Beginning a personal fitness journey at J-Fitness

Irina Missiuro

I have never worked out with a trainer, so when Lisa Mongeau, consultant to J-Fitness and founder of Body Soul Inspired Personal Training, the fitness center’s partner, offered me the opportunity, I jumped at it. I’d seen trainers guiding their clients at J-Fitness at the Dwares JCC and was thrilled that I would learn from one too. And learn I did.

Andrew Mattera greeted me with an enthusiastic, “So, you’re the famous Irina!” Right away, I knew that I’d want to learn from a man who thinks I’m famous! I was right.

Mattera’s philosophy contrasts strikingly with the exercise advice I have heard on television and read in magazines. He doesn’t believe in big movements or fatigue. Instead, Mattera is all about feeling great after the workout. He instructed me to move slower, thinking about my movements, rather than going fast and hard.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not the best practice to push your body to the limit, Mattera explained, adding that his goal is to build a foundation for when I get older, not to make me feel sore.

I usually work out with weight machines, but Mattera told me that dumbbells are much more effective because they engage tiny muscles to keep the weights level and steady. Using these accessory muscles makes you stronger and aids in definition and toning, he said. 

When we started with free weights, we ran into a slight problem – I was feeling a lot of numbness and tingling due to a damaged nerve in my neck. I had been concerned that it might bother me, but my physical therapist assured me it would be fine to exercise as long as I avoided certain routines that would irritate my C7 nerve. When an exercise caused my symptoms to flare up, Mattera brought out a weight-lifting strap, which almost nullified the symptoms.

During our second workout, a week later, he changed the routine. When a plank exercise caused me pain, tingling and numbness, Mattera quickly devised a substitute that didn’t bother the nerve. Instead of being frustrated, he seemed fascinated by the challenge of creating a program that I could follow painlessly.

We started the first routine with dumbbell exercises on an incline bench. Lying on my back, I worked from my biggest muscle groups to the smallest using 10-pound weights. Bringing my arms upward, I did two sets of 12 repetitions. Next, I learned the dumbbell row: With one knee on the bench and the other leg extended to the side, I brought a 15-pound dumbbell to my chest, repeating 12 times. Then I did the same exercise with my other arm.

Following that, I did goblet squats with a 20-pound dumbbell under my chin, my knees bent and my hips back. Next, lying on the bench, I did curls with an 8-pound weight, working my biceps. Midline static holds, an exercise that tones abs, followed. The last routine used the rowing machine – I sprinted 100 meters, rested, and then repeated the sprinting a couple of times.

The next week, Mattera had me start by warming up on the rowing machine. This time, I was able to do a longer, more strenuous routine, benefitting from Mattera’s advice to concentrate on my legs rather than my arms. Also, when he noticed that my thumbs were wrapped around the handlebars, he pointed out that I shouldn’t do that because it focuses attention in the wrong direction, impeding progress. Next, I did some exercises with a ball to tone my abdominal muscles and worked with kettlebells to correct my posture, among other benefits.

In addition to physical training, Mattera also provided nutrition advice. Throughout the week, I logged every morsel I ate. During my second workout, he reviewed my food log. Apparently, I was doing well eating healthy, but he did suggest that I add more vegetables and eat bigger breakfasts. Oatmeal, here I come!

IRINA MISSIURO is a writer and editor who lives in Providence. She will contribute monthly fitness columns about her J-Fitness journey.