Make sure they are a full-time trainer - How is a trainer going to give you the level of service you're after if he/she puts in 40 hours a week at a regular job?… there are only so many hours in a day. Training should be this person's top priority and not take a backseat to their regular profession; serious training is an all or nothing dedication.

Look at the athletes they train and how they fare in the competition arena.

Just because a trainer has competed in a show, it doesn't qualify them to do your contest diet/training program… chances are, someone dieted/trained them for their shows… and what works for them might not work for you. Also, if a potential trainer does not have the first hand experience, how can they relate to the athlete in terms of conditioning, diet, posing, etc.? Finally, look at the trainer themselves… do you agree with their physique or look?

Last but not least… credentials. Make sure they are familiar with nutritional principles in the sport you're interested in. Ask about the variety of athletes they train… why would you select a trainer for Figure competitions if they've only trained Bodybuilders? That's like going to a dentist to get a hair cut.

2. What would be the biggest mistake you see people making while weight training?
Training with improper form, combined with too much weight. If you are not doing an exercise correctly adding additional weight could cause injury and muscle imbalance as other muscles try to compensate for the lack of form.

There is also the issue of doing the wrong exercises for your goals. I was noticing a lady at the gym doing exercises which would actually thicken her waist and mid-section… after speaking to her she said that her main goal was to improve her shape. Needless to say, she was not making good use of her efforts in the gym.

3. How many days per week is weight training recommended in order to maximize results?
Everyone is different depending on their fitness level and goals. Ideally 4-5 days a week is optimal.

4. Is it possible to weight train too much?
Yes, more is not necessarily better. Overtraining is the result with such symptoms as fatigue, irritability, injuries, insomnia, headaches, poor concentration and of course muscle breakdown. You should spend no more than 75 minutes weight training. After that period, you run the risk of overtraining.

5. How should one judge whether or not they are getting results?
One can judge if they are getting results by their increased energy levels, flexibility, endurance, strength, muscular development and an overall sense of fitness. The scale is not the only thing to pay attention to.

6. Does it matter if you weight train or do cardio first?
If your goal is to lose fat, it is recommended that you do cardio first and then weight training. However, weight training should be done first if your main goal is to increase muscle mass.

7. Do diets really work?
There are several different types of diets out there and they come and go like the seasons. They all have their merits and success stories… but in the end the only true effective diet is a balanced and sustainable diet. You want a diet, which you can easily incorporate in your lifestyle, and is sustainable over time. The word "diet" itself is misleading, as most people think lack of food as soon as they see the word. A diet or "meal plan" does work as it will show an individual what, when and how much they should be eating. Eventually, you would adapt your lifestyle to support the "meal plan" and it becomes self maintaining.

8. What is the best way to lose fat and keep it off?
Eat 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day instead of the traditional: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Watch your intake of fatty foods and make healthy decisions at restaurants. Make a plan: establish an exercise program and diet plan that suits your needs. Incorporate cardiovascular training minimum 3 times a week for 30 minutes per session, first thing is the morning is the most effective to kick start your metabolism. Make your plan a lifestyle change not a diet. Follow a healthy living plan - it is only effective if it's sustainable.

9. My trainer wants to train me at his/her gym, is this a good idea?
Yes if it's the same gym you train at or if they have identical equipment to your personal gym.

10. Should I consider price when selecting a trainer?
No, never, there are a lot of trainers with limited credentials trying to make a quick dollar by overcharging for services. Shop around! If there are similar trainers, with similar credentials, and you feel equal comfortable/trust with both of them, then let price decide. If you're paying a premium price, you should be getting a premium service from a reputable and successful trainer.

11. I don't live near Edmonton but am interested in competing. Do you offer any types of distance training programs? If so, were they successful?
Yes, I offer an Extended Distance Online training program which utilizes digital pictures and the webcam. I have several competitors who have won and done great in both Canada and the United States. Here are some results: Competitor Placings

12. What is different from the Competition Spray Tan and what I find at the local tanning salon?
Your color is very important when you compete. We typically will do a 3 coat treatment: First we apply one or two base coats of a high end solution to establish an even bronze foundation.

We then follow this up with one or two coats of competition color. For the competition color we use Jantana products - these are the same products which dominate the IFBB Pro level shows. Jantana products are purposely designed to show off your lines, definition, and striations to the judges and audience.