Gold’s Gym boasts of 2 new certified personal trainers

Gold’s Gym Saipan personal trainers Ella Dela Cruz, right, and Michelle Masga, have just been certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. (Contributed Photo)

Gold’s Gym Saipan announced yesterday that it now has two personal trainers—Ella Dela Cruz and Michelle Masga—who had just been certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, raising the total of personal trainers on staff to seven.

A Fine Arts major in Visual Communications, Dela Cruz came to Saipan in 2000 and started work at the gym in June 2012. In addition to her new position as a personal trainer, Dela Cruz holds certifications in TRX Suspension Training, Body Pump by Les Mills, Pilates, POP Pilates of Casey Ho, and first aid/CPR. She currently works at the front desk and teaches TRX, Pilates, and Tone & Sculpt. Dela Cruz was inspired by others to become a personal trainer and recently taught Boot Camp & Pilates at L.A. Fitness and Body Pump & Pilates at 24-Hour Fitness in Washington.

Dela Cruz believes essential exercises consist of the 1) Squat, which strengthens lower extremities like the gluteus and quadriceps; 2) Front Iso-Abs aka “the Plank,” which strengthens abdominals, back and shoulders. 3) Floor Bridge, which targets the lower, back muscles and gluteus and strengthens and activates core stabilizer muscles, decreases knee pain and corrects muscle imbalances.

Her own fitness goals consist of aging well, gaining more energy, getting fitter and stronger, and being a role model to all women, especially mothers. Dela Cruz says, “It’s not too late to make a big change in you.”

When asked about recommended dietary supplements to enhance a client’s performance, she replied, “Amino and whey protein. Gold’s Gym is selling one brand called ‘Dotfit.’”

Born and raised on Saipan, Masga has an associate degree in Liberal Arts from the Northern Marianas College. She started work at Gold’s Gym on Aug. 15, 2016. She works as a front desk associate and was inspired to become a personal trainer because of her long-term goal of becoming a physical therapist specializing in sports medicine. Masga currently coaches volleyball and strives to improve her coaching with experience and knowledge gained in the gym as well as through the study of personal training.

Previously certified in first aid/CPR, Masga studied eight months before taking the NASM exam.

For new clients, Masga uses a structured assessment that tells a person’s BMI (body mass index), body fat, and muscle imbalances. During the assessment, she evaluates the client’s body weight and height to determine the BMI. The assessment also informs personal trainers which muscles are overactive and underactive when performing an overhead squat.

“Before we start with a program, we highly recommend the client to visit their physician or a physical therapist to determine if the client is fit enough for exercise. Based on the check up, we would know their limitations and capabilities. For example, if a client has had a previous knee injury, we would try to strengthen that weak leg by doing single leg movements,” said Masga.

For people who want to gain muscle mass, she suggests they take whey protein powder to enhance the body’s protein synthesis, in addition to a multivitamin to improve overall health and a better immune system.

Located adjacent to Sugar King Park, Gold’s Gym Saipan is a full fitness facility open seven days a week with world-class certified personal trainers, energetic class instructors, and innovative fitness programs. Gold’s Gym has the coaching, programs, and experience you need to help you achieve your fitness goals. For more information, call 670-233-4000. (PR)