General Member Information:
My Introduction:
What is your training style?
The training style reflects my philosophy on health and fitness. One has to contribute to health in order to reach good health. The level of your own contribution is proportional to the outcome of your health. So - the more often you exercise, the better you feel, the lower your weight is. My clients are/were taught that 5 minutes a day is not enough. If someone sits in front of a desk for 40 hours a week, than 30 minutes 4 times a week will not make much of a difference. Often, clients have to start from scratch - relearning the proper techniques and safely doing the exercises. Structure, safety and discipline are the 3 words describing my training style.
Why have you become a trainer?
I have become a personal trainer because I thought that the job would let me do what I love doing, which is showing people how to exercise and stay healthy, yet the reality is that staying a personal trainer is not an easy task. First of all - it is quite expensive to get certified and the certifying organizations do not market your personal training services for you - so after all its done - you are on your own. Having said that - I had to transition from personal training to health care administration.
What in your opinion is the biggest mistake people make while working out?
One of the biggest mistakes I have noticed is the lack of warming up and cooling down. In order to get the benefits from a weight workout - one must get the muscle tissue warm beforehand. The concept is similar to the one of cold iron. You can flex it easier when its hot. Same applies to muscle tissue. Cooling down is beneficial more for the heart than it is for the skeletal system yet still is very important in order return the activity of the cardiovascular system back to normal. Another big mistake is the thinking that lifting weights and working out at the gym is a must for everyone. Simple things such as walking for 1 hour can make a huge difference for those who don't have the luxury of a personal trainer or a gym membership.
Describe your own workout program?
My own workout program begins and ends with a walking regimen. I walk twice a day. Once in the morning and once before going to bed. Each time about 30-40 minutes brisk walk. I used to walk once per day for a long time and than I decided to break it down into 2 separate walks. I know that this sounds very anti-personal training but the fact of the matter is that walking is the best form of exercise and I am convinced that nothing can beat the amazing benefits of a simple free walk around the block.
Have you done any volunteer work?
I have volunteered at the Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago at the inpatient therapy center. Additionally I have volunteered at rehabilitation centers in Chicago in order to decide whether I wanted to pursue Physical Therapy or stay a personal trainer. Volunteer work has given me some insights into the daily routine for Physical Therapists. Working with the immobile, stroke victims, hip replacement patients didn't really appeal to me. I prefer to work with the healthier individuals.
In general, please describe your experience?
I first visited a gym when I was 12 years old in Poland. Since then I have been actively attending fitness clubs and organizations. I windsurf, kite surf, sky dive. I have learned that having a trained body lets you experience life better with a higher degree of confidence. I am certified by the American College of Sports Medicine and American Council on Exercise. I have developed several health and wellness programs for seniors, children and women. My current involvement in a health care administration program at a local university enables me to look at health through the prism of a health care administration and has opened my mind to the general thinking that governs today's health care.
How would you help an overweight client lose weight?
First, I would explain to the client that good nutrition is 80% of success in any sort of a health endeavor. Exercise plays a crucial part too, but eating badly along with proper exercise routine will still have little effect at successful weight management. Therefore a thorough nutritional analysis has to be performed with the client so that he/she has an understanding of which foods are good and which foods are bad. The less chemicals in the food, the better. Organic food is my preferred choice.
