As you have probably noticed, there is a new, vibrant fitness trainer at ZENFULdog Training to help pet-parent and dog teams sync their fitness levels because working out together is more PAWSOME!
Autumn Fontaine-MacKinnon recently completed a Fitness Instructor Level 4 Question Specific Learning (QSL) course and a Personal Trainer Level 3 QSL course. She also earned her Sport Coaching Level 5 QSL diploma. These are Continuing Professional Development (CPD)-quality standards accredited certifications so she has earned hours in continuing professional development.
Also, as Kendra’s daughter, Autumn has years of experience assisting in ZENFULdog Training and getting to know you and your dogs. So, with no further delay, let’s meet your new Fitness Trainer—Autumn!
Beyond Certification
Autumn has been involved in fitness for as long as she has been on this earth! Growing up, Autumn rode horses and did gymnastics. While she loved horseback riding, gymnastics was truly HER sport.
After a few bad injuries, however, Autumn had to call it quits: “I was always an active kid but I really found my passion for sports when I began high school and joined multiple sports clubs. This past school year, I was awarded ‘Most Valuable Player (MVP)’ in basketball, volleyball and badminton. On top of that, I was honoured with the ‘Athlete of the Year’ award for the second time in a row. About one to two years ago, my dad installed a home gym and I absolutely love it.”
Kendra adds: “Autumn rocked a Canicross race with a client’s dog—Super Pia! She also came in first place at a Fun Run with their family dog, Ren. Autumn has experience training dogs in Fitness, Skills, Parkour and Canicross. Having someone skilled with dogs will be the perfect match to teach in a dual Fitness class of people and dogs. Thanks to Autumn joining the team, ZENFULdog now offers a course called Fit2gether that helps you get fit WITH your dog!”
Meet Your Trainer—Autumn
Why Autumn Became a Fitness Trainer: Autumn became a fitness trainer because she aspires to one day delve into the world of Sports Rehabilitation: “To set myself on the right path and share my passion for fitness with others, I took some courses during the summer. Those courses equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to guide others on their fitness journeys. Becoming a fitness trainer allows me to combine my love of sports with my understanding of the human body and my dedication to helping others achieve their goals.”
How Autumn earned her certifications: Autumn earned her certifications through online courses that provided a comprehensive and interactive learning experience: “The courses included video lectures that covered a wide range of topics, from anatomy and physiology to exercise techniques and client management. Assignments and questionnaires helped reinforce my understanding of the material, while evaluations and practical assessments ensured I could apply what I learned effectively.”
Autumn’s Favourite Fitness Tips: “One of my favorite fitness tips is that you are allowed to eat junk food. Whether your goal is to gain or lose weight, you can still enjoy your ‘guilty pleasures.’ The key is understanding that weight loss requires a calorie deficit, while weight gain requires a calorie surplus. While it's important to prioritize nutritious food for overall health, indulging in junk food occasionally won’t derail your progress. Balance and moderation are essential.”
Some other tips from Autumn include:
Get enough sleep, rest is the key to muscle building (7-9 hours).
Listen to your body.
While exercising, your main concern should be form (not weight, and not the number of sets/reps).
Everybody is different, which means progress varies from person to person, and so should the exercises.
The Most Difficult Fitness Tips to Teach or for People to Follow (or maintain): In Autumn’s opinion, the most difficult fitness tips to teach and maintain are confidence and discipline:
“Confidence is challenging because many struggle with self-doubt and body image issues, making it hard to believe in themselves.
While most believe motivation is the key to fitness, I would argue that it's discipline. Motivation is hard to come by, fitness demands consistency and commitment. It's the discipline to stick to your routine that truly drives long-term success, even when motivation wanes.”
What Autumn is Most Looking Forward to about Fitness Training: Autumn is most looking forward to positively impacting people's lives: “I’m excited to guide individuals toward their health and fitness goals to help them overcome challenges and celebrate their achievements. The opportunity and ability to share my passion for fitness is incredibly rewarding. I’m also eager to keep learning and growing in the field.”
Autumn’s Biggest Foreseeable Challenge to Fitness Training with Dogs: The biggest challenge Autumn foresees is earning the respect and trust of clients because of her age: “Despite my knowledge and experience, some people may still have reservations, which is understandable. Overcoming this challenge will involve demonstrating my expertise, building strong relationships and proving my commitment through consistent results and professionalism.”
What Autumn Thinks will be the Most Rewarding part of Fitness Training:
“The most rewarding factor will be seeing individuals achieve their health and fitness goals, gain confidence and improve their overall well-being. I hope my guidance and support will make a meaningful difference in their journeys.”
Autumn’s Goals as a Fitness Trainer: As a fitness trainer at ZENFULdog Training, Autumn’s goals are to expand her knowledge and contribute to growing the business. Another goal she has is to help clients integrate their dogs into their fitness journey: “I believe involving pets in workouts can enhance motivation, create a fun and engaging experience and strengthen the bond between clients and their dogs.”
The Best Thing about Working in the ZENFULdog Community: Autumn feels that the best part of working in the ZENFULdog community is the incredible atmosphere: “It’s a supportive and welcoming environment where everyone fosters a positive and uplifting experience, from our dedicated head trainer Kendra to the enthusiastic pet parents and their loveable dogs. This vibrant community spirit makes working here truly enjoyable and inspires me to bring my passion and energy to every interaction.”
Kendra Describes Autumn’s Qualities as a Fitness Instructor: “Autumn was born a fighter, she is and always has been strong in physical strength and mental and emotional tenacity. She has a quiet way of getting through any challenge with humility and humour while possessing a gift to help others rise which is the kind of quality you can't teach, it's who she is.
Autumn crewed at endurance rides with the grace and focus of people three times her age for 24 hours straight at 11 years old and was nominated for best crew that year in 2019. She then started in gymnastics later in life and attained ‘competitive level’ by spending countless hours at home practicing and was awarded ‘Most Improved Competitive Club’ in 2020. During Autumn’s first year competing in ride n' tie (horses), she won second place overall for the season. Autumn was also awarded ‘Athlete of the Year Junior’ for her school and then ‘Most Valuable Player’ (MVP) in basketball, volleyball, and badminton and won the ‘Athlete of the Year Senior’ at L'ecole Secondaire Publique L'Heritage.
Autumn has represented her school at many events and cheered others in their efforts. She has fallen, broken bones and always dusted herself and got back up to rock it again. I am very excited to have her teach Fitness for Zenfuldog because she will bring her energy, determination, heart and soul to help and inspire others to attain their goals and have an awesome good time doing it!”
Fit2gether
The Fit2gether program is designed to enhance overall fitness and is highly recommended for both Canicross enthusiasts and anyone looking to improve their physical conditioning and that of their dog. It prepares you and your dog for the specific demands of Canicross while offering valuable benefits for general fitness.
With Kendra as your certified Canine Fitness instructor and Autumn Fontaine-MacKinnon as your certified Human Fitness instructor, the 6-week course focuses on stillness and good form-based exercise methodology with your canine partners. You and your dog will build strength, muscle, endurance, speed and cardiovascular fitness through a variety of dynamic workouts. Each week focuses on a different aspect of training to ensure a comprehensive approach that targets all aspects of physical conditioning.
A very special “Thank You!” to Autumn for her hard work becoming a trainer to help round out ZENFULdog Training’s fitness component. Welcome to your new role in the Zenfuldog Training family. We are lucky and proud to have you as our Fitness Trainer for the humans!
Don’t forget you can follow ZENFULdog Training on Facebook to stay connected to your like-minded dog-loving community every day!
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