Scared of all those machines at the gym? Feel like you don’t even know how to start a workout routine? Want to shed a few pounds or tone up all around? Lori Julius, Plymouth State University’s new personal trainer wants to help YOU.
A 2010 graduate of Plymouth State’s Interdisciplinary Studies Program with a focus in health and physical education program, Julius has come back to help PSU students “get comfortable in the gym and exercise regularly.”
“Walking around campus is great,” advised Julius, “but the recommendation is for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity. This means you are doing an activity that causes you to breathe harder than normal, but you are still able to carry on a conversation.”
In order to stay healthy and fit, the average student should be getting at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. The benefits that go along with being healthy and fit go a long way. Getting those 30 minutes can reduce the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, depression and much more. It can increase your performance in all aspects of your life and improve your psychological well being.
If you’re already doing cardio most days of the week, that’s awesome! The issue comes if you’re not getting the results you want. Julius can be a huge help in finding new workouts that help you reach your health fitness goals.
Not even close to getting those 30 minutes? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. One of the main reasons why students aren’t getting that gym time is because of the gym itself. The facility is stocked with every type of machine, but it can be a little nerve-racking. “I’ve talked to a few students who feel a little intimidated coming in here-they just don’t feel comfortable.”
Personal trainers aren’t just for celebrities. Anyone who needs a little push to get started or a lesson on how to use the machines will benefit from a few sessions with Julius. Don’t expect it to be brutal boot camp either. She says “some of my clients just want to feel more healthy and fit.”
So how does it work? Simple-send an email or pick up the phone! The first meeting consultation is free. “I want to be able to take my time and get to know the person, see where their goals are and see where they’re at.”
After a short interview and some quick signatures, Julius will determine your body composition, which is made up of a height to weight ratio along with a body fat percentage. This information will help determine your results down the road.
The next step is a fitness evaluation. Four different tests determine your muscular endurance and muscular strength. Push-ups and bench-pressing may sound pretty intimidating, but Julius just wants to get a feel for where you are physically, “I make it so it’s totally comfortable for every person doing it.”
After she evaluates your fitness level, it’s time to get planning. The plan she makes will be specific to everyone’s individual goals, “If I’m working with someone who wants to lose weight, it will be a completely different program from someone who simply wants to get healthier.”
Once you’re comfortable with the routine, it’s up to you to keep it up and to keep in touch. “I don’t need to see you three times a week-I understand that people don’t have that kind of money. What I want to be able to do for people is get them in the gym, show them where they’re at, give them a program that they comfortable with and just let them do it.”
It isn’t just about getting those 30 minutes most days of the week, getting healthy and fit has a lot to do with what you eat every day. “You cannot out exercise a bad diet.”
There are plenty of healthy foods in the dining hall to choose from, it’s just a matter of looking for them. Utilize that huge salad bar and cut back on the french fries. Have a hard-boiled egg instead of a fried omelet. Did you know we even have an on-campus registered dietician named Sarah Patterson? Talk to her and set up a meal plan! (spatterson3@plymouth.edu).
Getting fit is definitely possible, however it won’t happen overnight. “It takes a while to get results-you can come and work out today and go home tonight and not feel any different.” The benefit of having a personal trainer is for the motivation to keep going and push through the “sore stage” towards a healthier you.
Julius encourages follow-up sessions to mark your progress. “In 4 to 6 weeks, come back and see me again, do another fitness evaluation and see what results you’re getting.”
If you’re looking to hit the gym and feel healthy, or improve your current workout routine, contact Julius and get started. The low prices guarantee you’ll get the results you want if you work hard and eat right.
The price listing is as follows:
Students: $20/hour, $10/half-hour
Non-Students: $30/hour, $15/half-hour (discounts for multiple sessions purchased in advance)
The two sessions that require a half-hour payment are your physical testing and the session where she demonstrates the workout routine she has made for you. Additional sessions afterward are optional but recommended in 4 week intervals to check your progress and make changes.
More information on program and pricing at http://www.plymouth.edu/recreation/fitness/personal-training/