Virtual fitness coach makes headlines in Calgary Herald
Michelle Magnan, Calgary Herald Published: Thursday, March 22, 2007
The virtual fitness coach
Like fitness videos of the ’80s, audio workouts for your MP3 player are the latest thing … check out Toronto-based Yuri Elkaim’s new series of audio-guided workouts for MP3 players and iPods. A former professional soccer player, Elkaim is the founder of Total Wellness Consulting and the strength and conditioning coach for the
University of Toronto’s men’s soccer team.
The idea for his audio workouts came to him about a year and a half ago, when a client he was training told Elkaim he should record his instructions. He saw a good opportunity.“It’s definitely an up-and-coming trend. We’re at the forefront of a whole new movement, kind of like the whole ’80s fitness video era,†says Elkaim. “It will hit that tipping point where it’ll just take off, considering that so many people are using MP3 players and iPods nowadays.â€Elkaim offers a few series. His Fitter U program provides 35 hours of circuit training sessions and is a combination of weight-lifting and cardiovascular intervals. It’s the first weight-lifting audio workout I’ve come across. All you need is a step, a stability ball, some weights and a cardio machine. And if you’re working out at home and don’t have a machine, skipping rope or jogging on the spot works, too.
The Fitter U program also comes with information on healthy eating, an Excel spreadsheet to help track your workouts and a reward points system. The package costs $134.
His second series is a three-volume running program called Treadmill Trainer. Each volume costs $12.95. And then there are the Elliptical Workouts, two 35-minute-long workouts for $12.95 each. Elkaim says people at all fitness levels can benefit from his structured workouts. To check them out, and other sites, see Where to find an audio trainer, above.
The other day at the gym, I listened to volume two of Elkaim’s Treadmill Trainer program. While there is continuous music throughout, Elkaim provides a lot of instruction.
“I try to provide a good amount of structure,†he says, “and, on top of that, provide ongoing motivation. It helps the individual push beyond what they thought were their limits.â€
He estimates he talks for 60 per cent of the time. “Imagine yourself running with a running partner or coach, without (the person) actually being there.â€
Having a virtual running buddy sounds good to me. The only downside I can see with these audio trainers is having no excuse to skip a workout.
Where to find a virtual trainer: www.myfitteru.com
No Responses to “Virtual fitness coach makes headlines in Calgary Herald”
No comments yet
