Friends that train together, stick together!

Kevin is very talkative. He was late on the first day (that’s why I remembered him), he went straight to my table, sat down, and we started talking (non-stop! LOL) – Mary Sha

Our first contact was when we were asked to ‘teach’ a buddy an exercise. That was how I got to know Mary. – Veron

Our 7th post of ‘100 seconds with 100 personal trainers’ features 4 classmates turned buddies – Veron Lim, Mary Sha, Kevin Lam and Aaron Chew. Let’s see how their friendship started and where it will head to!

Tell us about your background. Do you know each other prior joining PTDP?

Veron, Lena and Mary during the PTDP course

Veron: Our first contact was when we were asked to ‘teach’ a buddy an exercise. That was how I got to know Mary.

At first, I wanted to gain some knowledge for self-development and hopefully can help my friends who are overweight or obese. I have been exercising regularly all along but didn’t get the chance to join the fitness industry yet. One of the reason is that I didn’t know that there is actually a fitness education center out there that offers fitness certification until one of my friend got his ACE via FITM. It was then, I finally decided to quit my sales job in the automotive industry and pursue something I like.

Mary’s amazing transformation

Mary: I used to be very fat and weak. So I joined the gym and did group classes which I find exciting and fun, and thought it was a good idea to take up PT. I was a Sales Designer for an interior design company. Just like Veron, I quit my job to do this course full time. Well, my first impression on Kevin is that he is very talkative. He was late on the first day (that’s why I remembered him) he went straight to my table, sat down, and we started talking (non-stop! LOL).

Kevin’s jaw-dropping transformation

Kevin: Well I was thinking to be a trainer if I don’t get to be in the aviation industry and also don’t think investing in a fitness certification is a waste because I treat it as a lifestyle. I worked as a chef then later in the banking industry. I quit my bank job and joined the PT course full-time. Fitness is one of my passion, therefore I decided to join the course for my own knowledge and to learn how to train people.

Aaron during his convocation (pc: Aaron’s Facebook)

Aaron: I sat on the same table as Kevin and Mary on the first day of class – that’s how we got closer! I have just completed my bachelor degree in a local university. (Congrats!!)

We noticed that the 4 of you have become very close throughout the 1 month fast track PT course, what do you guys do other than attending the PT course together?

Coincidentally, we are from all over Malaysia and we came to KL just for the course, therefore we spend a lot of time together. After class, we workout together, have dinner and definitely study for the exams (that’s how we ACE-ed the exams! haha). It was also fun that we went to Fitness First for free trial to meet one of our educator, Key’s Bodypump class and Veron did the fitness fx – blast fx trial class by Kim and got herself kpopxfitness certified!

After Key’s bodypump class

Veron, after fitness fx trial class!

Also, after completing the ACE exam, we went to Redang Island for vacation, visited Kevin’s hometown in Melaka. We even bumped into a famous television actor in a gym in Melaka! Pure luck 🙂

How did you prepare for ACE exam?

We have group discussion after class in the cafe. It helped each of us understand better on what was covered in the class.

So you guys passed the ACE exam and you are now CERTIFIED! What is your next step?

The FANTASTIC-4 on FITM’s wall of fame 🙂

Aaron: I’m getting some experience in a large-chain gym now. I hope to inspire people to adopt healthy lifestyle. The most satisfying part of being a PT for me is not about making sales, but it’s when your client tells you that you’ve helped them. It was just yesterday, a client told me that he improved in his golf swings after we did some core training. And when someone appreciates what you do, the feeling is just so awesome! My personal goal is to build good rapport with gym members even if they are not my clients/potential clients. You wouldn’t know one day, they might refer their friends to you.

Mary: I am currently doing freelance personal training and training two clients, male n female. I chose to become a freelancer after understanding the differences in employed and freelance trainer. Being a freelance PT gives us more flexibility in time, but I get financial stress. Also we have to be more independent in getting things done. As a start, I gave trial sessions to potential clients and at the same time maintain good customer service and attitude so that people will refer their friends to you.

I am planning to pursue some group fitness certification and hopefully everything goes well so I can start to conduct group classes .

Veron: I am looking forward to join a gym to get some experience. My aim is to become a certified (checked!) and experienced personal trainer to help more people make fitness part of their lifestyle.

Kevin: For me, I have just accepted an offer to work in the aviation industry (my another priority than fitness). Otherwise I will be doing personal training full time.

Any advice for young adults who wishes to pursue a fitness certification?

Kevin: For those who are passionate about fitness, go all out and do not hesitate to continuously learn. Although we’re ACE CPT, we understand that being certified is just the first step. Right now, although I’ve decided to join the airlines, I am still finding ways to get my training and nutrition on point…

Mary: From my point of view, before attending this course I admit that I have very different concept of personal training. Initially I thought PT only help people to achieve their desired body. But then when I get to know more, PT need to discover more about client’s condition i.e. postural problem and medical history before training them, it’s not one size fits all. No wonder many trainers who have not gone through certification don’t see why they need to be certified – because they think PT is all about exercise techniques and they will train their clients like how they train themselves.

Aaron: For those guys & girls who are interested in fitness, please do sign up for the courses in FITM. Educators & staffs there will provide you valuable knowledge and wonderful experience you find nowhere in Malaysia. In fact, I even have the feeling that FITM is my second home with all the endless support, encouragement and genuine smile that is always welcoming me. Bonus, you will find priceless friendship like what I did if you’re lucky.

Veron: Fully recommend them to sign up as this is a fantastic investment if you are passionate about fitness (even if you are not going to become a trainer). In fact I already have a friend (already a trainer) from Ipoh joining the Bodybuilding For Personal Trainer Course. I have also recommended FITM to a few friends of mine.

Bonus, you will find priceless friendship like what I did if you’re lucky. – Aaron

Well, we at FITM wishes all of you the best on your future endeavour! Glad that you made new friends and hopefully, new career!

Previous ‘100 Seconds with 100 Personal Trainers’ Series:

Debut
Bartender and Psychology Student
Transformation: Female Bankers to Coaches
Engineering People’s Lives
They Can Now Treat and Train
Superwomen – PT Moms