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Monday, August 20, 2001


[AT WORK]



art
BURL BURLINGAME / BBURLINGAME@STARBULLETIN.COM



Personal trainer

Helping people get into better shape
at 24-Hour Fitness is a labor of love

CHRISTIE BRIDGES >> "As a Personal Trainer at 24-Hour Fitness, the gym where I work, there's never a dull moment. I'm not a PT to the stars, and I don't do marathons or body-building competitions. What I do is help little old ladies reduce their blood pressure, teach young people why a low-fat whole-wheat turkey sandwich is a lot better for them than a cheeseburger, and show potential marathoners and body-builders the road to success.

The hardest part of my job is convincing people that they do need help, and generally speaking, boy, do they! The fallout rate for gym memberships is tremendous -- people getting injured as a result of improper form; people not getting anticipated results; those dropping out due to lack of motivation. I didn't realize I'd also be a psychologist, entertainer and mother.

This job challenges my knowledge and skills, but also my ability to sell the product and myself; and my ability to communicate with people -- every one of whom understands and learns differently.

Money? Forget it! It's a labor of love -- and the feeling that comes when someone manages to lift a weight he has never been able to lift before, or when she is able to get into a dress that hasn't fit in years. That's the reward."


Burl Burlingame, bburlingame@starbulletin.com


At Work is a weekly feature that shows and tells what people do for a living in their own words. Send comments and submissions to: business@starbulletin.com.



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