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Hi All,

I'd like to thank Mr. Gurnit Singh Dua, Founder of The Fitness Factory www.thefitnessfactory.co.in, to consent for the interview with the Health and Fitness India network. Our Q&A are as follows:

1. Why did you decide to enter the fitness industry?

I was studying in England, and was impressed by how health conscious Britishers were. Whether it was hitting the gym regularly, or playing outdoor sports like football and rugby or even going for activities with their friends and families like hiking , trekking but fitness was something which was a part of their everyday life.

I was hooked onto body building as a result and started visiting the local gym in Bristol, UK.

My personality was totally transformed from a bulky 97 kgs to a super fit muscular guy weighing 76 kgs at 5'11 height.

I came back to india, and almost immediately started India's first professionally managed personal training company, The Fitness Factory (www.thefitnessfactory.co.in) and there has been no looking back since then (2005).

2. What are your specialities as a fitness professional?

I have several qualifications in Fitness and experience of over 10 years in Fitness / fitness studies .

I am certified by –

International Sports Science Association (ISSA)

Pilates Institute of America (PIA)

Fitworx as a Gym and Aerobics Trainer

American Heart Association in Heartsaver First Aid

Gayo Fitnesse in CPR and AED course

I am the founder of India's first professionally managed Personal Training academy: The Fitness Factory (www.thefitnessfactory.co.in)

Furthermore, I am also the academics manager/representative of various reputed institutes like International Sports Science Association (ISSA), Pilates Institute of America (PIA), and American Heart Association (AHA) in Delhi/NCR, vide Gayo Fitnesse, Mumbai and I have helped several hundreds of trainers get their certification.

I am also actively involved in promoting various other fitness services as ZUMBA, Body Pump, Kick boxing and has also tied up with World tae kwon do federation in promoting martial arts.

My clientele include various top gyms like Golds’, Fitness First, Fuel, muscle magic.

I have personally trained over several hundred people (including the American embassy, Unitech MD Mr. Sanjay Chandra, ICT CEO Ms Himani Kapila, Bollywood actress Zoa Morani and various other prominent businessmen, lawyers, cabin crew, etc.) helping them achieve the desired goals.

I have also provided consultancy to the INS (Naval Academy, Delhi) for up gradation of their equipment and sports surfaces.

I contribute regularly to Mail Today newspaper.

3. What's a great piece of advise that you've given to a client?

Always take one step at a time and stay focused (You can only achieve the desired result if and only if you have an aim, a "LAKSHYA")

4. Can you please share any major mistakes that fitness professionals make?

- Being Presumptive

- Not being on time for their sessions (either at home/gym) and worst not informing the client

- Not dressing/smelling appropriately

- Overconfidence and not being open to the idea that one could know more than them also

- Pushing the clients too much (where it could be dangerous)

5. Where do you see yourself professionally in the next five and ten years from now?

I would like to see myself training the trainers on a PAN INDIA level in more than one disciplines and improving the level of Fitness / fitness sciences or fitness relates services here in India.

I would also want to start something where I could train all fitness trainers / professionals the art of effective communication with not just their clients but also their peers / subordinates and/or bosses.

The Entire List of Health and Fitness Professional Interviews

http://www.healthfitnessindia.com/profiles/blogs/interviews-of-health-and-fitness-professionals-in-india

Hi All,

I'd like to thank Ms. Richa Sharma to consent for the interview with the Health and Fitness India network. Our Q&A are as follows:

1. Why did you decide to enter the fitness industry?

I was always a fitness enthusiast and I realized that in most of the gyms I went to, there were no properly qualified trainers. Most of their methods were outdated and non-scientific. Most of the trainers have been focusing on body-building rather than overall fitness. As a result the desired results were rare or limited. Sometimes I used to get nagging injuries as well. It was a continuous journey rather than a single incident and exploration of exercising concepts that made me aware of proper training methods. Once I achieved what I wanted, I decided to turn it into a career and help other people.

2. What are your specialties as a fitness professional?

• Handle the progression and transition of all the clients into new, more effective exercises.

• Make exercise programs based on specific, customized needs and goals.

• Create and implement complete and individualized time based programs which include weight goals, diet specifications and menus, physical training and exercise, and lifestyle changes.

• Focus on motivation and program adherence.

• Correct assessment of posture deviations and prescribing correct and safe rectification methods.

3. What's a great piece of advise that you've given to a client?

One of my clients is a middle aged woman. She had not worked out or had any kind of exercise in many years. The moment she joined a gym, she expected immediate results. Also just by looking at other regular gym goers, she started to expect the same fitness level as those members. I had to tell her to be patient and consistent with her workouts as one cannot undo the damage caused by several years of unhealthy lifestyle, instantly. Its important to work on strong foundation and to start with modest, short term goals.

4. Can you please share any major mistakes that fitness professionals make?

Trainers sometimes introduce too much too early, without even working on the basic movements in order to impress the client. This can sometime lead to injuries. If a client is de-conditioned, before introducing movement patterns, trainers should first work on stability and mobility training.

5. Where do you see yourself professionally in the next five and ten years from now?

I would like to educate myself more. Since obesity is like an epidemic now I would like to complete "Lifestyle and Weight Management" certification. I want to reach out to more people who are in need of expert guidance and want to promote Fitness as a Lifestyle habit. Also I have started my own Facebook page called "Quickfit by Richa Sharma" through which I am regularly posting Fitness updates and facts.

Her professional and contact details:

• ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified personal trainer. Certificate No. - T160334

• PIA (Pilates Institute of America) Certification

• Attended and completed “Training the Core” webinar by exercise physiologist Pete McCall, one of the founders of ACE IFT model.

• Successfully completed ACE IFT (Integrated Fitness Training) model.

• International Red Cross CPR

• Kettle bell workshop with Steve Cotter 

• Completed a continuing education program with ACE on "Fitness and Menopause"

richasharma133@gmail.com

The Entire List of Health and Fitness Professional Interviews

http://www.healthfitnessindia.com/profiles/blogs/interviews-of-health-and-fitness-professionals-in-india