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Q: What area of fitness are you currently
working in?
The bulk of my work is in one on one personal training
and small group training in my private studio at Kensington. I
run several outdoor groups on a weekly basis as well as specialized
groups leading up to events such a City to Surf of Half marathons.
Q: How did you get into the fitness
industry?
I was training with a personal trainer back in
1998 and I really felt this was something I wanted to do. I knew
I wasn’t happy as a chef after spending the last 9 years
in a kitchen, so I asked my trainer how I could go about getting
qualified. He told me about FIA, I called them, enrolled the
relevant courses and have never looked back.
Q: Your reason for being in the fitness
industry?
I love seeing the change in people’s lives
that I can help to create. It’s not just the physical changes,
you can see attitudes change, bad habits change, self confidence
change, health change and happiness change. Why would you want
to do anything else for a living?
Q: Any gripes about the fitness industry?
Definitely! There are too many new trainers who
just see this industry as a way to make a quick buck. We are
in the middle of an obesity epidemic and a lot of people need
our help. Unfortunately there are a lot of under-qualified trainers
out there who see clients as $$ whether they can help them or
not. They often make outrageous promises to their new client
and then they can’t deliver on those promises. These people
give personal trainers a bad wrap in the community. This industry
is about helping people and if you do a good job, you will be
rewarded financially without effort. But if you are in it for
the $$, it shows. You will be constantly chasing new clients
instead of building strong bonds with your current clients and
pretty soon, you will burn out. I’ve seen it more times
than I care to remember.
Q: Did you study any areas of exercise
or fitness?
Yes, I completed my Certificate III in fitness
and Certificate IV in Fitness with FIA. I have attended many
seminars and I am constantly reading books, articles and research
reviews to expand my knowledge.
Q: How important do you think it
is to update your learning in the fitness world?
I believe it is of the utmost importance. The more
you know, the better chance you have of helping your clients
reach their goals.
Q: What would you like to see happen
in the industry over the next few years?
I would like to see trainers give their clients
exercises that will help them reach their goals, not exercises
that look pretty. Give them exercises that they would perform
in their own workout. I see so many trainers prescribing exercises
that are a total waste of time, but they look interesting and
are a way to attract new clients, all the while they aren’t
helping anyone along the way except their own wallet. Remember
the basics of exercise, using large muscle groups with good technique
and don’t forget to sweat!
Q: Any predictions?
I see people getting fed up with large gym chains
and hiring personal trainers in a more private environment instead.
Q: What advice do you have for anyone
wanting to learn more about fitness?
Whether you are interested in working in the industry
or not, completing the FIA’s Certificate III in fitness
and Certificate IV in Fitness and reading research reviews will
arm you with the knowledge you need to make a difference in your
own health and fitness or somebody else’s. With the current
state of our population’s health, the more educated you
are, the more chance you have of staying fit and healthy.
Troy Shipsey can be contacted at: personaltraining@fittabodies.com or www.fittabodies.com
Ph 0414 426 950
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