About

LAUREN SHUSTER
Lauren Shuster is a  CANFITPRO Certified Personal Trainer,  ELDOA 1 and 2 Certified, Yoga Instructor, Fitness Instructor and Presenter with over 19 years of experience using a mind-body approach to optimal health. Lauren has experience working with pre\post natal clients, older adults, post-rehab clients and clients training for sporting events. She has a background in modern dance and ballet which she uses to help educate her clients about proper posture, focus, flexibility and balance. Her detailed knowledge of sport specific exercises allows her to build her clients’ strength and endurance. Lauren specializes in core training using the stability ball, TRX and resistance bands to create unique programs for her clients that improve their posture, strength, endurance and overall health.

She is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Anthropology and Biology minor. Her educational background has allowed her to gain a extensive knowledge of human musculoskeletal anatomy and postural patterns which she passes on to her clients. She has also taken courses and certifications in Thai Massage, Pilates, Core conditioning, and Mindfulness Meditation.

Lauren has experience working with pre\post natal clients, older adults, post-rehab clients and clients training for sporting events. She has a background in modern dance and ballet which she uses to help educate her clients about proper posture, focus, flexibility and balance. Her detailed knowledge of sport specific exercises allows her to build her clients’ strength and endurance. Lauren specializes in core training using the BOSU, stability ball and resistance band to create unique programs for her clients that improve their posture, strength, endurance and overall health.

Lauren also instructs  Outdoor Bootcamps, Older Adult and Gentle Fitness, Mumnet classes, Fitmix and Body Blast classes and Tabata-style fitness.

Lauren’s Holistic Approach to Health

Extensive research has been done on how our mind can affect our body. Neck tension, back pain and digestive problems are often related to mental stress and anxiety. Therefore, it is important to train the mind, as well as the body, to achieve the highest level of health. My approach to fitness includes using elements of yoga and breathing exercises to release tension, improve concentration and lower stress levels during and post workout.

Anthropological Approach

As human beings, bipedalism (walking on two limbs) is a relatively new way of moving in our evolutionary history. Our bodies have yet to fully adjust to this type of posture. As a result, many of us experience lower back pain, knee and hip problems, tight hamstrings, neck tension and weak stomach muscles. My approach works on strengthening and stretching those muscles that are most affected by our upright pattern of walking.

Core Training

The core muscles include: the lower back muscles, stomach muscles, hip flexors and extensors. These muscles are the “powerhouses” of the body and without strong and flexible core muscles you cannot achieve a balanced physique. In training my clients, I use the stability ball and resistance bands to challenge the deep core muscles while incorporating balance, strength and flexibility.

Functional Training

Exercises in a balanced fitness plan should reflect day-to-day movements and challenges that the body encounters. In other words, exercises should be functional. A squat is a functional exercise because it strengthens the leg muscle involved in sitting and rising from a chair. The lunge is another functional exercise because it strengthens the muscles involved in climbing stairs. Functional training is also important because it trains the smaller stabilizing muscles that support the major muscles in movement. The stabilizers are often neglected in machine based exercises that only allow for one range of motion.