Micah N. Cunningham – Vida Forte Fitness
As a personal trainer, I believe in helping people live a better, healthier, stronger, and longer life. My passion and goal is to motivate and help people achieve their goals, whether it’s weight loss, strength training, endurance, competition or simply being able to move and do things with more ease and less pain, through exercises, stretching, and nutrition.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
The first phone conversation or meeting is introductory information with a few questions to see if any medical clearance is needed prior to our first session.
At this point I also asked the client to begin a one week food diary of everything they put into their body and when. I will then give, email or mail the client an assessment & medical history questionnaire to be filled out prior to first session.
This gives me enough information to be able to do a physical assessment at the first session which will include exercises allowing me to note body alignment, movement habits, flexibility and strength ability.
We go over and discuss both written and physical assessment and clients goals which then allows me to customize a specific progressive work out plan for the individual client based on their needs, goals and ability. Usually it is a 4-12 week plan which (depending on the clients progression).
I will switch up as needed to allow for continual improvement. Because no two clients are alike and progression and goal achievement is different I work with each client and their work out/ nutrition plan on an individual basis.
What types of customers have you worked with?
I work with clients and groups of all ages (past clients have ranged in ages from 3 to 97+ years!!) I’ve taught Kids dance, Kids cardio, sports conditioning to extreme athletes and I’ve spent a lot of time in pools and on land with clients for rehab (hip replacements, knee replacements, torn rotator cuff etc..)
My focus is on the needs and goals of the client… I make use of everything from floor exercises, machines, free weights as well as balance and stabilization equipment and exercises. Whatever the goal…rehab, ease of movement, weight loss, toning, flexibility, muscle gain, strength conditioning, strength endurance, cardio endurance to completion readiness.
It’s my goal to get you there!
Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
I can truly say I have enjoyed every client I have had as well as all my groups and have become close friends with many. Any time I have a client that makes an improvement or accomplishes goals that they thought impossible the joy in their eyes and the excitement of accomplishment becomes my favorite project at that time and place!
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Personal Training is a personalized request . Each client is different no matter if their goals are the same and the client and goals need to be handled on a personal basis based on the ability and condition. Also since the client will be working closely with the trainer it important that a good working relationship and parameters of that relationship are addressed. The personal trainer has to be able to adapt to the personality of the client and what works best as far as motivation . Therefore its important the client does their research and finds a good fit. Some clients need and want a loud and forceful push some prefer a softer technique and a lot of explanation. It’s the job of the trainer to be able to not just train but guide the client.