How long have you been working in health and fitness?
AM: 20 years
AA: I have been a group fitness instructor for Gold’s Gym for nearly three years. I also became a certified personal trainer; but currently, I am staying home in the group fitness room.
Were you brought up in a household that promoted health and well-being or did you come to this life goal on your own?
AM: Growing up I was not encouraged to be fit. I made the conscious decision to follow a healthy life style after growing up with a father who endured years of serious illnesses.
AA: I would attribute my current fitness lifestyle to both my childhood and more recent motivations. I think if I had been brought up in a household that didn’t evoke the significance of work and play at all it would have been incredibly more unlikely that I would have realized my interest in fitness as an adult.
If you came to the promotion of health and fitness by being brought up in a healthy household, please explain a little bit about the techniques that were implemented during your early development.
AA: Technique is a precise word in this situation. I would say, generally, having parents who not only encouraged play but also encouraged family activities is a great asset to building healthy attitudes about fitness later in life.
If you came to this goal through your own preferences, please explain what personally motivated you to do so.
AM: Growing up, my father endured a series of major illnesses. He underwent major heart by-pass surgery, angioplasty, stomach and prostate cancer. Most of what I remember was seeing my dad in hospitals; and it was then I decided this was not the road I wanted to go down. I never saw my parents exercise or be active. It was not until his doctor very strongly urged my father to change his eating habits and incorporate fitness into his life that I saw my dad walk 2 to 3 miles every day. I saw a major change in my dad. He was happier, and overall he just felt better.
AA: Honestly, I am one of many who just decided one day to join a gym to get into shape. I didn’t have a lot of knowledge at that point. Once I found out how much I enjoyed it, I decided to learn more. Now, the more I learn, the more I am motivated to keep learning about fitness. When I became a group fitness instructor and personal trainer, [I found] the breadth of information and education that is out there is staggering; it’s more than bicep curls and lunges.
Why do you think that some people are more likely to be sport orientated and health driven than others?
AM: Personally I believe that if parents, early on, involve their children in fitness/sport activities and encourage them that this will be the catalyst that will keep them active well into adult life. Also, children mimic their environment. If parents are prone to be health minded/fit individuals, I think more often than not children will follow.
AA: It’s just a matter of what interests you. I don’t think that just because a person doesn’t have the interest to run 10 miles [that they are] lazy. Everyone has different interests in all aspects of life. Why should physical fitness and the methods each person uses to reach his or her goals be the same? For some people, the act of hiking 2 miles up a mountain, or studying the 50 ways to cook chicken, is what stimulates them to exercise and eat healthily. For others, they like to walk their dogs or participate in kickboxing classes and still eat healthily, but they aren’t afraid of another layer of cheese on their lasagna. This is why it’s so essential that each person finds what works for them. Take the time to figure it out. Many people spend countless hours figuring out what kind of job will make them happy; keep your mind and body happy by deciding the best fitness plan for you, as well.
Are there specific fitness techniques that you feel women benefit from more so than men? Or, are there specific techniques you find are great, specifically, for women?
AM: No, I don’t feel women benefit more so in any specific fitness techniques than men. I believe that any cardio workout, resistance training, strength and stretching (Pilates/yoga) benefit greatly both the male and female population. It’s just more difficult for men to walk into a Pilates/yoga class without the fear of not being able to do well in class. But we all have to start somewhere. J
AA: I don’t think I’m aware of any fitness technique that is measurably more beneficial for women than men. I think both sexes can gain from all the major fitness techniques. (Even men bought the ThighMaster®). However, I do believe that the atmosphere and camaraderie of group fitness classes help women feel more comfortable in the gym, and creates relationships that help women work together to reach their fitness goals. Fitness equipment can be intimidating to any man or woman that walks into a gym for the first time. Unfortunately, men don’t usually take the advantage of asking instructors or trainers about the equipment. I have found that women (and men) who join group fitness, either as a starting point or as the main source of exercise, have a higher rate of success or are more likely to keep their workout schedules.
It seems that typically, classes with Pilates, Yoga, and Tai Chi techniques are attended mostly by women. Do you think that these classes can benefit men greatly, too? And what elements are great for both men and women?
AA: The first stigma that men have to let go of regarding any kind of class is that group fitness in general is “for women only”. This is simply untrue; and some men are gradually learning. (Actually, I know plenty of men outside of the gym that practice yoga; they just aren’t ready to admit it to their friends.) Classes based on yoga, tai chi and Pilates are just as important for men, for many of the same reasons. Just as women are pushed to be slim and petite, men are pressured to work for that ‘six-pack’ or the ‘guns’. Many men are more susceptible toward over-training their bodies, losing the benefits and results. Yoga and other mind-body classes would give them the break their bodies deserve, while stretching and building the muscular endurance that would help them in their normal workouts. Do you think many men could hold a Warrior pose for 2 minutes without whining?
What aspects of fitness might women need to address more so than men?
AA: I think women need to address the mental and physical benefits of fitness that are not directly related to weight loss and getting into those “skinny” jeans, more so than men. Granted, I know that men are probably even vainer than women on this point, but we are focusing on women for now. There are specific reasons for different kinds of exercises that women perform; and while weight loss is a great result if it is necessary, it is not the only intended benefit. Women should realize that cardio classes don’t just burn fat; [the classes] work the heart and cardiovascular system to grow stronger and work more efficiently. Heart disease is a growing concern among women, and it doesn’t attack only smokers. Strength training and resistance-based classes are not to “bulk up” but are essential to toning and building the lean muscle mass that surrounds stronger bones; and [it] helps burn more calories all day long. Classes that emphasize stretching and/or mind-body, such as yoga and tai chi, help supplement and complete a well-rounded training program. It guards against injury and keeps muscles looking long and lean; and the mind-body connections help you regain awareness of how you feel and what your body is telling you.
How important is fitness to mental health? And why?
AM: Fitness is a MAJOR contributor to our mental health. People who work out on a consistent basis, in general, feel good. Their concentration is better, they sleep better, they perform better. With that comes the transformation of one’s self. The changes in our body…how wonderful is that?!! No truer words have been spoken than “If you look good, you feel good!”
AA: Physical fitness is essential to total mental health. It is no secret today that many women and young girls feel pressured to look a certain way; just as it is not surprising to hear about the extreme methods they use to achieve that look. But the mind and body are connected. If you starve your body of nutrients and energy, the mind will become tired and fatigued; if you let your mind and sense of self become enveloped in these feelings of unworthiness and disappointment, you will not take care of your body. Women need to practice balance and awareness of mind and body, and the connection between the two. On a different note, many women will notice that exercise literally makes them feel better. Not just by seeing results in weight loss or muscle gain, but in the endorphins that are released in the body and mind as you exercise. Bodies are meant to move, just as minds are meant to think. You know the sense of accomplishment you feel when finishing the most advanced Sudoku puzzle? Your body has an equal opportunity of satisfaction when you can successfully finish a Pilates’ class.
What sort of goals have you set and achieved for yourself, in regard to fitness and shaping and conditioning your body?
AM: My first goal was getting my certification to teach group fitness. Once that was achieved I went on to get my certifications in group fitness and personal training. Next major step: I finished my education in fitness. Then it was one step at a time. I received certifications in specific formats that I wanted to teach. It was a well thought out process and it took years to achieve; but well worth the work. I have truly enjoyed teaching and have met some wonderful people along the way. Personal fitness and conditioning, for me, is “cross training.” I change out my workout as much as possible and always try to incorporate new things as much as possible.
AA: I don’t believe my goals are much different from those of most women: stay slim and toned, improve my general level of fitness, enjoy a little more flexibility, keep my body feeling young, and make and meet new challenges for myself every now and then. Someday, one-arm pushups….
What is the first thing that women can do to begin the process of actively engaging in a healthy lifestyle?
AM: What I hear frequently from women is [that they can’t find] the time to exercise. I strongly believe if we look at exercise as an important part of our routine and stick with it, that’s half the battle. Consistency is the key. Health and fitness should become a way of life for us all. J
AA: Become more informed. Rather than spending time reading about the latest extreme fad diet or celebrity starvation tactic, peruse healthy cooking magazines and cookbooks; find a book that explains the anatomy of the body and the practical use of each muscle and how to correctly strengthen and stretch that muscle. Joining a gym or deciding one day to run 20 miles a week isn’t going to do much good if you don’t know how to correctly approach the possibilities of strain and injury that your body needs to be prepared for.