KEEPING IT REAL: FITNESS TIPS AND ADVICE FROM SWEAT LIFE FITNESS MASTER TRAINER CHRIS PREGONY, BS, ACSM.
Every once in a while you meet someone who is in the profession that they were made for – you can tell immediately – they love what they do, they are good at it, and they make everyone around them better. That, ladies and gentlemen, perfectly describes Sweat Life Fitness Master Trainer Chris Pregony, BS, ACSM. He strikes a great balance between motivator, educator, and instructor. He can push you beyond limits you ever thought possible – all with a smile on his face which lets you know he is in your corner.
Below is an excerpt from a one-on-one interview I did with Chris last week. Get ready to learn from one of the best.
Dan: What inspired you to make a career of personal training?
Chris: I have always been an active person. Growing up I would play outside all day – and when it was time to come home I was usually late because I wanted to stay out as long as possible. I became involved in organized sports at a young age and I really took to it. I enjoyed football the most, so that’s what I focused on through middle school and high school. Most of my training was centered around football. I would lift weights, run, and do a lot of speed and agility training to get better. I attended camps and had an excellent weightlifting coach. My coach was extremely knowledgeable and taught me proper form and technique at a young age. My passion and enjoyment of all things active carried over to college where I obtained my degree in Exercise Science. I began using all the things I learned to help others find the same enjoyment that I have with fitness and training. The appeal that personal training has for me is that it allows me to empower others. It is very rewarding to help others build self confidence and take control of their health.
Dan: You do an outstanding job of incorporating variety into your training programs – mountain biking, hiking, running – in your opinion, why is variety in a fitness routine so important?
Chris: We live in a dynamic world where things are constantly changing. If you don’t add variety to your routine then you will become stagnant or good at only ONE of the MANY aspects of fitness. For example, a power lifter who can bench 400lbs and squat 750lbs is pretty strong. But can he run 3 miles? How many pull ups can he do? Can he swim? Adding variety to your program allows you to adapt to the different challenges life throws at you. Here is a great example of how my fitness came into play a week ago: my flight was delayed which put me behind when trying to connect in Charlotte. By the time I got off the plane they were already boarding the connecting flight. I literally ran across the airport in 8 minutes (while carrying my luggage) and made my flight. If I wasn’t fit, I would have missed that flight. Doing a variety of exercises will help you carry groceries, chase kids, do yard work, and have fun on vacations. For me, it helps me run, bike, swim, play football, basketball, tennis, Frisbee, rock climb, and hike.
Dan: Motivation is a big part of achieving results and being successful. What are some ways that you keep your clients motivated?
Chris: One thing I have learned about motivation is that everyone is motivated by something different. Some people are motivated by me getting in their face and pushing them hard to the point of failure. Others are completely turned off by that and need more positive reinforcement. I find what works for each individual – whether it is weight loss, pants size, a race/fitness event, or a wedding – I find out what motivates them and then we focus on that. Then, we constantly measure and track progress and re-evaluate their goals on a regular basis.
Dan: Planning ahead and preparation are two necessary ingredients for avoiding plateaus and exceeding fitness goals. Will you share your favorite tips for planning and preparing for success?
Chris: Planning ahead is imperative to achieve your goals. However, I also like to leave room to “fill in the blanks” as you go. Here are my Three Components for planning for success:
- YOU MUST MAKE TIME for your health and fitness – that means fitting it into your schedule no matter what. “I don’t have time” is not a valid excuse. Plan your workouts the night before, pack your workout bag the night before, and then DO IT!
- MAKE IT FUN. Find things that you enjoy. I enjoy working out, but I’d much rather do something that is both physically challenging and fun – like running and biking on trails, playing sports, and canoeing and swimming at the springs. All of these things are very physically demanding, but I don’t look at them as work because they are fun and I look forward to them. Make a list of the activities you enjoy and incorporate them into your routine.
- PREPARE YOUR MEALS IN ADVANCE. This is the only way to make sure you are eating and fueling your body properly. I know my diet needs to consist of fruits, veggies, lean meats, nuts, and a little bit of dairy. So, I choose my fruits and veggies depending on the season (the Farmer’s Market is great for this) and I vary my meats with fish, chicken, beef, and turkey. Plan ahead, choose real foods (not processed garbage) and be creative (try new foods and break out of your comfort zone).
Dan: What advice would you give someone who is participating in an exercise program and wants to lose body fat and gain muscle mass?
Chris: I feel that the formula for losing body fat and gaining muscle mass is relatively simple. I am not saying that it is easy – if it were, we would not have 2/3 of our population overweight – but it is a simple concept. If you eat right, like stated above, do at least 30min of moderate to vigorous activity a day, and lift weights at least 2 times a week, you will lose body fat and gain muscle mass. More than anything you need to be active on a daily basis. That means doing some form of exercise EVERY DAY. Americans have become more and more sedentary which is the main culprit in the obesity epidemic.
Dan: Thanks Chris, that was AWESOME!
Chris Pregony, BS, ACSM, is a Master Trainer at Sweat Life Fitness, Inc. in the Haile Plantation Village Center. He can be reached at chris@sweatlifefitness.com for more information and training consultations. We always appreciate and welcome your feedback and comments.
