We were lucky to catch up with Lola Maltz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lola , thanks for joining us today. What’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

When it comes to fitness, specifically the personal training dynamic, I think most people in my industry disagree with advocating for a slow process and instead favor quick fixes, fads, vanity and looking good. I firmly believe that every-BODY is different, and that each person needs to find what works for them with the HELP of a trainer. Trying to conform to some ideal standard is a popular approach that a lot of people in my industry follow, and I find that it does more harm than good. True health takes time. My way of helping people is to be a collaborator, to empower them to find what really does work, and to help their mindset which again takes time. It is a slow slow process, and I don’t think a lot of trainers want to accept that or especially to convey that to their clients even if they are aware of it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My style naturally prevents injury. I am a certified Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES, NASM). I also have advanced certifications in Stretching, Nutrition and Preventative/Post Injury. I like to say that I am the next thing after a Physical Therapist because I am really good at having the hyper-focus needed for preventative injury work coupled with the aim at strengthening and providing difficulty with workouts. During my 12+ years as a trainer in New York City, I have learned how important it is to figure out each client’s specific body type and discover what they personally need to achieve their goals. It’s simple, one doesn’t have to hurt themself to get in shape. Through corrective alignment, connection to one’s core and increased body awareness I have helped clients reach and maintain fit bodies, goal weights, and enabled them to feel great about themselves. I’m extremely personable yet hold high professional standards. In a session you’ll get the smile, you’ll get my personality, you’ll get the trust…but I’m hardcore. I will challenge people but give them what they need. I am most proud of helping people overcome pain, injuries, as well as to be more empowered and to have a strong intuition on how to be with their bodies in general.

My backstory is that as a youth I had severe asthma (mostly exercise-induced) and almost died of an asthma attack following a cold and my nebulizer not working for me anymore. After the Doctor found relief that I didn’t die, he explained to me that in some of the latest medical news there were theories that consistent exercise could help or even get rid of asthma even if the asthma was exercise-induced. So I jumped on that bandwagon immediately and started working out at my local YMCA in my hometown at the time Eugene, Oregon. I now live in NYC by the way. I didn’t push myself beyond what felt right at the time, but was (and this is the key) CONSISTENT. I built up my strength and stamina, and eventually my breathing got stronger. A huge motivator and inspiration for me was Sheila, an aerobics instructor who taught a lot of step classes. She took me under her wing and I eventually helped her teach classes. I eventually became asthma-free, and have been ever since. In many ways it’s a miracle… and at the same time I know exactly how it happened, which was the consistency/showing up factor, along with a shifted mindset on the importance of being healthy and fit.
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Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

This is a strategy that happened that I didn’t even mean for it to happen… So I was attending a synagogue in my neighborhood (Upper West Side, NYC) and I connected with the Cantor at the time. We just had a really nice rapport. One day we ran into each-other near the synagogue and she asked where I was headed. I answered “to a client.” She emphatically asked what I did, and I said that I’m a personal trainer. “No way!! I’ve been looking for a trainer. This is bechert!” And so it was. And then she went on to tell many congregants about me, and my business expanded. She also added me to a Facebook group, which helped me be known as well. I definitely think word of mouth is the ultimate way, but it definitely helps to know a Cantor :-)

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Well in the beginning of working with people I really thought it was important to have people like me and want to work with me no matter what. The lesson I’ve learned over time is that it is truly okay if it’s not a good fit, and to move on to waiting for those who are a good fit (and once the door closes the next one opens much faster than my brain thinks it will).

There can be ethical reasons not to work with a client. For instance, one time I was working with a severely anorexic woman. She knew she had a problem and was working with a nutritionist as well, who told her she could workout if she stayed hydrated with gatorade or water during a workout and worked with someone who would be careful with her. So at first I thought I could help her, and made sure she agreed to having gatorade or water throughout the session. At first she did. But then she didn’t. She also admitted to not working with her nutritionist anymore. I knew I couldn’t in good conscience work with her anymore, and so I quit. This was the first time I quit on a client. It was a challenging decision, but I knew it was the right one.

Since then I’ve also had clients where it just wasn’t a good fit, and immediately or over-time I was able to see that. And so I’ve been able to let them go in kind but direct ways. It helps me to know that we all need different things, and that it’s important I’m matched with those that I can really be of help and service to.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alignme.fitness
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