Interview by Mena Ianculescu
What do the world titles mean to you and how did you win them?
The titles that I won represent first and foremost a personal achievement and certainly a reward of my work and effort. I have always looked at every practice, every competition as an experience and I truly wanted to get to the top. Performance demands sacrifice, so my work started at an early age. I started doing sports when I was 3 years old. I had my mother`s support since the very beginning. In fact, she was the one who had discovered my talent. At the age of 7, I was admitted to the National Sports College Deva. I must confess that aerobics has always been “my great love” and because of the hard work and the trainers I worked with, I achieved a high level of fitness performance and I became my own trainer. I have a huge passion for competitions and sports in particular which guided me since childhood to fulfill my dreams of. becoming a champion.
How did you end up participating in this competition?
I sent information about myself and I followed the selection process. As with every field, there is a starting point for everyone and after that, depending on the results and individual contribution, one can stand out from the crowd.
Because of the results I had in my first years, I am now a professional.
What is your weekly training program?
As a Group Fitness coach, I spend many hours at the gym, together with those who take part in my classes. During the week I have classes in different World Class centers, morning, lunch and evenings. But during days with a relaxed schedule, I love training outdoors. I like functional exercises, especially using my own body weight. I can say that weekends are freer in terms of trainings; since I usually have sport events and all sorts of projects.
You also work as a trainer at World Class. What type of training do you coordinate? What are the results of these trainings?
I have worked as a trainer for World Class for nine years now. I have several certificates for various disciplines; currently my program includes Cycling, BODYPUMP, CXWORX, C-CORE, Interval, Bosu and Metabolic Workout.
From your personal trainer experience, what are the results that the clients aim for?
The people who start going to the gym and choose to get a personal trainer, very often, want to lose weight. But I have also met people who simply enjoy the training and the health benefits they get, thus focusing more on wellbeing and toning their body.
What do you recommend for those who have never done any sport and have a lot of unwanted weight?
A person, who has never practiced sport constantly and would like to lose weight quickly, needs a personal trainer and good advice regarding nutrition. Without having knowledge or experience, it is best to see a specialist and get proper guidance towards living a healthy and active lifestyle
What are your recommendations regarding diet while training, in order to achieve their desired shape?
„The desired shape” is always different for each individual. I priorities health above all, which is why I recommend a balanced diet with lots of fresh foods and quality nutrients. Regardless of your objective, the food must be cooked as simply as possible (oven, steamed, grilled), with plenty of fresh vegetable and fruits, however, sugar, farinaceous foods and alcohol must be avoided as much as possible. Also, it is important to upkeep a daily routine: three main meals and two snacks a day.
Is there a fast track for a harmonious body? Let`s say that I want to have a flat tummy and toned arms in just 3 months.
It depends on your starting point. This is very important. Some people need 3 months to get in shape; others need 6 months or more. Quick results are not the best for your health, but a 3-month program can offer encouraging results and a good starting point.
„«The desired shape» is always different for each individual. I priorities health above all, which is why I recommend a balanced diet with lots of fresh foods and quality nutrients“
Foto: Gordon J Smith
When is the best time to train – morning or evening?
There is no rule for this. It is important to exercise in general. There are people who achieve their best results during the first hours of the day; others feel more energized during the evening. We are all different and it is normal to have different needs and training programs, depending on our preferences and objectives. Exercising is much more beneficial when it is enjoyed as it can make you feel more energized and content.
Is jogging enough to maintain our shape or is it better to go to the gym as well?
In order to stay in shape, we should exercise, no matter how and where. To have visible results, I recommend outdoor and gym training.
What do you recommend for a healthy life and a harmonious body?
Everything I said so far represents the path towards a healthy and active lifestyle – complex training, a balanced diet, and a well- thought out plan.
How many hours should we train each week? Is there a limit to how much we can train per day?
If you do high intensity training every day, it is very much possible to get over exert yourself. Therefore, I recommend resting at least one or two days per week, as well as going to the sauna and getting massages. In everything we do, balance is key.
