Do You Have Trouble Meeting a Fitness Deadline? Gina Lombardi Gives You Tips on How You Can Meet Your Deadline
When she’s not training, you can find Lombardi on television, including as host on Discovery Channel’s FitTV show Fit Nation. Here, she answers our questions about her personal fitness philosophy, her observations and what it means to be a celebrity trainer.
BOYT: How did you become a celebrity trainer?
Gina Lombardi: When I first moved to LA I worked on the weekends as a registered dental hygienist and full time at an entertainment public relations firm in Beverly Hills during the week. It was at the PR job that I realized how badly actors needed a fitness coach to guide them and motivate them to get in shape for the roles they were playing. Back then (circa 1990) there were not nearly as many personal trainers as there are now so the door was wide open for me...I stepped through it and never looked back. The owners and clients of the PR firm were very supportive of my desire to start personal training so some of my first clients came from there. After a short while, it was completely word of mouth.
BOYT: If a personal trainer aspires to become a celebrity fitness coach, what advice would you give them?
Gina Lombardi: Be prepared with a wide arsenal of talents. This unique group of individuals won't stand for anything less than 120% at all times because they are intellectual and savvy. If you aren't doing more than what's expected, they will be on to the next "flavor of the month" trainer. You must have a current reputable certification (NSCA, ASCM, NASM) and lots of innovative, pre-meditated workout ideas with definite goals in mind. This group is results-oriented more than any other group I've worked with. They are also deadline oriented which is what inspired me to write my book Deadline Fitness.
BOYT: You’re also a fitness host and media expert. How did you get started?
Gina Lombardi: Literally burning the midnight oil to learn, study and practice what I was preaching is what led me to doing more and more media. Nowadays it's harder to get those opportunities for those who are just starting out in the field of training because there is so much competition. I recommend getting a publicist to help get you out there so the media is aware of who you are. You may also want to start a blog, use Facebook and Twitter to promote your fitness tips, etc. All these things make you more visible and desirable to the media.
BOYT: Without naming names (unless you want to!), what is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in helping a celebrity as their personal fitness trainer?
Gina Lombardi: Unrealistic goals. Especially for female clients, but men are sometimes guilty of it too. Women are expected to be thin, beautiful and well, "perfect" when they are on the big screen. But we are all dealt a different hand from the proverbial deck of "body" cards. You can't just say "I want to look like Jennifer Aniston" if you are not Jennifer Aniston. However, what we CAN do is make you look the best that YOU can possibly look in the shortest amount of time. Safely and effectively. Period. End of story. Assuming, that is, you are willing to do what it takes to get there. No doubt it's a sacrifice. Fortunately, this group is also highly motivated so they are most likely willing to do what it takes to get there.
BOYT: What inspired you to write Deadline Fitness?
Gina Lombardi: Over the years I have worked hard at getting the best results possible for the actors and actresses I work with. They would often ask me "Why don't you do a book for the masses outlining what you do for us?" Then they would stop and think about it and say "Oh yeah, then everyone would know what you do with us." But I've never been a secretive kind of person when it comes to revealing exercise techniques or diet plans. In fact, a big part of how I spend my time is doing seminars and workshops for trainers and coaches. I have travelled around the world speaking to colleagues on how to get results with their clients, how to build their business and how to retain the clientele so that they have for longevity in their careers. Hence, my book Deadline Fitness. My clients were very supportive and proud.
BOYT: What is your philosophy for training for a deadline?
Gina Lombardi: Only do what the body is capable of, safely and effectively in the time you have allowed. No less, no more. Again, this is where "realistic" goals must be defined. In each chapter heading of Deadline Fitness I state what the "expected" goal can be (inches lost, body fat, weight). This is all based on actual client statistics and knowledge of training outcomes from my years of working with various body types.
BOYT: Realistically, what is the shortest length of time a person can train for marked results?
Gina Lombardi: I believe that people can get (if they are doing the right things consistently) 'marked results' as you put it, in two weeks. I'm not saying that everyone will get to their goal inside that window. But I have seen time and time again how much the body can change in two weeks when properly trained, fed, hydrated and rested. It still amazes me.
BOYT: When people decide they want to get in shape or lose weight by a certain date, what is the biggest mistake they can make?
Gina Lombardi: Hands down...starving themselves. For some reason people still think this is a means for weight loss when it actually causes more damage and makes the process longer. Bottom line is, our bodies need fuel to get through workouts, to think, to work, to breathe, etc. Starving may save you a few calories but costs you metabolism dollars in the energy bank account.
BOYT: What would you say to our readers who have a hard time sticking to a plan?
Gina Lombardi: If you are having a hard time sticking to a plan you need to rethink why you are doing it in the first place. Is that reason a strong and valid one? Do you have a wedding coming up? Are you back on the dating scene? A reunion? Your health is failing? Or maybe you are just sick and tired of not feeling good in your clothes. Whatever the reason is, it has to be strong enough to motivate you. That is step one. Step two is finding an activity or sport that excites you enough to make you want to do it at least five times a week. Weight training, pilates, walking, running, hiking, Stairmaster, ellipitcal, rock climbing...the list is endless. If you are the type of person who just hates everything that remotely has to do with exercise, then I would recommend getting a buddy to do something with you. Even if it's going for a walk and talking for an hour. If you enjoy that person's company, you will be more likely to show up and 'get through it.' You both win!!
Lastly, I just want to say that our bodies were meant to move. It is our God given talent. We are capable of doing so much with our bodies and we should respect that and enjoy it. Hopefully you can find ways to challenge yourself while loving the process.
About Gina Lombardi
60,000 hours of one-on-one personal coaching and fifteen years of extensive media experience has made Gina Lombardi one of the most sought after Fitness Experts around the globe.
Gina is HOST of FIT NATION on the Discovery Channel's FitTV, their only investigative reporting show and AUTHOR of the newly released book, DEADLINE FITNESS, which reveals her signature fitness and diet programs used with celebrity clients when time is of the essence. Contributing Editor for MSNBC.COM which features her celebrity fitness tips on their FIT LIST as well as HEALTH Magazine. Her TELEVISION SPOKESPERSON credits include HEALTH Magazine & SHAPE Magazine. Gina is a MEDIA Spokesperson for SCHICK, NASONEX, HawaiiMana ManaWhey SuperFood, Dunkin Brand's Yogurt Smoothie, Purple, FUZE Beverage, SKINS athletic clothing line, THE Healthy Pantry... as well as THE fitness expert for WEIGHT WATCHERS Start Getting Healthy DVD series. Gina also Co-Hosts the popular Weekend Workout Radio Show on Sundays at 1pm/PST
To learn more about Gina, click here.