About The Author

Russell Smith, for most of his life, has had the ongoing passion to utilize proper knowledge, motivation, and diverse exercises to achieve realistic health and fitness goals, not just for himself but for others as well. He plans to continually further his education and talents in working with diverse and special populations, but has been content working full-time at the Google corporate fitness centers in Mountain View, CA. In April of 2006 he converted this passion into a "full-time" profession for the first time, with the NASM certified capacity to customize exercise programs to improve all diversities of optimal daily life, recreation, and/or desired sports activities. From his youth he has been team-sports oriented and well experienced, and currently has 30 years experience as a competitive runner, including 7 years as a triathlete.For years Russell has used common playgrounds to get his own personal exercise with resourcefulness, for good time management, while with friends' children and/or his own. In 2007 he was motivated to write a book on this topic and purchase this website domain, completed most of the book until 2008, but has been more busy with his own family and new-born daughter since, with full-time profession, and pursuing other personal goals as well. Finally in 2012 the first edition e-book and website has been completed for the general public, including some 2007-2008 pictures, but with plans to update all the pictures, add more exercises, and eventually do online video demonstrations on this website as well.Russell enjoys cross training and remaining physically fit as a necessary way of life, happiness, and for elite physical longevity. Hopefully his related history, experiences, education, website, and this book can be helpful to you, any others possible, and in any way or ways possible.

PERSONAL TRAINER EDUCATION:

• 04/2006 to Present: National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Personal Trainer Certification. Cardiorespiratory Training & Weight Loss Specialist. 

• 2002-2004, 2007-Present: Spinning/Cycling Instructor Certification. MAD DOGG Athletics, Inc. 

• 1986-1988   West Valley College: Saratoga, CA. Minor:  Physical Education. Cross-country, Track & Field, and Strength Training classes.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINER EXPERIENCES:

• 08/2007 to Present:  Full-Time Personal Trainer, at Google Corporate Fitness Centers (Mountain View, CA).

• 08/2006 to 08/2007:  Full-Time Personal Trainer. Yahoo Corporate Fitness Centers (Sunnyvale, CA).

• 11/2006 to 12/2008: Community Bootcamp Instructor (Saratoga High School location, CA).

• 08/2000 to 11/2000: Head Cross-country Coach:  One season (temporarily fill-in). Del Mar High School, San Jose, CA.

• 08/2001 to 11/2002: Distance Running Coach (volunteer walk-on coach). 2 x Cross-country seasons, and 1 x Track season. Branham High School, San Jose, CA.

• 1991 to 1993: Personal Trainer (Part-Time), Los Gatos Swim & Racket Club, Los Gatos, CA.

COMMUNITY & PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• 1987 California Cross-country State Championship Team, West Valley College, Saratoga, CA.

• 1995-2007 Various Christian Youth Summer Camps: Counselor, Rock Climbing Staff, Lifeguard Duty.

• 2002 USA Track & Field National Masters Championship Finals: 3,000 Meter Steeplechase, Silver Medalist (35-39 Age Group).

• 2002 USA Track & Field National Masters Championship Finals: 1,500 Meter Run, Bronze Medalist (35-39 Age Group).

Playground Exercises For Parents (book & website) – Copyright © 2012 Russell A. Smith