When I made the decision to join Breakthrough, frankly I was terrified.

I remember going home after I met and signed up with Chris asking myself, “What have you done?!”

I knew deep inside that I was entering into unknown territory. I had never been in a gym, or “Worked out” a day in my life.

I later learned that I experienced what is sometimes referred to as “Gym intimidation.”

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been the uncoordinated girl with 2 left feet, all thumbs when it came to sports.

In fact, I grew up not knowing my right from my left, which has caused me much confusion with both driving and taking direction.

In spite of this I was determined to summon the bravery to show up for my first small group strength training session. Despite my worst fears, I was welcomed at the door.

Then, once I was actually inside the gym, I was overwhelmed at how patient everyone was with me.

Not only were the trainers taking the time to work with me on building out a card of exercises tailored to me–but everyone around me was making me feel welcomed and not the least bit embarrassed about how little I knew or could do.

The first night’s experience was so positive. I left so encouraged that I had made the right decision to join that I was actually looking forward to my next session!

My favorite part of coaching at Breakthrough is the encouragement.

After just a few minutes of my first session I felt safe and under the direction of trainers who would help me with my form and posture, so that I wouldn’t get hurt.

I know too many people, both young and old who have ignored safety when exercising, or have over-exerted themselves. I knew within a short time that I was right were I needed to be.

Since beginning with Breakthrough the 3 biggest benefits I’ve experienced have been more stamina, more strength, and better balance.

More importantly, I have a better understanding of what exercise can do for not only your body, but your mind and spirit.

My life has completely changed since starting at Breakthrough, after about 4 months of commitment, I realized that I had actually set aside part of my week JUST FOR ME.

Now working out with my friends and personal coaches makes me feel refreshed and as though I have a new identity. I look at age as just a number, because I truly have felt an amazing difference in my stamina since I began working out.

If anyone were to ask me about joining Breakthrough I would say you owe it to yourself to just try this and see if you can feel a difference. So many health issues come from sitting and becoming complacent to age gracefully.

The one hour sessions that you choose, 2-3 times a week like I do, are a small commitment – they fly by.

When you are driving home you will start to awaken thoughts and ideas, set new goals for yourself, almost subconsciously, and before you know it, you’ll realize that going to Breakthrough isn’t anything to dread, it’s something to look forward to!

Breakthrough is a total body and mind experience. They offer classes on yoga, nutrition, and mental workshops on what is getting in the way of your personal goals.

In addition, Breakthrough is centered on making friends, support, and thinking about charity. It’s so unusual to see a business work for the community the way they do.

Faithful Friends Animal Society benefits from out “Check-ins” on Facebook, and I’ve also enjoyed participating in the Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets that we worked together to give to needy families in our own community.

It’s hard to sum up all the benefits, I actually look at the Nike “Just Do It” phrase differently now because that’s what I tell myself when I get in the gym, and if I don’t, one of my trainers will!

I was hesitant to join Breakthrough, I was out of my comfort zone after living in Bear, DE for 23 years and moving back.

I left all my friends, workout buddies, and a gym with all machines and no personal attention.

I wondered would I be able to do this type of workout with weights, ropes, and have a personal coach watching over me and pushing me to my limits?

The personal attention and willingness to work with me to overcome all of my obstacles in the end were greater than my objections. The people were so friendly, encouraging, and supportive!

My favorite part of coaching with Breakthrough is the support and focus on trying to understand each individual’s needs. The workouts are specialized for each person.

All people are different and Breakthrough takes that into account and teaches you not to compare yourself to others.

Some of the biggest benefits I’ve experience since working with Breakthrough are nutrition, consistency, accountability, and a healthier lifestyle.

My life has changed so much since beginning my journey with Breakthrough, I have BEAT DIABETES, feel better about myself, have built confidence, and have a whole new family and friends.

I would recommend Breakthrough to anyone! If you want to learn the correct way to work out and learn about nutrition with personal accountability and support, this is the gym for you.

If you’re determined to change and get healthy, invest in yourself. You are the most important, and you need to take care of yourself, not everyone else.

I joined Breakthrough as a Yoga student in order to improve my mobility and flexibility.

When the 1st Little Black Dress challenge was posted, I was intrigued. I had never owned a little black dress, but had a secret desire to.

After attending the informational meeting, I came so close to quitting because of the unknown of the excercises, but I stuck with my intention and joined in.

At first the exercises were almost more than I could do, but I found the encouragement of the coaches and the social environment compelling and stuck it out.

When it came time to transition to a full membership, I had no hesitation.

I was hooked on how good I was feeling and the way my body and stiff joints were responding!

The environment at Breakthrough is a mix of working out, social fun, and thoughtful encouragement and that was what won me over to continue.

After starting the yoga, I was surprised to find Chris actually knew who I was immediately and always had a personal greeting for everyone.

That in itself surprised me, but also that the encouragement from all of the coaches is not only freely given and constructive, but always so heartfelt.

It became very hard not to want to try all the exercises because the coaches are always right there cheering you on to greater challenges.

No challenge is viewed as an issue, just merely a road bump and they’re always around to find a way to work with it.

The more I attend, the more I want to accomplish, because I feel like we are in it together accomplishing each movement as we can.

I want to strive to the level that the coaches and fellow members are achieving, and, yes show off that I can finally do whatever I have been challenged to do.

Obviously the change in my body which goes beyond weight loss is one of the biggest benefits I’ve experienced since working with Breakthrough.

But in addition there is a a new flexibility and return to activity that I had thought behind me.

Also, the way I look and and feel about myself has changed.

I have always had a poor self image, but now I am doing things I haven’t done in a while or even never.

I wake up each day ready to move and be active.

I love to travel and now plan trips that include activity not just watching.

Lastly, I find I am learning who I am and what goals I have.

I am understanding what I want to accomplish and why.

I am putting my feelings about myself in perspective and learning how my past, present and future work together to build who I am.

My world has become one of making dreams I can accomplish and share with family and friends.

My life has become so much more fulfilling since starting with Breakthrough.

I can play WITH my grandchildren.

I can hike on vacations and walk with friends on excursions.

I move about on our boat with a renewed level of ease.

I am also finding that I am becoming more outgoing too.

I have shied away from reaching out to people out of fear of their opinion of me; of how I look and how I move.

But now I want to share with new friends not only in my daily life, but also the world at the gym.

These worlds are blending and I have so much fun moving with them both.

If you are on the fence about giving Breakthrough a try I would say don’t be afraid of what you think you can’t do.

This gym works WITH you.

The coaches are there to build you up both emotionally and physically.

The program is tailor built for you to make you stronger, to encourage your body to rebuild itself, and give you a new positive attitude (because you can’t help but smile, laugh, and dance with the coaches).

I love that the workout is mine, even though we all workout together.

Sometimes it takes a bit, but there is always a growth in each restart that if you are patient becomes apparent over time.

-Sherry Reese

My name is Dorene Walton and I have been going to Breakthrough since July 2017.

I work at Dover Health Care Center where we offer Chiropractic Care.

We decided to partner with Breakthrough so we could refer patients who needed help with weight loss, or someone that wanted help to get on a workout regimen.

In order to promote Breakthrough I needed to experience what they offered.

I started going on a trial basis which was one month.

I thought once my month was over that would be the end.

Boy was I surprised, after one month I decided I did not want to quit!

What I experienced at Breakthrough was more than I ever expected.

The planning that goes into each workout session is comprehensive and progressive for strength training, cardio training, nutrition, educational classes, tailored ability group programs and individual training assessment/coaching.

Added benefits include the friendships that are built and the encouragement provided as you work toward your fitness goals.

You become part of a the Breakthrough family and I even found myself being able to encourage others when they were struggling.

My journey with Breakthrough has been my best personal training experience ever.

I love the variety of classes and the programs offered.

I have been working out a long time at several different types of gyms.

My goals have always been the same; eat healthy, tone up and continue with cardio to keep my lungs healthy.

At other gyms it was like a routine and at times I would get bored.

The first challenge I did at Breakthrough was the 90 day challenge and I was amazed at the results I obtained.

I lost weight, body fat and inches!

Its been exciting for me to see the positive difference in my overall health by having the personal attention and accountability.

I truly had a fitness breakthrough!

-Dorene Walton

Q: What is your name and where do you live?

A: My name is Effie Beachy and I live in Smyrna, DE.

Q: Take us back to your life before joining Breakthrough.

A: I would work 8-12 hour days then go home and sit in a recliner.

I’d try yo-yo diets and workout on and off making me feel bad all over again.

My body ached from head to toe.

Q: Why did you end up choosing Breakthrough?

A: I was impressed with the personal attention everyone got in the training sessions.

Q: What was your first impression of Breakthrough when you first joined?

A: I thought, “They really have my best interest at heart.” Chris knew exactly what I needed to start out with as far as my workouts.

And they noticed and celebrated my progress each month.

Q: How is Breakthrough different from other programs you’ve tried in the past?

A: Accountability, encouragement, knowledge.

Breakthrough is made up of people that truly care for you and call you by name.

Q: Walk us through your journey and where you are now. What changes have you made, benefits you’ve experienced, results you’ve achieved?

A: I finally know what good nutrition is!

I read labels now, but I mostly make and eat foods that don’t have labels.

I’ve lost 20 plus pounds, lost inches and body fat, and feel 100% better!

No more limping when I get out of a chair, feeling swollen, or hurting hips and knees!