN OTHER PLACES, DO YOU SEE A DIFFERENCE IN THE CLIENTELE AND COMMITMENT THAN YOU'VE SEEN ELSEWHERE?
"Los Angeles is a very big difference than Philadelphia for example. I have a steady clientele throughout the year in Los Angeles because for one reason, the weather is warmer. I would say about 90% of my clients are very committed as I have had some of the same clients for a few years now. There are also many more people with higher income in my area of Los Angeles which also helps. I had to aim for a very specific niche of clients in Philadelphia in order have steady clients which made it more difficult. It is December and 72 degrees out today and I already have two new people contacting me."
WHO ARE SOME OF THE MORE WEE KNOWN CLIENTS YOU HAVE WORKED WITH?
"I am now working with 5 Playboy Bunnies including 2014 Playmate of the Year Kennedy Summers. I have also trained Jeremy Jackson from Baywatch, Loni Willison (Fitness Model), Hayley Hasselhoff, Kevin Dees (Son of Rick Dees), Thor Bradwell (Hollywood agent to Taylor Lautner), a few ladies from the 'Housewives' shows, and more. I have many "behind the scenes" clients such as the producer of The Doctors show and a major Hollywood Movie Editor for 'Trailers'. Universal Pictures also hired me to train the up and coming young stars. There are a few other celebrities that I can not discuss. In 2010, I was a trainer for an auction in Malibu for charity which included stars such as Dick Van Dyke. I also work for the prestigious Jonathan Club. I am not allowed to discuss the celebrities who are members. Of all the high profile clients that I have ever trained, I am even more proud to have trained hundreds of U.S. Army soldiers and to teach hundreds of fitness students from 3 different universities."
WHAT IS YOUR BEST TIP FOR SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO STICK WITH A NEW AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE FOR THE NEW YEAR?
"Fitness is your health and your health is a lifestyle. Don't just exercise for weight loss. Fat loss is mostly diet and exercise helps to aid in fat loss but is mostly designed to improve movement. Focus on improving your movement and performance because it will help you stay on track. Choose short term goals such as improving push-ups and distance on treadmill. If your performance improves it should lead to fat loss. Weight loss begins at the supermarket. Also, your body does not like excuses. It doesn't care that you are too busy for the gym. It doesn't care that you ate a piece of cake because it was a birthday party. You can leave your job or even move to another country but you are stuck with your body until the end so why not treat it the healthiest way possible."
WHAT'S ON THE HORIZON FOR YOU IN 2015?
"I am looking forward to 2015. I recently gained a business partner to create the most intelligent and effective fitness programs and websites for the average person as well as athletes. He is an expert in website designs and marketing with many Hollywood connections. We can reach millions of people and create a brand with my expertise and his trust in me. We will be creating fitness videos with celebrities along with exercise programs and diets. The main goal is to change the world and become a powerful voice in the fitness industry."
