There are two new forward-thinking health and fitness services in Tampa Bay that have busy people in mind. They are led by smart, down-to-earth, non-judgmental professionals whose mission is not to coerce you or shame you into doing the right thing but to teach you how to make good nutrition and lifestyle choices — and help you save time.
4U Fitness. Trainer Daniel Nyiri, a 26-year-old former professional hockey player who competed for the Hungarian National Team, experienced a life-threatening back injury that led to a career change — personal training. Once certified, he moved to Tampa and opened a training and wellness center called 4U Fitness (4u-fitness.com). Now there are locations in both Tampa and St. Pete.
One training technique in particular helped him get back on his feet; Nyiri made it his life’s mission to bring it to the U.S.
I arrived to the 4U Fitness on Kennedy Boulevard in my awkward fitness gear ( yoga pants, sneakers and tank top). After being told I didn’t need those clothes, Nyiri prompted a change into a spandex outfit to wear under my electric suit.
I was about to get plugged in for an “Electric-Fit” workout.
Nyiri, the first E-Fit dealer in the United States, had me put on a suit with multiple sockets to be plugged into a machine with various knobs. It uses EMS technology — Electric Muscle Stimulation — which delivers electrical stimulation directly to the muscles causing them to contract and relax, just like they do during exercise. The machine reportedly stimulates 90 percent of your body’s main muscles every time you use it.
After the obligatory intro and release form, Nyiri had me put on pants and a vest which were slightly soaked with water (to help conduct electricity). He assured me that he goes through a lengthy sanitization process, and by the looks of his meticulous studio, I am fairly certain he was maintaining his equipment properly. Once outfitted, Nyiri plugged me into the contraption, which resembled a Looney Tunes cartoon come to life. Nyiri said that my only weight would be a tennis ball, and that when he turned the knobs, pinpointed at all my major muscle groups, the ball would begin to feel really heavy. He was right.
The shocks of the E-Fit charge felt similar to having your hand or foot fall asleep, but with no pain. That’s not to say it was easy; as I performed the isometric exercises, I felt at times like cinder blocks were resting on my quads and biceps.
The 20-minute workout — ideal for busy people like me — was indeed equal to an hour’s worth of weight training. I was intensely sore for two days but had no muscle strain. The exercises were completely low-impact and created no muscle or joint strain. I felt rejuvenated and look forward to going back and doing it again. (Nyiri says it costs around $45 a session, and there are often specials.)
“I have been working with the E-Fit for over 2 years,” said the trainer, who suffered a spinal disc herniation. “During this period, I have noticed that by strengthening the muscles, almost all locomotor disorders can be prevented. Since the device works 90 percent of the skeletal muscles without straining the joints, it has proven [yes, there are research studies to back it up] to be an excellent aid to these problems. With the help of EMS training, my symptoms got a lot better by the first month! [The pain] vanished in about 2-3 months if I remember correctly.”
Three Bears Family Wellness. A longtime friend and local graphic artist/musician, Mathew Halpern gave up the hectic media grind to become a certified holistic coach. He founded Three Bears Family Wellness (threebearswellness.com), a highly customizable and personalized consultation service that aims to reach busy couples, single parents and families who struggle with weight, stress, low energy, sleep or cravings.
“My program is tailored for success by introducing small changes that grow into healthy habits, helping clients to reach their goals,” he says.
Halpern offers a free, one-on-one initial consultation, so they can see how effective his coaching can be.
“It can be conducted in person, video chat, or by phone,” Halpern says. “That way, everyone has access to a health coach.”
When talking to a health consultant, you need to feel comfortable and safe talking about some embarrassing bad habits. Halpern has a kind, measured tone and zeroed in on my emotional eating issues. He understood that my problem was not overeating but balancing my diet and avoiding convenience foods and sweets during times of stress.
Halpern offered really great, time-saving suggestions on snacks and meal preparation and made me aware of the many pitfalls that have led to my recent weight gain. Halpern and I also talked about the best time of the day to carve out time for “self care.” I tend to get busy worrying about my mother, significant others, pets and friends and not to leave sufficient time for myself. With Halpern’s help, I found a time of day to be meditative and take my long walks — priceless wisdom indeed.
This article appears in May 14-20, 2015.