Personal Training at the ERJCC

With the plethora of candy and sweet treats to be consumed in the coming months it's no surprise that a lot of folks have fitness on their mind. A popular trend in Fitness Centers across the nation right now is personal training. It's not always affordable, but it is the preferred workout for those who want to see results. There is no shortage of experienced and knowledgeable personal trainers at the ERJCC Fitness Center.

Blair Bushong

Blair Bushong is the ERJCC's Fitness Program Coordinator. She has a B.A. in Kinesiology from Southwestern University and a M.A. in Fitness & Human Performance from University of Houston - Clear Lake. She is certified as a Health & Fitness Specialist from the American College of Sports Medicine. She also is also a certified instructor in BodyPump™ and Precision Cycling.

Her specialties include post rehabilitative strength and conditioning, weight loss, health promotion and functional training. She is an athlete herself having competed in the Florida Ironman Triathlon.

"My philosophy is that exercise does not have to be excruciatingly painful to be beneficial," explains Bushong. "Health clubs and trainers have a done a lot in my opinion to scare people away with the ‘no pain no gain philosophy.' I believe in challenging my clients, but I am more concerned about the effectiveness of the exercise, the form and my clients' goals rather than just trying to make them sore."

76 year old Leah Nitishin credits personal training at the ERJCC for her fitness and good health. She was one of Bushong's first clients eight years ago and has been training with her ever since.

"You gain self confidence by the encouragement your trainer provides. Blair knows what I can do and she challenges me, but she also helps me along the way. You need a trainer that is insightful and considerate and respectful of the person's body," said Nitishin.

Brenda Boyd

Brenda Boyd is another one of the elite personal trainers on staff at the JCC. She comes from Oklahoma University where she studied Applied Science. She is certified as an AFAA Personal Trainer, AFAA Group Exercise Instructor, Turbo Kick Instructor, Les Mills Body Pump Instructor and a certified trainer in Pilates. She specializes in core; flexibility and helping people live a healthier lifestyle. She too is an athlete with a black belt in Go Ju Ru. She was featured in the July 2008 issue of Oxygen magazine as a "Future Fitness Star," and she recently took 1st place in the Women Open Novice Body Building competition.

The personal training team consists of other qualified and experienced trainers. They are: Lee Hardy, Corl Buckner, a former pro football player, Sal Garza and Jackie Suchsland.

The JCC excels in the area of personal training because a variety of programs and venues. Clients are trained in our new fitness center on state of the art equipment, in the pool or even across the street on the bayou.

"The fact that we have such variety to offer our clients allows our great group of trainers to make each workout a little different. We encourage our clients to take the group exercise and mind/body classes that we have at the ERJCC such as spinning, Body Pump, 65+ yoga, tai chi, or Pilates," said Boyd.

Right now fitness center members can try out three personal training sessions for $99. Whether you want to tone up or bulk up. There is a trainer for you. The personal trainers at the J offer a holistic health and wellness experience that many other places in town cannot match.

Learn more about Personal Training at the ERJCC...