Monique Barashango, CPT

Bio Coming Soon...

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

A: I became a personal trainer due to my passion for helping others to be the best they can be (healthwise and in terms of self-esteem). After my son became severely ill, I nursed him back to health by gaining as much knowledge as I could about nutrition and healthy living and then implemented this information into our daily habits. Once I began learning so much information about healthy eating and sharing it with others, I naturally began to learn about proper exercise techniques. Eventually I began to train others about both good nutrition and exercise habits.

A: I am unique as a personal trainer in that I treat each client as if they are my only client when I am in their presence. My full focus during our time together is on their needs and their training. In addition, I really care about people and my sincere dedication to them reaching their fitness goals shows right through. My specialty is motivating others to be their best. Most clients enjoy my Pilates , strength training, and abdominal workouts the most.

A: The biggest challenge I face when training clients is getting them to become self-motivated when I'm not there. This is what will ultimately lead to long-term success in the achievement and maintenance of their fitness goals.

A: I deal with clients that aren't serious by telling them exactly what I think about them wasting my time and theirs. That's like a patient going to the doctor's office just to "talk" and get attention while knowing full well they are not sick. Therefore, they are wasting not only the doctor's time, but also taking up valuable time that could be used to assist those that are really in need. The same theory also applies to us as personal trainers.

A: The most important component to personal training is not only loving what you do, but also loving what you do to change the lives of people on a healthy and long-term basis. Ultimately you are teaching them to love themselves each and everyday of their lives by making healthy choices in both food and exercise habits, not only when they want to lose weight, but everyday. This will keep them looking and feeling their healthiest at all times.

A: My strengths as a trainer is my ability to assess a person's needs and attitude almost immediately without them even saying a word. My weakness is that I tend to become emotionally attached to my clients (without losing my "drill sergeant" attitude, of course).

A: I think that the "Atkins Diet" is a short term fix for a short term weight loss goal that can result in long-term unhealthy effects on the body. The artery clogging habits that this diet encourages can have devastating effects on the body long after the weight loss goal is achieved. Most people I know gain the weight right back after whatever "event" they were losing it for has passed. Thus, they repeat the diet over and over again. Due to the lack of important carbs (as found in the Atkin's diet) that are essential during exercise, most people end up with a lack of energy. Why diet to look good and not feel good, when you could have the best of both worlds by simply eating healthy and exercising regularly?

A: The question I am asked most is "how soon will I lose the weight and how can I keep it off". I, in turn, ask how willing are they to change their daily habits in order to lose the weight and keep it off?" The sooner we get started, the sooner they can lose the weight.

A: My favorite fitness author is George Malkmus, "Why Christians Get Sick".

A: My greatest success story has been and continues to be my son who has gone from the smallest and most sickly child in his class, to the healthiest and tallest boy in his class.

A: For clients first starting a fitness program, I advise them to vary their daily fitness routine to keep it fun, yet challenging. You wouldn't sit down to relax and read a book that you know you didn't like in the first place. The same theory applies to an exercise routine. Do what you enjoy, but push yourself a little more if there is no challenge in the routine (over time). In the beginning, particularly with overweight persons, the goal is just to keep moving and get into a regular routine. I also emphasize healthy eating (which undeniably leads to quicker results).

A: I prefer one-on-one training the most because it's more personal and gives me a better opportunity to treat my client as if they are my only client in the world. This creates a certain client-trainer bond that keeps them coming back!

A: My personal goals in the future are to motivate and educate as many people as I can about daily healthy living. This, in turn, keeps me motivated to "practice what I preach" and gives me a better quality of life also (both physically and mentally).