#dc personal training

Heather joined Balance in December 2016, and has since lost more than 90 pounds with the help of our classes and personal training. She recently celebrated her 40th birthday and newfound love of fitness with the ultimate bucket list experience: hiking to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro! Learn how she lost the weight, and how Balance’s GX and personal training programs helped her prepare for the hike.

Name: Heather 

Occupation: Marketing

Balance Location: Thomas Circle

How long have you been coming to Balance? Since December 2016

What made you decide to join Balance? 

It was time to get serious about working out! I had started eating healthier and needed to complete the picture with regular exercise. I belonged to another gym, but never made it because it wasn’t convenient. Balance is super close to work so I can fit gym time into my daily routine. Plus, I prefer classes and Balance offers a wide variety at times that work well for me. Initially my goal was to join just one class per week. Ten months later, I’m here nearly every weekday.

You've lost more than 90 pounds since joining Balance. How did you do it?

Eating well, exercise, and accepting that I’d have to be hungry occasionally to make the desired progress. After the weight started dropping, it motivated me to stick with it. Now I’m working on that last 5 pounds before the truly hard part starts  — maintenance. 

In terms of my day-to-day approach, there are a lot of little steps that add up to my overall program. It’s nothing you haven’t heard before — I track my steps and calorie count in the Fitbit app, focus on more vegetables and fewer carbs to maximize nutrition, take my lunch to work, and plan ahead so that I have healthy options. And, of course, exercise! As I’ve approached my goal, I’ve refined my diet and paid more attention to macros. I’ve also increase the exercise intensity in order to continue making progress.

Because I had such a long way to go when I started, I concentrated on losing just 5 pounds at a time. It was less overwhelming than focusing on the end goal and I got to celebrate the small wins along the way.

How did you feel like Balance's personal training program aided in your weight loss?

After a few months of steady weight loss, I decided to try personal training. I had been coming to the gym for a few months and felt that I was ready to take things up a notch and needed some guidance. Plus, I hadn’t been doing any strength training and needed to add that component to my regular routine. I knew that a personal trainer could help establish a program that was appropriate for my ability level while pushing me to improve. In the training sessions, we focused on strength training with short stints of cardio. Jermaine sent me the routines we completed so that I could do them on my own between personal training sessions.

Personal training helped me form the habit of regular gym sessions. On training nights, Jermaine was waiting, so I had to go even when I really wanted to head home and relax. He also held me accountable for exercising between training sessions.

What was the hardest thing about changing your lifestyle and losing weight? What was the best part of the process?

Hardest thing: Not only is it a long-term commitment, it’s not a comfortable process. Planning is a huge time commitment and getting healthy had to take priority over some other things. I had to accept that it wouldn’t be easy and stay committed when it got uncomfortable.

Best part: I’m so much more confident now. Not only do I feel great and energetic, but facing this challenge has increased my confidence in everything I do.

You recently hiked Mount Kilimanjaro. What made you decide to do that? How did you prepare for the hike?

I’ve wanted to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro since my 20’s. At the time, I was fit enough, but it seemed out of reach for a variety of other reasons. When I turned 40 last year, I wrote out my official bucket list which included this long-time aspiration. I just couldn’t let it go! Since then, I’ve been checking off bucket list items and setting my sights on Kili seemed like a great next step in my weight loss and fitness journey. To prepare for the hike, I upped the number of days I visited the gym, spent more time hiking challenging trails, and started running bleachers at a local high school on the weekends to simulate the steep climb. At the peak of training, I did 200-300 floors per session. I spent a lot of time on those bleachers! Having the upcoming trip really helped me stay focused on being active and gave me the motivation I needed to make a real effort in training sessions instead of dialing it in. Getting to the top gave me such a huge sense of accomplishment.

Do you have any gym must-haves (can be gear, music, post-workout snacks, etc.)?

Music and group exercise classes. During classes at Balance, I’ve picked up a ton of songs that I’ve added to my personal workout playlist. I couldn’t have gotten through those bleacher sessions without my headphones and workout playlist.

How do you fit working out into your busy schedule?

I visit the gym just before or after work. Adjusting my commute time from Tyson’s Corner has improved my commute and given me time to fit in group exercise classes.

What do you like most about Balance? How has Balance helped you achieve your goals?

The people and the group exercise classes are what I like best about Balance. Everyone at Balance is so encouraging and supportive. Michael’s Thursday night endurance spin class in particular has helped me improve and played a key role in preparing for Kilimanjaro. It’s a challenging class and I’ve been able to see tangible progress since starting the class in February. Now I even hear Michael’s voice in my head when I’m trying to convince myself to run one more lap around the track. I’ve also felt a real difference in my hiking abilities after starting a consistent yoga practice. One day on a hike, I suddenly realized how much easier it had gotten to scramble over big rocks.

#BalanceLife is: empowering.

Anything else you'd like to add?

We’re so proud of Balance trainer Jermaine Ennis, who was recently listed among the top three personal trainers in Washington, DC in the Washington City Paper Readers Poll. Learn more about Jermaine, and email [email protected] to find out more about training with him!

Name: Jermaine Ennis

Occupation: Personal Trainer

Hometown: Washington DC

How long have you been a personal trainer? How long have you been at Balance?

I've been in the sport and health industry since 2001 but did not fully take on the role of a "personal trainer" until 2004. I've been training for 13 years and training with Balance Gym for 8 years.

Tell us about yourself, your background, and your fitness background?

My fitness background actually began with my brother's Hulk Hogan Workout Set. I really thought those 5-10 lbs sand-filled weights were going to have me "jacked." I've always been amazed by the human body, spending summer vacations reading through the medical journals that came along with the encyclopedias my father had purchased for our home library. I would have to say those journals placed me on track to either aiming to become a doctor or working in a sport setting. Luckily, I was able to take advantage of a vocational opportunity while in high school within Wheaton Athletic Club, set up by a great mentor.

Tell us about your training style. What are your favorite kinds of workouts? 

My training style varies based upon the client. One style does not fit all. There's always a different approach to meet the wants & needs of the client. My favorite kinds of workouts are those in which my clients believe I've just invented it right on the spot. It humors me, however it lets me know that they are being challenged and I'm capable of planning a full workout within a small square of a busy gym with two dumbbells or no equipment.

What is your favorite easy, healthy meal (to cook at home or to grab on the go)?

My favorite easy meal would include an easily prepared protein, brown rice, and a dark green leafy vegetable. I save the fancy stuff for company or Sundays.

What are some of your gym must-haves? 

A must-have would be an energy booster (green tea or pre-workout mix) prior to my workouts and one of my many Spotify playlist. Something powerful, loud and inspiring. It provides me with the intensity and focus to push through the heaviest of lifts.

How do you fit working out into your busy schedule? How do you suggest others fit working out into their lives?

On my busiest days, I attempt to fit in my workouts within a 30-45 minute block in between clients. I try not to kill time slowly getting dressed into fancy gear. It's a workout, not a fashion show.  I think what happens to most people is a lack of preparation. They don't have a plan or plan around one thing. Often times, too much of their workout time is trying to figure out what to do rather than actually doing it.

What advice do you have for someone who is new to working out?

Start out with something that makes you comfortable. Try not to jump into activities based on popularity or classes that are high intensity; they could lead to a negative association with working out. Try not to look at working out as a chore, create a mindset that associates working out as positive. There is nothing wrong with asking for help or running through a small stint with a quality trainer.

Share a fun fact that people might not know about you!

I'm an autodidact. I spend my nights trying to learn and increase my depth of knowledge on various topics and skills. I also enjoy putting together model cars and taking part pop culture trivia.

Name: Bill Walker

Occupation:  NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Youth Coach

Instagram: @BilliusMaximus929

Hometown: Oxon Hill, MD

How long have you been a personal trainer?

Officially, about two years - I passed my NASM exam on Friday, February 13, 2015. But I’ve been lifting consistently for close to seven years - I started working out on March 31, 2010 and never looked back. 

Tell us about yourself, your background, and your fitness background? 

I started working out on March 31st 2010. I didn't have an exercise degree, I actually majored in business administration and finance. I graduated from Florida A&M University in 2005, and later got into financial services. A few years later, I discovered I had a cancerous tumor which resulted in a partial foot amputation, and in the aftermath of that I became super overweight. I got into fitness because I believe in maxing out your human potential...mentally, physically, spiritually and financially, overall living a fulfilling adventurous life. I made great friends in fitness and studied under my good friend Rashad Mitchell. I became freakishly strong despite only having five toes. Eventually I got tired of people telling me no all the time for interviews and threw myself into fitness. I got my personal training certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) in 2015 and continued studying the skill of fitness. Now, I work with Balance members at the Capitol Hill and Thomas Circle locations. 

After your cancer surgery, you lost over 120 pounds. What kept you motivated throughout that process, and what are some of the strategies you've used to keep the weight off over the years?   

My surgery resulted in the partial amputation of my right foot. I stayed motivated because had all these big plans before then and I still wanted to do them. When I was a child I had this vision of this super strong, fit me. It was a goal, so when I finally started it, I was happy because I was living out a dream. I couldn't even fathom NOT working out or people who suddenly stopped going or getting out of shape.  The whole idea of not sticking to it just seemed like a foreign concept it to me.

Tell us about your training style. What are your favorite kinds of workouts?

I fancy hybrid training. I love Olympic lifting, powerlifting, bodybuilding, strongman training, and “functional strength stuff” like pushing or pulling sleds and climbing across monkey bars. Occasionally I like to box. I ask myself, what would Wolverine or whoever do in real life and I try to mimic that.  It's all for performance, whether it's a heavy clean, squat, or deadlift or odd object stuff.  I think it makes you complete.

What is your favorite easy, healthy meal (to cook at home or to grab on the go)? 

Overall I eat like a ninja and use what's available at the time and make it fit my macros. Overall though....Oatmeal with a banana or a sweet potato with a bit of peanut butter and a few pieces of chicken. Anything with good animal flesh.  

What are some of your gym must-haves? (can be gear, clothing, snacks, etc.) 

My wrist wraps; my mystical pull up belt for weighted pull ups, dips and weighted Olympic ring push ups; and gallon of water.

How do you fit working out into your busy schedule? How do you suggest others fit working out into their lives? 

Overall I look at it through a long term lens. I prioritize all the compound lifts like Squatting, Deadlifting, Olympic lifts, and Pressing. Time wise...use whatever time is given and put your all into it. You may sometimes just have 30 minutes. If that is the case, focus on one lift and roll out. The next time add another piece to the puzzle, focus on another lift, or core/conditioning work. You may have a day where you just do accessory work. Think of it as your long term masterpiece...your personal magnum opus that is your life. You paint here or add a brick  there, and one day you have created something magnificent.  

What advice do you have for someone who is new to working out?

Consistency, and absolute ferocious tenacity. Not just doing it but becoming it. When I first started, I was in an environment that pushed intensity, to the point where that just became the norm. I didn't want to be one of those folks sat around the water cooler talking about being afraid to do the touch exercises. Put yourself into it, full force. Embrace every challenge and every difficulty. Smile at it, and welcome the challenges, no matter what. When I first started I would walk to the gym with a cane, and by the time I would do one burpee in a circuit class, everyone had done four or five.  All I could do was crawl down and crawl up (I was relearning how to move in a way) but I didn't care. Give it your all, even if you think you'll look foolish.  The strongest muscle of all is courage.

Share a fun fact that people might not know about you! 

I love to read! Most people know that I love all things nerd stuff like comics and video games, but I also like literary masterpieces like Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Essay on Self Reliance and Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. I'm a big fan of historic warrior culture and stoic philosophy. Aside from waiting patiently on Game of Thrones Book 6, I really enjoy steak, burritos, epic action films with motivational undertones, doughnuts and indoor rock climbing.

#BalanceLife is: Strength and Support. PR's and Honor.

Anything else you'd like to add? 

Name: Sawba Sumner

Occupation: Personal Trainer, Balance Gym Thomas Circle

Hometown: East Northport, NY

At Balance Since: 

2009. I’ve been at Balance since it opened at the Thomas Circle location more than five years ago, and was training at the Thomas Circle Sportsclub for a year and a half. My older brother was the head trainer at the time, and I moved to DC from New York to start training. It was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.

Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your fitness background? How did you get into fitness and personal training?

I’ve played sports for as long as I can remember. I have three older brothers and my father was coaching soccer and privately training us for hours on the tennis court. Just trying to keep up with them made me a lot more competitive and molded me into someone that almost tried too hard at times in certain sports or in life. As I got older I started playing football, baseball, and basketball and track and field. My brother David and I both played football in college and were Senior Athletes of the year. I ended up playing football at the University of Buffalo and my brother ended up playing at Pitt so due to those early experiences I have learned to adopt the mind over matter mentality that I try to instill in my clients. 

What makes your training style unique?

I feel like what makes me unique is I will spend extra time when I first get a client to show them the importance of foam rolling and mobility. If your body can only move in a limited range of motion you will only be able to do certain exercises. But if you get mobile enough you should be able to do everything in the gym and have a great training experience. 

What are your favorite kinds of workouts to do on your own?

I changed the way I work out a couple years ago and I now focus on Olympic Lifting. I spent most of my life doing conventional weight lifting and plyometrics. I wanted to do something different so I changed up what I was doing and love and hate the challenge of O-lifting. I also took up boxing and Thai boxing pretty consistently for a couple years but as I got busier as a trainer I had to choose what I wanted to get good at so I will keep up with form work here and there to stay sharp. 

When I came back from playing football at Buffalo I worked out for 5 years with my friend and his father, Joe Distinti, who was Mr. Olympia in 1979. I learned a lot from them and it installed even more of a work ethic that I improved upon coming from playing D-1 football. 

What is your favorite easy, healthy meal (to cook at home or to grab on the go)?

My favorite meal would be either a nice ribeye steak with spinach leaves or jambalaya. Gotta get that protein. 

What are some of your gym must-haves? (can be gear, clothing, snacks, etc.)

I have an affinity for anything Nike.

How do you fit working out into your busy schedule? How do you suggest others fit working out into their lives?

My answer to this is what I tell all of my clients. You have time for what you want to really do. It doesn't matter how "busy" everyone says they are. If you want to get in shape and set a goal you will allocate time to get there. 

What advice do you have for someone who is new to working out?

I will tell people that consistency is key! Usually if someone can last the first 3-4 weeks you will get into a rhythm and you will get a respectable base on which to work from. By that time you will have a lot more energy and will feel like your body craves the workout. I know speaking for myself that I feel like a completely different person if I don't workout for even 3 days. 

What are your favorite things about Balance? Why do you love working here?

I like working at Balance Gym because it's an athlete’s paradise. We have everything you would want if you are a serious athlete and the trainers are all very knowledgeable. Everyone has their own style and we learn from each other. It's not about who is the "best" trainer because we all can see that we know what we are doing, but everyone knows that you have to be on your game because we are constantly learning and trying to get better.