Rinat Kamaletdinov thought core muscle training sounded a bit boring. But he was in terrible pain and couldn’t walk more than half a block at a time so he was willing to give Elisse Miki’s approach a try. Rinat has Sciatica from an old injury and last fall he had a nasty flare up. After a couple of months of constant pain and treatment, it was suggested to him that he find a personal trainer who specializes in rehabilitation. That’s how he ended up at Precision training with Elisse.

Elisse and Rinat have been focusing on strengthening his core muscles.

He’s been working with her three times a week since February. She started him slow with very low weights and small ranges of movement. Even then Rinat saw a positive effect quickly. As his core muscles grew stronger his pain came under control, and he was able to do more. In addition to his three training sessions he now also does low impact cardio on his own twice a week: walking, rowing machine and swimming.

Elisse and Rinat have been focusing on strengthening his core muscles.Elisse and Rinat
Rinat learned that rehab training can be a slow process, by necessity. Once training started moving a little too quickly and the sciatica flared up again -but he and Elisse went back to a gentle approach for a few weeks and got things quickly under control again. For Rinat the experience “proved that the training was indeed what had got the sciatica pain under control in the first place.”

“I’d done weight training on my own before my big flare up last fall, but had thought I wouldn’t be able to do any more until I’d dealt with my Sciatica; not only was I in pain, I was frustrated that I couldn’t be active” says Rinat. “I started training with Elisse because I wanted to get the sciatica under control, but I saw what a huge improvement core training had on my overall well-being, and that it would allow me to continue to build the body I wanted, which hadn’t been possible while I was in pain”.

For Elisse, clients like Rinat are one of the reasons she became a personal trainer: Rehab combines her love of fitness with her academic expertise. She loves to help people, so a dedicated client who appreciates the difference training can make and enjoys the process is very rewarding.

Jen and Courtney have trained with Jade McClure for 8 months.

Jade says that “Nothing tastes as good as fit and healthy feels” and the truth of that quickly became clear to long-time training buddies Jen and Courtney.

They’ve been training for marathons together for over three years and along they way they’ve tried other personal trainers and bootcamps. Courtney’s dad referred them to Jade when they were looking for training that was more tailored to their needs. “We really like Jade’s well-rounded, consistent approach and strong technique,” said Jen. “The biggest realization I’ve gained from Jade” adds Courtney “is that I don’t have to spend hours in the gym to get in shape if I also focus on my nutrition.”

Jade has become their ‘clean eating’ resource.  Jen and Courtney run with two other women, and Jade got all four of them on a clean eating program.  “We noticed a huge difference,” says Jen, “weight loss, increased energy, improved overall health.”

Jen and Courtney ran their fourth marathon in May (plus a handful of half marathons). Now they’re more in maintenance mode. Courtney is focusing on her upper body in anticipation of her wedding in August. Each week they train twice with Jade, run at least twice together and possibly a few times on their own.

“They’re really dream clients” says Jade, “they show up early, always warmed up, work hard and always have fun.”

Precision Athletics Vancouver boot camp client Kristie Thomas doing a full pull up!

In June I ran my first half marathon and I thought I was in great shape, but I wanted something other than running in my fitness routine so I googled “Vancouver boot camp” and found Precision Athletics. With their free week trial I really had nothing to lose. After my first class with Craig I was hooked! I realized that just because I could run I was not in great shape, I had a hard time doing 5 pushups from my knees and even an assisted chin up was an impossible feat! Now I am in the greatest shape of my life, my running has improved from my added strength, I can do 15 pushups from my TOES and I can do 2 chin ups. I am also reminded twice a week that even though I am in great shape I have a long way to go. Craig’s boot camp will kick your butt and tone it at the same time.

- Kristie