Trainers walking the talk and raising awareness on the benefits and the beauty of muscle on women over 40.

It’s not a gimmick, or a short lived thigh-master-like fitness trend, and no, we aren’t kidding!  The benefits of hiring a personal trainer are almost too numerous to list. 

When I first joined a gym (many moons ago) in Toronto, it took me one trip to the weight room to realise I had no idea where to begin.  Physically, I was a mess.  It kind of felt like tying to decide which room in my house I wanted to paint first. 

Then there was the utter lack of knowledge.  What the heck is a “preacher curl”?  Am I supposed to look like this when I left a barbell?  Hack Press…?…well that sounds like a weapon! 

But I wanted so desperately for this to work.  I wanted success…not to mention motivation, oh yeah…and  muscles too!  I sought out help from the club’s Fitness Consultant.  She pointed me in the right direction and introduced me to the proverbial Fitness White Knight…Christian.  My God-like Guide into both my personal and physical transformation.  I had never run a mile, never done a pull up, or even ridden on a stationary bike.   I will be the first to admit, (as my current personal trainer, the ever patient and equally unforgiving, Terri, at Access, will also atest to) I am an absolute WHIMP when it comes to putting myself through a gruelling, heart pounding, sweat inducing workout.  But with my trainer at my side, urging me on with “you can do it!”‘s and “C’mon, just give me two more reps”.  Yes siree, he convinced me during that hour that I was Wonder Woman!  I had always suspected she was in there somewhere.  I never figured all it took was a gym to bring her out.

Well, 8 weeks later, Christian had transformed this ”softy” into a fitness machine!  I was running, dipping, curling and hurling medicine balls across the gym floor with all the strength and bravado of Sarah Connor taking on a fiendish robot…in Terminator 2, not 1. 

Alas…this is just my story, and I am not alone with the success I found through hiring a trained, certified professional to help me over come…well…myself.  Over the next few weeks, I will be posting similar stories from Access Fitness members who have enjoyed and benefited from working with our personal trainers.  Members who want to share their success stories. 

If you have a story that you would like to share, or have some rave reviews about one of our personal trainers, please send them to me!  info@accessfitness.ca

Like I mentioned above, I am working with Terri now…once a week, bright and early.  You see, hiring a personal trainer shouldn’t be a once in a life time experience either.  Like fresh food, workouts can sometimes go stale or lose their yummy taste.  This is what lead me to realise that I NEED a new workout “menu”.  Terri is awesome and I am learning just as much from her as I did Christian, if not more.  I will be writing about all my new Sarah Connor muscles very soon!  (maybe with pics too…) 

See you at the clubs…

-Janice D.

Access Fitness prides itself on many things…..our members, our clean, clean clubs and the fact that we can honestly say: “no matter who you are or what you want, we have something for you.”

Yes, we are very proud to say that our staff is a very dynamic, diverse group of fitness professionals that are all here becasue they want to, among other things, make your fitness journey a success. 

We all come from different backgrounds, with different reasons for doing what we do today.   Please read to following article about on of our longstanding staff members, Donna.  We are proud to say that Donna has been with Access for many years now…first as a member, and then eventually coming on staff in 2006 to work at our newly opened Alder Street facility.  It was these steps into the fitness world that has lead Donna to where she is today, a motivated, passionate Personal Trainer. 

Her words here show that her multitude of beliefs, interests and philosophies in life will compliment any work out program.

“Hi my name is Donna Bigonzi, Access Fitness Gym’s newest CPTN certified personal trainer!  Delighted to be on board with Access Fitness’ Personal Training division, many of you know me from having worked the front desk as a Membership Consultant for the last two years.  I’m eager to share what I’ve learned, and come equipped with many years of personal and practical, knowledge and experience. 

As you know, our lives are filled with adventures and challenges; the former revitalizes us, while the latter stresses us, in essence aging us.  My belief is that being physically fit increases our capacity for adventure and allows for a positive reaction to our challenges, in essence rejuvenating us.  As an example, I belong to a group that practices natural horsemanship skills and riding.  Starting out in the program overweight by almost forty pounds, I had a few challenges!  Flexibility and balance in the saddle were off.  Strength to handle the horse was weak.  Riding was strenuous due to a lack of cardio, and my response time to crucial cues was slow.  Now forty pounds lighter, and proudly fitter than ever, my flexibility, strength, response time and cardio are vastly improved thus making my encounters with my horse more enjoyable and less frustrating. 

When not at the barn, I can be found outside biking/hiking one of many parks in the area, power gardening, and skiing during the winter months.  Keeping physically active is easy and enjoyable for me now and I strive to impart that experience on my clients.  Workouts are tailored to fit the individuals.  Programs are set up to incorporate a combination of strength training, endurance, balance moves, core training and flexibility.  Form and peak muscle contraction are paramount for optimizing training time and seeing results quickly and safely.  Periods of maximum cardiac output help to burn fat, define muscles, and increase your heart’s workload capacity.  All that to say your next game of street hockey won’t leave you breathless and panting and ready to give up!  AND, the view from the rear will be looking mighty fine!

Some of my other interests include photography, art, music, bird watching, shamanic studies and sharing a home with hubby Allan Hassoun, pug dog extraordinaire Harley, our bird, Bill, and two goldfish.  I’m also a member of the Carrot Stick Club and the Society of York Region Artists.  I’d love to see you in the club and help you be better prepared for your adventures and challenges! In the meantime, I’ll see you on the trails”

You can find Donna at either Lakeview or Alder, with one of her clients, or working out on her own time!  Call or come in to the clubs today to meet her!

-Janice 

**This article originally appeared in Snap Dufferin Magazine in 2009**