Steve Sessinghaus has been around the fitness-training scene long
enough to see the unsavory side of the industry.
With a population of increasingly super-sized men and women, the
outcry is louder than ever from individuals who are looking for the
best way to lose weight and stay in shape.
In the wake of a fitness craze that has been prominent in Southern
California for more than a decade, there are those who think many
athletes are not getting the proper instruction.
"Over the years, I have seen a lot of athletes who are just not
doing their workouts properly," said Sessinghaus, a 1994 Burbank High
graduate who works as a personal trainer. "Sometimes, it's just not
as simple as just going out and exercising.
"Also, often times individuals don't get the proper training.
There are Web sites where you can get a training certificate and
never even have to attend any classes. They even send you the answers
for the tests you are supposed to take."
According to Sessinghaus, that's not the way to get in shape or
work out -- and he should know.
After graduating from Burbank, he received a bachelor's of science
degree in kinesiology from Cal State Northridge in 1999. Since
college, he has focused his career on personal training.
"When I was still a senior in high school, I became involved in
weightlifting," he said. "I fell in love with it and the idea that we
all have the ability to change, sculpt and transform our bodies
through exercise."
With that idea in mind, Sessinghaus has created a fitness regimen
that benefits a wide variety of athletes, and even non-athletes. He
has started the Evolution Fitness Boot Camp, a training program based
out of the Burbank Powerhouse Gym.
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Sessinghaus said he has spent many hours developing a workout
program that is both beneficial and fun.
"Our program is open to everyone, from kids, to women to older
individuals," Sessinghaus said. "I've tried to cater to as many
different people as possible.
"And these workouts are more than just telling someone to go run
around the block a couple of times. Along with the benefits, I try
and make the classes as fun as possible. That's the only way you are
going to get people to come back."
Sessinghaus said the rewarding part of his job occurs when he is
able to help an individual achieve his or her fitness goals. And he
takes pride in helping them achieve those goals.
But those athletes have to first find the motivation to began a
training regimen.
"I don't think it's laziness why people don't work out,"
