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Personal Training - the J & You

Trainers

Testimonials From Our Members

Have you ever thought that you might benefit from working with a personal trainer? Here is a member’s personal story that might give you a better sense of what to expect when you schedule that "ultimate" one-on-one.

From Pauline Roed

In August of 2004 I realized that my half-hearted attempts at returning to some level of physical fitness were just that – half-hearted. An occasional hike, a bike ride or two were making me think that I could achieve a level of fitness I had thirty years before when I played tennis, ran after four children and went to water aerobics regularly. The truth is that just having gym memberships were doing me no good at all! The simple reason? I paid the dues and never attended! There were always legitimate excuses but the main reason came down to the fact I would much rather have an extra cup of coffee and read the paper first thing in the morning. So with high blood pressure and a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol levels and an approaching 60th birthday, I knew a private trainer was the only way to achieve any results.

After looking at five different clubs I was lucky to find the JCC and Gene. There was no scornful curl of the lip at my obvious overweight and out of shape body, just an obvious desire to help. Gene is extremely caring and attentive but most importantly he is knowledgeable about the body and its ability to improve without stress or damage. Any concern is listened to, any weakness is worked on and the slightest gain is met with encouragement. I highly recommend him to anyone who is tentative about returning to an exercise regime. I am healthier, weigh less and am in better shape. My sincere thanks go to Gene!

From Gene Mapanoo

It has been just a little over a year since I started working with Pauline Roed. I remember when she first came to me with her goals of better health and physical fitness. Her 60th birthday was also approaching and that maybe fueled her motivation toward reaching her goals or at least taking them more seriously. When I first started working with Pauline my first concern was her elevated blood pressure. I wanted to make sure to take the necessary steps to stabilize it. Within a few weeks of cardiovascular training and measuring her heart’s response to exercise (along with some medication), we were headed in the right direction. At times, Pauline would be discouraged because we would have to stop short of reaching our goal due to lightheadedness. I reminded her that she needed to be patient while her body was adapting to the exercise. But I also told her so that she would remember how her body responded in the beginning and how she would feel in the future. With a lot of encouragement and proper training we are now where we want to be. I remember running into Pauline at the Home Depot and she told me that she fits into a pair of pants that she hasn’t been able to wear in years. She also at one time stated, “It feels great to feel that you have the strength, REAL Strength!” Comments like these make me feel good about the impact you can have as a personal trainer in someone’s life. Getting to know Pauline over this past year, I have come to discover her motivation and drive as a successful businesswoman and her determination to succeed in anything she puts her mind to. Well Pauline, I couldn’t be prouder of you. You are as successful in business as you are in health! It’s people like you that make me love what I do and encourage me to be better. Thank you!

Personal Training Now Available for Non-Members Too!
Call Gene for information about rates at 520.299.3000 x120.

Here are bios of JCC personal trainers so that you can see which trainer would be best suited to your needs. This is always changing as we add new members to our training staff. For any personal training questions, please call Gene at 520.299.3000 x120.

Biographies

Gene Mapanoo, Director of Personal Training has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology from the University of Arizona. The majority of his studies were focused on exercise physiology with emphasis on injury management and nutrition. Gene is currently our Director of Personal Training and was formally the Head Coach of the boys volleyball team at Sabino High School. In 2005 he was awarded Kino’s Region “Coach of the Year” in boys volleyball, bringing Sabino 2 back to back Regional Championships and their first ever Region Title in the sport in 2005. He had only 1 loss in Region play in the past 2 years. Gene has spent a majority of his professional career teaching and coaching people of various ages and abilities. He believes that exercise should be a part of everyone’s lifestyle; it needs to be fun yet challenging. He also emphasizes that, “as our bodies change with age, we need to train smarter not harder.” Gene focuses on safety and technique in order to maximize results and achieve fitness goals in a shorter amount of time. These together will help to keep you motivated in your pursuit of physical fitness. Gene specializes in designing programs for people with elaborate medical histories, cardiac rehabilitation, injury treatment and management, and sports conditioning.

Linda Arnaud has a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Providence College and a Standard Elementary Teaching Credential from Roger Williams University. She is a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise and is currently completing her Fitness Professional Certificate from Pima Community College. Linda completed an internship in personal training at the JCC in the Fall of 2005. Linda was introduced to the fitness industry and personal training in 1990 while still in college. Her passion for fitness, along with her previous education and training experience will motivate and inspire you. She is committed to providing her clients with safe, effective exercise training programs unique to each individual’s needs, interests and goals. Proper safety and form are always her main focus. Beyond being a wife and busy mother of two, Linda has been a lifelong runner and athlete. She has completed twelve marathons and numerous half marathons. She recognizes the importance of effective, efficient workouts – quality over quantity. Linda’s philosophy in training is to provide each client with the motivation, direction and knowledge to make positive lifestyle changes and encourage them to take on new challenges to be the best they can be. Linda has a warm, caring, supportive nature. She enjoys working with clients of all fitness levels and backgrounds.

Nancy Manning
Nancy Manning has a Fitness Certificate from Pima Community College and is also a Certified Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine. Nancy is dedicated to living a fit lifestyle and has played street sports since her days back in Beacon, NY. You name it, she played it. In high school she was a sprinter on the track team and a cheerleader. You will notice that in her cheerful disposition. She has continued to stay fit , all while raising three magnificent children. Nancy understands the demands of life in general and considers it her personal mission to help people realize that it’s not only physical movements but also mental decisions that help you focus on a healthy way of living. “Physical activity awakens the mind and body, they go hand in hand.” Training the muscles for strength, power and flexibility is essential to performing the movement we do on a daily basis. Nancy is also trained in Russian Kettle bells and welcomes all age groups.

Troy Pearson has a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from the University of Arizona and has been training and rehabilitating a wide variety of clients for nearly 20 years. Troy is a former professional mountain biker and current professional road cyclist. Recent successes in 2006 were 6 Individual Time Trial victories including: The Grand canyon State Games Gold Medalist, Picacho Peak Time Trial Series Champion, and the Arizona Time Trial State Championship. Troy has helped diverse populations of athletes, aging populations, post-rehab protocol patients, cyclists, and bodybuilders enjoy the benefit of achieving their respective and diverse goals. Being a cancer survivor himself since March 2001, Troy is very familiar with the special needs of clients enduring or recovering from serious ailments of many types. So, whether you are an athlete of any level, a rehab patient, or in a well state, and looking to energize your lifestyle or recharge your workout, Troy will implement your workout and educate you about strategies and philosophies that will lead to your continuing success.

Spencer Roberts has been in the fitness and exercise industry since 1977. He started as a personal trainer while in college at the age of 19. He received his Master Fitness Trainer certificate from the US Army in 1986 and became a Master Trainer for the 101st Military Intelligence Battalion. After an honorable discharge, Spencer enrolled in graduate school at the University of Arizona and received his Master’s degree in Exercise and Sport Sciences in 1989. He has extensive experience working with people of all ages and fitness levels. Beyond being a husband, and a father of two, Spencer has been a competitive triathlete since 1988 and has made the USA World Duathlon Team three times (1999, 2002, and 2003). He also teaches spinning and enjoys coaching triathletes, cyclists, runners, and his son’s jr pee wee football team. Spencer’s philosophy when it comes to training is “quality over quantity.”

Angela Sollenbarger is a native of Tucson. She double majored in dance science & medicine and psychology, graduating from Washington University in St. Louis in 1998. She also received a B.S. in nursing from the U of A in 2005. Angela obtained her personal training certifications from National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), her specialized rehabilitation training certification from Sports Club/LA, and her Pilates certification from Long Beach Dance Conditioning. She furthered her rehabilitation education by working as an “exercise specialist,” in a physical therapy setting. She is a skilled trainer with over ten years experience working with a diverse clientele spanning from New York City to Los Angeles. Her Clients have ranged from a member of the Phoenix Suns to an 84 year old two-time brain cancer survivor. She now brings her expertise back to Tucson.

Following her early competitive gymnastics years, she received international dance training in Tucson, Minneapolis, Kiev, San Francisco, St. Louis, and New York. She was given the opportunity to perform in all of the cities previously mentioned, as well as, at Jacob’s Pillow. After receiving the 1998 Ian D. Cramer Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance, she went on to dance professionally in NYC and LA. Currently, she dances recreationally and plays in a co-ed soccer league.

Her areas of focus, relating to training, include injury rehabilitation, general muscle imbalance, and postural work with the ultimate goals of client education and overall lifestyle change. Angela understands that with stability around the joints and core and attention to details, one can build greater strength, flexibility, and versatility. She promotes cross-training and draws from a wide range of movement modalities in designing exercises. She believes that an ongoing investment in self and technique results in a decrease in injury as well as an increase in fitness and independence through one’s lifespan.

Veronika Zinsmaier obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports and Fitness from the Technical University of Munich located in Germany. Veronika is a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise, as well as a Silver Sneakers fitness instructor. She has been a personal trainer for the last 5 years, along with teaching fitness and dance classes for the past 10 years. She has extensive experience working with the older adult, but welcomes any age group. Veronika is very enthusiastic about exercise and is motivated to help you achieve your fitness goals. Her warm and gentle nature make her an asset to the JCC training team.

Sports, Fitness & Wellness

Stu Epstein, Director of Sports & Wellness

Jason Apodaca, Sports & Fitness Manager

Amy Behm, Head Swim Coach/Aquatics Director

Chuck Reisig, Director of Tennis