Fitness and Wellness
The Shape-shifter
Personal trainers are the new shrinks, more likely to hear clients moan about lovers than leg lifts. George Chaker, co-owner of Diesel Fitness, and one of the city’s most beloved trainers, muses on the art of workout therapy By Gerald Hannon
Image credit: Aristea Rizakos
The trainer-client relationship is very intimate.
Any boundary issues?
You spend hours with people, and they often want to share their
experiences and their frustrations. Sometimes they’re just lonely,
want a friend or gravitate to individuals they want to be like. And some trainers can put out flirtatious vibes. But if things get too close, you have to sit the client down and tell him or her you just don’t have
the same kind of feelings.
What’s the hardest thing to change in people’s lives?
Most people know what they need to do, but changing habits of 30,
40 years—that’s hard. I try to help people understand what works
for them. It might not be the gym; it might be mountain climbing.
How do men and women differ in what they’re looking for?
For men, it’s about their bellies, and then better arms and shoulders. For women, it’s the lower body—hips, thighs and butt. Men want
a more drill-style workout, a lot of push-ups, but they suck out faster. Women have a much higher tolerance for pain.
What’s the best music for a fitness class?
Eighties pop for sure. People say, “Oh wow, I can sing along to that!” but it’s also been remixed with a harder beat and a driving style.
Any famous clients?
Yeah, I trained Christian Bale for American Psycho, Alicia Silverstone
for some TV show, the lead hunk for Queer as Folk and the woman who played the dark-haired lesbian on that show, too.
Any message for the guys of Toronto?
They owe me big. For straight guys, I turn out women with great, firm butts and, for the gay guys, men who are totally ripped!
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