Get moving!
Get moving!
These four ladies have one thing in common: They want to stay active and healthy. From yoga to weight lifting, these trainers have some ideas for you.
What led you to become a trainer?
Antoinette: Practicing martial arts as a young girl is really where it all began! I was teaching Kenpo karate at 14! As I studied and developed my own practice I began to learn more about the Eastern philosophy of health. I studied yoga, Thai massage, then Ayurveda. My passion to teach and influence health and wellness in others derives from my belief that yoga, Ayurveda and Thai massage are India’s greatest gift to the West.
Sally: Being a competitive athlete through school and college, it was easy for me to exercise as a way to stay in shape as I raised four children. I’ve enjoyed competition over the years, including marathons, Ultras, 5ks, 10ks, bike races, including the Nationals. It came naturally to me to want to help others to train, achieve their goals and experience that fitness “high.” The more classes I taught, and more individual clients I took on, the more I needed to learn, to provide the best services. I chose NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) because its program has the most rigorous standards for certification in the industry.
Chasity: I like exercise and I think it’s important to take care of yourself. My healthy habits were instilled in me by my grandmother. She always made sure that we had well-rounded meals, vitamins and she even used some holistic healing. When she was in her late 20s/early 30s (she is now 75), she started going to Babe’s Gym, which was here in Bakersfield on 19th and Eye Street. I also attended the gym when I was younger because my grandmother watched me while my mother was at work. During college I hired a personal trainer and became really inspired to do what she did. Now I have a BS in exercise science and kinesiology. Being in the industry for almost 10 years, I can’t see myself doing anything else.
Leigh: I sort of fell into this! I was always active as a gymnast and cheerleader. While in college I began teaching “aerobics” in its early stages with my sister. I found that the stress relief I felt when I exercised actually made the unbearable bearable! It became my passion to share this with others. Exercising is not just great for the body; it is necessary for the mind.
What is the most satisfying part of your job?
Antoinette: The subtle act of becoming healthy is absolutely amazing to witness. Health creates a state of luminosity! The skin becomes radiant, the eyes shine brighter, and a client walks with a greater sense of mobility, bringing lightness, joy and ease into their lives! Simply being a witness to this kind of rejuvenation in my clients is deeply satisfying!
Sally: Providing my clients with inspiration, encouragement and knowledge is paramount to me. Giving them an ability to continue on their own and take control of their lifestyle is the greatest success I can measure. This usually involves bringing an awareness of their own physiology, educating them on basic nutrition, how to engage and strengthen each major muscle group, how to exercise their heart, as well as how to breathe and relax.
Chasity: One of the most satisfying parts of my job is that I love what I do. Being able to make a living at what you truly love doing is satisfying. Not too many people have the type of job that they love and have a passion for. I enjoy helping people improve their lifestyle. I’ve built some great relationships with a lot of people, and I hope that they have all walked away with more knowledge than what they started with, and feel better about living a healthier lifestyle.
Leigh: Definitely seeing lives change. I watch my clients evolve into strong, healthy, fit people with confidence and enthusiasm for life. I love working with my groups of clients and drawing as much energy from them as they do from me. Owning gyms is a lot of work, and the best part of my day is when I am working with my clients, smiling, laughing and making life better for all of us.
What’s your favorite way to exercise locally (outside the gym)?
Antoinette: I never look at physical activity as exercise. I just lead a very active life. I practice yoga every day. I love hiking in the Kern Canyon. I enjoy rock climbing, white-water rafting and walking or biking along the bluffs. Since I’m a yogi, I have many favorite spots to meditate outdoors and include Mother Nature in my physical practice whenever the weather permits. Bakersfield really is an amazing place to live! We are so blessed to be able to enjoy the river, the mountains, the beach and desert all within a two-hour drive!
Sally: Taking to the hills for an early run with a few friends, sharing laughter, a good sunrise and some cool air!
Chasity: When I’m not in the gym, I get outside. I’ve been told that I’m an outside girl. I like to ride bikes, rollerblade, swim, ride horses, ride dirt bikes, take walks, hike, fish, camp, and the newest hobby I’ve enjoyed doing is archery. I will do as much as I can with my 6-year-old daughter; she too enjoys the outdoors.
Leigh: That one is easy! I love to train with my outdoor training group. I started this training eight years ago and it has evolved into an amazing program. It started off as Volkslauf training for a small group of women, now it is a large group (100 to 200) of men, women and kids. We run around the riverbed trails and do crazy things. The more creative I am, the more fun I have, and the fitter we all get. Laying the trails for training is a wonderful way for me to work out while benefiting my clients later in the day. Besides, doing squats and lunges is so much more fun when shared with friends.
What sort of daily workout would you recommend for an individual around 40 years of age, our key readers?
Antoinette: I don’t believe in a “one size fits all” program. However, if we must generalize, I would have to (at the very least) recommend walking and stretching. Restorative yoga would be a gentle practice to begin with. Motivate yourself by finding physical activity in the things you enjoy! You could dance to your favorite music in your living room! Even gardening can turn into one heck of a workout! Whatever it is you enjoy just work up and sweat and get your heart pumping!
Sally: Choosing a daily workout really depends on the individual, their specific circumstances and goals. Do something you enjoy, set reasonable, achievable goals, have fun, then “change it up”! Take a new class, pull an old bike out of the garage, talk a friend into joining you for a yoga class. There is a lot of life — and many years — ahead of a 40-year-old. Commit to finding the balance between caloric intake, cardio training and resistance training, and work on maintaining that balance for a lifetime.
Chasity: At Fit for Life, we cater to a lot of clients around this age. Our main goal is to get our clients functional. We want them to be able to do their daily activities without pain, as well keep up with their kids and their activities. A functional workout is going to consist of things challenging balance, stability, flexibility, core, strength and endurance. It’s going to be based on the client’s needs, of course, but very well-rounded, compared to a workout that is built around your traditional machines.
Leigh: Well, I fit into that category and I recommend a workout that the person actually enjoys! There is no perfect workout or a prescription for a generic 40-year-old. I recommend finding a cardiovascular exercise that is enjoyable (i.e. walking, running, swimming, dancing, cycling, aerobics class, etc.) and doing it at least three times a week (more is better!) for 30 to 60 minutes and incorporating some type of strength training at least two times per week. This could be a group class, a video, weight lifting, or even body weight workouts like squats, push-ups and lunges. Bottom line is that if you do not enjoy your workout, you will not be successful, and the key to fitness is movement. Move that body!