with Detroit-area prices rang-
ing from $15-$65 an hour.
Prices are generally less
when working out in a gym
than if the trainer travels to
a person's home.
"Education is primary if
you are paying someone the
going rate," says Mr. Lewis.
"Anyone can portray himself
or herself as a personal
trainer." Mr. Lewis says a less
expensive option he and other
trainers offer is a one-time
workout evaluation, and then
once a month "check-ups."
Andrea Bernstein, co-owner
of Fitnesse Exercise Com-
pany, with facilities in Birm-
ingham and Farmington
Hills, began a personal train-
ing business two years ago.
Ms. Bernstein says her clients
range from college students
to corporate executives. Some
individuals seek out the in-
dividualized instruction to
ward off back problems, high
cholesterol, or other physical
conditions.
MELANIE KOFF
Special to The Jewish News
S
ally Levy of Southfield
began working out
with a personal trainer
one month after a car acci-
dent left her with four broken
pelvic bones and a severely
sprained ankle.
"I healed as well as I did,
and as fast as I did, because
of the training program," says
Ms. Levy.
At 46, Judy Frankel had
never exercised in her life
before teaming up with a per-
sonal trainer. Ms. Frankel,
who is a catering manager in
Troy, now works out at home
three days a week with a
trainer.
"I feel wonderful and so
much more relaxed," says Ms.
Frankel.
Both Ms. Levy and Ms.
Frankel exercise with per-
sonal trainers from the
Workout Company exercise
studio in Birmingham.
Although their fitness
routines are quite different,
Workout Company co-owner
Myrna Partrich, says that's
what personal training is all
about.
"It is a very individualistic
type of situation. Programs
are tailor-made to fit a per-
son's lifestyle and fitness
goals," says Ms. Partrich.
The Workout Company has
a staff of both male and
female personal trainers, in-
cluding an occupational
therapist and dietician who
help develop the personalized
programs.
Ms. Partrich says her corn-
pany sends personal trainers
to people's homes, companies
and even to schools.
"Many of our clients are
business people who don't
have a lot of free time," says
Ms. Partrich.
"Our oldest client is 96,"
she adds.
Whatever your fitness
goals, a personal trainer will
push you to exercise regular-
F4
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1990
Photos by G lenn Triest
On a personal level
a trainer should be
patient, have a
positive attitude
and be sensitive to
each individual's
needs and
limitations.
Judy Frankel (right) exercises with her personal trainer, Susan Rosenthal, from The Workout Company.
Persona WAOuts
Personal trainers develop individual programs
to fit a person's lifestyle and fitness goals.
ly and at your fullest capaci-
ty. Working out with a per-
sonal trainer demands com-
mitment and motivation. In
return, regular training pro-
duces numerous health
benefits, alleviates stress and
improves self-confidence.
There is no mandatory cer-
tification for personal
trainers, so most anyone can
call him or herself a trainer.
Qualifications to look for in-
clude degrees in physical
education, exercise physi-
ology or kinesiology, courses
in nutrition, involvement in
relevant professional
organizations and experience.
On a personal level, a
trainer should be patient,
have a positive attitude and
be sensitive to each in-
dividual's needs and
limitations.
Birmingham resident Keith
Lewis says when he began
working as a personal trainer
in 1983, people perceived
trainers as gurus to the rich
and famous.
"Personal trainers were
much more exclusive then.
Now, they reach more people;'
says Mr. Lewis.
For three years, Mr. Lewis
was the personal trainer for
the Detroit Pistons, and he
now works as a trainer on a
limited basis.
Enlisting the aid of a per-
sonal trainer can be costly,
Ms. Bernstein says trainers
should take into account the
person's total lifestyle, in-
cluding medical and
behavorial factors, before
establishing a fitness pro-
gram. After assessing a
client's personal history and
goals, the trainer will produce
exercise routines, such as jog-
ging or one-on-one aerobics,
designed to meet the client's
objectives.
"Many of my clients spend
the whole hour strength
training because it is hard to
work out that intensely by
yourself. You really have to
know what you are doing;' ex-
plains Ms. Bernstein. "A
trainer sorts all that out,
teaching you to focus in on
different muscle groups."
She recommends in-
dividuals stick to a schedule
of at least two workouts a
week with a trainer.-
To cut costs, Ms. Bernstein
sayg one option is to team up
with an individual who has
similar fitness capabilities.
"One-on-two works great.
The trainer moves around
and watches both people, and
each has something to do at
all times," she explains.
Maddy Forbes called in a
personal trainer to help in-
spire her to exercise, a com-
mon reason that people enlist
the aid of a trainer.
"I am very undisciplined
and do not work out on my
own. But it is a lot different
when someone knocks on the