By Matthew Sgro

This is part of a continuing series provided exclusively by MuscleSport Mag entitled, “This is Your Magazine,” where we profile the every-day athlete. If you would like to see yourself profiled here, please send us your story and photo to superbas@optonline.net.

There are many ways to improve one’s physique and fitness level. One example of this is kettle bell training. Under the guidance of a properly trained professional this can be a highly effective and safe manner of training. As many physical therapists and professional personal trainers will tell you, training of this type with an unqualified trainer can be dangerous. They can say this because they’ve probably seen people after they’ve recieved this training.

There are very few exercises that are “wrong.” With the right form and instruction, you can get in phenomenal shape with many different types of training. Someone who specializes in a type of training such as kettle bells is exactly what you need when training with such type of training.

A personal trainer that specializes in general fitness, weight loss and muscle building will often times incorporate many different styles and types of training. He or she won’t claim to be an expert in anything besides safe, effective training. Being a quality, well rounded trainer, they will make themself familiar with all types of training that’s out there. This is because they WANT to. They have the interest level and drive to learn. That’s the type of trainer that will take an interest in YOU, the client, and what your special concerns, goals and conditions are. This is who you should be looking for when interviewing a trainer.

It’s your job, as the boss of your body and fitness to do this. If it doesn’t feel right, interview several trainers. A good suggestion may be to do this anyways, just to get a feel for what’s out there. Take control of your fitness journey. Don’t let someone else make the decision for you. Don’t let the first person you talk to rope you into a year of training you’re not sure about. This person is a salesman, not a trainer. Ask for a sample workout session. Ask for credentials. Interview your trainer like you’d interview a nanny taking care of the most percious thing in your life. Your body is extremely important and what you do to improve it is too.

A WORD FROM MATT: My connections in the fitness industry and contacts go from the Philadelphia area to Los Angeles California. If you would like help in finding a quality trainer in your area I would gladly help you do so. Just send me an email on my website and I’ll do what I can to point you in the right direction.

Matthew Sgro, in addition to being a MuscleSport Mag staff writer, is the President and Founder of Elite Personal Training Studios, Inc. and Boot Camps with a Purpose, Inc., located in Exton, PA. For details, visit www.TrainAtElite.com.

By Matthew Sgro

This is part of a continuing series provided exclusively by MuscleSport Mag entitled, “This is Your Magazine,” where we profile the every-day athlete. If you would like to see yourself profiled here, please send us your story and photo to superbas@optonline.net.

Recognizing the connection between body, mind and spirit is important in the quest for optimum health. All must be in harmony and balance to be at one’s best. As a personal trainer I do my best to help my clients in every way. Creating a healthy existence starts with an effective workout program, continues with solid nutrition and carries on thru with a good understanding of one’s self and what makes you happy.

I do my best to set a good example to the people around me by living a healthy lifestyle and trying to do what’s right whenever I can. We’re all far from perfect. I think acceptance and tolerance of people’s weaknesses and shortcoming and helping them work thru and overcome them is what you should be doing in all parts of your life, not just personal training. Judging and putting people down isn’t the job of a personal trainer, or even a good person for that matter.

Staying abreast of the newest fitness trends and finding as well as surrounding myself with people in the industry who strive for excellence helps me tremendously. Nothing worth doing is easy.

As far as training goes, my program is no cake walk. I cater the workouts to the individual’s fitness level and abilities and push them as hard as they can safely go, thus yielding maximum results.

Surrounding myself with the best in the industry, setting a good example, constantly working to improve my technical skills, and pushing people to their limits allows me to say that I am good at what I do. I help people improve themselves. This I feel is what being a Professional Personal Trainer is all about. This is why I do what I do and why I absolutely love it.

Matthew Sgro, in addition to being a MuscleSport Mag staff writer, is the President and Founder of Elite Personal Training Studios, Inc. and Boot Camps with a Purpose, Inc., located in Exton, PA. For details, visit www.TrainAtElite.com.

By Matthew Sgro

This is part of a continuing series provided exclusively by MuscleSport Mag entitled, “This is Your Magazine,” where we profile the every-day athlete. If you would like to see yourself profiled here, please send us your story and photo to superbas@optonline.net.

The new buzz word and fitness trend is functional training. But what exactly is this? It can be different things to different people. What is the function you want to perform? If you’re a basketball player and want to jump higher, that’s the function you’re training for. Jump squats and other forms of explosive exercises are what would help you. If you’re an 85 year-old woman with a hip replacement, the function you want is to walk without pain and correct your imbalances, which would of course call for something different than jump squats.

Everyone is looking for something different in their functional training. This is why my philosophy on training someone is that everyone is different and everyone requires a different fitness program to get where they want to be.

Much of the functional training that I see trainers putting their clients through is not only unnecessary for the normal person, but can be dangerous and cause unneeded risk. Be very sure of the certifications and experience of your trainer in the style or form that he or she is training you in. I don’’t do too many kettle bell exercises with my clients, just the basics. I’’m not a certified or experienced kettle bell instructor. I’’m sure I will be in the future when I find the time. I love to learn. But for the time being, I’’m not going to watch a video and start having my clients throw around kettle bells. Don’’t let someone do that to you.

When starting a functional training program some of the questions your trainer should be asking you in the evaluation and consultation time (and if they don’’t give you this, run away) is, where do you want to be fitness wise? What sports, if any, do you play or want to play? What do you have trouble with in your every day life? If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, maybe part of your functional training should be things that will help you do that with less effort. If your balance is off then that’’s definitely something I’’d be working on.

Don’t let someone put you on a cookie cutter functional training program if you’’re paying for an individual workout program. Don’’t let anyone make you do anything you’’re unsure of or uncomfortable with. This is just my advice. I think it only makes sense.

Matthew Sgro, in addition to being a MuscleSport Mag staff writer, is the President and Founder of Elite Personal Training Studios, Inc. and Boot Camps with a Purpose, Inc., located in Exton, PA. For details, visit www.TrainAtElite.com.