ACTIVE ACHIEVEMENT: “I enjoy so many things about what I do. I really love helping people realize what they are capable of achieving. I look forward to continuing to learn and gain knowledge to empower myself to be the best trainer I can be, so I can help my clients reach their potential.” Maryalice Goldsmith, owner of InsideOut Fitness, is shown lifting a barbell.

Maryalice Goldsmith wears many hats. She is a certified personal trainer, Spin instructor, TRX trainer, and boxing fitness trainer. In addition, she has a degree in social work and is a nutrition specialist.

All of these areas of expertise come together in her role as founder and owner of InsideOut Fitness. Established in Kingston in 2008, the program offers one-on-one personal training, partner training, group-focused “boot camp,” boxing, and nutrition guidance.

A long-time advocate and practitioner of fitness, Ms. Goldsmith has completed several marathons and half-marathons, and a triathalon.

“Fitness has always been important to me,” she explains. “But it is not just physical. My concept of fitness includes nutrition, mind, and spirit, as well as physical conditioning. The name of my program, InsideOut, reflects that. If you are not OK on the inside, you won’t do as well. Nutrition is hugely important. In fact, I believe 70 to 80 percent of progress really depends on nutrition, and this is the big issue for many clients.”

Full Analysis

After an initial consultation, usually by phone, Ms. Goldsmith meets the client for a detailed assessment, including measurements, body fat evaluation, heart rate, etc.

“It’s a full analysis of the person, their current level of conditioning and fitness,” she explains. “I will also ask if they have any medical issues and what their goals are. With women, it is often to lose weight; with men, it’s to bulk up. I also ask about their nutrition and what they eat.”

Based on the results of the evaluation, Ms. Goldsmith creates a custom plan for the client, which includes specific nutrition guidance in addition to the physical workout.

“For example,” she points out, “if their body fat is too high, there can be a nutrition problem. The biggest problem I find is that people don’t eat enough! They’re often on the run and don’t have time for a balanced, healthy meal. Then, by 9 at night, they’re hungry, and can end up eating junk food.”

Interestingly, she adds, when one doesn’t eat enough, the body stores fat because the brain thinks there isn’t enough caloric intake. The body goes into starvation mode! So even with less food, one may not lose weight.

“I give people menu suggestions. I advise them to keep it simple, healthy, and nutritional. Try to make things ahead of time. Pick a day, perhaps Sunday, and make enough to have for a week. People can often be tired and stressed if they are not eating properly.”

Many Benefits

One-on-one workout sessions are an hour, and start with cardio warm-ups and stretching. It can then include weight-lifting, working with dumbbells, exercise balls, balance balls, TRX equipment, and various other exercise tools. It is geared to each client’s current fitness level and ability, and to his or her goal.

Boxing classes are held on Wednesday and Friday. There are many benefits to boxing, including strengthening the core, points out Ms. Goldsmith. “The core is so important. It is your main foundation.”

“Boot Camp” includes group activities for a minimum of six and maximum of 14 participants. “It is a total body conditioning class. It can be everything, including weights, TRX, and kickboxing,” Ms. Goldsmith explains.

Many clients participate in both one-on-one personal training and the boot camp classes.

Current clients range in age from 13 to 65, and many are committed to improving their overall fitness, she reports. Some come as often as five times a week, others three, and some twice a week. “You should try to come in at least twice a week to make real progress. With that commitment, you can see improvement within two weeks.”

During the course of the workout, conversation is a key element, she adds. In her role as social worker, Ms. Goldsmith is able to help people who may be struggling with underlying issues that are keeping them from reaching their fitness — and other — potentials.

Happy and Energetic

“My fitness approach includes conversation. How is the client doing and feeling? Sometimes, clients don’t have a sense of their own value and self-worth. I want them to know they are not just average, but that they have value and can achieve more than they think they can. They are happier and more energetic when they have accomplished something.

“Also, sometimes, if someone is very stressed out with all the pressures that exist today, I tell them that it is important for them to take at least 10 minutes off during the day, just for themselves.”

It often takes a while for clients to commit fully to the nutrition part of the InsideOut program, she adds. A client can progress by engaging only in the physical workout, but without the overall success that participating in a healthy diet, coupled with physical exercise, will bring.

As Yoshi Lassiter of Trenton, who has been a client for more than a year, and who is a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, notes, “The biggest benefit of Maryalice’s fitness program is education. She is a great motivator, and training is never boring or repetitive.

“It was getting harder for me to meet the requirements of my bi-annual Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), and I am delighted to share that I have taken two APFTs under Maryalice’s tutelage, and the last one was the best I have had in my entire Reserve career. I felt so good!

“It gets even better,” continues Ms. Lassiter. “For the first 12 months, I had not changed my eating habits. On February 1 of this year, I decided to listen to her in terms of getting serious nutrition. Since I started following her guidance, I dropped seven pounds in less than three weeks, and the pounds are still off. Maryalice does not support anything that is not conducive to the entire well-being of her clients — not just physically, but emotionally, and even spiritually. The sessions have been so therapeutic.”

Adds Kathy Grmek of South Brunswick, a client of one year: “Maryalice has changed my life. I feel healthier and stronger than I have in years.”

Classes are available Monday through Friday, and three payment packages are offered. Installment payments are available. The more sessions taken, the more economical the plan.

Interactive Relationship

Establishing an interactive, communicative relationship with clients is very important to Ms. Goldsmith. Every week, she sends them emails, news of upcoming workouts, a tip of the week, and a recipe.

“As a personal trainer, fitness is a big part of my life.” she points out. “I work out six days a week. But it takes work and focus. I understand the challenge of trying to live healthy. We all face the same obstacles of lack of time, running a home, working, and simply enjoying food! It’s not easy to get those daily workouts in. But I also know that without them, I would be an entirely different person. Fitness has made me happier, more energetic, and grateful for the body God has given me.

“This is what I want to convey to my clients. Fitness is a commitment to the value of who you are, and it’s an important investment. I want them to know it has been such a privilege knowing them, working with them, and seeing them become all they can be. I am so happy when my clients make progress.”

Ms. Goldsmith can be reached at (732) 616-1853. Website: www.insideoutfitness.net.