personal trainer – Urban Suburban Mommy

When Elisa and I decided to take on wellness for the next 30 days, I thought about the people around me who inspire me to live well. TV star/trainer and dad Tommy Europe immediately came to mind.

I used to watch Tommy’s TV shows The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp and Bulging Brides avidly. In fact, when I had to squeeze into my wedding dress and only had a few months to go before the big day, I decided to enroll in a boot camp and it was the best decision I ever made. Thanks Tommy!

So, I reached out to him (Tommy Europe – TE) to get his take on wellness so that he too could inspire you to live life to the fullest by exercising and making good choices. Here is what he had to say:

1. What does wellness mean to you?

TE: Wellness means a lot of things. It means healthy living, nutrition, and doing things that you want to do.

2. Why do so many people fail at fitness regimes or sticking to a routine?

TE: I think a lot of people are unrealistic in terms of sticking to a routine. They try to take on too much, too fast. They focus on too much – they breakdown and ultimately, fail. It so much better to start small. Try going to the gym for 15 minutes to start and then increase the time, every day. It’s about eating healthy too.

3. What advice can you give to jump start getting in shape?

TE: Focus on one thing. Commit to being active 3 days of the week. If you don’t like going to go to gym, try something else, but just make sure you move. Try a boot camp, dance, group fitness. Recruit a friend so you can work out together. It will make you accountable. Consider hiring a trainer. You don’t need to work with a trainer five days a week but start. He/she will also keep you accountable and spur you on.

4. What is your favorite kind of exercise?

TE: It varies. I really like mixed martial arts. In the gym, I like work outs that involve functional movement. I am not concerned with how much weight is used but rather that the exercise is done properly. Variety is super important so you don’t get bored.

Tommy Europe with his family on vacation

5. What exercises/workout can you recommend for busy parents?

TE: Get active with your kids. I have a 7 and a 5.5 year old and we make cleaning up their rooms fun, by incorporating lounges and squats. Just move. Do what you like.

6. Do you think children can be part of your work out every day?

TE: It’s a great concept but I don’t think it’s possible do get a good work out with kids every single day. You can certainly work your children into the workout on occasion. For example, I take my kids to the gym the kids like to pull themselves on the suspensions while I am working out. Take advantage of the time when kids are playing – even if it is 10-20 minutes and work out.

7. How is important is it to set fitness goals?

TE: If you want to be successful, you need to do it. When someone starts a business, they start with a business plan. You have to do the same with fitness and create a fitness plan. You also need to work on your contingency plan. When you write down your goals, you can refer to them. These goals will then be crucial to your success.

8. How fast can one expect results when working out?

TE: It really depends on how much time you spend working out. It will take a lot longer to achieve your goals working out one day a week vs. 3-4 times a week. It’s about how badly you want it. This should all go into your fitness plan including how many sizes you want to drop as well as how many pounds.

9. Most important tip in the quest to getting in shape?

TE: Keep on going. Everyone has good days and bad days. Go for it. Be ready so you never have to get ready…

10. What should one look for a in a personal trainer/boot camp?

TE: Look for somebody who is motivated. Somebody who has your best interest in mind and will teach you something. Somebody who can provide constant motivation, challenge you continuously and change it up He/she should know where your coming from including your fitness background, and what you want to achieve.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjdhh3jlKmo

ABOUT TOMMY EUROPE

Best known as the tough love television host of the “The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp” and “Bulging Brides” Tommy Europe is Canada’s most recognized and sought -after fitness coach.

Founder of Tommy Europe Fitness, Tommy is an entrepreneur, award-winning fitness coach, published author, keynote speaker and creator of the SHRED Training Philosophy.

Tommy earned his fitness credentials in the school of very hard knocks – as a Professional football player. An 11 year veteran, Tommy was a two-time all-star defensive back in the Canadian Football League, playing with the Montreal Alouettes, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and BC Lions. His football career included winning the Grey Cup in 1994, and earning a shot in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. Tommy is also an honored member of the BC Sports Hall of Fame, BC Lions Wall of Fame, and BC Football Hall of Fame.

Facts about Tommy Europe:

Two-time all-star defensive back in the CFL
Founder of the SHRED Training Philosophy
Award-winning fitness coach
Best-selling author
TV Host

www.tommyeurope.tv

https://www.facebook.com/TommyEurope

https://twitter.com/TommyEurope/

https://www.instagram.com/tommyeurope/

You know you want to, but you just don’t know how. It’s not as easy now as it was when we were in our teens and 20s. For some reason, at 40, the pounds start to stick in all the wrong places, and they’re more stubborn than we remember them being. So we caught up with personal trainer Brent Bishop, owner of Think Fitness Studios, where in addition to regular training, they offer specialized ‘Mom and Baby classes. We asked him the questions you know you want to know about about working out and getting into shape.

Brent at Think Fitness Studios

1. Why are people so unmotivated to work out?

This all comes down to a lack of inspiration. Motivation and inspiration are two different things – you need to be inspired first. You can’t maintain motivation without inspiration. The best place to start is to choose activities that inspire you. An exercise program must be interest-driven in order to be successful.

2. How do you inspire people to get physical?

I find out what their interests are, what they have enjoyed in the past – sports they may have played or maybe what they have always wanted to try. Starting with interests creates momentum.

3. What exercises can moms and dads do in their livingroom every day?

There are so many exercises you can do without leaving the comfort of your own living room. Some examples would be lunges, abdominal planks, squats – even using your couch or chair for push ups and triceps dips can be effective. Creating a circuit of 3 to 5 of these exercises and completing 2 to 3 sets can help you keep fit while being very time efficient.

4. Can you recommend any exercises or physical activity you can do with babies?

There are many. A lot of this comes to creativity (and of course safety). At my fitness centre, Think Fitness Studios, we have 15 ‘Mom & Baby’ classes per week that expose participants to a great array of effective exercises such as lunges with baby, squat press (pressing your baby in the air as you come out of a squat) and trunk rotations (sitting on the ground while twisting side to side with baby in hand). Not only are these great for fitness but also allow for some great bonding time with your little one.

Doing lunges, pressing his son – that’s the daddy workout way!

5. What are your thoughts about working out with your kids?

Everyone should workout with their kids, or have their kids involved somehow. My weekend ritual is to take my 3 1/2 year old with me to the gym where I get my workout in, and involve him in some of my exercises. What’s great about this is that exercise becomes ‘the norm’ for him due to this early and consistent exposure. Later we go to the park , run around and play some active games together. Fitness is absolutely essential for the health and development of our children.

6. How important is diet?

What you eat plays an very large role in your health. There is so much to be said about this. Developing good eating habits can make an enormous impact for weight loss, energy levels, disease prevention and overall health. For fitness results, diet is about 80% of the picture. What you eat impacts your body’s ability to metabolize calories, recover post-exercise and your energy levels for the next day.

7. Do you have to go to or belong to a gym to get a good workout?

If the gym is not you’re thing, don’t sweat it. You don’t need a gym to get great results. There are some many exercises you can do at home our outdoors that provide variety and yield results. In addition, there are many programs that you can follow to provide program direction. One program I’m involved in allows you to access effective workouts anywhere, on your phone, computer or TV – it’s called Evolve Function Fitness (evolvefunctionalfitness.com) and the great thing is, you don’t need any equipment – just your own body.

8. Why do you love being a personal trainer?

I feel I was born to help people achieve and I’ve always loved being physically active. Being a personal trainer allows me to utilize my passion to help people tap into their inner athlete.

9. Best part about being a dad?

One of the best parts of being a dad is the new perspective it gives you on life and what’s really important. Also, being a dad really allows you to realize just how much influence you have on the development of your child. There’s nothing like hearing my son’s little voice and having him hug me.

10. Your favourite way to workout?

I really like variety when I workout so I would say for in the gym, I love functional strength training with weights, particularly full body movements with barbells. In saying this, one of my favourite modes of exercise is running – particularly trail running, where I am far away from the hustle of the city and taking in fresh air.

Brent Bishop is an on-air fitness expert, lifestyle host, and celebrity trainer. He is the owner of Think Fitness Studios, a performance-inspired, boutique personal training centre in Toronto. Bishop is an on-air Fitness Expert on national television, Functional Fitness Host of the series Body Fuel, author of The Think Factor and the male Fitness Brand Ambassador for New Balance Canada. Brent has made several media appearances on North American networks including KTLA, WFLA Daytime, Global TV, CTV and CityTV to name a few. Additionally, Bishop is a regular contributor to numerous print media such as Best Health Magazine, Canadian Health and Lifestyle, Inside Fitness, Fitness Business Canada, Canadian Living and Sweat Equity Magazine.

Twitter: @I_AmBishop

Urban Suburban Mommy

Tag Archives: personal trainer

10 Questions with TV personality and fitness guru Tommy Europe

10 Questions with personal trainer Brent Bishop