Master trainer Stephen Ming - Fitness buff turns trainer to the stars

The great rock-solid body that fitness expert and personal trainer Stephen Ming carries around today did not happen overnight. It took 10 years of sweating, training and determination to be among the best in the field. The journey began when he was a youngster with the usual playing of all types of sports. But he decided to take it seriously at age 25 when he realised that he'd be struggling to breathe while jogging on the road.

In an interview with Flair, the ebullient Ming shared that he saw other people getting fit and decided to follow suit. "I wanted to be very fit, so I began with jogging morning and evening, but when I got into the gym setting, I saw where it could become a career," Ming said. He pointed out that he made use of the opportunity to learn from the experts every year when a trainer from the American Fitness and Aerobics Association came to Jamaica to prepare aspirants like himself.

Ming said prior to making the trip, the trainers send theoretical material covering anatomy, physiology and other subjects for prospective trainers to study and prepare for the tests. This process takes place every two years because methods of training change constantly.

And Ming has mastered them all, so much so that now he is much sought after by some of the most easily recognisable names on the island's entertainment landscape. These include beauty queen Yendi Phillipps, entertainer/businesswoman D'Angel, events promoter Philip 'PP' Palmer, Chris Martin, Ricardo Chambers, Joseph Robinson, Yohan Blake and, most recently, contestants in this year's Miss Jamaica World beauty pageant.

Being the chief trainer at Spartan Health Club, he also visits corporate entities to give talks on wellness in the workplace to staff. "From time to time, I am sent overseas for training, the last time was to Santa Barbara in California where I covered courses such as dieting, nutrition, workout and general anatomy."

So having so much experience under his belt, does this trainer to the stars have any area of preference?Most definitely. "I love to the see the result when I take a client from start to the achievement of a fit and toned body," he said. He also loves what he does, because he works seven days a week and his clients are always calling on him for advice. He also likes to work with groups because he gets to see people from a wide cross section of the society, all working towards the same goal and doing the same thing no matter their socio-economic background.

For the immediate future, Ming will continue to set high standards for himself and his clients and remain focused on his work.

When asked about some tips for busy corporate executives or movers and shakers on the go, Ming offered the following:

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com