Trainers Truly in Your Corner: Trainers Truly in Your Corner
By Noel Rubinton, Newsday, Melville, N.Y.
Jan. 12–Getting in shape, or just staying fit, can be intimidating.
Yet a big change in society in recent decades has been an increased determination to exercise, eat right and do other things to prolong our active lives. Strides in modern medicine and science have buttressed these efforts.
In light of all this, it’s not surprising that people in the Act Two generation now are participating in exercise programs, at gyms and other venues, in record numbers. The Baby Boom generation has been fighting middle-age flab and low energy for some time now, and the health club has been a prime battlefield.
In our cover story today, John Hanc, one of the top health and fitness writers in our area and a regular contributor to our section and other parts of Newsday, writes about a trend that is further fueling the fitness boom among older people. Older trainers and fitness instructors are growing in number and in sophistication. How much of a difference does this make? Lots. Think about interactions you have when you feel even the least bit vulnerable. Would you like to have that experience with someone older or younger than you? I’m usually more comfortable with someone my age or older. If there’s any potential for embarrassment, it feels less painful in the company of someone my age or older.
This certainly applies to exercise. While it can be engaging and enlightening to see and hear from someone much younger, it’s also a bit disconcerting. With someone my age, I feel somehow safer, and I feel the person might understand my life and issues better.
As Hanc points out, trainers over 40 have touched a chord. In far better shape than most of us, the remarkable people he’s chosen to profile have built up loyal followings.
This week we continue to expand our multimedia and Web efforts. The video that accompanied our tattoo story last month was one of the most played videos on the entire newsday.com site for the month (and it’s still available through newsday.com/act2). We hope you enjoy this week’s video of Carla Ferriere, one of our featured instructors.
We also have a slide show of photographs online, sharing pictures beyond what we’re able to print in the paper. And the Act Two Web page has a variety of other stories beyond what’s in the print section, with more being added during the week.
Stop by and visit.
LET US HEAR FROM YOU. We welcome comments, suggestions and letters for possible publication. E-mail retire@newsday,com or write Act Two Editor, Business Desk, Newsday, 235 Pinelawn Rd., Melville, NY 11747-4250. Include name, address, day and night telephone numbers.
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