Tag: steve-lopes

Sometimes a new schedule is all that’s needed to get back into a workout plan that’s become stale.

I talked with Trainer Steve Lopes, Mr. Early-Morning Boot Camp himself, to hear his perspective on morning workouts.

Kristi: You teach two early morning classes (Boot Camp and Triple Fusion). How did you become the “early morning trainer” at the club? What do you do to motivate yourself and prepare for getting up and active so early in the morning?

Steve: I was not always an “early morning person” as Sam would definitely tell you, but one morning as with most changes I have made in my life, I woke up and said: “Why not?”

 The rest is history.

Having hired me at Bally’s 3 1/2 years earlier, Sam was looking to fill a 6am class slot that was previously used for yoga and he knew that my very successful bootcamp classes at Bally’s, which were held at 9:30am, would be a good change and a way to meet more members.

However, I had some concerns that Midtown members might not like the new trainer replacing a 6am yoga class with whistles and loud music. But, as has been the case once or twice before, Sam was right. It was a great way for me to start at the club.

Motivating and preparing myself just required a mindset.  You just have to tell yourself to do it. Why? Because it’s what you have to do. Don’t give yourself excuses as to why you can’t.

Kristi: What advice would you give to someone who wants to switch their daily workouts to early mornings? What are the benefits of an early morning workout schedule?

Steve: Don’t spend a month trying to plan. There’s no need to wait until next Monday for the new week to begin. Do it tomorrow and the next day. You will find you are at the top of your game at a much earlier point in the day and you will most likely be in a better mood by the time you get to work. The best part? It’s done and off of your to-do list. You just took a “Maybe I will do it,” and made a lifestyle change that will stop you from that 3:30pm feeling of, “Oh yeah, I still have to go to the gym.”

The benefits are plenty. It’s done and out of the way. The club is not as busy as the 4:30-7:00 pm time slot. “Morning tired” is different from “Nighttime tired,” and instead of trying to find energy, you are creating the energy for your day. You may find yourself sleeping better at night, and not having to wait for the workout high to wear off in order to sleep. These may not be concerns for everyone, but for some it could be the change your body needs.

Kristi: What’s your nightly ritual to prepare for early wakeup calls? What time do you actually get up?

Steve: My nightly ritual may not be the recommended way to go, as I usually work until 10 or 11pm. But I try to be in bed by 11:30pm. I read a lot, lay my clothes out and put my breakfast together, have a tea of some sort, and then fall asleep to the sounds of a thunderstorm on my noise maker. I wake up between 3:45 and 4:15am, stretch, get dressed, check email, eat, and go. I am a fast mover so I am usually ready to go in 10 minutes. This is what I have been doing for quite some time so it comes fairly easy to me.

Kristi: Would you advice those working out so early to eat before they work out or after?

Steve: I would recommend before andafter. In the morning after “most people” sleep 5 hours or more, the body is in a rested state. There is a common belief that after a night’s rest, the body during the waking process and progression into your day tends to be catabolic. This means that the body is trying to break down muscle tissue as well as body fat  in order to get fuel.

Another belief is that you should eat for what you are going to do, not what you have done. These two ideas do make sense, if you think about the thermogenic  process.  If your body has been resting for a long period of time, it needs to be warmed up before it is started. Think about a car. You need to warm it up in order to get the motor ready for where it’s going and for heat. You also have to have gas in order to get you from point A to B. You probably wouldn’t jump in your car and immediately take off on a 5-degree day. Andhow far would you expect to go with no fuel in the tank as you attempt to go from point A to point B?

Kristi: Is the club less crowded at 5 or 6am? What’s the atmosphere like then, and how is it different than other times of day?

Steve: The club has a surprising amount of people coming in between 5 and 6am. To get up and out of the house this early on cold winter mornings shows dedication to health. It isn’t quite as busy as it is 12 hrs later, but there are a good amount of people here. Between yoga, spinning, bootcamp, pilates, and tennis classes, there are a lot of options if your brain isn’t ready to navigate you through your own workout.  The club has a nice flow with a bit of quiet and focus as people are making the most of their pre-workday workout.

It’s a great idea to get it done early, and there is nothing better during the spring and summer than walking out to your car, breathing in deeply, and heading to the club for a kickoff to a productive day.

Thanks, Steve!

What’s your preferred time of day to work out?

Questions for the trainers have been pouring in lately, and this month, Steve Lopes takes on a few of them.

An ex-Marine, Steve once competed on a national level for the Caribbean island of St. Kitts as a Power Lifter and Bodybuilder. He moved to Rochester in 2003, and became a full-time Personal Trainer. With the club since 2006, “Sergeant” Steve teaches two early-morning Boot Camp classes per week and runs S.E.A.L. Training with Bruce Hedlund.

His favorite part of his job is the significant role and impact he has in his clients’ lives.

Reader Question: I made a New Year’s resolution to finally lose about 30 pounds. I started the year off by going to the club almost every day. I’m already slacking off. How do I stay motivated?

Steve: This is very common because people tend to set expectations a little high when making goals. In order to prevent the loss of motivation, you should set realistic expectations. For example: if you have never done cardio and decide that you are going to do a half hour of cardio every day, if you miss a day or two you might thing,  “Well, I’ve already failed at my goal so why bother?”  

A better goal in this case would be 3 days a week for 15-20mins. Once you add this short duration to your current workout, it may have the opposite effect, for example “Well, I’m already here, and it doesn’t feel so bad, I can do more.” 

Reader Question: What’s the best group exercise class to take to improve the overall look of my body? I am a slender woman in my 50s, but I want to tone up as much as Mother Nature will allow. The schedule can be a bit overwhelming.

Steve: There are some factors to consider here. First, what type of exercise do you do regularly? Do you play tennis? Do resistance training? Cardio only? Only classes? All of the above?  For example, if you only play tennis, then a Group Power class might be a good investment of your time, because of the amount of stress on your joints from the sometimes explosive movement and unpredictable ball direction.

As a woman in your 50s, you are going to need your connective tissue (tendons and ligaments) to be strong and you’ll need to maintain a certain amount of muscle mass to protect your joints. If you do resistance training and yoga, then a spinning class, step class, zumba, and a core class could be good choices, so that you can build your cardio and core strength to help compliment and support your overall fitness level.

And if you are a tennis player who does yoga, does cardio and resistance training, and you just want to take an additional class, then a bootcamp class could be the way to go because it will tie it all together.

Reader Question: I’ve seen other members moving very fast on the elliptical machines and the Arc Trainers, but I tend to increase my resistance and take it slower. Which is better if my goal is to stay in shape (and not get in shape)?

Variety is key.  Challenge yourself with intensity and time. Use higher resistance for longer and shorter durations. If you want to move fast, try and be aware of when your body is moving because you are moving it versus when you have built up so much momentum that your body is just going through the motions.  Use lower resistance with a slow movement and total focus on muscle contraction through the whole cycle of movement.

Have you ever tried to use the elliptical at a medium incline of around 6 and a resistance of 5 or 6 and tried to not use any momentum and total muscle focus? It’s pretty challenging. I would also recommend using more than one machine during a cardio workout; it will be more interesting and effective in challenging your body’s ability to adapt to different types of cardiovascular requirements.

Also, don’t be afraid of getting off the machine and spicing up a 30-minute bike or elliptical session with 1 minute of jumping rope for every 5 minutes on the machine.

Reader Question: Is tennis a good workout? My doubles partner says yes, but I don’t have the same feeling after a match that I do after a good run on the treadmill.

It really depends on the person and his/her athletic ability. If you have good hand/eye coordination, are light on your feet, and can move quickly while having good ball placement/judgement, then it may feel like less work for you.

If you want to try and increase your workout on the court, try running on the treadmill before your match for whatever may be a challenge to you (time or distance), and when you get on the court, keep moving. Don’t stand still. Bounce around a little and keep in constant motion. Not only will this increase your readiness and increase the amount of exercise you are getting, it may also rattle your opponents.

Reader Question: What do personal trainers eat for breakfast?

Well, we are people too, so we eat a variety of things. Cereal, oatmeal, fruits, sandwiches, eggs, protein shakes, bagels w/ peanut butter and/or cream cheese, and yogurt with nuts. The list is long.

Depending on our day ahead, food allergies, time between appointments, and personal goals, we believe in setting  the proper examples while also enjoying some treats from time to time. Two of my early morning favorites, which are quick and easy to make at 4am are:

Oatmeal

 1/3 cup of dry oatmeal

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

One scoop of protein powder

Mix together nad enjoy.

Eggwhite/Oatmeal Pancake

4 egg whites

1/3 cup of oatmeal

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon of splenda

Mix together, brown on a skillet for a minute or on each side, and voila-a great and healthy breakfast.

Thanks, Steve!

Do you have a question for one of the trainers? Post your question as a comment to this post, or email it to me at kristi@meetme-atmidtown.com. If you email the question, I will ask it anonymously on your behalf, and post the question and answer (but not your name) on the next “Ask the Trainer” post. You do not need to be a member to ask a question.

 You can find past “Ask the Trainer” posts here.

You know you have questions. What do you want to know?

The next session of S.E.A.L. Training starts on Wednesday.

Don’t worry. It’s not as intimidating as it sounds.

I was interested in S.E.A.L. training for my husband. He planned on participating in “I Lost It At The Club“, which was run last January for the first time. But the program wasn’t taking place this year, so he was looking for another way to kick-start his weight-loss goals for the New Year.

Unfortunately, the times for S.E.A.L. training don’t match up with his schedule, but I wanted to share what I learned, because it sounds fantastic.

Personal Trainers Steve Lopes and Bruce Hedlund run the program.

S.E.A.L. stands for Strength, Endurance, Agility, and Life. The class focuses on the following:

Strength:Blending traditional weight-training with everyday movements.

Endurance: Increasing cardiovascular and muscular thresholds.

Agility: Combining movements of everyday life with sports training.

Life: Integrating activities of everyday life with fitness.

Bruce tells me that this program is unique because the results are clearly measurable. You will notice a difference in your body, your overall strength, and your endurance once you’ve completed S.E.A.L. training. The class utilizes traditional weight-and-strength-training methods, along with some unconventional ones thrown in to make the class interesting.

And while “Summer S.E.A.L.” was held outside, “Winter S.E.A.L.” is held indoors because one never knows what a Rochester winter has in store.

Steve put me in contact with Frank Dana, Midtown member and S.E.A.L. graduate. I asked him a few questions about the program. Here’s what he had to say:

What was your favorite part of the training?

My favorite part was the fact that the workouts were always changing.  The workouts would build on each other and would challenge my body.  On top of that, the trainers would make sure the participants would perform the new exercises correctly.  The trainers are excellent and the coaching they give to the participants throughout the course is worth the price.

What changes did you notice in your body and overall strength from when you started?

I have chronic lower back problems and this training helped with my back issues immediately.  Proper lifting/exercise technique is greatly emphasized in this class.

What can members interested in S.E.A.L. training expect in class?

Expect great workouts lead by very knowledgeable trainers.  The S.E.A.L. workouts will energize you and by the end you will notice a big difference in your body.

Would you recommend S.E.A.L.? If so, why?

Yes.  The fact that my lower back felt great after my S.E.A.L. sessions speaks volumes.  Plus, having to commit to workout classes twice a week can force people needing a kick start in their New Year’s resolution workouts.

 S.E.A.L. begins on Wednesday, January 12th and runs through February 12th. The class meets twice a week for five weeks, on Wednesdays from 6:00am-7:15am and on Saturdays from 8:00am-9:15am.

The cost is $180 per person for the five-week program.

Have you participated in S.E.A.L. training? What did you think?

Fitness Director: Sam Owens

M3

Sam has over 15 years of fitness experience. He earned his undergraduate degree in Physical Education from Cortland State University, while playing four years of varsity football. Sam received a Masters in Exercise Science with a Concentration in Performance Enhancement from the University of California at Pennsylvania and is certified with the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Personal Trainer and as a Performance Enhancement Specialist.

Sam enjoys non-traditional training methods and is often seen flipping tires and swinging a sledge hammer in the Midtown parking lot as part of his workout.

Reading and listening to music are two of Sam’s favorite things to do during his free time.

Fun Fact: Sam is a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan and also enjoys barbecuing and making his homemade barbecue sauce on the weekends.

Email: Sam.Owens@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext. 139

The Trainers

Justin Bradt  

M1

Justin started weight training at the early age of 12. Justin’s father took him to the high school gym, which at the time was a 10 x 12 room, with a universal lat pull, squat bench, roman chair, and a row machine. Justin’s passion for exercise grew with the expansion of the high school gym. His passion led him to MCC, where he studied Physical Education. Still unsure of what he wanted to do, Justin enrolled at SUNY Brockport, where he developed an interest in Psychology. After much contemplation about which path to take, he finally came to his senses and picked Exercise Physiology.

Fun Fact: Justin’s lifting career began early as he spent his high school and middle school years taking down and setting back up all the tables and chairs in his school cafeteria. Wrestling practice was held in the cafeteria, and the wrestlers had to move all the tables and chairs, cart in two mats, practice, and then move everything back in again.

Email:  Justin.Bradt@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext. 238

Arlene Dalton  

M2

Arlene first came to Midtown when she was ten years old to watch her parents play tennis.  During a college break, she came back to work out in the new fitness center.  After teaching aerobics in the early 1980s, Arlene decided to further her education in the field and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Fitness from Springfield College in Massachusetts.  Upon returning to Rochester, she was hired at Midtown and began a long and fulfilling career.  Arlene has had many roles in the Fitness department over the years, and currently, she’s a Personal Trainer.  What Arlene enjoys most about personal training is the different people she meets and helping them improve the quality of their lives through achieving fitness goals.  In addition to her Bachelor’s degree, Arlene is NASM and ACE-certified.

Fun Fact: Arlene has worked at Midtown for over half of her life.

Email:  Arlene.Dalton@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext. 280

Joe Dietrich  

M1

Joe was born and raised in Westchester County in the small town of Bedford Hills.  His passion for sports started at a young age when he began playing soccer at age 5.  Continuing his goal to become a top athlete, he was awarded top honors for the Presidential Challenge in middle school, placing in the top 5thpercentile.  During the summers, he worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor.  By the end of high school, he was the captain of the soccer and lacrosse team, and was awarded All- County status for both sports. Since playing sports came naturally to him, Joe decided to pursue a degree in Exercise Science and Kinesiology at SUNY Cortland.  During college he played Division I rugby, and achieved certifications in scuba diving, water safety instructor (WSI) and self-defense.  After graduating from college, Joe decided to move to Rochester, where all three of his older brothers live. He began working at Midtown in 2007.  Joe currently holds his personal training certification through ACE and is currently working on completing his ACE Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant Certification.

Fun Fact: In rugby, Joe was given the nickname “jaw breaker” for accidentally breaking a teammate’s jaw during practice.

Email:  Joseph.Dietrich@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext. 311

Susan Doyle

M1

Susan was born in Liverpool, NY and has been in fitness since 1994. She originally started her fitness career in Houston, Texas where she, her husband and then three-year-old daughter lived for about 3.5 years.  She received her group fitness certification from AFAA and began teaching fitness classes at Gold’s gym, Worlds Gym, and a private club, all located in the Houston area. When her husband switched jobs, they moved back to Liverpool withher daughter, nine-month-old son, and another baby on the way.  Once her third child was born, she continued her career in Liverpool where she gained new certifications in kickboxing and core.  Eventually they moved to Rochester, where she and her family have lived for the past 11 years.  In 2006, Susan received her Personal Training certification through AFAA. In 2007, Susan received another Personal Training certification through NASM.  In 2010, she received a certification for Pilates Reformer through Balanced Body.  She has worked for Midtown for 11 years, where in addition to personal training, she continues to teach Cycle, Core, Group Power, Bootcamp, and Pilates Reformer.

Email:  Susan.Doyle@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Extension: 257

Kevin Glor

M2

Kevin has been involved in fitness and sports his entire life. He comes from an athletic family, and graduated with a degree in Exercise Physiology in 2002. He then started his career at Midtown. Kevin became NFPT, ACE, USBA, and CPR/AED certified with a specialty in weight loss and strength and conditioning. He enjoys training all levels of fitness and helping people achieve their goals.

Fun Fact: Kevin once did
200 push-ups in one set and 2,000 in a single day.

Email:  Kevin.Glor@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Extension:  230

Bruce Hedlund

M1

Bruce has 14 years of personal training experience. He has spent his entire career helping people get fit, stay fit, and strength-train. Bruce started training when he was 16 years old. The owner of the gym where he worked out encouraged him to enter the field. Bruce realized very early on that training was the only job he ever wanted. Bruce graduated from SUNY Cortland witha B.S. in Exercise Science, and is a Certified Strengthand Conditioning Specialist.  In addition to working as a trainer for Midtown, Bruce is also the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Rochester Americans, and for Penfield High School.

Check out Bruce’s “Ask the Trainer” post here.

Fun Fact: Bruce has run 17 marathons (including 10 Bostons)

Email:  Bruce.Hedlund@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext. 269

Josette Lindsey

M2

Beginning at age 5, Josette was participating in any sport she could, including “two-hand-touch football” or “stickball.” Josette continued to play sports through high school and college, earning a Sports/Academic Scholarship for softball. At the age of 15, Josette began working at City Park and Recreational Facilities instructing children in a variety of sports and activities and continued doing so until graduating from SUNY Brockport in 1990, with a degree in Physical Education and Sports Management. Exercise and fitness were always part of her life, whether she was preparing for an upcoming season or just staying fit and healthy. After college, Josette taught children’s fitness classes for all ages for four years. Because she was always interested in weight training and aerobics classes, she began looking for opportunities in adult fitness and personal training.  In 1995, she began working at a fitness club in Syracuse, instructing members on the proper use of the equipment. She also dabbled in Membership Sales/Management positions.  Josette learned that she enjoyed hands- on instruction much more than managerial positions. She feels her job is very rewarding when her clients achieve positive results from their workouts! She enjoys working with people of all ages and all levels of fitness. Josette has been at Midtown for five years and is NASM-certified.

Fun Fact: Next to fitness, Josette’s second love is food. You can also find her serving you a fabulous dinner at her family-owned restaurant, Rizzi’s.  Josette has six siblings, including a twin sister.

Email:  Josette.Lindsey@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext.  251

Steve Lopes

M1

Steve grew up in Fall River, a city 30 miles south of Boston. He started lifting weights when he was 13. In high school, he played baseball and soccer, and upon graduating, he entered the Marine Corp.

Once back home, he worked as a cabinetmaker and sheet metal worker/welder while lifting weights, boxing, and doing aikido in his spare time. In 1999, he moved to the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, where he devoted himself to fitness and competed on a national level for St. Kitts as a Power Lifter and Bodybuilder. After leaving St Kitts in 2001, he moved to Baton Rouge, LA. where he decided to make a change to a life around fitness.

After relocating to the Rochester area in 2003, he decided to dive into the entire Fitness profession by becoming a full-time Personal Trainer, and added a National Academy of Sports Medicine to his existing certification with ISSA as a Fitness Trainer. Steve joined Midtown in October 2006, where he has continued as a Personal Trainer.  Steve teaches two early-morning Boot Camp classes per week. Steve enjoys helping as many people as possible on a daily basis and can be found on the workout floor quite often fine-tuning his workout programs.

Fun Fact: Steve enjoys cooking and counts Beef Wellington & Tiramisu as two of his favorite dishes to make.

Email: Steve.Lopes@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext.  249

Vincenzo Mogavero

M1

Vincenzo is originally from Rochester and enlisted in the Armed Forces, where he was a Military Police Officer/Master Fitness Trainer for eight years. He has over four years of overseas experience. Vincenzo is currently certified with the National Federation of Personal Training and is currently working on completing his certification with the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Vincenzo is a highly motivated, energetic trainer with 10 years of experience, with expertise in Boot Camp classes, resistance and free weight training, Professional Women’s Figure / Bodybuilding, sports -specific training and post -rehab conditioning.

Email:  Vincenzo.Mogavero@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext.  272

Kimberly Myga

M2

Kim started her unusual path in the fitness field as a nanny. She took care of 4 children, including newborn twin boys, and as a job benefit, she was given a free membership to a gym. Not only did she love challenging her body, but she also created workouts and dietary guidelines for a friend who was diabetic. Several months later, her friend was taken off medication. This inspired Kim to look into the field of fitness. She soon discovered Pilates, which she is very passionate about. After years of studying and acquiring certifications, Kim decided to look for work in the fitness industry. She waited until the children she cared for were old enough for school, and then began to pursue her new career.  She never thought she would find something as gratifying as taking care of children. But after 9 years in the fitness field, she still wakes up around 4 AM, excited to play at work.

Fun Fact: Kim started a business as a personal chef several years ago.

Email:  Kimberly.Myga@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext.  235

Laura Regna

M2

Laura began personal training while she attended undergraduate and graduate school. She started working for Midtown as a personal trainer in 2004. She has a national certification and has attended several other certification programs in a variety of exercise programs, including Pilates, yoga, aqua, flexibility and Kinesistraining. Laura has implemented and is currently teaching the stretching program for both one-on-one and group stretching at Midtown.  Additionally, Laura is an active instructor at SUNY Brockportand at the University of Rochester in their dance departments.  She has earned both a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Brockport and a Master’s degree in Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Buffalo. Currently, she performs and dances for Biodance, a modern dance company in Rochester.  Laura’s exercise teaching philosophy is that she focuses on building a strong “core” and good alignment for her clients, while keeping the workouts challenging and fun.

Fun Fact: Laura loves to hike, especially to waterfalls, with her husband, Dan and dog, Vance.

Email:  Laura.Regna@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext.  278

Doug Rusho  

M3

Doug started his interest in training at 13 years old, buying a textbook on plyometrics, and starting strength training when the high school quarterback told him “you would dominate in basketball if you bulked up.”  Although the “bulking up” was minimal the performance gains were very apparent.  Doug competed in Soccer, Basketball, and Track and Field utilizing all types of training.  He graduated from SUNY Brockport with a B.S. in Exercise Physiology/Biomechanicsin 1995.  He interned at Midtown and has been Personal Training ever since.   He has held several certifications, currently National Strengthand Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer.  Doug is also heavily involved as an indoor cycle instructor, launching many special events like “Cycling at the Cinema,” “Pre-Turkey Burn,” and “Journey of the Peaceful Warrior.”  He is a member of Indoor cycle instructor Pro and was recently featured in a two part podcast interview covering indoor cycling technique.  For the past 14 years Doug has become a “certified cycling nut” racing mountain and road bikes all over the Northeast.  Doug continues his quest for training knowledge and the improvement of human performance.

Fun Fact: Doug is often praised for his “musicality” in cycle class, which he attributes to being forced by his parents to play a musical instrument (trombone) from 4^th through 10^th grade.

Check out Doug’s “Ask the Trainer” post here.

Email:  Doug.Rusho@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext.  261

Dina Smock

M2

Dina has been a trainer at Midtown for 14 years and is NASM-certified. Starting out as a floor trainer with a B.S. in Health Sciences from Brockport, she soon acquired a passion for training and special events here at the club.  Eventually she became the special Events Coordinator and then Fitness Director until the birth of her twin daughters in 2002.  Since then Dina has maintained a part time schedule as a personal trainer and focuses on pregnancy and exercise and Kinesis.   Dina enjoys playing tennis and has been in several leagues and hopes to continue to play and get more competitive.  Lately you can see her carrying around a yoga mat or running off to a Pilates class.  When not at Midtown, Dina enjoys spending time with her husband Steve and three children.

Fun Fact: Dina is still training her very first client whom she began training when she started 14 years ago!

Check out Dina’s “Ask the Trainer” post here.

Email:  Dina.Smock@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext. 125

Dave Statt

M3

Dave has been at Midtown for 19 years, and holds an M.S. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Buffalo. He is a NSCA-certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and an NASM Certified Personal Trainer. His recent personal accomplishments include competing in the Musselman Triathlon and being a two-time finisher of the Adirondack Canoe Classic (AKA “The 90-Miler”). Dave began lifting weights at age 12, and has not stopped since! Dave began college with the goal of becoming a Physical Education teacher, but soon realized he loved training and science, so he switched his major to Exercise Physiology. He enjoys helping clients develop a passion for exercise and achieving fitness goals.

Fun Fact: Dave was once the Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Rochester Amerks.

Check out Dave’s “Ask the Trainer” post here.

Email:  Dave.Statt@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext.  282

Judy Straw  

M2

Judy has always been active, and began playing sports in elementary school.  When she discovered the benefits and fun of working out with weights and machines, she wanted to help others reap the same rewards.  Judy obtained her first certificate as a personal trainer nine years ago.  She has been training ever since, the last six years at Midtown.  Along the way she has obtained two additional certifications, and became a Pilates Reformer instructor.  She is also very enthusiastic about Kinesis training.  Judy enjoys training all ages, especially the clients 45+ and those rehabilitating from an injury or surgery.

Fun Fact: Judy is an avid fly fisherwoman, and has traveled with her husband Kimball as far as Alaska to catch salmon and rainbow trout.

Email:  Judy.Straw@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext.  246

Paul Torcello  

M2

Paul
has always had an interest in physical activity.  He played a variety of sports growing up, starting at the age of five.  His interest in working out started in high school due where he was a wrestler.  Paul then went to SUNY Brockport where he earned his B.S. in Exercise Physiology.  After earning his degree, Paul was hired as a Fitness department intern, and he was later hired as a personal trainer.  He has been training individuals and groups at Midtown for the last four years and is certified by the American Council of Exercise (ACE-CPT).  Paul specializes in training a wide range of individuals witha special interest in strength and conditioning, weight loss, and bodybuilding.

Fun Fact: Paul also works for his father, assisting him in running a dairy farm.

Email:  Paul.Torcello@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext. 277

Brian Wilmot  

M2

Brian started his fitness career at the age of seven, swimming for a competitive swim team in Jamaica. At the age of 10, he made it onto Jamaica’s National Swimming Squad and competed at an international level until age 17. During that time he continued to swim for his club and for his high school. At age 13, he started playing water polo for his high school and continued to play in college. Brian started Body Building after his aquatics career ended at the age of 18 and started personal training then as well. He competed in body building until age 24, and won the NPC Amateur New York State Championships for his weight class. Shortly thereafter, Brian wrote a book entitled Slim and Trim,which has since been published by Amazon Books. Having moved to Rochester in 1990, Brian started teaching swimming at a local healthclub and then moved from aquatics to the fitness department. He eventually led the strength training department, and he also managed the aquatics department for a brief time. After becoming certified by The American College of Sports Medicine as a Health Fitness Specialist (HFS) and having had several certifications prior, Brian worked in a medical office as a health fitness specialist for six years. Brian joined the Midtown personal training team in 2000, and his current fitness quest is Seidokan Karate.

Fun Fact: Brian is a Licensed United States Coast Guard Master Captain for vessels up to 50 tons.

Email:  Brian.Wilmot@midtown.com

Phone Number: 461-2301 Ext.  259