Gold's Gym trainer whips Destin into shape

Spring is a time of renewal. Ideally, it is a time for people to renew their focus on health and well-being.

One glimpse at the fit-at-50 form of Brenda Hutchison is enough to motivate many into action.

Members of Gold’s Gym in Destin are privy to the group instruction of Hutchison, who teaches cardio and circuit training.

“All of her classes are fantastic,” Ginger Alexander, 6-year disciple of Hutchison, told The Log. “She works every part of your body.”
Hutchison got her start in fitness 32 years ago at the age of 19.

“I started in Fort Walton [as a student] with a Slimnastics class. We wore fishnet hose, ballet slippers, and leotards,” she laughs, “We’ve come a long way!”

Hutchison, certified by the American Council on Exercise and Les Mills, has developed a regular following of clients in Destin.

“She is very thorough, she does a lot of research,” says Ann Harris, General Manager of Gold’s Gym and fellow instructor. “I’ve never come across another instructor as educated and qualified as her in the field.”

When Hutchison was younger, she competed in the Reebok National Aerobic Championships and Crystal Light National Aerobic Competitions.

“In the 80s, aerobic competitions were ‘the thing.’ ”

She also has an extensive background in ballet, spanning 15 years.

Hutchison’s experience and expertise has led her to create her own class that she teaches every week.

“It’s called Power Conditioning,” she says. “It’s basically an aerobic, body circuit class so they get their cardio and strength training all at once.”

In the past 32 years, Hutchison has seen fitness, especially for women, evolve.

“There was a lot of crash dieting in the ’80s, and it wasn’t ladylike to lift weights, so we did calisthenics,” she says.

Today, fitness authorities preach the benefits of weightlifting, as it helps women hold on to bone mass.

“As far as women go, we’ve got the best of both worlds now.”

Hutchison, an avid vegetarian for the last 30 years and a grandmother, religiously follows her guidelines for health and longevity.

“I think most people’s problems today are a result of their diets,” she explains. “Our bodies don’t know what to do with all of that processed food.”

She further says that if something does not grow on a tree or in the ground, she doesn’t eat it.

Whether or not one adopts the same ideals as Hutchison, it is imperative that people take a proactive approach to their health.

The front row of Hutchison’s class is not a bad place to start.