Vital Steps' In The Media

Toronto Star, January 18 2001
Story By: Valerie Hauch

Christine McFadden is only 23 so you might expect her to challenge the way things are done. Question the status quo. Like what's wrong with hiring a personal trainer at her age? And so what if some of her friends think she's crazy spending her hard-earned money from part-time jobs-in-between psychology studies at York University's Glendon campus-this way when she could "just go to the gym. That's what they (friends) say," relates McFadden with a smile.

But the svelte blonde who radiates good health is very pragmatic. She's seen results from having a personal trainer, even after only 3 ½ months. "I have more energy. My skin is better-I function better. And I don't nap any more," she say's. "All I need is my eight hours and I sleep so soundly."

Her personal trainer is Jo-Ann James, the owner of Vital Steps, at 1701A Avenue Rd., a health and wellness centre which offers personal training, as well as weight management, shiatsu massage, fitness classes, yoga and seminars on topics like menopause and osteoporosis. James, who has a phys-ed degree from the University of Western Ontario, is a medical exercise specialist and was the fitness director for such places as the McGill Club and Columbus Centre before she opened her own studio about 3 ½ years ago. It caters to women, with most clients aged 40 and up.

McFadden had put on a bit of weight when she was at McMaster University two years previous and wanted to lose that and "also be healthy," she say's. But she "knew nothing about fitness."

When she first started at Vital Steps, McFadden had two one-hour sessions a week with James. Now she trains with her once a week on her own and also works out at home on a treadmill.

"I was skeptical at first," say's McFadden. "It made me nervous to have Jo-Ann watching me when I started," she say's. "But now I'm totally comfortable. In fact, I want her to watch and make sure I'm doing it right. Before I couldn't fathom being addicted to exercise. Now, I need to do it-it's exhilarating," she says.

Her cloths fit better, her weight is "normal for my height" and she's built muscle. She likes the motivation that a personal trainer gives and the fact that she has to make an appointment. "Someone is counting on me. I like that-it means I have to go in. I need a little push".

McFadden has gone form using 2.5lb weights when started, to 8 lb. Weights, and from a 2.5km/h pace on the treadmill, zero incline, to 3.8 km/h and an incline of 6.

A personal trainer doesn't come cheaply- her half-hour sessions with James for an eight-week period cost her about $238.

"I'm looking at it as a lifetime investment," say's McFadden. "Also, paying the money helps keep me motivated. I'm hoping this will be a permanent life change and not a temporary fix."

Although she hadn't done much in the way of exercise programs before she came to Vital Steps, a lot of women who are choosing to get personal trainers have worked out a good part of their adult lives.

But what they haven't got is personalized attention.

"There's a lack of direction and guidance," says James. "Maybe they're not getting anywhere- ii you do the same program for too long there's a tendency to plateau."

There's also an "accountability" factor with a personal trainer, she says. "Some need someone to be there, a motivator. Even if it's just to tell them how to do it and why."

When it comes to older women, they're feeling changes in their bodies, weakness in the upper part and spreading around the middle.

"They want to feel better about themselves," says James, and a personal trainer can help them with a specially designed program "because they don't want to hurt themselves."

Older women need to be concerned with exercising to maintain and build bone density, she says, as well as combining that with a nutritional program.

Personal trainer clients at Vital Steps get a fitness assessment before starting any program and consultations with physicians are advised if there's any indication of risk involved with exercise and weight- training.