What does it take a fitness instructor to be well recognised and respected? An unparalleled commitment to the job, information on anything related to fitness, a well-toned body that shows he/ she is not just a preacher of fitness but also  practices, and the ability to motivate students who come in all shapes, sizes and attitudes. Lisa J Hamlin, director of AFAA-USA, who was in the City to conduct a workshop on pilates for trainers organised by BFY Sports & Fitness, fit the bill perfectly.
Lisa began her career as a ballet dancer. While training, she had an accident in which she broke many bones. That put a stop to her dancing classes. After the many months she took to recover, Lisa decided to turn to aerobics to help strengthen her body. She enrolled in her mother’s classes.
“My mother was a fitness instructor and she forced me sign up. At the time, I had gained 60 pounds, I was depressed and my dancing career was over. Aerobics revived me. Then my mother had to undergo a surgery and was unable to continue classes. So I had to take up her post as a trainer in 1982,” Lisa told Metrolife.
We asked her the best thing about fitness —as an instructor and as a student. Said Lisa, “As a student, any discipline only means learning. I love to learn. Learning never stops for anyone. Even the fitness industry as such has changed and will continue to change. As a student, these changes give an opportunity to learn more. As an instructor, one has to be willing to go with the change. I love teaching. For me, as an instructor, there is no bigger reward than hearing about students getting to their goals.”
Lisa’s classes (thrice a week) combine many variations so students get the benefit of a complete workout. On Mondays, she teaches cycling and takes a class for seniors, on Wednesdays it’s cycling and yoga, and on Fridays it’s stepper and muscle conditioning. “On weekends I attend others’ classes. I love to exercise, and love to teach exercises too; it’s a passion that’s been with me for 24 years,” said she.
According to Lisa, an exercise programme should focus on cardio training (3- 5 days per week), strength and resistance training (2-3 days a week) and flexibility training (at least once a week). “This creates a well balanced programme. It’s important to cross train as it decreases risk of injury. In the US, yoga is number one choice of course that’s found on every schedule nowadays, followed by indoor cycling, pilates, non-cardio muscle conditioning classes.
And what’s hot in India? Said Lisa, “In India stepper and kickboxing classes are hot, followed by Salsa and Latin aerobics. Pilates is also picking up now and will be the next big thing, in say, two years from now.” She chose to speak of pilates, saying, “The main focus of pilates is core stabilisation, strengthens the trunk muscles from shoulder to waist, so the limbs are stronger too. Pilates is for everyone and both floor pilates and pilates reformer (machine), work just as effectively. The key to a good workout is that you need a qualified trainer.”
Lisa will be back in India next month to conduct workshops in at least three cities, for trainers and advanced participants. “As instructors, we are faced with all age groups and levels of fitness. My goal is to teach them how to take a well balanced class for all levels, to teach them how to make a class fun and more enjoyable,” she said.