University training builds some muscle
STUDENTS AT THE University of Ottawa have access to the university’s gyms, and with that come discounts for sport and fitness services—including the use of a personal trainer.
Adrien Stotesbury is a personal trainer at the U of O and a recent human kinetics graduate. His chosen profession was based on a knee injury that necessitated physiotherapy, which was an experience that inspired him to go into human kinetics and ultimately to become a personal trainer.
He explained that his studies at the U of O give him the medical background he needs, but that his first-hand experience in the field is just as vital for his job.
“It’s got to come from both sides. You can’t just be book smart,” he said.
Like all personal trainers at the U of O, he first sits down with his clients to go over their medical history, lifestyle, injuries, or any other factors that might impact their fitness. He then lays out a list of concrete goals which they will work toward.
This is followed by an assessment meant to test the client’s limitations in terms of range of movement in order for the personal trainer to design an appropriate workout routine. The whole program is designed to suit the needs of each individual client. Stotesbury explained he usually starts the routine slow so that he can get an idea of the client’s capabilities.
According to Stotesbury, motivation is key to a client’s success, and having regular meetings will hold them accountable to their routine.
The clients he serves come from a varied group. He has helped students, staff, community members, athletes, people undergoing rehabilitation, people looking to lose weight, and others just looking to stay fit.
“It’s such a wide spectrum. You can’t really pinpoint it to one population,” he said.
Having previously worked at a private gym in Gatineau, Que., he speaks highly of the services the U of O offers.
“The value is great, with prices as low as $30–40 per session,” he said. “It’s a good service; we’ve got a lot of variety in terms of the trainers we have.”
Personal training at the U of O offers Stotesbury a lot more freedom—whereas at a private gym he had little latitude to design individual routines for his clients, at the U of O he can be more creative. Stotesbury wants to encourage students to use the personal training service at the university because the trainers are professionals and will build clients a routine that is adaptable to each individual’s lifestyle.
“You don’t want to have this cookie-cutter program you’re giving to each client.”
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—Edward Roué
