By Vanessa Brazeau
Sometimes getting motivated to tone up takes more than the dreaded changeroom mirror when trying on new items for your summer wardrobe. Health benefits and personal satisfaction should be enough reason to eat well and get into shape, but generally it takes someone screaming into your ear and making you cry (in the best of ways) to get those booties poppin’.

If you’re looking for someone to help you get those double takes at the beach this summer, Fitness Trainer Christina Longo is your girl. She understands the lifestyle of ambitious city women because she is one herself. Her empathetic rates make it easy for those of us at the beginning our careers to afford a trainer and her flexible schedule will most likely match yours.

If I was any more vain, I probably would have refrained from revealing her to the world so I could have less competition this summer, but than I remembered I’m not a bitch. So as my gift to you, meet Christina Longo, the last person you’ll want to see with a hangover and the first you’ll thank for what happened the night before.

Many personal trainers are content with working for a gym because it provides them a pretty stable clientele. What inspired you to make the leap into working for yourself?
I like being able to have variety during my week, it keeps things fresh & keeps me alert. Like any job, staying in one place and working the same 8 hours a days can become stale.

You went to UBC for film studies. How did the interest in fitness come about?
I have always been very active since my early teens. Snowboarding, lifting weights, playing soccer, surfing. It wasn’t until I went through a negative experience with over-training & injuring myself that I considered it. I love fitness, sports, and I want to help everyone achieve their goals safely, positively & effectively. I want people to train smart and avoid what I experienced.

I’ve noticed you put more than just your instructional skills into your training sessions. You really commit everything to your clients, you even give them your lunch when they forget to eat before sessions!! Do you feel that this can be a burden sometimes?
No, a lot of people do not put their health & fitness first, so I am there to be that extra support that will make the difference. If something is worth doing, it is worth doing right & sometimes that means putting in the extra effort outside of the session.

What is your goal over the next 5 years?
I hope to have completed my Performance Enhancement Specialist to work with sporting teams & individuals to refine their training and gain an edge in their discipline. Also I’d like to use all my skills to keep my clients on track, hopefully ones I am working with now will still be working with me!

Whats a typical work day like for you?
Breakfast, always first! Bootcamp at the community centre. Back to the gym, 15-30 mins to finish up any prep for the day. 2-3 clients back to back, maybe a 30-hour lunch break & time to send emails, do research & sort my schedule for the week. 2-4 more clients. Grab my music & head out to instruct spin class!

Sometimes I teach two bootcamps, AM and PM, and sometimes Spin is in the morning or afternoon! Its a little different everyday & I love it!

You’ve just started an outdoor bootcamp, what do you do in a typical session?
We start with a light cardio warm up, usually easy jogging, then add in a variety of dynamic movements such as side shuffle, bum kicks, knees up, etc. in order to loosen the joints, warm up the muscles and safely elevate the heart rate before exercise. For the workout, we use one minute segments and alternate between strength and cardiovascular exercises incorporating agility and balance for a complete and high energy workout. Some may include squat to shoulder press with the resistance band, then sprints, finishing with squats. We utilize bands, body weight, agility ladders and cones to keep things fresh & challenging.

What are your favorite things to do/places to go in Vancouver that help you maintain a healthy lifestyle?
I love the Chief and the Grouse Grind, as well as biking or jogging on the sea wall or beach trails. I like the long, steady pace that is different from the more interval training of spin. I also love the amount of parks in Vancouver, I can always find or organize a soccer game when I have time!

What are your favorite things to do/places to go in Vancouver that cancel out this healthy lifestyle?
I usually have to do alot of socializing by the time the weekend comes around and I love hitting the patio and catching up with friends over beers. Also, I love red meat, one of the best dishes I have had was the venison medallions at Three Lions Pub, so delicious. I am big on moderation, I decide what is worth it and then focus on eating extremely well the rest of the time and forgoing junk so that I don’t set myself back.

Do you find that being a woman makes it harder to find male clients?
Yes, very often you need the opportunity to train them in order to prove that you are capable of giving them the program and challenge that they need. Often, you just never get the opportunity.

What do you offer to Vancouverites looking to get in shape for summer?
I can offer a personalized workout to meet their exact needs. It can be a fun, dynamic & challenging workout with a focus on core stability & posture while supporting their transition into a healthier overall lifestyle. I also offer nutrition advice & support, and training designed to ensure longevity in their other physical pursuits.

Christina offers to kick your ass personally in her one on one sessions or with friends during her group bootcamps. This girl is the real deal. Check her website and get in touch !
http://thepursuitpersonaltraining.com/