Results That Speak For Themselves

Engaged Fitness — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 10:24:00 +0000

“I have been training with Alex since February 2004. We currently meet three times a week, twice for strength training and once for yoga. Alex arranges each session so that I build on the progress I’ve already made; I am always challenged and I end each session feeling great. I am particularly impressed by Alex’s breadth of knowledge and his ability to prepare my workouts around my particular needs. I have scoliosis, and posture has always been a problem for me, but since I started doing yoga I’ve acquired a new sense of what “standing up straight” means. The massage therapist has also noticed that my spine and rib cage are much better aligned thanks to Alex's work. I am also significantly weak on my right side as a result of childhood encephalitis, but the postural and breath work from yoga and the strength training has really made a difference, as Alex has increased the weights with which I exercise. Alex also plugged me into a network of holistic health professionals who are all working with him. In addition to the massage therapist, I regularly consult with a nutritionist, who has been great in helping me modify my diet in ways that fit my food preferences and my life. Together, these three compassionate and caring people help me deal with all aspects of my health and well-being. The results come through in the way I look and feel, and I am pleased that others in my life have noticed these positive changes.”
-Sue Dicker, 54, Professor

"I was doing regular strength training with Alex for the purpose of weight loss, strengthening, and toning - an overall goal to feel better about myself and my looks. I had an incredibly stressful work life (and I still do) so I was hoping to experience some stress reduction from exercise as well. One evening, after a particularly stressful day at work, I came into the gym feeling rather tired and not much in the mood to do my workout. Alex suggested that instead of our normal routine for the evening, how about he teach me yoga. Even with an injured knee, which limited my movement a bit, that first exposure to Yoga really made a difference for me. When we were done I felt such a difference in my stress level and I commented to him on how that was exactly what I needed that night. It is amazing what just one evening of yoga did for my overall demeanor and feeling of the day. My relaxed feeling must have come through on the outside as another trainer in the place commented on how I looked like I was in an entirely different space from when I had first walked into the gym. I very much enjoyed the practice and it became a great complement to our regular routine of strength and flexibility training. Alex is incredibly knowledgeable and was able to adapt to my mood and physical circumstances."
-Stephanie Diamond, 33, VP at a Financial Services Firm

“This year [2005] I took on one of the biggest challenges I've ever had to face so far in my life ... the 21st Annual Westchester Triathlon, an Olympic Length Triathlon held in September in Rye, NY consisting of a 0.9 mile swim, 26 mile bike ride and 6.2 mile run. I took this event on for two reasons ... one was to do my part to help end the existence of various blood cancers by raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and secondly, to face my fears of swimming and biking. You see, when I started my training, I did not know how to swim nor ride a bike … as a child I never learned either of these two disciplines. Also, I was saddled with a less than healthy right knee … the product of three surgeries from various sports injuries during my high school years.
I knew I was going to need some help and guidance in order to achieve my goals and that’s when I turned to Alex. From our initial meeting where he performed a thorough assessment of my knee’s physical condition to his recent coaching and advice on my participation in future endurance events, I found Alex to not only be a professional and knowledgeable trainer, but also an individual who really cares about the well being of his clients. I found his training regime to be wonderfully malleable, not static and “cookie cutter” like some other trainers I’ve worked with in the past.
For instance, early in our training program we concerned ourselves with a completely athletic work out routine adapted to my knee condition which we later morphed into a rehab routine (after I strained my knee during a workout with my triathlon team) to prevent further injury and to strengthen the knee joint so that I could continue to participate in the upcoming event.
I found Alex’s knowledge of “sports specific” training to be invaluable. He was able to optimize my training by having me perform movements and exercises on and off various pieces of workout equipment that would allow my body to go through the same movements I would be doing during my triathlon. In the case of my swimming, this type of sports specific training helped me, an individual who had never swam before, complete the nearly one mile swim portion of the triathlon in 28 minutes. His rehab work was phenomenal. His routine mirrored exactly what my physical therapist was having me do, and was the perfect complement to the therapist’s work.
All in all, through Alex’s help, guidance and training, I was able to complete the Westchester Triathlon healthy, injury free and full of a sense of pride that I had successfully accomplished one of the biggest challenges in my life. I am proud to call Alex Reyes not only my trainer, but also a friend.”
-Edel Borrero, 36, UBS Investment Bank

“When I came to Alex, I had a severe knee injury that was misdiagnosed...and was being treated incorrectly. The chronic pain kept me off it so long that my muscles atrophied and long after the initial cause of the injury was treated, I was still unable to walk without a limp, climb, or descend stairs. Alex, quickly identified ways to strengthen my knee, and within days (despite having spent countless hours of physical therapy- to little relief) my chronic pain was greatly diminished. He had patiently spent time stretching out my muscles, which were worsening my problems...finally after months I was beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel. And with his support I have begun to loose weight as well; his knowledge of fitness and nutrition is top notch, but his best asset by far, is that he will support you like a rock until you meet your goals. When it comes to big fitness challenges, Alex is the guy I want in my corner.”
-Sheba Endeshaw, 30, Singer, Songwriter, Producer

I approached Alex with belief in several myths and misconceptions about fitness and form. I was a regular at my Gym and believed that I was fit and in good shape. However, I had frequently observed that my stamina had reached a dead wall and my flexibility was limited. As someone pursuing Latin American Ballroom Dancing, the latter was something I couldn't afford to compromise on.

It was in the very first meeting itself (during the fitness evaluation) that I knew Alex was the right instructor for me. He provided very logical and scientific explanations as to why my original routine was not just wrong but physically injurious. During the evaluation itself he pointed out that my abdominals were the weakest area of my body and were the most important for a good posture, form and flexibility during dancing. Having understood my goals perfectly well, Alex designed a routine that involved just the stability ball and a bar. I didn't have to visit the Gym since I could do the exercises at home, which saved me precious commuting time. As for the results, they were highly visible within days.

Apart from his in-depth knowledge of the Human body, its fitness and form, Alex is also a brilliant motivator. He will make you perform to your best in every routine, meticulously correct your form while you perform an exercise and gather constant feedback to gauge if you are working the right muscles.

I have returned to Mumbai,

India

after completing my assignment in New York. And I still follow the routines charted out by Alex. During a fitness evaluation at Qi Life, a reputed gym affiliated to the Asian Heart Institute and Research Centre, my fitness was rated much above average with my abdominal strength and flexibility scoring the maximum points.

Thanks Alex, you have been god sent for me in many ways. I look good and feel good with minimum amount of time devoted to it. No more long and painful hours at the gym and more time to enjoy other pleasures in life.
-Nirmal Merchant, 28, Web developer and Technology Consultant

Testimonials

Results That Speak For Themselves