Mens Fitness Columnist intro

Men's Fitness

May 2001

Questions of men.

Christianne Wolff

Personal trainer Christianne Wolff puts a glittering list of high profile clients through their paces in a bid to keep them lean and lovely...

The vast majority of personal trainers are muscular men. So then, an unusual job for a woman?

I've always been interested in sport. I come from a very sporty family. And so fitness has always been important to me. I did a climbing course, started instructing climbing, and it went from there.

Have you ever held up your hands and just given up on one of your clients?

I can honestly say that I have never met anyone who has trained, seen and felt the effect and then turned around and said they wanted to stop. Results motivate everyone. And fit people get more out of life.

Do you always practice what you preach?

Well......that's a difficult question because I preach different things to different people, needing individual encouragement. But I do lead a healthy lifestyle and I do train every day.

How much pressure is there on people in today's world to look good all the time?

There's a lot of pressure to succeed. I train a top motor bike racer and he's always striving, looking for something to give him that extra edge. But I don't think my male clients are particularly vain, worrying about how they look in their boxer shorts.

How much does fitness improve quality of life?

Enormously. I see massive improvements all the time. It isn't just a person's appearance. It affects their confidence, their self esteem, their appetite for life. Its hard to over-stress the effect.

Which is the vainer sex?

Women. Women are a lot more particular about exactly what they want. They'll say I want this shaped, this sculpted. Men, on the other hand, generally say I want to be fitter, I'd like a bit more definition. They're not so obsessed with body parts. I'm sure they'd like to look like the guy on the cover of your magazine, but they're not so vocal about what they want as women.

Do you think a 6 pack is attractive?

Yes. But you need an attractive personality to go with it.

Would you ever date a man with a paunch?

I have dated men with a paunch. A six-pack is not that usual. Not many men have them. But if I date a man with a belly I try to help him do something about it!

Is there an exercise or piece of equipment apparatus you hate?

Once you reach a certain level of fitness, you feel that you can conquer anything. I used to hate running, with a passion. Now I absolutely love it. From that. I know I can beat anything. Having said that, I do hate lunges.

Which is the most attractive male physique- muscular, or slim and toned?

From a personal perspective, slim and toned. And that's what I will aim for with my male clients unless they specifically say they want something different. But you have to be honest about what can be achieved in the time available- and I am.

If there's one piece of advice you'd offer the rank beginner with his exercise regime- what would it be?

Every single person from the top athlete to the professional dancer had to start at the beginning. Start from the beginning and don't be self conscious about it. Don't think everyone is watching- no one is watching. And don't be afraid to ask for advice!