Q:  Daryl, how long have you been in the fitness industry?

I’ve been in the industry for almost 29 years in some capacity.

Q: What is your current position?

I am the Education Coordinator at Power Systems, Inc.

Q: What does that entail?

I assist in writing instructions, video content and catalog photo shoots for products we offer.  Power Systems has our own educational conferences called Total Training Seminars that we conduct all over the country.  Michelle Able and I manage and coordinate these events; travel, speakers, topics, etc.

Q: What are some fitness trends that you have seen come and go?

Two products that come to mind are Step and Stability ball training. They have suddenly made resurgence in the last few years and seem to be here to stay.

Q: What are some fitness trends that have remained steady?

Functional Training seems to be getting better and better. As time passes the “functional” has taken on new meaning. Initially “functional” meant out of the ordinary or uncommon activities. But now it truly is becoming movements that are needed on a daily basis and should be incorporated into everyone’s workout regime.

Q:  I notice there are always various fitness tools coming out. What are some of the latest tools that have come out?

The TRX has clearly made an impact on the industry as well as similar product such as Jungle Gym and Slastix Bodyweight Gym. The all have the same function but TRX has the name and quite honestly they’ve done a great job creating education.

Q: I specifically love using the TRX® Suspension Trainer. Have you used this? If so, what did you like about it? Dislike?

Yes, I love this type of training. I think all exercises can be varied to accommodate most users. Unfortunately some of the exercises shown in ads or on youtube may be outside the ability level of some beginning users. As I mentioned in last question response, there other types that actually work better in some situations.

Q: Are there any fitness tools or solutions that we can keep an eye out for in the near future?

 Definitely, we’ve got some things that we are working on that is going to help the boot camp industry and group personal training EXPLODE! You’ll just have to wait and see!

Thank you for taking time to share with us Daryl! I look forward to learning more about the new trends and equipment coming out soon.

To find out more about Power Systems, Inc. you may visit their website at www.power-systems.com.

More about Daryl: 

B. Daryl Shute, M.Sc., CSCS*D, CPS, MBG-CNT

Daryl has worked in the fitness industry for over 25 years in many areas including club management, equipment sales and education. Daryl holds BS and MS degrees in exercise physiology, and is a CSCS*D with the NSCA and various other certifications. Daryl is a national presenter at Fitness and Sports Performance conferences around the country. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for fitness with others at the conference level as well as while personal training or teaching.  Daryl is currently the Education Coordinator at Power Systems, Inc.

This weeks WATE health tip is to grab a buddy and commit to a plan. A friend or workout partner could provide accountability, encouragement and make the mundane workout fun. Don’t have a plan? Join up with the Trill Fitness Marathon Challenge. It’s a 9 week program that allow you to work out on your own or with a group. For more information click HERE.

Other ways to start a plan include:

1. Set at time that is most convenient for you and your workout partner.

2. Keep the time and day consistent.

3. Write it down and make it a part of your daily routine.

4. Find a class or do group personal training. This is an excellent way to stay motivated and allow someone else to push you and encourage you.

Check out the WATE Health Source page for future health tips and fitness challenges for the next 9 weeks.

Myrna Jordan and Trillia Newbell

I’m excited to introduce to you a friend and supporter of Trill Fitness, Myrna Jordan. She is a local artist originally from Puerto Rico. Myrna will be joining Shaunna May to teach a few tracks of BODYATTACK® for the August 21 fundraiser to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Myrna’s dynamic instructor and intoxicating personality will provide a fun and exciting addition to the event!

Thank you Myrna for your support of this fundraiser!

More about Myrna:

Myrna is a born dancer! She studied Latin, ballet, jazz and free style at Zayda Varas and Dance Factory Co in Puerto Rico. She moved to Atlanta and discovered Group Fitness and taught high impact, step, and body sculpting from 1995-2001. She took a break from teaching but came back in 2006. She is now certified in BODYATTACK®, BODYPUMP® and BODYJAM® and also Assessing BODYJAM® for FitMarc.

To learn more about Myrna and view her artwork please click HERE.

For more information about the Trill Fitness Marathon Challenge or to register for the fundraiser please click HERE!

A “marathon” of workouts: 3 workouts a week for 9 weeks= 26 workouts= a Marathon!

“Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time”- Mark Twain

Purpose: To assist Knoxville, surrounding areas, and online clients in taking up the challenge one step at a time to better health and fitness and staying committed to it! To provide funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation! Trill Fitness is partnering with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and net proceeds go to help research and find a cure! Let’s find a cure together and take up our own challenge to make exercise a part of our lives in the process!

Register online at by clicking here! The Trill Fitness Marathon Challenge: 3 workouts per week for 9 weeks totaling 26 workouts. There is a small $20 registration fee. The net proceeds go to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

You will be given a 9 week workout routine via email . Then every two weeks participants in Knoxville or surrounding areas will have the opportunity to meet at the World’s Fair Park, Cherokee Blvd, Trill Fitness, and more to walk, run or take a class lead by a Trill Fitness Trainer. Participants who show up will be entered to win prizes at each location and entered again for the Grand Prize. Prizes to be announced soon.

Participants who choose to do the Online registration only and not participate in the trainings will be entered into the grand prize drawing and will receive the training program to do on their own.

Program Details and Info:

• Sign up ANYTIME through October 16!

• Register by clicking here!

• Participants will be invited to a launch party to pick up their t-shirts and take their first group training class BODYATTACK™ held on August 21 at Trill Fitness inside Premier Athletics.

• Each week participants will receive information reminding them of their workout via email.

• It’s a one time $20 registration fee and net proceeds go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation!

• At the end of 9 weeks all participants are entered to win a grand prize!

GET FIT, LIVE HEALTHY, LOVE LIFE!

Questions? Contact Trillia Newbell at 865-254-9005 or tnewbell@trillfitnessonline.com

BODYATTACK™ is the sports-inspired cardio workout for building strength and stamina. This high-energy interval training class combines athletic aerobic movements with strength and stabilization exercises.

 Date: August 21, 2010

Time: 8:00 am Registration Opens; 9:00 am Class Begins

Location: Trill Fitness (inside Premier Athletics), 11250 Gilbert Drive, Knoxville, TN 37932

Join us with Special Guest Olympian Mechelle Lewis!

For more information contact Trillia Newbell at 865-254-9005 or via email at tnewbell@trillfitnessonline.com.

Preregister via website or mail in. Preregister by clicking HERE!

Today I am excited to announce that Mechelle Lewis will one of our special guests at the Trill Fitness Marathon Launch party on Saturday, August 21! Mechelle has a desire to help children and combat childhood obesisty. Please read below as I interviewed Mechelle about her life, training, and plans.

You have a fascinating story. At one point you had decided to quit running competitively. Could you share with us your journey and how you decided to get back into the sport?

 During college I was successful on a national level, but I was very injury prone. When I graduated I decided to focus on my career since the injuries were really keeping me from reaching my full potential on the track.  After about four years off, I felt in my heart that it was time to go back to my sport and try to make the U.S. Olympic Team.  It was always my dream and after experiencing some challenges in my personal life, I realized that I had the perseverance to make it through anything, including the sacrifice it takes to be an Olympian. I quit my job and with two years left to train I dedicated my daily life to training. When I really made the team, I really can’t put words to the feeling that with God first, and faith and dedication a close second and third, All things are possible.

 I assume that you have not taken a Group fitness class in the traditional sense. Is this a true statement? If not, what have you taken?

 I am actually a certified Zumba® instructor! I traditionally never would take a group fitness class to help with my track performance, but I do like taking group fitness classes for fun! I enjoy David’s (dfreemansfitness.com) BODYPUMP® class because it’s funny when I can’t do 20 reps with 5 pounds on each side, but I can push 135 pounds 10 times on the bench.  I started teaching Zumba® because I worked with an after-school program for at-risk youth where I led the physical fitness programs. The director wanted to give them a fun angle on becoming more physically active so she thought it would be a great idea for me to get Zumba® certified and I did. It turned out great!

 You have done group training all your life with other athletes. During practices or times in the training room what are some of the workouts you do as a group?

 We lift and run as a group.  Some days we have condition focused practices where we run longer distances repetitively and other days are sprint and technical practices. With my main event being the 100m, it is necessary that the sprint group get practices that focus on power and running mechanics.  We do a lot of plyometrics, jumping over hurdles for example, and plenty of sprint drills. In the weight room, three days of the week are specifically used to train the lower body and two days of the week are for the upper body. We make sure that we get a good comprehensive workout where all relevant muscle groups are addressed.  It’s always good to train with a group for motivational purposes. We encourage one another; we make each other work harder.  It is necessary for me because my weak days can be my training partner’s strong days and I am able to feed off their energy.

 What do you do off season?

 There is no REAL off season! Professional Track and Field athletes run between the months of November-September. We get October off, so I will say that we have an off month!  Although the indoor competitions don’t start until January, it is important that you start working out in November to make sure you don’t loose any fitness and are able to work on any issues that negatively affected your previous season’s performance. During October I do make sure that I see my family in my hometown of Maryland and just take the time to enjoy doing nothing!

 I am about to launch a program called BODYATTACK™. It is a sports inspired cardio workout. What type of specific exercises do you do to prepare you for running a race? 

Sprinting requires powerful gluteus muscles, hamstrings, calf muscles, quadriceps, and shoulders.  It is important that we do exercises to address these muscles groups including power cleans, squats, leg press, and hamstring and quadriceps exercises. For the upper body, I make sure I do a shoulder circuit, bench and incline press, and it’s always good to get those push ups in!

 You are now an Olympian. Are you training your body differently now to prepare as a result? Do you plan to return in 2012?

Yes I am training for the 2012 London Olympic Games. I will take the same basic approach I take every year when training for a season.  The biggest thing is making sure my mind is prepared for the moment and day of the 100m event at the 2012 Olympic Trials. It is all about timing, literally, and I want to be prepared to be right on target.

 What do you do to prevent injury?

 I am actually recovering from an injury now! I had to deal with a herniated disc this past season, so I had to sit out and address it. I am feeling good again and I am taking the steps to be fully prepared to go into this year’s fall training 100%. Nevertheless, I do what I can to prevent injury through strengthening my muscles in the weight room, taking nutritional supplements to help with recovery, and doing therapeutic work on my body through weekly chiropractic care, massages, and ICE BATHS (ouch!).

 More about Mechelle

Mechelle Lewis, the youngest of a set of twin girls, is a Maryland native and graduate of the University of South Carolina where she obtained her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Mass Communications.  After working in New York at Young & Rubicam Advertising Agency, she returned her focus to her all-time passion, Track & Field.  Mechelle went on to become a 2007 World Champion and a 2008 Olympian running the 4×100 meter relay. She currently uses her platform to reach out to the community to speak against obesity and help youth recognize self-worth and courage through her organization BEvolved. Mechelle is also a certified Zumba Instructor and is dedicated to healthy-living awareness and fitness. She is currently training for the 2012 London Olympics Games.

For more information about Mechelle or to find out about her events and projects please visit her site at www.mechellelewis.com.

As we are about to launch BODYATTACK® here at Trill Fitness I wanted you to hear from Kendall Kimball. She has many years working with clients teaching BODYATTACK® and many more in the fitness industry in general. Thank you Kendall for taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview!

What is your role with Les Mills?  

I am the North American Training Manager. 

 What does your work as the North American Training Manager  involve?

As the Training Manager, I wear a lot of different hats, but in a nutshell, my job is to manage and develop the 120+ Trainers in the USA and Canada in addition to liaising with the North American Agencies that distribute the Les Mills programs.  With everyone so spread out, it can be a challenge, but today’s technology allows me to stay connected and focused on driving the team towards excellence. 

 Could you tell us a little bit about yourself – your education, interests, past work experiences? 

 I’ve always been into sports, the outdoors, and staying active! I grew up in the Chicago area and was a rough and tumble tomboy who loved sports and being outdoors.  

In 1985, I decided to say goodbye to the Midwest and head west to attend the University of Oregon.  While taking breaks from my studies as a music major, I would hit the running trails and soon found myself surprised to be bumping into running legends like Mary Slaney and Alberto Salazar out on their training runs.  Inspired by them and the incredible running culture in Eugene, I got serious about running and decided to change my major to Physical Education/Fitness Management.  I started running competitive road race but unfortunately, after multiple stress fractures and other injuries I had to sideline my dream of running professionally. Meanwhile, to satisfy the credits needed to complete my practicum that would allow me to graduate from the U of O, I was asked to teach aerobics at a local gym.  I was MORTIFIED.  In my mind, teaching aerobics seemed girly and for wannabe athletes, so I had every intention of getting my practicum done in the shortest amount of time possible.  But a funny thing happened: I discovered that I loved teaching aerobics.  I loved the group atmosphere, the energy, and being able to make a difference in people’s lives.  
 
For the next several years I did a lot of fitness related stuff ranging from filming a series of fitness videos to doing hip hop demos at Nordstrom’s too embarrassing to discuss.  In 1997 a New Zealand-based company called Les Mills International was recruiting Trainers to teach and train their classes in the USA.  The Les Mills’ pre-choreographed workouts were tough, but right up my alley.  Before long, I was traveling all over the USA and Canada training other instructors how to teach the programs.  During that time the Les Mills’ Program Directors asked me to film instructional DVDs for BODYATTACK® and BODYSTEP®.   I feel blessed that my work has taken me to some pretty amazing places such as Japan, Sweden, New Zealand, and Australia.  

 What attracted you specifically to BODYATTACK™? 

  I love everything about BODYATTACK!  First time I ever saw BODYATTACK was in New Zealand in 1998.  I was blown away by how hard it was, yet fun at the same time.  That hour flew by! It is a class that will push your limits and get results; all the things I love about fitness.

 Who is BODYATTACK™ for?  

 I can honestly say BODYATTACK is for everyone.  Lisa Osborne, the Program Director, has done an amazing job creating a class that can be accessible for any fitness level.  BODYATTACK for years was about ‘go hard or go home’, but Lisa was adamant about making it an inclusive class, yet results-driven.  Once she included innovative low impact options, the door flew wide open for anyone to be able to take it and  get results. 

 What makes BODYATTACK unique to all the other fitness programs out there? And why is it important? What makes it one-of- a kind instead of one-of-many?  

BODYATTACK is different than any other high impact/high intensity cardio format out there because not only are you getting a great workout, but a fitness experience as well.  The music and exercises are structured in a way to maximize results and the fun factor.  After all these years I still have yet to find a group fitness class that is as much fun as BODYATTACK :0)

 How often would you suggest taking BODYATTACK™? 

In my experience, I’d suggest taking BODYATTACK 2 times per week (with at least a day in between classes); no more than 3.

 What’s one of your favorite success stories of a participant who took (or is currently taking) BODYATTACK consistently? 

 I actually have two.  My 69 year old mom takes my BODYATTACK class every week.  She does everything low impact and sings the loudest!  My other favorite success story is a woman who just started taking BODYATTACK a few months ago.  She had safely lost an astonishing 70 lbs over the course of 3 months and was looking to add more cardio into her work out plans.  She had seen BODYATTACK classes going on during her training sessions and found herself intrigued but terrified at the same time!  Long story short, she finally got the courage to take BODYATTACK and has been a fan ever since.  She does everything low impact and has lost an additional 20 lbs since she started.  She sings really loud to, but still not as loud as my mom.

 What is your personal work out regime?

I love to do it all.   I weight train Monday through Friday (M is chest, Tues is legs, Wed is back, TH is arms, Fri is shoulders) and sprint work outs on Saturday which also include bleacher runs.  I’m a huge fan of hiking and anything that gets me outdoors :0)

Kendall has her BA in Physical Education Fitness Management from the University of Oregon. She is ACE, AFAA, Johnny G Spinning, and Reebok cycle certified. She is also certified in seven of the eight Les Mills programs available for the U.S. Kendall met her husband Curtis in college and married him in three months after their meeting! They have two kids, Gus and Easton who continue to be little beacons of awesomeness in her life.

Enjoy the newest BODYPUMP release 74 along with refreshments and prizes! The class is FREE so bring your friends and join us.

Lissa is a U.S. National BODYPUMP Trainer and Presenter, BODYJAM Trainer and Presenter and Presenter in BODYCOMBAT. She is certified in two more Les Mills programs, ACE, AFAA, and TRX.

Trill Fitness is located inside Premier Athletics at 11250 Gilbert Drive right off Lovell Rd.!

Questions call 865-254-9005.

More about David

David may look the part, but his heart is one that makes his clients feel that he is really concerned about their success.  With a long standing background in Football and Track & Field, David’s style of training is intense, but it has a formula that brings the athlete out of every client. After showing his capabilities as a personal trainer for Lifestyle Family Fitness since 2008, David’s presence has quickly become a force to be reckoned with.  In 2009, he was awarded the Lifestyle Family Fitness 2009 Personal Trainer of the Year.  As a group fitness instructor teaching Les Mills Body Pump, David demonstrates his ability to lead groups and connect with crowds with his motivational personality.  Headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, Les Mills, a world renowned group fitness program, took quick notice in David’s unique appeal.  He was asked to be featured in their 2010 Worldwide Marketing Campaign and was flown to New Zealand to take part in a photo shoot that would catapult his face on the worldwide distributed Body Pump 74 and Body Combat 44 DVD Covers. 

DRIVE. LOYALTY. FOCUS. This motto was developed from David’s own initials, D. L.F. Being known as a POSITIVE MOTIVATOR, David distributes wristbands to his clients engraved with these words as a constant reminder of what he represents and what he expects everyday.

David uses his talent to give back to his community helping clients accomplish goals beyond their belief.  Witnessing their growth motivates and inspires David to continue to help transform the way people think about living healthy lives. Today, he continues to bring awareness to health and fitness to every person he encounters. 

“We are fighting against obesity as a nation and bringing knowledge to those around us is empowering for everyone involved.”  David Freeman