Meet Alexander Shula: Years You've Been Training: I've been in competitive sports since age of 12 and professionally training since about 1994. First Training Experience: 1991 - Assistant coach on a competitive cycling team. Why did you become a trainer?: Because I love to teach and if in the process I'm able to change somebody's life even a little bit it's incredibly rewarding.

Where Do You Train?:Starting 2008 my primary location is Valencia Streeet Muscle & Fitness; I also train at The GymSF as well as clients' home gyms.

Do you have refferences?: Too many to list but HERE are a few.

What do I look for in a client: To be self-motivated, be a good listener, be able to trust me and not over-think every little thing, to be willing and work hard on ALL aspects of the program. If YOU don't push YOURSELF, my guidance will be irrelevant !

Do you only, specialize in working with bodybuilders?: Ofcourse not. Bodybuilding is my passion, but don't think that I'm only good at getting people "BIG", that is a b-i-i-g misconception. I mainly work with clients who just want to "tighten-up", improve body-image and for general health and fitness goals. I love to teach, so I also very much enjoy working with those who are just starting out in the gym. I also very much enjoy training women who are serious about making some changes as well as high-school or college athletes who looking to improve their performance.

My name is Alexander Shula. I've spent my entire life in the competitive sports, so take my words as at the very least somewhat credible - I constantly see things from personal trainers that make my stomach cringe! Supporting or not correcting their client's bad form, ludicrous excercises, and just generally bad advise.
What good is it doing squats on the ball if you have a chance to break your ankles or blow out your knees?
What good is it moving even the lightest weight in an excercise if your supposed targeted area is working at only about 30% and most of the work is done by momentum and other secondary factors?

Basic principles of excercise science haven't changed as greatly as some will make you believe, certain adjustments must be made depending on person's goals obviously, but a lot of today's industry is driven by "new" inventions and gadgets to make you - the consumer spend more money.
It doesn't work like that ! Working out hard and intelligently is the only thing that'll give you the results you want, having someone qualified to guide you along will DEFINETELY help. But I strongly believe that you must ask yourself and your potential trainer some questions before proceeding.

When choosing a personal trainer, ask them: What is his/her background in exercise? Have they competed in any athletic events? Does this person workout? Does it look like he/she works out? (What good is it having a trainer who doesn't practice this lifestyle him/herself?) Are they Certified? Did they simply take a weekend certification or have they displayed a lifelong commitment and involvement in sports and fitness? Is this person insured, CPR certified? What is their motivation?

There are a LOT of trainers who are amazing at selling and making you believe they'll be good for you, but ask yourself, has your potential trainer learned to drive the car before attempting to teach you?
Ask for REFERENCES! and remember as with anything else in life, with personal trainers you get what you paid for.

Former competitive cyclist and bodybuilder

Member National Team of Ukraine, Cycling

Member National Physique Committee. (NPC)

Member World Bodybuilding and Fitness Association. (WBFA)

Clients include numerous contest winners. National Championship participants. Fitness models.