 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
MaineJobs Spotlight: Fitness Trainers
Produced by the Marketing Department of the Maine Sunday Telegram
How did you get started in this field?
We both have performing arts degrees from the University of SouthernMaine. After spending much of our lives involved in dance and theatre,the logical next step for both of us was fitness.
What Training did you have?
We are both trained in mat and apparatus Pilates. Leslie also trained in New York with the creator of Lotte Burke Method, from which she evolved our Barre class. For Yoga, Luca trained in Boston with Power Yoga master Baron Baptiste.
What skills are essential to your job?
Patience, and a good sense of humor, really help break the ice with new clients. Learning to use your body in a new way can be frustrating at first. A teacher should have a strong understanding of not only the body, but also the fundamentals of movement and how to help clients connect with specific muscle groups and overall body awareness.
What is a typical day on the job like?
We start our day by teaching private clients or group classes. We continue to teach and maintain the office throughout the day until the after-work and evening crowd arrives.
What's your favorite part of the job?
Being a part of someone's personal transformation. It's amazing to witness as they start to get results: They look better and feel great, and everything seems to start falling into place.
What's the greatest challenge?
Persuading clients that fitness is not a quick fix – it is a lifetime
process. Also, dispelling old stereotypes of what exercise entails can be arduous, but ultimately fulfilling.
Who succeeds in the job?
First, you have to love working closely with people. An outgoing self-starter who enjoys the mechanics of fitness and not just the results they see in the mirror. They should have a respect for everybody's individuality, while creating a safe and encouraging environment to motivate and provide clients the knowledge to surpass their goals.
What advice would you offer to someone interested in this field?
There is a lot of demand right now for good trainers. Avoid weekend or even month-long courses for certification. Search for the methodology that speaks to you. We could not have opened our own studio without apprenticing under our mentors and seeing first-hand what it takes to run a successful business.
