Weighing Up The Options
Sun Herald
Sunday January 20, 2002
LARGER-THAN-LIFE comedian Mikey Robins relied heavily on his personal trainers to help him with his recent successful weight-loss program.
One of Robins's trainers, Andrew Simmons, initially studied to be an accountant. Halfway through the course, he realised he hated it and switched to a Sports Science degree at the University of NSW.
Simmons set up his personal training business 12 years ago, after working in a gym. He has a staff of 20 personal trainers and a diverse range of clients have included MPs, athletes, celebrities and corporate high-flyers.
A good personal trainer provides clients (famous or not) with a tailor-made fitness program and the motivation, skills and advice to help them exercise efficiently and regularly.
``The most important thing with dealing with a celebrity is to treat them like a normal person," Simmons said.
Trainer Geoff Jowatt turned up at Robins's house and emptied his pantry.
``We let him go out to lunch with his TV and radio mates maybe once a week," Simmons said.
One of Robins's trainers, Tracie Edmondson, was a sports journalist. She completed a BA in Journalism and Human Movement and has since completed a fitness leader certificate and is doing the Certificate IV qualification in personal training.
Although there are no government regulations for personal trainers, there is a national accreditation scheme administered in NSW by the peak industry body, Fitness NSW.
Personal trainers have various qualifications, from university degrees in Applied Science to certificate courses offered by private providers.
Nutritionists also play vital parts preparing actors for roles.
``I was the one who starved the boys for Changi," said nutritionist Liz Ryan, referring to the 2001 ABC TV series.
``I told them that eating lots of rice will help you get into character. A few of them got a bit grumpy."
Ryan has been a nutritionist and qualified dietitian for 18 years and began in private practice 10 years ago.
Nutritionists affiliated with the professional body, the Dietitians Association of Australia, are called Accredited Practising Dietitians.
NUTRITIONISTS
Starting salary: $700 a week for a grade 1 dietitian in a public hospital in NSW.
Length of training: Both the University of Newcastle and the University of Wollongong run four-year undergraduate degree courses.
More information: Dietitians Association of Australia www.daa.asn.au.
Sports Dietitians Australia www.ausport.gov.au/sda/home.html.
PERSONAL TRAINERS
Starting salary: About $480 a week for a certificate-qualified personal trainer with a gym or fitness centre.
Length of training: Certificate IV in fitness the minimum qualification for registration as a personal trainer takes 20 weeks.
More Information:
Fitness NSW www.fitnessnsw.com.au/.
Fitness Institute of Australia www.fia.com.au/.
NSW Sport and Recreation Guide to Courses www.nswsritab.asn.au/careers/default.asp.
© 2002 Sun Herald