As our goals are to make all females #LRfearless through helping them find strength and happiness through fitness and health ,we are starting a new series on the #LRlifestyle Blog; #LR Trainer Spotlight. In this new inspirational series we will all get to know the #LRfearless trainers or instructors who push and inspire us to achieve our goals. Here they will be sharing their journey in health and fitness, with hopes to inspire all our fearless readers and of course to spread the Lucille Roberts love.
- Introduce yourself and what you do at Lucille Roberts:
Hello! I am Dianna Barger and I have been working as a personal trainer at Lucille Roberts for the past 5 years! I am an ACE certified trainer with several other certifications including Barefoot Balance Training, TRX, Triggerpoint, and ZUMBA.
- How and when did you decide you wanted to become a trainer?
I got my start at Lucille Roberts! I was encouraged by the great team at the 42nd Street location to pursue my certification and shadow some of the other excellent trainers in the company. As a dancer and former cheerleader, the personal training path was a great fit for me, and Lucille Roberts helped me to discover that!
- What is your favorite way to sweat?
Do I have to pick just one?! Right now, I’m working a lot on handstands and one arm push-ups, but I strongly believe that variety is the best way to safely and effectively incorporate fitness into your life in the long run. Encouraging my clients to move in new ways and build new skills helps them to meet goals and stay excited about fitness!
- What is your go to pre and post workout meal or snack?
I like a banana or something like that pre-workout and usually Greek yogurt and peanut butter after. A simple and heathy mixture of protein and carbohydrates usually does the trick for me.
- A quote you live by and you share with your members?
“Something is better than nothing!” You don’t have to hit the gym hard 7 days a week to gain the benefits of an active lifestyle. Take a walk or a bike ride on the weekends, take that ZUMBA class when you can, take an extra flight of stairs at the office, do a few push-ups in the morning. Just get moving!
- Do you prefer to sweat in the morning or evening?
I like mid-morning, around 11am. I usually train clients in both the early morning and evening hours so this time works best for me!
- The most challenging workout you have done so far?
The most challenging single move that I’ve done so far is the pull up. I can do one at a time, but that’s it! The most challenging life event that I’ve done is rehearse for a dance heavy musical! Dancing in general is a great workout and dancing for 6-8 hours a day, several days in a row is a real challenge to both strength and stamina. Good thing I workout.
- The workout you will probably never do again?
Indoor Cycling! Sorry to all the cycling fanatics!! It’s a great workout, just not for me.
- The part of your body you love to work out and what is your go to move?
Arms! Push-ups! I love push-ups, and my clients know it! They are a great move for so many reasons.
- One tip you would suggest for those struggling to stay on track for their health and wellness goals?
Aside from your weight loss or muscle gain goals, you should also set strength/skill goal. A push-up is a great example of this. Let’s say you start with your hands on a bench and your feet on the floor. You can work from this position and gradually improve your strength and stability until you can do a full push-up with hands on the floor. Feeling your body get stronger and accomplishing moves you never thought possible is very empowering and motivating!
- What is you power song you listen to blast those through those final minutes in your workout?
Hamilton soundtrack!
- Anything you would like to add about yourself that no one knows – like a pet peeve or who is your fitness spirit animal?
My fitness animal is not actually an animal at all…its Uma Thurman in Kill Bill! It’s one of my favorite movies and I like to imagine that when my hair is in a pony tail it makes that awesome whipping sound that her hair makes in the movie!
