She is young, dynamic and strong-willed. So even after a career of 14 years of banking, she switched over to fitness and personal training the day she realized that this was her real calling. Meet Manal Al Zayani a young and talented sports person and a fitness trainer whose passion is to gift her clients a healthy lifestyle.
Where were you born and raised? Any special childhood memories?
I was born and raised in Bahrain; I am a mother of 2 boys and the eldest of 6 children. I have always been an active when I was young. I’ve played all kind of sports you name it basketball, volleyball, tennis, handball and gymnastics.
A bit about your educational and professional background?
I graduated from the European Institute of Fitness in Lilleshall UK as a Master Personal Trainer and Weight Management Coach; I am also a Holistic Health Coach, graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York.
When and how did you get initiated into personal training?
I was a banker for the last 14 years and I have always felt that this is not what I want to do. I wanted to do something where I can inspire, motivate and help people! I have always loved fitness and I saw how it shifted my life and I thought why not consider it as a carrier! So I took the step quit my job, went to UK got certified as a Master Personal Trainer, came back to Bahrain and started working as a personal trainer since then.
How is personal training more effective than working out by oneself in a gym?
I think working out with a personal trainer is a smart move. It’s more effective than working out on your own, because you get the most out of your fitness routine. You get to learn new moves, be pushed and motivated when you don’t feel like it, you always need someone to hold you accountable for your workouts. You can avoid injury and bad posture as there is someone spotting you the whole time.
How would you define ‘fitness’?
Fitness is a lifestyle and a way of living.
What are the common problems/objectives that your clients come to you with?
One of the most common problems is when clients hit a fitness plateau where they lose a certain amount of weight and then the number on scale does not move. I work on different fitness methods to help them pass that and with discipline and hard work we reach the client goals.
What kind of training do you offer?
I offer single, couples or group exercise training. I design my fitness programs based on my client’s fitness and health needs.
What is the main cause of a high rate of obesity in our society today?
Bad nutrition, lack of movement and knowledge. A lot of people eat without having the knowledge of what they are putting in their bodies and what disease’s are they feeding with their bad nutrition. In the end you are what you eat.
How do you think one can maintain a healthy lifestyle despite work pressure, stress and a hectic life?
Make yourself and your health a priority! If you don’t have time to workout during the day wake up 30 minutes earlier go for a walk, if you feel you lack motivation get a friend or a relative to workout with you to motivate and hold you accountable.
What is your message to the people who have given up all hope of losing weight and gaining fitness?
Keep working hard and never give up on yourself until you reach your health and fitness goals.