HEALTH & FITNESS
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Getting started in an exercise program may
be made simpler, says personal trainer
Helaine Rodin Keller, by following a few
easy guidelines:
Certified personal trainer Helaine Rodin Keller was co-owner of Fitnesse Exercise Company in Birmingham for 15 years.
personal trainer come to the client may be
the incentive needed by some to start, and keep,
working out. Traveling to homes and offices, Berk
Bloomfield and Oak Park buildings of the Jewish
Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit,
teaching group classes at the latter.
While it may not be necessary to have a strict
routine of exercising at the same time each work-
out day, "you have to choose what fits best into
your own schedule," says Carol Lederman of
Farmington Hills, a personal trainer for 14 years.
"It can be first thing in the morning, after work or
during lunch — but it has to be what works best
for you because it has to become a natural part of
your lifestyle."
Lederman also stresses the importance of find-
ing an activity you enjoy doing. "Then you'll be
more apt to stick with it. Don't just say, 'I need
to do something aerobic so I have to get on the
treadmill.' Try a few things until you find what
you really like to do."
Lederman, a nurse who switched profes-
sions after experiencing much benefit with her
own personal training sessions, finds her clients
sometimes prefer to work in small groups instead
of one-on-one sessions. On staff at Powerhouse
Gym in West Bloomfield, she observes, "Friends
who work out together often encourage one
another to exercise."
• Bring a personal trainer right to your
house or office.
• Find your best time of day and make exer-
cise part of your lifestyle.
• it company exercise with good eating
habits.
• Work out with a buddy.
• Lose weight without expensive equip-
ment by using what you already have at
ome.
• An outdoor power walk is a great way to
shape up.
Break up your workout into more frequent
but shorter sessions.
• Test the waters until you find the activity
you enjoy.
• Keep it fun!
Jim Berk is the owner of Body Work by Berk.
Getting Started
works with clients of all levels, including a few
who are confined to wheelchairs.
Inspired by his late father Sam's passion for
exercise, Berk, a sports broadcaster in television
and radio for 27 years, came to his new career
in 2001 when he heard the two stations that
employed him would soon be getting out of the
news business. Since then, he has joined the staff
of several local country clubs and both the West
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According to the experts, the three basic things to
include in your stay-healthy routine are cardiovas-
cular exercise, weight training and good nutrition.
In addition to helping keep your heart in good
shape, Berk says, "raising your heart rate through
cardiovascular activity helps you lose pounds."
Classes like spinning and stepping and equip-
ment like rowing machines and elliptical fitness
cross-trainers may be great ways to get an aerobic
workout, but Keller says, "so is an outdoor power
walk. It is a great, basic way toward cardio fitness
Contact The Experts
The cost of personal training sessions varies depending
on the instructor and length of session but may start at
approximately $50.
To contact personal trainers Berk, Keller and Lederman:
Call Jim Berk of Body Work by Berk, (248) 661-1194;
Helaine Rodin Keller, (248) 703-5636 or at Townsend
Street Pilates, (248) 642-6061; and Carol Lederman at
Powerhouse Gym, (248) 539-3370.