How long have you been in the fitness industry?
In February 2022, Breakthrough Fitness will be celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. I took the gym over back in January 2012. I was the original owner’s landlord, so I was first choice when they wanted to sell. What can I say other than it’s been a fun almost 10 years!
—Jay Stever (owner)
Tell us one thing a person trying to lose weight might be surprised by?
When it comes to weight loss, most people focus on extreme cardio and super low calorie diets. You do not have to starve yourself or do endless hours of cardio to lose weight. Try muscle/strength building and healthy diets that teach and help you adopt healthier eating habits long term. Strength training can build a good base of muscle, allowing you to increase your metabolism, which makes it easier to not only drop weight but to keep it off! Healthier and better eating shouldn’t be short term for weight loss; balance is key.
—Sofia Maley (personal trainer)
What is something you do with a client inside the gym that they could take outside the gym?
Functional body weight exercise utilizing bands and the environment around you. That makes it fun and is a great way to get and keep fit.
—Santi Gill (personal trainer)
What is the primary reason you work out?
Working out is the best way to stay healthy, look better, and feel even better; it also helps to avoid visits to the doctor.
—Eddie Avila (desk staff)
What is your number one get hype song?
I can’t pick one, so my top three that will always get the job done are “52 Bars,” Lil Durk; “Da Rockwilder,” Method Man; “Millions,” Pusha T. —Sean Hickey (desk staff)
Who is your favorite local fitness instructor?
Pilates instructor Katie Girardi. Katie has been certified since 2005 and loves to teach and help people with their bodies. She runs her own studio on Hilton Head Island and is also a faculty member and teacher trainer for Pure Body Health since 2019. She really loves teaching clients and other instructors “the art” of proper body movement and how to feel good in their own bodies.
—Sherri Smith (Pilates instructor/personal trainer)
There have been many fitness trends over the years; what was your favorite?
High intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT workouts involve short bursts of activity with periods of rest. The benefit of HIIT training is that you can get in an intense workout in a relatively short period of time. The good thing about HIIT is that you don’t need any special equipment as you can use bodyweight exercises, and you can modify HIIT workouts to fit different ability levels.
—AJ White (personal trainer)
What is your personal favorite way to burn calories and sweat a little?
As much as I love being in the gym, I have to say it’s outdoor running! There is nothing better than putting on your sneakers, putting in your headphones, going outside and getting lost in your own world. The feeling after a good run is one of the best, both physically and mentally.
—Stacey Saritelli (personal trainer/fitness instructor)
Give our readers one piece of advice to reach their fitness goals in 2022.
Consistency takes precedence over motivation. Disconnect with the emotions involving taking the action and commit to the rituals and practices to create momentum.
—Phil Mullins (personal trainer)
