Fitball Finesse

I asked Cindy to meet me at one of my favourite local cafes. I arrived before her and ordered myself an iced coffee to help take the edge of the summer swelter. Cindy walked in like a breath of fresh air and flashed me her usual happy smile.
“What are you drinking” she asked
“A skinny (smug emphasis on ‘skinny’) iced coffee,” I answered
She released her impish laugh, and my certitude drained away as it often does during one of our training sessions. “Well you won’t be drinking anymore of those when you read the Christmas present I got you!”

Cindy is inspiring and for more reasons than her fit, healthy body. She looks thirty-something but is in her late forties and since her face is alive with expression I can confidently say no botox has been pumped in there. Her eyes are fierce yet she seems to understand everything I am feeling inside and although she has an air of intimidating wisdom, she walks with a girly bounce and enthusiasm for life that infects you with a sudden desire to do better.

In the gym I am putty in Cindy’s hand. Her work with me has contributed greatly to the relief of my lower back pain and she is helping me to improve my jogging, which is something I stopped because my back and legs just got too painful. Many of the exercises Cindy, asks (or demands) me to do are performed on a fit ball or makes use of an exercise band so of course, I and Matt (myExercise.com.au resident Chiropractor) just had to know more.

Q. Cindy, how long have you been a personal trainer?
Cindy -I have been a personal trainer for 30 years

Q. Why did you become a personal trainer?
Cindy - My mother was a yoga teacher and I was brought up in a very health driven family. She was a vegetarian and did Pilates so I just learnt through her direction and her lifestyle. I started in the gym quite young , around 14. I became a body building judge and it became my passion.

Q. You train both men and woman – Is there a difference?
Cindy - No it’s an individual rather than male or female difference

Q. What significant changes have you seen during your time in the fitness industry?
Cindy - Probably an over population of trainers available and not particularly good ones. A lot of people are in it for the dollar rather than care of the clients. Many people entering the industry now don’t really care, are un-educated and think only about doing the exercise – not how or why they are doing it;  just going through the motions. This is probably because they are younger and think being a personal trainer is a quick and easy avenue into a well paid job.
Also, [another difference is that] when I was younger, training wasn’t so much a tool for health as for aesthetics – like training for body sculpting. Now training is more health driven.

Another change is that years ago doctors didn’t promote exercise for health, but over the last 5 to 7 years I’ve noticed that doctors are saying exercise and diet are relevant to overall health.
(Cindy breaks into a look of mock surprise and releases that wonderful laugh again)     Continue Page Two...