Pacific Palisades does not seem to be a town short of personal trainers. Whether it is yourself, a mother, sister, father-in-law or mere acquaintance, somebody you know has one. So, what makes Palisadian trainer Angela Parker different from all the rest? Parker’s specialty is children, and they make up the majority of her clients. ”’I have been working with children for years,’ Parker said. ‘I have been a dance instructor, lifeguard, camp counselor, swim coach, nanny, after-school help line operator and big sister to six siblings. ”’I motivate children to try harder, push farther and believe they can achieve their goals.’ ”The Los Angeles native has been training kids for a year now, not only to help them become fitter, but as a way for them to gain confidence and a good attitude about life. ”’Kids can be very hard on themselves. I like to encourage them that they can do anything if they put their mind to it. Using the body to do this is one of the most powerful tools,’ Parker said. ”’Children who strive to add exercise to their lives often find themselves doing better in school, sleeping better at night, maintaining more effective relationships with peers and teachers, and feeling better about themselves and their environment,’ she added. ”Parker has lived in the Palisades since November, but her job training the 20 children she has accumulated takes her farther afield. ”’I have clients all over’from Malibu to Beverly Hills’and I travel to their houses and train the kids in their own homes. During the training session the parents are home, but I do not encourage them to watch. I want the time to be about the kids, and if they are performing for a stranger, they will normally be likely to step it up. The exercising is also a time for them to feel an independence from their parents.’ ”Parker said she does encourage sessions with the whole family so she can teach them how to work out together as a unit. ”Asked about her young clientele, Parker said: ‘About half of my students are overweight and the other half range from kids that are underweight and need to be more active, to kids that are having emotional problems’for example, if their parents are getting divorced. I use fitness as a way to make them feel better. To the kids, I want to be their friend, and to the parents, I want to be a great example to their children. If that can happen, then I am doing my job. I want the kids to feel as if they can do absolutely everything; that is what I want them to come away with.’ ”She said her sessions can be filled with just about any form of exercise. ‘I grew up dancing, and so I incorporate that into my sessions with some of the little girls. They’ll even bring their own CDs along. I have one little boy who loves basketball, so we do that. From the jump rope and trampoline to pogo sticks and running, I will incorporate whatever is fun for them.’ ”When asked about nutrition and diet, Parker said: ‘I encourage healthy eating, but nothing drastic. I just say eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full. I simply encourage balance and moderation.’ ”Besides working out in people’s homes, Parker does like to train outdoors. ‘That is what is so great about the Palisades; there are so many places you can go. I’ll sometimes meet clients in the park or at a trail and begin our workouts there.’ ”The training sessions are an hour long, and Parker encourages two to three sessions a week. She also can train more than one child a session. ‘Sometimes they like to come with buddies, or I’ll get a brother and sister teaming up. I can have three to four girls at a time, but that depends on the age group.’ ”Although Parker has acquired some adult clients through her younger clientele, her main focus is children. She gives the first one-hour session for free, and charges $65 a session thereafter. Parker also has packages: 8 sessions for $480, or 16 sessions for $800. ”Palisadian and Marquez student Louis Kane 11, has been training with Parker for a year. His father David is very pleased with the results. ”’I knew Angela from around the neighborhood and thought she could benefit Louis with his self-esteem and confidence; which she has done,’ Kane said. ”When asked if his son had improved on a physical level, he said: ‘Oh, definitely. He is not limiting himself by his physicality anymore. He plays baseball on the Bronco Dodgers at the Rec Center, and is doing quite well in the playoffs this year.””’ ”Contact: 454-0596.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
