This is a profile of a fitness enthusiast that arrives with sunrise, or sundown, from an instructor’s perspective. What do men think of female pushups, and what are the signs that someone is an enthusiast rather than a fitness addict
Each one of us, at least once in a lifetime, has firmly decided to make herself go to the gym in order to transform her imperfect body into an acceptable form. The expectations are always high, the number of excuses even higher, and the discipline needed for regular exercising, to most, a masochistic ritual. If you are one of the lucky ones that managed through the early stage crisis and became a regular workout person and adapted to a new fitness inspired lifestyle, you must have faced numerous dilemmas like – a group or individual session, zumba, boxerina, maybe a functional workout… But how do we – the ones that are exercising look from a fitness instructor’s perspective. Who is it easiest to work with, what type of female instructors do men choose, what is a psychological profile of a morning opposed to a evening work out person. About all that, and other reflections and prejudices, from a fitness instructors perspective, I’ve talked to Boško Milosavljević from the Corpo fitness center.
Lately, everyone keeps talking about a functional workout regime. What kind of program is it, whom would you recommend it to and what does it accomplish?
Firstly, I would recommend it to those who only talk about it, and never take part in the workout process. The functional workout is best suitable for people aging from 3 to 103. Without much science, and suffering, a functional workout is a program adapted to all ages, starting with the school of sports, ranging through corrective exercise for school kids, all the way to a general functional regime which strengthens the complete musculature of the body adapting to each clients individual needs.
Exercising without a proper diet makes reaching results almost impossible. What is your advice for a perfect balance?
My advice is continued moderation in everything! I’m not a fan of diets set in stone, meant to achieve unrealistic goals, but of a healthy meal that we are drawn to on a daily basis opposed to viewing it as a means to reach a goal in weight or appearance. One that learns to enjoy in food and drinks, in quantities that suit him and he really needs, and works out in moderation, will have the best results.
How much do you follow fitness trends and what do you think of them?
I follow global fitness developments and get excited by the fact that people in our country are raising their awareness of this, mainly recreational discipline. But what worries me is the fact that trends and a general bad state of health in the nation has been the main reason behind the recent recognition of fitness, instead of education of the society in order to better the overall health of the nation.
The only existing difference is that between dedicated people and those that need more motivational energy
What is the main difference in approaching men and women as an instructor?
The approach for women is always more gentle, they are after all the weaker gender, although I have proof that that isn’t always the case.
Who is it harder to work with, men or women, and why?
When you love your job the hard part is only the volume of work. There are no differences between men and women. The only existing difference is that between dedicated people and those that need more motivational energy because they lack the initial will, but after the first fitness injection, working out becomes a pleasure for the client, and therefore for the trainer as well.
Are female pushups degrading to men? Is the ego involved there?
In our program pushups are divided into full and semi-pushups, because men don’t really like doing female pushups, nor do women like exercising their biceps, even though both cases are ridiculous, because no women got buff from lifting a 2 kg dumbbell, nor has the strongest man cooled down from a series of fast pushups on their knees.
What type of man chooses a female instructor, how much do they trust her and is her physique important when making that choice?
Out of my personal experience those men simply enjoy the company and attention of a bombshell instructor, which can be an excellent motivator when you don’t want to look like a fool while working out. On the other side, exercising is no less efficient when the client and trainer are of opposite sexes, those are only stupid prejudices. The main goal is to find a match in energy and atmosphere.
I am yet to hear that someone cured hypertension with a Gucci shoe or scoliosis with a Rolex watch!
Lately, more and more women in their ‘best’ age work out. How would you describe their profile?
Firstly, all ages are best when it comes to taking care of your personal health and appearance, but if you’re talking about girls over 45, then I say that those are women who want a strong and healthy psychophysical form in order to survive the ‘Balkan man’ next to them.
Trainers like to say that once you start paying attention to your wokout gear you are ‘hooked’. What do you say?
Absolutely correct! I’m happy about that, it’s a hobby of immense importance, because I am yet to hear that someone cured hypertension with a Gucci shoe or scoliosis with a Rolex watch!
From my experience working out with a personal male or female trainer is the equivalent of going to a male or female dentist, or gynecologist. Coaches are more careful and gentle when determining ones level of tolerance. How long does it take you to deduce who you’re working with?
Without any fake modesty, which isn’t a usual trait of my zodiac sign, (let’s assume Leo) I can assess a future client fast and with ease, because my experience and method allow me to do so.
Many women like to work out with their hair down, even if it reaches their waist, why is that so?
Out of my experience they are missing that magic hairband, hair tie, attention… or it’s all the same.
Have you ever had a negative experience coaching?
Honestly, I can’t remember a single situation that could be described as uncomfortable.
One hiker, he was 84 and was the happiest man on earth because due to his exercise routine, he was able to walk a dozen kilometer trail with a group of hikers
What do you think of exercising in pairs? How can it stimulate, and how can it have a negative impact?
I think it’s great and can only elevate results if the instructor can provide the right regime for a couple which isn’t similar in strength, and if he can guide them towards a correct form.
Who grabs more glances in the mirror while working out – men or women and whose facial expression reveals more content?
There is no happier woman that one that sees herself in a bikini during summer or a man that can close the last button on his jeans, therefore facial expressions of content are equally strong in case of a good physical appearance.
Who is the oldest person you worked with and what were the results?
One hiker, he was 84 and was the happiest man on earth because due to his exercise routine, he was able to walk a dozen kilometer trail with a group of hikers.
What is the difference between people that work out in the morning opposed to ones that do so in the evening?
A morning person wants to while an evening one has to.
Who would you like to coach and what would be your greatest challenge?
My son, the challenge being teaching him to love soccer without mom kicking us both out of the apartment!
