Nina Graves Success Story - Dover Personal Trainer at Breakthrough Personal Coaching & Wellness

Before I decided to join Breakthrough, I did have hesitations about joining, especially when Chris did the functionality tests and I struggled doing some of the movements, that was truly an eye-opener.

I wondered whether I would be able to do the exercises, if I’d like the size of the classes, and would I fit in?

I just recently overcame my hesitations even though I have been coming for about 3 years. What has helped is the support I have received from the members of my 4pm class as well as many of the other members of other classes.

What has also truly helped is knowing that whatever physical limitations I may have, the coaches can provide alternative exercises for me so that I can continue my workouts.

I have had both knees and hips replaced due to overuse and normal wear and tear on my body but Breakthrough has worked with me to meet my goals whether it was modifying certain exercises or just encouraging me to start with lower weights or reps and rebuild as I got stronger again, especially after the surgeries.

Throughout all of the surgeries, the members and all the coaches have been extremely supportive and encouraging; even members that I don’t particularly know from other classes, seem to know me and encourage/push me to give it my best.

My favorite part of the coaching at Breakthrough is the constant encouragement and supportive environment that we are all given regardless of any physical limitations or if you’re just having a bad day.

The coaches don’t let us work through pain but encourage us to realize that pain means that you’re doing something wrong or something needs to be medically evaluated; that is so different than most other gyms where they push you to work through the pain which is not always good.

The three most important things I’ve learned since becoming a member of Breakthrough is:

1. That nutrition and meal planning is the biggest factor in one’s exercise journey. You can exercise all you want but until your nutrition is under control with the right healthy foods, you’re basically just spinning your wheels. You are what you eat.

Good nutrition is a lifestyle change not a get-thin-quick scheme/fad.

2. Have pain checked out medically or with a physical therapist, don’t just work through it because it could lead to more serious injury.

3. Learning to do exercises the right way using the right techniques and form as well as understanding why you do certain exercises in a particular manner rather than just doing them because you saw someone else do it.

These three things have made me stronger and wiser.

My life has changed since coming to Breakthrough in that I now know how to meal plan, I actually make healthy food choices, and know more about good nutrition than I did before.

I have given advice to friends who attempt to/or do go on diets but still don’t make healthy food choices long term or don’t fully understand that their nutrition is the real key to their exercise regimen.

I also don’t work through pain anymore since I know that pain is my body letting me know that something I’m doing is not right.

If I were (and I have) to recommend Breakthrough to my best friend, I would say that Breakthrough is not your average gym or your average CrossFit or PlanetFitness.

Breakthrough coaches care about the ‘Whole you’. Not only are exercises customized for you based on what you’re functionally capable of doing but there is accountability, friendships that are formed, coaches and your peers reach out to you if you’re ‘Missing in action’.

There are fun challenges throughout the year. Breakthrough has gym clothing in cool colors, nutrition advice and planning, prayer and personal healthy counseling if you need it, and there is always a class you can attend either for small or large group that will challenge you to be the best you, and I can’t forget the great 1-on-1 personal training if you want a more personal approach to reach your goals.

Lastly, I would like to say that Breakthrough has truly grown on me.

I used to come to just get my personalized workout completed and learn more about nutrition but I can say that in the past two years I have really gotten into the Breakthrough lifestyle, attending both small and large group training.

I’ve gotten more involved in what Breakthrough and the coaches have for us to do both inside and outside the gym.

I love the camaraderie across all the classes whether it’s the small or large group training, specialized classes to learn how to do a technique better, or whether it’s personal 1-on-1 training with a coach or just a simple night/Saturday morning of fun dressing up in theme costume and fellow-shipping with each other and the coaches.

I always look forward to my workout sessions and really dislike if I have to miss a class or reschedule my training sessions.

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