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A personal trainer can help you to a safe and efficient workout - if you can afford one There was a time, not too long ago, when it was comforting that the famous and fabulous all had personal trainers. There was always the excuse that you, too, could have a six-pack stomach if only you had a personal trainer like the stars. Then personal trainers came to Toronto and ruined all that. What was the preserve of the elite is now as common a fixture in gyms as the treadmill. There are dozens, perhaps hundreds, of personal trainers working independently and connected with gyms throughout the city. "Toronto is catching up now to what L.A. was in '87, when it was the craze. It's funny how back then it was just for the rich and famous," says Mark Kehr, owner of Toronto's Fitness One On One and a former Mr. America finalist. Since Kehr opened his club in 1990 he has helped sculpt the bodies of Kim Stockwood, Alanis Morissette, Ed Brofman and Noman Jewison. But his practice, which includes the option of training at a gym or at home, is not limited to the elite and now boasts a membership of over 3,000. "I have people who have been coming to me, three times a week for over 10 years and people who we just set up with a program and then they're out on their own," he says. In the five years since Jason Gee started Personal Fitness Consulting, his company has grown from three trainers to 10 and now includes a massage therapist and nutritional consultant. "My clients kept asking me, can you recommend a massage therapist or a dietitian so I decided we might as well provide everything," Gee says. He and his trainers bring the workout to the client at home or in the office- even providing the workout bench and dumbbells if needed. "There is no one workout template since everyone's body has different needs, so we try to completely tailor a program to the client," Gee says. Most fitness clubs with their own trainers are adept at selling their members "package" deals. That's was how I acquired a personal trainer last spring. Feeling a bit extravagant, and almost embarrassed at first to have someone beside me during a workout, I quickly shed those reservations and became attached to the program, even developing a first-name relationship with my trainer that's usually reserved only for your hairdresser, esthetician (or bartender). I found I needed more help with weight training since I was already biking, running and swimming and just found weights boring. For years, I had stuck to lifting very low weights out of fear that I'd develop bulky muscles, not realizing that I wasn't working anything at all. With a trainer, I quickly discovered what I was missing. A trainer also helps you find a level where you can work safely and efficiently. Luckily for me, I clicked with my trainer, Jason. Compatibility is something to check for before signing up for months of sessions. Depending on what you're looking for, there are trainers likely to fit every need. I watched at my gym as one trainer giggled through sessions with her client, both clutching coffee cups- and they were lucky to work three muscle groups in an hour. I was glad I had no-nonsense Jason who often made me run from one machine to the next. The only drawback to having a personal trainer is the price. They range from $50-$120 an hour, an expensive indulgence, especially if it's on top of a gym membership. I quickly switched from twice a week to once and then once every two weeks and now only have a few sessions left in my package. I can't really afford to keep it up. I had been dreading the last session when I'd have to tell my trainer I couldn't see him anymore. It almost felt like having to prepare for one of those messy breakups when you protest, "No, it's me, it's not you." Luckily, two weeks ago I got dumped first when my trainer decided to leave the gym to work elsewhere. But I met his replacement, John, last week and I like him, too. In fact, he's showing me new exercises and new muscles are starting to hurt. It's going to be hard a few weeks from now. I hope I can let him down easy. Personal Fitness Consulting is at www.getfitt.com or 416-707-3488. Michelle Shephard can be reached at mshepha @ thestar.ca |
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