Anita Johnson, CPT

Anita began her fitness career in 1996 by completing fitness education courses through Fitness Institute For Training. Course studies included, Sports Speed Development, Designing Muscle Function Programs, Strength Conditioning, and Manual Resistance. In 1997, Anita successfully completed a Primary Fitness Instructor course through, Fitness Group Atlanta, which included Anatomy, Kinesiology, Strength Training, Exercise Physiology, and emergency procedures. In 1999 she successfully completed the American Fitness & Aerobic Association Step Aerobics Instructor Certification Course, and also the National Council of Strength & Fitness Personal Training Certification Course.

Anita has since held positions in the fitness industry with companies such as Bally Total Fitness, Australian Body Works, LA Fitness, and Atlanta Health & Fitness. In 2000 Anita attended the United States Sports Academy and received a certification in Sports Administration & Finance. Also in March of 2000 began her career with Victory Church as the Athletic & Fitness Director. Currently a certified Aerobics Instructor, Personal Trainer, and Children's Exercise Specialist through American Fitness Professional & Associates, Anita continues to assist individual in making life changes in diet and exercise.

Being diagnosed with chronic hypertension, I knew I needed to have a well-balanced diet and a custom exercise regiment in order to have a successful pregnancy and healthy baby. Anithea Johnson was more than willing to assist me in achieving both goals and did so with a caring yet determined attitude.

At the onset of working with Anithea, I consistently had blood pressure readings of 140/90. During our six- month training sessions I worked out 3 times per week for one hour, monitoring my blood pressure daily along with eating a well-balanced diet. Anithea constructed aerobic exercises specifically designed for pregnant women while keeping in mind that I have high blood pressure. The exercises strengthened my legs and thighs along with increasing my level of stamina...something greatly desired by all women going through labor.

Although I ended up having to get an emergency c-section, I was able to endure 17 hours of labor gliding through 15 hours of contractions without medication. "I owe my level of preparedness to Anithea and her commitment to me achieving my initial goals! In the end, I only gained 18 pounds during my entire pregnancy, had consistent blood pressure readings of 118/78 during my third trimester and had a beautiful and healthy baby boy!" I highly recommend Anithea Johnson as your fitness trainer!

During my husband's long illness, he showed me how important exercise is to being healthy and living your best life regardless of your physical state. He helped me get started exercising and gave lots of encouragement to push myself to compete with myself always striving for my personal best. Since my husband's transition three and a half years ago, there have been many days when just getting out of bed is a major task never mind exercising. I needed someone to partner with me in order to continue my healthy diet and exercise plan. Anithea Johnson answered that call. Anithea listened to my concerns as I shared my story with her, she wasted no time putting together a flexible, comprehensible, professional, yet customized program just for me. "Anithea is an excellent motivator and knows just how much pressure to apply to get you to the next level. Her regiments are never boring and always challenging!"

Whether it's cardio or weights, climbing or walking, circuit training or jogging, sit-ups or leg lifts, Anithea makes sure your form is correct and you get the maximum benefit from your workout. "Anithea has the right combination of compassion and determination to not only help you get the job done but do it well!" For me, there is no other fitness trainer...I suggest you give her a try...I am totally confident you will agree that Anithea is the best!

Below Anita explains how she got into the business of personal training, her overall approach with clients, her fitness philosophies and more.

A: Health and Fitness has always been a huge part of my life in which I truly enjoyed. Once I reached a point where I understood the how it brings quality to your life I decided to become more educated in the field. My mission is to help people increase their physical activity in order to lead healthy lifestyles. I have fulfilled this mission by reaching people in their everyday environments and providing a variety of fun yet innovative fitness programs for people of all ages and lifestyles.

A: Through out my years of training, I have worked with trainers that have the "No Pain No Gain" philosophy. I have watched as they tell clients what to do while they stand along side and yell and push like a drill sergeant. The client then leaves the trainer feeling awful with no idea why they performed the exercises given and no idea how to continue on with the program. In some cases they are in so much pain they never want to return or use a trainer ever again. My goal as a trainer is to have an affect on the client's life first and then their body. Helping clients to understand that true health and fitness is a life change not a quick fix, opens their mind and creates motivation to do whatever it takes to reach their goals. "Change your way of life and a beautiful body is only one side effect." My specialty is creating weight loss and teaching the client methods to keep the weight off.

A: The biggest challenge I face with clients is, teaching them to manage their time in order to have balance throughout their day, week and month. In order to achieve your goals you have to create your plan, work your plan and log your progress. This takes more discipline than showing up for each work out and is much more difficult.

A: I continue to do my job as trainer and provide them with the necessary tools and information to succeed and keep records to show what their progress could be if they were serious.

A: The most important component to personal training is learning to " work smarter and not harder." You can achieve this by allowing a trainer to perform fitness testing and create a personalized program that get results.

A: My strength as a trainer is my ability to design individual cardiovascular programs that are exciting and very effective. My weakness is my lack of experience in training to build body mass.

A: First, I don't believe in diets! I believe in healthy eating plans that you can continue throughout your life. The "Atkins Diet" suggest that people should eat more meats and cheeses rather than fruits and vegetables. This method can work as a quick fix for those that are able to follow it. Because the diet recommends animal protein, vegetarians would not be able to follow this diet.

A: How can I loose my stomach?
How can I loose weight without doing cardiovascular work?
If I lift weights will I build big masculine muscles?
If I work out can I still eat what I want and loose weight?

A: Bill Phillips, Body For Life

A: My greatest success story is actually my 9-year-old son Kevin. At the age of 7, Kevin began to gain weight very quickly and was considered the" fat kid" in class. Most people would say its just baby fat and he would loose it, as he gets older. However, something in my heart told me that was not the case my son was on a very dangerous road. I didn't quite understand why this was happening because I made sure he lead a very active life my playing sports year round and eating a full the balanced meal that was required for a growing boy. At the age of 7 my son became my first youth personal training client. I began by having a heart to heart talk with him about his weight and what the other children would say about him. We also talked about his desire to want to perform better in sports and this became our motivation. I changed the meals and served him the same meals I was eating. I put him on a regular training schedule in addition to the sports he was playing, which caused him to have physical activity 6 days a week. Today at 9 years old, Kevin is 12 pounds lighter and has a very toned muscular build. He was recently given the "Most Athletic Award" and he the most highly sought after 9 year-old basketball player in his basketball league. He is also truly happy with his life change and is now self motivated to continue this life style.

A: My advice to a client beginning a fitness program for the first time is to be sure you have committed yourself 100%. You have to plane your life around your fitness program and make sure you do something everyday that brings you one step closer to your goal.

A: As a personal trainer and aerobic instructor I am very comfortable with both.

A: My future goals are to have a Family Fitness Center with programs for all ages.