Getting fit is my surprise birthday gift

Jun 18 2009 by Nicholas Craig, The Journal

I WAS presented with a series of personal trainer sessions as a birthday present by someone who knows me all too well.

Once over the initial shock of receiving body boot camp as a gift I slowly warmed to the idea of pleasant trips to the gym and positive encouragement from a toned, attractive and, of course, female trainer.

What I got was a six-foot six-inch man of iron. My first session involved a “brisk walk” up hills and down dales. As a regular dog walker, I was relieved. Nothing could be simpler. “Walk”, however, is a relative term. Steaming ahead as if the last bus was about to leave he strode on as I puffed and panted to keep his disappearing back view in sight.

We decided that the next session would involve golf. That same feeling of relief and slight smugness returned. I am a keen and experienced golfer. Nothing could be simpler.

The trainer, however is a scratch golfer – a handicap of zero – and therefore extremely hard to beat. He also promised the same “exhilarating” pace throughout the 18 holes that I had somehow survived during the walk. I am now in training for my trainer.

Personal trainers have metamorphosed from stars’ status symbols to business people’s fitness motivators. From my brief experience to date I am beginning to understand why.

Our working lives are increasingly sedentary, slouching from computer to meeting room to car, day after day. We all know that exercise is necessary to combat the physical and mental effects of all that addictive comfort. Gyms, however, require rigorous discipline simply to get there and stay for more than 15 minutes.

A personal trainer provides the answer for would-be sporty types like me, hampered by advancing years, busy timetables and a hankering for an evening in front of the TV.

There are now corporate personal trainers who will jog into the workplace to keep you fit while you battle with the day’s deadlines. There are even online fitness trainers whose advice you can download and digest instead of biscuits.

The trainer is an inspiration to get going again, and to build up the stamina that makes working life flow more easily.

As with all successful business relationships, the personal approach is a guaranteed winner.

My sons, for the good of my health or their amusement, are now threatening to extend the training sessions. I’ll be a lean, mean legal machine by 2010.

Nicholas Craig, Watson Burton law firm