It’s a brand new year and with it, you’ll have new resolutions, new endeavors and maybe a new special someone. The world looks so bright; it seems crystal clear, no room for failure. Each year begins this way, with good intentions and new resolve.

Then comes March and you’ve lost focus. How did it all go so horribly wrong? It’s always your abs that suffer the most.

With help from Cincinnati Profile, this will be the year you get in shape and keep all your resolutions with laser-like focus on your goals. You can do it with advice from downtown’s newest personal trainer and fitness expert, Danielle Korb. Ms. Korb, owner of Sweat Training, grew up in the gym as a competitive gymnast and has been coaching/training for over 12 years.

Cincinnati Profile: Danielle, tell me a little about yourself and your gym.

Danielle Korb: Sweat Training is downtown Cincinnati’s 2,600 square foot urban loft-style gym. The gym features a turf runway (73 feet long, 10 feet wide) and a “Sweat & the City” downtown Cincinnati-inspired wall mural.

CP: How and why did you decide to become a personal fitness trainer?

DK: I’m passionate about it (training). I typically tend to do the things that I find challenging, interesting, evolving and creative. Owning Sweat and training clients is my artistic palette.

CP: Tell me about your specialties in terms of fitness and exercise?

Danielle Korb in front of one of the murals at Sweat (photo: 5chw4r7z)

DK: Sweat’s Personal Training & Indoor Urban Boot Camps focus on High Intensity Resistance Training:

1. Speed, running and agility drills on the 73 ft. turf runway;
2. Body weight exercises: pushups, pullups, situps, lunges, squats, box jumps;
3. Resistance equipment exercises: machines, cables, bands, kettleballs, dumbbells.

My clients never do the same workout twice. It’s nonstop, and they’re always progressing with regard to looking fitter and becoming more athletic.

I cater the personal training to the clients’ skill level & body type. My clients train in small groups of three. They do their own workouts but being in a group keeps the camaraderie, competition and affordability. The Indoor Urban Boot Camp, which can accommodate up to 40 people, is indoor, social, effective/efficient, non-stop Sweat.

CP: Who does your client base include?

DK: Sweat Training is for the urbanite that works hard, trains hard and enjoys the social scene. Sweat Training is challenging for both men and women who typically workout on their own or train in a sport, but want the challenge/results of having a professional fine tune and progress their training. They come because they want more accountability and consistency in their routine, they want someone to teach them the right way to train, and they want people to look at them and know they are fit.

CP: How can someone stay motivated?

DK: It’s like anything in life. If you like it, you will keep doing it. I set Sweat Training’s style and the gym’s ambiance so that people like working out here. They also enjoy working out with similar-minded people. It’s the reason I train my clients in groups, chose a loft-style space and put massive, sweaty athletes on the gym walls. This collection of “likes” is motivating to both my clients and myself. To stay motivated, I suggest bringing together as many “likes” as possible into your training style and environment.

CP: What one single thing could a person do to make the most difference in fitness?

DK: Don’t go for perfection. Go for persistence and you will have more swagger. It’s not about being perfect for three months, it’s about a lifestyle change. An unhealthy fitness relationship is one you jump in and out of, whereas a healthy fitness relationship requires a commitment to work at it every day. There will be periods of maintenance, but because you stuck it out, you will have progress. Swagger it up!

CP: What are some of the misconceptions people have about exercising and getting in shape?

DK: There are a lot of misconceptions out there. Professional athletes have some of the most amazing bodies in the world. Learn from what they do to stay in shape. These things include:

1. They train all year long.
2. They have periods of maintenance and progress.
3. They have a trainer to challenge them and hold them accountable.
4. They didn’t get their bodies in top condition in three months; they have been training persistently for years.
5. They are training in a setting/style that they like and are passionate about.
6. They typically train for intensity with the mindset of “get in the gym and work out hard” while they are there.

One of the workout murals at Sweat (photo: 5chw4r7z)

CP: We all live active social lives, and still want to go out with friends. What tips do you have for having fun but not ruining conditioning?

DK: My clients are social, as am I! In the middle of a workout, it’s not uncommon for a client to ask me what drink they should order based on their favorite options. I will be the last person to act as though I work out perfectly and never eat unhealthy. I have a massive sweet tooth and I do enjoy downtown nightlife. Here are my tips for combining good health with being social:

When eating out, stick with veggies and a protein. Ask the restaurant to cook it as dry as possible. That means they use as little oil as possible. Any veggies will work. As for protein, you have your pick of any white fish, tuna, chicken, or turkey. Yes, men, steaks and burgers are protein, but they have a lot of fat and nearly double the calories of other protein options. Save this option for that random Vegas weekend, and the grillouts at your house – when you can purchase leaner options at the store.

When you are going to indulge, get a good workout in that day and the day after. This will help you counteract the calories & keep you in your routine.

When it comes to adult beverages, or “liquid candy bars,” as I like to call them, you can do 75% liquor/clean mixer with a splash of 25% sweet. Try to drink water between drinks to stay hydrated. This will help you work out the next day, and might help cut back on the number of drinks you consume.

I don’t indulge in every social setting! There are plenty of times that I will go out to events, socialize, drink my water and stick with “clean” appetizers. I still get to be social and network, but don’t do damage to my body and get right back to my routine the next day.

CP: What’s the best thing about being a personal trainer?

DK: I’m not going to lie: it’s fun making my clients sweat. They trust me to push them past their limits. I love seeing people be passionate in the gym, working hard for what they want and attain it. I enjoy being a reliable resource for people to focus on their fitness goals and get what they want from their time in the gym.

So there you have it, a roadmap to good fitness. I would add, if you can’t afford a personal trainer, find a friend with the same schedule as you and work out together. You’ll challenge each other, and will be less likely to wimp out of a workout when someone else is relying on you.

Sweat Training is located at 18 W 7th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. You can call Danielle at (513) GO-SWEAT (513-467-9328) or send her an email: daniellekorb@sweattraining.com.