Merlino Fitness Team
Michael Merlino, Owner

Certified Professional Fitness Trainer
BBA, ACE, BSMI (CPFT,RES,SCS), Cooper Institute

Before Corporate Whipping Boy "I wanna be forced into early retirement"

After Happy Personal Trainer "Ok Joan...let's flex those Biceps!"

After moving to the great state of Texas from Buffalo, New York at the age of 14, Michael grew up in Houston and graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1988 with a Bachelor' s degree in Business Administration. Following college, he spent 10 years as a Human Resources and Employee Benefits corporate executive with The Baylor College of Medicine and Houston Lighting & Power (now Relient Energy).  Although he enjoyed his corporate work and picked up some invaluable business and management skills along the way, Michael was searching for something more.

In 1996, he put his life-long passion for fitness to work and started studying anatomy, exercise science and biomechanics. He earned a certification with the BSMI as a Certified Professional Fitness Trainer (CPFT) through Professional Fitness Instructor Training (PFIT) and started training clients in private fitness studios in Houston on a part-time basis to test the waters and see whether he truly enjoyed his new line of work. After working his full-time corporate job and part-time personal training duties for a year, Michael was presented with a chance to work as a part-time Human Resources consultant for Houston Lighting & Power's nuclear power plant in Bay City, Texas (The South Texas Nuclear Operating Company) in the summer of 1997. This opportunity allowed him to split his time between Human Resources consulting and Personal Fitness Training. Investing the extra time training clients confirmed beyond a doubt that a full-time fitness career was in the cards.

On July 1, 1998, Michael shifted gears once again and became a full-time Fitness Trainer, trading in his suit and tie in for warm ups and tennis shoes. He now spends his time as a freelance, professional fitness trainer, writer and speaker teaching others the importance of exercise, proper nutrition and making fitness a more active part of their life.

Michael is a Certified Professional Fitness Trainer with The American Council on Exercise (ACE) and BSMI and is certified in Biomechanics and Dietary Guidance with The Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research (CIAR) in Dallas, Texas. His is also certified ad amost recent certification from BSMI as a Rehab Exercise Specialist (RES) will allow him to add post rehabilitation exercise therapy to help others rebound from injuries following rehabilitation with physical therapists and physicians. He is a member of The International Association of Fitness Professionals (IDEA) and is involved with local and national charities including The Arthritis Foundation.

Hobbies & Activities
In his free time, Michael loves to run and cycle and enjoys competing in local 5K and 10K road races and nation-wide marathons. After completing the Honolulu marathon, Houston marathon, San Diego Rock 'n' Roll marathon, and the Chicago marathon, Michael is training hard to improve his personal best 3 hour 30 minute time to a 3:15 to qualify for the Boston marathon. He also enjoys training himself in the weight room a few days a week. Michael loves traveling and he now mixes fitness with travel by traveling to various cities to compete in half and full marathons. Hiking and photography go hand in hand with his love of the outdoors and sense of adventure. He is a proud uncle and enjoys playing and spending time with his nephew, Anthony, and his neices Zoe, Katherine, and Haylee.

Uncle Michael with future track stars Katherine & Anthony
Compaq Houston Marathon - January 21, 2001

Services
For more information on the Michael's personal training services click here.