Balancing Act
Fitness helps achieve personal equilibrium,
personal trainer says.
Robert A. Sklar
Editor
W
Personal trainer Lori Burkow assists client
Marjorie Lebenbaum in the Center Fitness Club at
the West Bloomfield JCC.
Lori Burkow: "No matter one's reason for keeping
fit, in the long run it's all about functional fitness
— the ability and energy to perform everyday tasks
to live independently with a high quality of life."
ith life's ups and downs, fitness and nutrition help us stay pre-
pared to handle the stress of daily encounters.
"With physical inactivity and obesity on the rise among chil-
dren, our communities are in desperate need of effective exercise programs
for all age groups," says Lori Burkow, a retired marathoner and triathlete
who once was ranked among the top 100 U.S. female competitors. Today, the
professional personal trainer books 35 client hours per week.
Her intent is to help clients achieve a balance between physical fitness and
general wellness.
Burkow, technically a functional conditioning exercise specialist, likes
what she does because of the challenge. There's no one type of client, no one
set lifestyle. Clients want to limit health risks and prevent disease regardless
of whether they are competitive athletes or just interested in good health.
"No matter one's reason for keeping fit," the West Bloomfield resident said,
"in the long run it's all about functional fitness — the ability and energy to
perform everyday tasks to live independently with a high quality of life."
Burkow, an aerobic/group fitness instructor since 1976 and a certified
personal trainer since 1990, didn't come to her profession by chance. She
literally was born into it. Her mother is Sylvia Zukin, who served from 1958
to 1988 as women's health club director at the Jewish Community Center of
Metropolitan Detroit. Now 85, Zukin is still a Center Fitness Club instructor,
teaching body awareness and hydro-tone water exercise classes.
Burkow, a Detroit native, worked as assistant program director for
women's health at the JCC from 1977 to 1981. She continues to have a strong
association with the JCC as an instructor and personal trainer. Her creden-
tials include service as a research consultant for the President's Council on
Physical Fitness in 1975-76.
Burkow's personal regimen includes running at least five miles four
days a week as well as weight lifting three times a week. She has cycled to
raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and has run to benefit the
Leukemia Foundation, City of Hope and the Breast Cancer Foundation.
For someone who just wants to feel good and be fit, Burkow recommends
walking every day. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends
30 minutes per day for fitness and 60-90 minutes for weight loss.
All of Burkow's training programs are tailored to client interests, fitness
and goals. "There is no generic recipe for individual success;' she said.
Marjorie Lebenbaum has been Burkow's client for 10 years. The 73-year-
old West Bloomfield resident likes how her twice-weekly sessions consider
how she's feeling and what's best for her fitness growth. Nothing is routine.
"We developed a meeting of the minds and I'm very comfortable with her
exercises:' Lebenbaum said. "Lori will take me to a point and then, as I'm
ready, beyond. I've never had a bad result."
Burkow also uses her knowledge of anatomy to advantage. "And she has a
great sense of humor;' Lebenbaum said. "That makes for fun and makes the
time go faster."
Burkow welcomes beginners as well as elite athletes. Clients range in age
from 2 to 97. "There is no age limit:' she said. "Exercise is for everybody"
Lebenbaum is grateful to be so limber thanks to her workouts with
Burkow. "I can still shoot hoops with my grandson:' Lebenbaum said. 'What
more can you ask out of life?" ❑
Lori's Detail
Education: B.S., exercise physiology,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
M.Ed., Marygrove College, Detroit.
Family: children, Ian, 25; Loni, 22
and Alexandra, 17.
Synagogue: Temple Israel, West
Bloomfield.
Certifications: American Council
on Exercise, American College
of Sports Medicine, Aerobic and
Fitness Association of America,
American Academy of Health
Fitness Professionals, Senior Fitness
Association.
Additional certifications in adap-
tive physical fitness; water safety
and exercise; weight room specialist;
medical exercise specialist.
Services: health appraisal/fitness
goals – resting/exercise heart and
blood pressure; body composition,
cardio-respiratory fitness, muscular
strength and endurance; flexibil-
ity; weight management through
exercise and nutritional assistance;
post-rehab functional conditioning
services; alternative techniques;
stability ball; bands; body alignment;
Pilates and Feldenkrais.
Mission: "I am committed to main-
taining my professional standing
and credentials through continuing
education in order to help my clients
through their journey toward achiev-
ing and sustaining their physical
health and general wellness."
Training sites: JCC; Detroit Tennis
and Racquet Club, Farmington Hills;
Knollwood Country Club, West
Bloomfield; private homes.
Fees: hourly rates.
Call (248) 760-4108.
February 22 g 2007
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