I've been a personal trainer in San Diego for over five years now. I became a trainer not only because I really enjoy working with people, but also because I care about others, and I want to help people to reach their goals when it comes to exercise, weight loss, and eating right. What I enjoy most about being a trainer, though, is helping others to feel good about themselves. Being an elementary school teacher (10 years), it is within my caring nature to educate, motivate, and help others, whatever their goals and tasks may be.

"I used to dread working out, but I now look forward to it because Mike makes it fun! When I get tired, he's there with an encouraging word or a joke to give me the extra push that I need to do my best and finish. I've gained strength and an abundance of energy while training with Mike." -KIM J.

"Mike is an awesome trainer! He's always encouraging me when I am unsure of myself, and he always pushes me when he knows I am capable of doing more. With his help over the months, I've lost a ton of weight, and my strength, stamina, and confidence have all improved." -VALERIE H.

Some of my clients are interested in losing weight or gaining some strength and muscle. Some would like to be more flexible and be able to perform their everyday life activities a little easier. And others are simply looking to enhance their overall sense of peace, happiness, and personal well-being. Whatever a client's health and fitness goals may be, I work closely with him or her to make sure they have the tools, motivation, and support they need to achieve success.

Recognizing that every client is unique and has different goals in mind, I try to develop a workout program that is both appropriate and beneficial to his or her needs and demands. For clients that look to improve their performance of everyday life tasks, we perform flexibility and functional training type exercises that mimic movements they perform many times throughout their typical day. This could include basic stretches, along with an exercise called a squat with a ball reach/chop and lift. For those who would like to lose some weight or gain muscle and strength, I have my clients engage in circuit-set intervals, alternating between resistance and aerobic exercises. With this type of training, we have set days where we focus on exercises for certain muscle groups. In either type of training setting, the energy is high, and I always keep my clients engaged by having them try new exercises, perform movements they are familiar with and enjoy, and by simply keeping them on the move.

Eating right is also very important! Along with the exercise program, I also coach each client on the proper foods to eat and where to get most of their daily calories from. Although I don't prescribe a specific diet to any client, I do, however, educate him or her on the good foods and calories to chose from based on the food-guide pyramid. I also use food logs/journals with some of my weight-loss clients. This allows me to see what my client is eating, and from there I am able to make some good recommendations to help steer them in the right direction. Overall, this technique helps motivate my client to make healthy eating choices.

"I train with Mike as an investment to my health. This provides me the personal satisfaction of determining how well I want to look and feel. Training not only gives me much more focus, inner peace, and energy to complete the demands and challenges in my life, but I really enjoy it, too. That good mood magnifies the FUN in everything!" -GEORGE B.

I have a Bachelor's degree in Education and Sociology from Keene State College in Keene, NH. Along with my personal training certification with ACE (American Council on Exercise), I also hold a certification specializing in lifestyle and weight management coaching.

"In 5 months of training with Mike, not only have I lost 4 pant sizes and gained strength and stability, but my confidence has sky-rocketed, as well! This has positively impacted my job performance and personal relationships, and it has increased my sense of happiness and well-being." -KATIE E.

Originally from Providence, RI, I relocated to sunny San Diego, CA in 2004. After graduating from Keene State College in Keene, NH, I started teaching in San Diego, and then decided to become a personal trainer in 2008. After receiving my first certification, I started working for 24-Hour Fitness, and then decided to establish Mike Terranova Fitness in 2010. I currently train at a small gym located in North Park, and have been an independent contractor for three years now. I absolutely love what I do, and I truly enjoy getting to know and work closely with other people.

"Mike Keeps me motivated to improve my strength by making exercise fun. We laugh a lot, and even when he's pushing me to my limits, I enjoy my workouts because I get results." -LISA S.

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