David has two children- Peter age 26, and Sammy age 17, and two cats named Miztli and Tsuki. He’s been a trainer for five years and he struggles just as his clients do. He’s determined to stay fit because it changes how he feels inside and out. He wants his clients to feel the confidence that he has, for their own health and lives. What made you want to be a personal trainer? I struggled with my fitness and health, and when I found getting serious with fitness changed my whole health: physical, mental, emotional, I wanted to help others feel and look as good. What do you think your secret superhero skill is that makes you an amazing trainer? Positive mindset, and listening skills Besides personal training, do you offer your clients any other services? Mindset training, and consultation about nutrition. Do you have a training mantra for your clients? Move efficiently and without pain. Can you share a favorite client accomplishment? I helped Abi find her body and feel good about her physical self, I helped Tamara get in shape to get pregnant and have a healthy baby What three words would your clients use to describe you? Passionate, Knowledgable, and Driven Where can people find you when you aren’t at TruFit Studios? I am on Instagram @davidbrucemartin and Facebook David Bruce Martin Fitness If you'd like to learn if David is the right fit for you, please visit here.
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Sarah has been a trainer for six years. She is also a certified Functional Range assessment and mobility specialist and strength coach, as well as a Pain-Free Performance Specialist. She helps clients feel better in their body, move like butter, and get stronger, inside and out — AKA build muscles and moxie ;) She believes training to LIVE LIFE confidently and without pain is invigorating and worth making time for. She lives with husband, Peter, and their Boxer/Australian Shepherd mix rescue dog, Lucy.
What made you want to be a personal trainer? I'm a "retired" marathoner and started unofficially training my running buddies back when I still worked in the legal field, specifically on how to strength train to stay injury-free while doing long distance runs. Not-so-surprisingly, helping people stay out of pain and feel confident in their bodies was way more rewarding than practicing law … so I quit in 2015, got certified as a personal trainer in 2016, and have been training full time since 2017! What do you think your secret superhero skill is that makes you an amazing trainer? I have a knack for reading people when they walk in the door and quickly figuring out what they need from me that particular day, not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Sometimes that means more or less talking, altering the pace or intensity of the session, or scrapping the planned programming entirely and replacing it with that person’s all-time favorite movements. Making sure my clients leave feeling better than when they walked in is top priority. Do you have a training mantra for your clients? I’ve been told I help bridge the gap between physical therapy and traditional training. Getting back into a fitness routine can be intimidating and scary when you’re still recovering from pain or injury, but due to my experience with joint strength and mobility and my specialization in pain-free performance, I’m able to meet folks where they’re at and keep them safe as their training program progresses. It’s all about building strength from the inside out -- literally and figuratively -- so you can get your body back to doing WHAT you want, WHEN you want. Can you share a favorite client accomplishment? I have two! One of my clients is a stroke survivor who came to me 2019 with the goal of doing ONE push-up, and now he's doing ten burpees in a row (his 2022 goal! Next up: Pull-ups.). Another client came to me having gone through multiple stints of physical therapy over the course of 10 years for her chronic neck and back pain; we finally discovered the root of the problem, and she is now pain-free and back to doing activities she never thought she'd be able to do again. What three words would your clients use to describe you? Approachable, encouraging, and fun. Where can people find you when you aren’t at TruFit Studios? I can be found @muscles.and.moxie on Instagram and Facebook If you'd like to learn if Sarah is the right fit for you, please visit here. Dr. Mimi has been a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist for five yers. She provides an individualized holistic approach to care. Mimi believes it is so important to treat the entire person and have them leave as a better more informed patient. She lives with Linus the dog and Ollie the cat.
What made you want to be a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist? My sister has a disability and I grew up watching her go to PT and how it impacted her, and then I chose to become a pelvic floor PT due to personal experiences in high school. What do you think your secret superhero skill is that makes you an amazing trainer? Being able to find the restrictions in the body and working on them, and educating patients. Do you have a training mantra for your clients? Pelvic floor is way more than kegels! Can you share a favorite client accomplishment? I had a patient call me to tell me she was able to insert her first tampon and it was not uncomfortable. What words would your clients use to describe you? Caring and Fun Where can people find you when you aren’t at TruFit Studios? I am on Instagram @dr.mimi_rpt If you'd like to learn if Dr. Mimi is the right fit for you, please visit here. Chris has been a trainer for fifteen years. He recommends that clients trust the process, there are no fads, gimmicks or short cuts. He knows if you show up consistently, put in the work and you will reach your goal. What made you want to be a personal trainer? You only get one body and you need it to do literally everything in life, so why not make it run as optimally as possible? What do you think your secret superhero skill is that makes you an amazing trainer? I Meet people where they are at and I have tried and tested methods to get them where they need to be. A forever white belt always looking to learn more. Besides personal training, do you offer your clients any other services? Violence prevention and management skills Do you have a training mantra for your clients? Be well-rounded and adaptable to meet whatever challenges life throws at you. This means I provide a holistic approach to training, which balances mobility, stability, strength, speed, endurance and cardiovascular conditioning while still looking good naked. Can you share a favorite client accomplishment? Empowering special-needs clients and hearing their feedback. What three words would your clients use to describe you? Analytical, experienced, and fun If you'd like to learn if Chris is the right fit for you, please book a call here. Lauren has been a trainer for a year and a half and has a dog named Kappa, who she adopted while living and volunteering in Aruba. She believes anything is achievable if you put your mind to it, and have a buddy reminding you how awesome you are!
What made you want to be a personal trainer? My son! What do you think your secret superhero skill is that makes you an amazing trainer? Compartmentalization and organization Besides personal training, do you offer your clients any other services? Laughs. 😂 Do you have a training mantra for your clients? Balance, literally and figuratively. And don’t think you can’t do because something’s hard, pivot and modify until you can. Can you share a favorite client accomplishment? When clients achieve something they didn’t think they’re able to do and the just did. What three words would your clients use to describe you? Feisty, humorous, and dedicated Where can people find you when you aren’t at TruFit Studios? I’m on Instagram @l.a.u.r.e.n.d.e.e If you'd like to learn if Lauren is the right fit for you, please book a call here. Dr. Heather has been a Physical Therapist for seventeen years. When she isn’t helping patients at TruFit Studios she spends time with her lovely husband named Lucas, and two boys, Tate and Wyatt, plus their dog, Doug Frankenstein. Along with Physical Therapy, she also offers cupping, dry needling, joint manipulation/mobilization, weight lifting and running video analysis.
What made you want to be a Physical Therapist? I was fascinated with biomechanics and when pathology would change those mechanics. Turns out, you get to meet awesome humans too :) What do you think your secret superhero skill is that makes you an amazing trainer? A healthy amount of sarcasm, along with fun and nerding out about anatomy. Do you have a training mantra for your clients? Work hard, stay humble. Keep your standards high, and your squats low. OH and IT'S OK TO HAVE YOUR KNEES GO PAST YOUR TOES!!! DEADLIFTS ARE GOOD FOR YOU!!! Can you share a favorite client accomplishment? I had patient who was a collegiate football player who was injured in a pre season practice from an awkward tackle. He had significant ligament damage that required two knee surgeries within 3 months. His discipline and demeanor to go through this physically and mentally challenge time in life was inspiring. To watch him walk without crutches, then run, then put on football pads again - was wonderful. What three words would your clients use to describe you? Midwest nice, dolphin laugh & active lifestyle Where can people find you when you aren’t at TruFit Studios? I’m on instagram @dr.heather.dpt and @mvmtevanston If you'd like to learn if Dr. Heather is the right fit for you, please visit here. Anthony has been a personal trainer for thirteen years and he has an 8 year-old son named Logan. He has trained over 7000 sessions and knows what motivates different people and he can adapt to any individual needs.
What made you want to be a personal trainer? I played sports and always preferred to move. The office is not for me. What do you think your secret superhero skill is that makes you an amazing trainer? I am hyper-attentive to my surroundings. Besides personal training, do you offer your clients any other services? While I am not a licensed nutritionist, I have livable tips of nutrition and weight loss. Do you have a training mantra for your clients? Pushing the line an little at a time until the client achieves bigger goals. Can you share a favorite client accomplishment? I have a client that never jogged before who now has completed over a dozen marathons. What three words would your clients use to describe you? Attentive, motivating, and adaptable. If you'd like to learn if Anthony is the right fit for you, please book a call here. Today we have a guest post from one of Izzy's clients. Take it away Kandy!
I have been working out with Izzy from TruFit Studios for a couple of years, and if you would have told me then that I’d be doing push ups today, I probably would have laughed in your face. Izzy was the first trainer who didn’t ask me how much weight I wanted to lose. Instead we focused on what I wanted to gain from working out together. Previously, every trainer I talked to at a traditional gym asked me how much weight I wanted to lose, and when I said I wasn't there to lose weight but to gain strength, they would start guessing how much weight I wanted/should want to lose. Needless to say, I never hired a trainer at one of those gyms. Being plus sized, going to the gym can be an uncomfortable experience. I never asked for help, or how to use the equipment, because I felt so out of place. Yet, at TruFit I have never once felt like my body didn't belong. TruFit feels like an inclusive space, with people at all different parts on their fitness journey working out and getting strong. I also struggled with working out because I have severe arthritis and lack of mobility in my ankle from an old car accident injury that left me with a shattered fibula and tibia, which is held together with titanium. Izzy created a training program that was able to accommodate my injury at the same time that we focused on strengthening and regaining mobility in my ankle. I now do squats, lunges and lift weights in a way I never could have dreamed was possible. I am so grateful for Izzy at TruFit and I can’t wait to see what my body can do. Photo credit Dorey Kronick We’re well into Fall which, in Chicago, means cooler weather and falling leaves, but shorter days are coming. Less daylight impacts quite a few people, and you may be one of those who has Seasonal Affective Disorder. Lack of sunshine can upset your circadian rhythms and serotonin levels. You know: Blah-I-can’t-get-out-of-bed-itis.
Common symptoms include:
Right off the bat, I’m going to stress that if you are really struggling, please reach out to a doctor or therapist for help. Now, if you find you get the Winter Blues, here are some tips and tricks to help you make it through the season. It seems strange to start now, but it’s better to have a plan in place before you start suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Things to do for your health:
Activities that can help beat those Blues:
Planning things now, like mini-adventures, getting your vitamin D checked or ordering a sun lamp, instead of later, means you have a better chance of getting them done now. It’s harder to make plans and take care of ourselves when the SAD hits. And, honestly, one of the best things is exercise, so keep going to the gym! Hi! It’s the TruFit Holiday Gift Fairy, here to guide you in your quest to give your loved one the gift of fitness this holiday season. As the one who fields many requests for gift certificates for personal training and questions like, “You train my wife, what fitness-related gift can I get her for this holiday?”, I have got some insight to share with all of you thoughtful gift givers… Insight into how it can go super well AND insight into how it can go reaaalllly wrong and backfire. This holiday finds us almost two years after we locked ourselves in our homes that first time. There’s been a lot of sitting, and sleeping/not sleeping, eating more cookies and imbibing in more caloric drinks, or maybe the opposite (a loss of appetite altogether, getting many fewer nutrients). And let’s not forget the trauma we may have experienced that’s caused us to navigate through reality differently than before. As we slowly crawl out of the collective COVID fog, I’m hearing a lot of soon-to-be new clients say they’re ready to regain their pre-Covid strength. YAY! We’re here for it! You might be one of those people or you might love one of these people. And because we’re here for YOU, I hope this list of Dos and Don’ts helps you give the gift that keeps on giving (or learn to ask for it!). DO: Listen to your loved one’s language. Are they saying things like this?: “I really think I’d like to work with a personal trainer.” Cool! This may very well be the only time I’d suggest calling us to purchase a gift certificate for your loved one. You can do that by calling us (click here to set that up!) or by emailing us here! The end. Just kidding. Read on. DO: Listen to your loved one’s language. Are they saying things like this?: “I’m so tired of huffing and puffing up one flight of stairs.” “I’d go to the gym but I don’t know what to do so I just do the treadmill.” “I used to be able to do ten pushups and now can’t even do one.” “I can’t get myself to work out, I need accountability.” “My body feels so tight and achy all the time.” “I’ve been having a hard time with balance and am scared of falling.” Yes? Awesome job listening! Don’t buy those sessions yet. DO: Validate their feelings to make them feel heard. Say something like, “That sucks, I’m sorry you’re feeling that way. Do you want to talk about it?” If they say no, don’t push it. If you think you’ve got suggestions to help your loved one, ask, “I have an idea, can I share it with you?” If they say no, don’t push it. How much do you like unsolicited advice? If they say yes, though, can I share some questions I’d ask my loved one? (See what I did there? For the purposes of this post, I’m going to assume you answered “Yes”, otherwise you wouldn’t still be reading so here is my advice): DO: Ask your loved one open-ended questions to get more information. Here’s one: “What kind of movement or exercise sounds like something that might get you excited to work out?” If they need need prompts you can suggest: Dance classes? Group exercise classes? Yoga or Pilates? LARPing? One on one personal training? Online classes you can do at home? It-doesn’t-matter-as long-as-there’s-someone-to-hold-them-accountable-ing? There are SO MANY ways to get moving. Hopefully asking some helpful questions can lead you to a great gift idea. (If you're in the Evanston area, we're happy to point you in a good direction and, alternatively, you can get awesome referrals for different places to get fit in this Facebook page dedicated to supporting small businesses). Ready for the DON’Ts? There aren't many but they’re important.
DON’T (for the love of all that is good) give the gift of fitness without talking to your loved one first if:
Friends: I’m not trying to overcomplicate this at all. I would just hate for a well-meaning gesture to have the opposite effect on your loved one. Fitness is VERY personal, especially right now. As humans, we want the best for those we love. Getting someone a pair of earrings they’d never wear is one thing. Getting your loved one four sessions for personal training without knowing they’d like it can be quite another (like: demoralizing, embarrassing, confusing, etc). Basically: Don’t base the need for a loved one to receive a gift like personal training on how things look on the outside or on what YOU think is best for them. You know what happens when you assume. And if you’ve made it to the end of this post, I know you’re not an ass :) Best of luck on your gifting, Your TruFit Holiday Gift fairy |
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