By Mary Wolbach Lopert 

Kathy Philipp has been teaching fitness for 13 years.  She got her start in Texas where she worked with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.  “My husband Chuck and I lived in Coppell, Texas.  There was an aerobics studio which was owned by one of the cheerleaders.  I initially started teaching there and helping them with their choreography for their tryouts.”
 
Kathy has been certified as a personal trainer by ACE (American Council on Exercise), in group fitness by AFAA (Aerobic and Fitness Association of America), in spinning by Mad Dogg Athletics and in First Aid and CPR.  Besides teaching spinning and working as an exercise specialist in the physical therapy office at the Longmont Athletic Club and teaching spinning and group fitness at the Flatirons Athletic club in Boulder, Kathy has a thriving business as a personal trainer.

“If a person is not a member of a club, I try to make it easy for them.  I bring all the equipment,” Kathy stated.  “I find out what their needs and goals are and then set them up on a program that’s easily facilitated within their own environment.”

 As for equipment, Kathy uses the fit or Swiss ball, weights, therabands and foam rollers.  “This is all (equipment) that I can easily carry around with me.”

One of her main goals is to focus on core stability.  According to Kathy, “The Swiss ball and foam rollers are great for core stability.  The rollers are about three and a half feet long and about 10 inches in circumference.  You can kneel on them, and you can lunge on them.  It makes you have to use your balance.”

Kathy believes, “Your entire strength comes from your core (which is) your abdominals, your back, you robliques and trasverse abedominus or the lower pelvic region.  People with lower back problems usually have weak abdominals and poor posture.” 

One example Kathy offered was a client who has a rounded upper back.  “I have her lay on the floor on the foam roller, so it runs vertically along her vertebra.  What it does is it makes her chest open up…. It puts her in correct alignment, where normally she can’t do that for herself.…  You have to retrain the muscles to work the way they are supposed to.” 

The Swiss ball is also very beneficial Kathy said.  “It can be used by a physical therapy patient and/or a personal training client.  Again it increases core strength, balance and flexibility with the stretches you can also do on it.”

As for her personal life, Kathy said with a smile, “I don’t have one.  I have been married to my husband Chuck for almost 14 years.  I have three kids, 11, 9 and 8.… I’m the president of the PTAC for Niwot Elementary.  I coach my kids in a lot of their sports and athletics which includes basketball, soccer and softball.…  Also, I mentor a group of teenagers from the church (Rocky Mountain Christian Church).

For information call Kathy Philipp at 303-530-0131 or email her at Kathyap67@aol.com.

By Dan Maduff 
 
Dee Marie is a certified personal trainer who also teaches yoga.  She has both a yoga studio and a full gym in her home in Gunbarrel.  She trains people for improving fitness as well as exercise therapy for those with chronic internal disorders such as asthma and chronic bronchitis.  Dee has worked with triathletes, children, stressed-out professionals, prenatal women and even car accident victims. 
 
In addition to building the body’s muscular and cardiovascular system, Dee uses yoga to “link the body’s internal systems with the external physical systems.”  Through yoga she teaches body awareness, breath awareness, relaxation and enhancment of the mind-body connection.  This means teaching the mind to control the body and help improve disorders like poor posture and chronic stress.

Dee is not your typical yoga/personal trainer.  In 1980 she earned a bachelor’s degree in theater and dance from Skidmore College in upstate New York.  She then moved to New York City and danced with several companies. 

As her interests shifted to personal training, she earned a master’s in kinesiology and biomechanics at New York University.  After an automobile accident in 1983, Dee submerged herself in her studies.   By using exercise therapy techniques, she achieved a total recovery without any surgery, despite being told by doctors she might never walk again.  She later received her certification as an instructor of yoga from the esteemed Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy.

Several of her exercise routines have been published in national magazines and she even held office for two years as the president of the Association of Personal Trainers in New York City. 

Since moving to Colorado, Dee has helped design private gyms in several homes and in a resort in Colorado Springs.  She has worked in conjunction with a doctor at an holistic medical center in Boulder and started her personal training business and yoga classes from her home last fall. 

Basic rates are $50 per hour and go down with booking of multiple sessions.  Couples can train together for $65 per hour.  Yoga classes are available both at her home in Gunbarrel and at the Lafayette Senior Center for $15 per hour on a drop-in basis.  For a detailed listing of yoga classes please call for a complete schedule and explanation of rates.

Dee Marie, M.A., CPT  can be reached by phone at 303-530-3860 or by pager at 303-852-3889.
 

By Anna Mahorski 

Kolesar Body Knowledge Studios, owned and operated by Lara Kolesar, offers diverse exercise programs.  She developed the Body Knowledge Method “as an integrated model that uses movement to open channels of communication between the body and the mind.” 

A graduate of the Boulder School of Massage, Lara is a certified massage therapist.  She has taught for six years in the Boulder area.

With 1,500 square feet, Lara’s studio houses seven to 10 pilates machines and a new gyrotonics machine. This machine not only strengthens and stretches the muscles, but uses arching and curling of the body and limbs. It is more three dimensional than the pilates, which uses a more linear motion.

According to Lara, pilates “focuses on the core strength.” The core area refers to the area around the abdominals and lower back. “Every part of the body is involved in the exercises.  Muscles are being stretched and strengthened.  It’s the quality of the movement, along with breath movements,” she added.

The Body Knowledge Method isn’t just for high performance athletes or dancers; it’s for anyone.  It is ideal for supporting everyday activities to avoid stress injuries and long-term illnesses.  It is also ideal for rehabilitation from accidents and injuries.

Every body worker is involved in an extensive one-on-one apprenticeship with Lara.  Their training is rigorous.  According to Lara, “An apprentice is certified in Body Knowledge Method only when they have shown gifted performance.” 

Lara offers many pilates and gyrotonic programs, private lessons and classes.  A new NIA program is offered on Wednesdays at 12 p.m., and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.  Yoga classes are available as well.  A discount is offered when taught by a trainee instructor. 

Kolesar Body Knowledge Studios is located in the Mountain View Shopping Center, at 600 Airport Road, Bldg. C, Suite C, Longmont, Co. 80503.  For more information call 720-494-9226, or visit the web site at www.kolesarstudios.com

By Anna Mahorski 

 Neuromuscular Integrative Action (NIA), pronounced nee-a, is the best of different disciplines that are kind to the body.
 
Started in Oregon 20 years ago, NIA is a mixture of tai chi, yoga, martial arts and modern dance with an aerobic curve routine, all choreographed to dance music.  After the dance-workout, participants feel refreshed and ready for the day or evening.   It is all non-impact, and works all parts of the body. 

NIA is taught at the following area locations:
Synergy Health and Fitness Club – 303-530-7648
Kolesar Body Knowledge Studios - 720-494-9226 
Tina Davis at the Longmont Athletic Club - 303-651-0117
Longmont Senior Center – 303-651-8411 
Longmont Parks and Recreation – 303-651-8404

By Michelle LaBorde 

Many of us think we should start working out so we can finally slide back into those jeans that currently are painfully tight.  Personal trainer and coach Deborah Thompson believes that we need to think bigger! Deborah, who works at the Boulder Country Club and with clients in her private practice, says that being fit offers more than a smaller waist size. 

Besides offering fitness training and nutrition, she offers guidance which goes beyond just another diet plan or exercise class. “People want to incorporate an exercise and nutrition program into their lives.  They’ve tried but haven’t been successful, so I coach them to stay with a program.” Deborah explained. From spotting in the weight room to nutritional makeovers, She is there to help each individual meet their personal goals

Deborah suggests we need to “eat like an athlete.”  She talks with her clients about food, the effect it has on the body and how food can help or hurt performance. She encourages clients to experiment with different foods. “I want you to eat donuts and see what you can lift (in the weight room). And the next day I want you to have tuna fish on half a bagel and an apple and see what you can do and how you feel.”

Hiring a personal trainer appeals to a variety of athletic abilities and fitness levels.  “A trainer can help in any scenario.” Deborah finds her work rewarding and fun and hopes that her clients have the same experience. “A good trainer takes people on a discovery tour, and helps them sample a lot of different things that will work well and that are fun.”

Deborah Thompson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Fitness Trainer. She will hold training sessions at a gym, at your office or in your home.  A private, one-hour session of personal training costs $55.  Price breaks are available for more than one person per session. She offers a free introductory session for new customers.  Deborah Thompson can be reached at 303-485-9929 for more information.