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Hi All, 

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

Photo: Ms. Sonia Bajaj, Fitness and Nutrition Coach, giving award at MISS North India 2013. Facebook photo link

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

After delivering 2 boys as any other woman tried to cut down on that extra fat on my body. Tried all kinds of yo yo diets, paid a good amount of money to the so called dieticians. Kept on going through the same circle of loosing few kilos on scale, and as soon as quitted the diet, went back to square one.

Finally planned to give up all diets, started exercising and eating a balanced diet, which could be followed life long. I saw such awesome changes in my body, not only in terms of fat loss, but also in terms of strength, stamina, agility, power.

I became a happier soul, more confident. So decided that if can share my experience with all those men and women who are struggling for years to lose fat in a right way, so that it never comes back, would be a great achievement for me.

Hence totally dedicated myself to promoting health and fitness.

2. What are your specialties as a fitness professional? 

I've done my group certification with Reebok.

I've done my Personal Training certification with AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE.

I'm certified in Pilates, Kickboxing, and Prenatal and Postnatal workouts.

I've done workshops in TRX AND BOSU workouts.

I'm a certified nutritionist by BFY MUMBAI.

People ask me WHERE ARE THE MACHINES IN YOUR GYM.

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

I see a lot of excellent and certified fitness coaches here in India. But what I have realized is that what we need as per the times is Fitness motivators.

We have to train the brain before training any other muscle group. People give it up very fast, everyone is looking for a short cut.

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

My piece of advice to my clients and every one reading this is that take care of your body.

Just give 30 minutes 5 days a week to yourself.

SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN YOURSELF, FAT LOSS WILL BE THE ICING ON THE CAKE.

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

Few year from now I see people following what I try to enforce today;

FAT LOSS IS NOT A ONE DAY, ONE MONTH OR ONE YEAR PROJECT,

It's a LIFESTYLE CHANGE.

Her professional and contact details:

Sonia Bajaj

www.facebook.com/sonia.bajaj.54

Photo:

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Hi All,

I'd like to thank Mr. Sushant Sehgal 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?

Fitness is my passion. When I was in college I use to go for workouts in various gyms to know more about fitness. Then I started using those techniques taught to me by my trainers and used some variations in it. Then I thought it's better to come in this field, so that I can take my passion to a new level.

2. What are your specialties as a fitness professional?

I'm a physiotherapist and then I did diploma in yoga. Then when I decided to come in this field I applied and cleared my ACE exam. So my speciality is physiocare plus yoga along with fitness training. I prefer pilates and functional training more than weight training.

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

My advice is to be patient and results wil come automatically.

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

Workout should be according to the needs and physical abilities of the member. Same workout is not recommended to all the people. As body type of each individual is different.

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

My goal is to see myself, as an international fitness trainer.

His contact details:

9899550279

86.sushant@gmail.com

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Hi All,

I'd like to thank Ms. Ruth G 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 entered the fitness industry because I always felt lethargic and dull and suffered from a lot of aches and pains as I was a very inactive person in my childhood. Due to which I was overweight, so when I started going to the Gym I felt very charged whenever I attended my aerobics class, leading to which I really lost a lot of weight. Here I realized I could be a part of the then new, growing fitness industry in 1996 and so here I am 16 years down the line, still actively involved in this Industry.

2. What are your specialties as a fitness professional?

I pride myself to be able to convince women not to treat their bodies badly by starving to lose weight. But I help them understand that to lose weight we have to feed our bodies with the right nutrients and hydrate regularly and I'm happy to say I've convinced most of my clients to eat regular, frequent meals.

My specialties as an instructor is I'm a certified Personal trainer and Aerobics Instructor and I have my current First Aid and CPR certification which empowers me to be be able to handle any unexpected situation while training clients. I specialize in PIYOLET classes which is a fusion of Pilates, Yoga and Ballet conditioning, Step aerobics, Kickboxing, Aerobics, Power yoga and Boot camp workouts were also my specialties until I got hooked on to Zumba fitness. Im also a Marketing Agent for Zumba in India. Soon I'm also going to restart taking PIYOLET classes in the near future.

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

I feel you live this life only once so it's best to live a quality life by eating moderately, not necessary to restrict yourself. Workout regularly, and stop crash dieting!! If you can eat everything moderately and have a pretty stable lifestyle it won't be difficult to maintain a good body weight and live an illness and ailment free life. I promise you life is worth loving because when you have no illnesses to worry about you can enjoy a great life.

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

Only one word, Overconfidence!!! Instructors treat everyone the same like some army boot camp, we have to realize that everyone has unique body structures, metabolism, stresses etc. We are in this industry to help people get healthy so its our responsibility to see to it that we equip ourselves well enough to offer injury free workouts which can take a client through the stages of fitness slowly but successfully so that progress is ensured.

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

5 years down the line i see myself mentoring new Group fitness Instructors to become active, responsible Instructors. I also hope to see every citizen fit enough to actively play with their grandchildren even at a very old age.

10 yrs down the line I see myself opening an academy for serious fitness professionals in India.

Her Profile:

Ruth G is a Zumba marketing Agent for India and helps Zumba conduct Zumba Instructor trainings in India.

She is a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor operating from Goa.

09923203195

ruthgzumba@gmail.com

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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.

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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

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Hi All,

I'd like to thank Ms. Shweta Pratap Singh 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've been inclined towards fitness & good health from a very young age. Whilst in school I was actively involved in various sports. I've always been a firm believer of the age old belief that your Body is a temple so you ought to respect it like one. It was this passion of mine for fitness & well being that eventually led me towards taking on fitness as a full fledged career...

2. What are your specialties as a fitness professional?

My specialties as a fitness instructor are : I'm a certified Personal trainer and Aerobics Instructor with the following specialties :

(a) Step and Floor Aerobics
(b) Pilates
(c) Power Yoga
(d) Kick Boxing
(e) Circuit Training

I am also a licensed Zumba Fitness Instructor having done several specialty training's such as Zumba Toning, Zumbatomic and currently enrolled for Aqua Zumba as well.

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

Most of the clients I have come across in my career span are usually people who are looking for a quick fix solution for weight loss due to a big event such as a wedding etc. However my advice to them is always that there is no shortcut nor substitute for fitness as a whole and it has to be a part of one's daily life so that one can lead a genuinely healthy and hence rewarding life.

I also advise my female clients that weight training is really important for them as well because most of them think that weight training is the sole domain of men and if they were to do it, they would really bulge up and look manly. Nothing could be further from truth as correct weight training can help women also in a big way as it increases bone density thereby preventing osteoporosis in old age and corrects the metabolic rate as well and thus helps in reduction of weight much faster.

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

Basically every human is designed differently and therefore as a a responsible fitness trainer, one cannot treat all clients in the same manner. Also, its very critical to check a clients past/ present medical history - a fact that is generally overlooked by instructors. The fitness trainer has to design a fitness programme that is commensurate with the clients individual health and fitness levels, their body type and lifestyle.

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

Five years down the line I visualise myself as having traveled round the world learning different forms of fitness and exercise including specialised martial arts such as Krav Maga etc. and add onto my certifications in various specialties. By the tenth year i want to be firmly established in the field of fitness having increased my reach to maximum number of people by having established my own signature fitness centres.

Her contact details:

Shweta Pratap Singh

Kochi (Kerala)

shwetapratapsingh@gmail.com

07403020700

The Entire List of Health and Fitness Professional Interviews

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