I like to tell it as it is - Trainer Frankie Justgymit

ROSE KWAMBOKA talks to FRANCIS KIARIE MUKUI aka Frankie Justgymit, mobile personal trainer, nutritionist and business owner of the justgymit fitness brand

JustGymIt, you say. How easy is it to just do it?

As easy as you put your mind to it.

When did you get interested in gym training?

From as young as I can remember. At 11, I was in the gym trying to lift weights. However, that was out of sheer necessity; I lived in Israel and the kids there were a bit racist and the only pastime was lifting weights so I spent most of my time in the UN gym where my mum worked.

How did you come about the decision to be a personal trainer?

After pursuing my masters in Business Management, I realised two things: I did not want to work for someone and I wanted to pursue something I was passionate about. So I picked up my childhood love for the gym and did an Advanced Diploma in Sports Nutrition. By then, was already back in Kenya and set up shop as a personal trainer.

How did that go?

It is harder in Kenya to be a personal trainer for people have not yet grasped the idea of having a personal trainers. However, that at the same time just shows the huge gap that I tapped into. It is quite the challenge getting people to embrace the culture of working out, leave alone working out with a trainer, or working out at home.

That, plus the mentality that the gym is for the youth or for women only worsens the situation as opposed to the UK where everyone has embraced some form of workout as part of their daily routine.

You also double up as a nutritionist. Do you offer both services as a package?

Not necessarily, but I strongly advise my clients to take it as a package, because they go hand in hand. As I say, you cannot outwork a bad diet.

So you take your clients grocery shopping?

I wish I had that luxury. I will recommend a list of things one needs and offer a meal plan, which by the way, if not followed to the latter, I shall not recommend another one.

Yoga pants have recently been attacked for being bad for one’s health. What’s your take on that?

One needs stretchy, light and breathable clothes when working out to avoid ‘stinkage’ and to also enhance flexibility and mobility. That goes for shoes as well. If you squat with running shoes, for instance, you can injure your joints and knees.

What is the best workout  that you recommend for beginners?

With YouTube and other online platforms, one is never short of what they can do. Pushups, squats and lunges for building strength, burning calories and toning up. However, people need to be careful about the correct form.

How do you deal with clients with overambitious goals?

I tell them the reality, like 50kg weight loss in a month is not possible or healthy and one will probably end up skinny rather than toned. It’s healthier to lose say 4kg in a month as you would be losing fat and not water weight or muscle.

How do trainers stay in shape?

Most personal trainers will train themselves the same way they train their clients. If they love to run, then they will probably suggest that you run, too, as long as you’re able. If they swear by daily yoga to stay fit, then yoga it is. What trainers make clients do does provide a window into their workout soul.

What is your fitness philosophy?

A personal trainer should — without hesitation — manage to tell you exactly what he believes when it comes to fitness. Does he train his clients for better health? To improve body confidence? To show off a six-pack? This question really gets into what makes a personal trainer tick and will let you know better what goals the trainer will have in mind for you to set and achieve.

As a husband, are you your wife’s personal trainer?

I am her personal trainer. However, we clash sometimes when she gets lazy. It makes for a very hostile environment in the house.

By virtue of you being a nutritionist, has your home diet changed?

We are flexible with what we eat since we like the same things. Portions is what I try to be strict on though my wife tends to not eat much which is also not good.