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Schedule Online!Heather Whaley | Personal Trainer & Director of Group Fitness
Heather specializes in nutritional wellness, functional fitness, and weight-loss. She feels that fitness and nutrition are the cornerstones to overall health and wellness. Heather attributes her style of personal training and group fitness to her extensive experience in the fitness community and her passion for researching fitness and nutrition. She has held several positions in the industry: corporate group fitness instructor, a boot camp instructor, and has been recognized in Atlanta Bride Magazine for her customized bridal boot camps. In addition to being a personal trainer, she currently is the Director of Group Fitness and Cooperate Wellness at Thrive. Heather has a passion for fitness and a passion for people, so it only seems natural that she would have her hand in the industry because of this.
“Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson,
Brookhaven Boot Camp
We’ve taken Extreme Fit outside, boot camp style! Come burn over 700 calories per training session. Our trainers, Lloyd, Kevin, and Jason will take you to the next level. This is one of the toughest things you will ever love! Here, we combine discipline with motivation and fun! This class includes stadium stairs, timed gassers, core training, and much more. You will learn effective exercise, endurance, proper form, technique, and safety. Group meets at Thrive Fitness and runs over to Oglethorpe. All fitness levels welcome, work at your own pace.
5k and Abs
Rejuvenate your body and day by get your blood flowing with a 5k run. Ranging from beginners to seasonal runners ready to improve their aerobic stamina, while getting motivated by others at Thrive. Timing this run allows you to visually see your improvement from week to week to strive to be your best. We immediately top off the run with core work and stretching.
Challenge yourself with the BOSU®
If you’ve been into Thrive, you’ve probably seen one of our BOSU® Balance Trainers—that is, the blue, dome-shaped things with flat bottoms. In my years of working in the fitness industry, I’ve found that this tool is one of the most effective in terms of improving balance and core strength. So, you’ll see me integrate it into exercises ranging from lunges to push-ups. If you want to know more about the logic behind why we train with the BOSU® at Thrive, check out this article at the BOSU® site.
Keep on Thriving!
–Lloyd
Functional Approach to Fitness sets Thrive Apart
“When I walked into Brookhaven’s Thrive Fitness, my first thought was, “How am I going to get a good workout if there aren’t a bunch of weight machines?
Forty minutes later, as I was huffing and puffing my way through a final circuit of sit-ups, mountain climbers and burpees, I wanted to eat my words…”
Read more about the Thrive Fitness Approach in this month’s issue of The Piedmont Review. Here’s a direct link to the article: click here. Or, you can download it here.
3 Steps to Bikini-Ready Abs
It’s summertime in the south, which means that it’s time to break out your bikini. If your abs could use a little boot camp before the big reveal, try these three moves that are sure to tone and tighten your core muscles (work your way up to three sets of 15 reps of each of these exercises):
Medicine Ball Twists. Sit with your legs bent (heels dug into the floor), your chest lifted, and back straight. Your upper body should be at a 45-degree angle. Holding a medicine ball twist side to side, reaching toward your hip bone. The further you lean back the better, but always keep that back straight. If you don’t have a medicine ball, no problem — try a gallon-size jug of water. Take this exercise up a notch by lifting one foot up at a time and eventually both feet while twisting.
Sit-Ups. Yes, a good old fashioned sit-up is still one of the best ways to work those abs. Again, sitting with your legs bent, feet on the floor, lie down on the floor with your arms crossed across your chest. Bring your body up, eventually sitting up (with legs still bent and feet on the floor). Then, curl your body back down so that your back is flat on the ground. Be sure that you are focusing on tightening your abdominal muscles as you move through the entire sit-up.
Side Plank Dips. Lie on your side, with your legs stacked on top of each other and your right elbow bent at a 90-degree angle directly beneath your side. (Your body should form a straight line accept for your right arm, which is a 90-degree angle.) Pick your hips up, so that your body runs at a diagonal from the floor. Then, let your right hip drop and bring it back up. The goal is to let it lightly touch the floor before bringing it back up into alignment with the rest of your body. After completing your reps on one side, role onto the other (so that your left arm will be bent to support your body). Do three sets on each side.
Need a fun way to tone up your body for summer? Come try our Brookhaven Group Fitness Class!
Keep on Thriving!
—Lloyd
3 Moves for Sexy Summer Arms
Hey Ladies!
Your man doesn’t have to be the only one with tickets to the gun show this summer. Try these three exercises to get your arms in shape for those sexy sleeveless shirts and shoulder-bearing halter tops (work your way up to 3 sets of 15 reps of each of these exercises):
Chair Push-ups. Push-ups are the multitasking exercise for arms, since they work all of the muscle groups at once. Using a chair, place your hands on either side of the seat, and put your feet together on the ground. (Your body will be at an incline.) Arms will go from straight to bent, as you lower yourself into a pushup position. Make sure to keep your shoulders over your writs and your rear end in alignment with the rest of your body.
Military Press. Tone your shoulders with a good, old-fashioned military press. Using 8-pound free weights, bring both arms up to 90-degree angles, so that elbows are in line with your shoulders. (Palms should be facing away from your body.) Press arms straight up to where there is just a slight bend in your elbows, and then lower them back down to 90-degree angles. No free weights? No problem. Just grab a couple of 20-ounce water bottles.
Bicep Curls. No arm workout would be complete without a little something to tone those biceps. Again, free weights or water bottles will work. Stand with feet about shoulder-width apart. Keep your elbows at your sides as you lift and lower both water bottles to your shoulders (palms facing your shoulders) and then back down to where your elbows have just a slight bend in them. When you’re finished, crack open one of the bottles to hydrate!
Looking for a great way to tone up your body for summer? Come try our Brookhaven Group Fitness Class!
Keep on Thriving!
—Lloyd
Enhancing Your Personal Training Experience with Online Scheduling
Personal training studios should make sure that they are providing their clients with every tool possible to help them meet their personal fitness goals. That is why some personal training studios have invested into an online personal training system for the benefit of their clients. Online scheduling in general is becoming increasingly popular as individuals become more comfortable and knowledgeable using the internet.
A recent Wall Street Journal survey showed that the majority of adults prefer making their appointments online. When it comes to personal training, online scheduling gives clients more control of their fitness goals in a way that is personalized and convenient. This is a wonderful benefit for the client because of the freedom it brings them. (more…)
Developing an Exercise Routine After Injury
Injury can happen to anyone at anytime. If you are an active person, who exercises regularly, there is a temptation to jump back into your pre-injury workout routine to soon. This may do more harm than good. Anyone who has suffered an injury, regardless of the injury type, should consult their physician before restarting their exercise routine. You should never rush back into your regular pre-injury exercise routine without seeking advice from your physician. The physician will create an exercise plan designed to ease you back into an exercise routine while your body is healing. (more…)
Mix Up Your Workout Routine to Maximize Benefits
To get the best results from your workout regiment, individuals should work with a personal trainer to mix up their exercise routines to make the exercises more unique and beneficial. When people do the same exercises over and over again, they will at some point reach a results’ plateau and they will not meet their desired goals.
Improving Your Life Through Group Training and One-on-One Personal Training
In these stressful times, it is very important to remember to take care of your most important attribute which is your health. One of the best ways to do this is to take part in a group training program or one-on-one training program. The Financial Times newspaper in a recent article noted that personal training studios that offer exclusively group training and one-on-one training have been full. According to a personal trainer quoted in the article “Clients come in more to de-stress, and get away from the constant coverage of crashing markets on TV”. He also said that “members, especially now, see working out as a necessity not a luxury.” (more…)
Thrive Fitness Featured on Dr. Laura Beaty’s Newsletter
Thrive Fitness was featured this month on Dr. Laura Beaty’s newsletter. Dr. Laura Beaty, a local concierge physician, understands the importance of choosing the right trainer to achieve optimal fitness and improve health.
I am thrilled with the results I’ve seen in working with Thrive Fitness. I have more confidence and energy each day because of the work I do with Lloyd. I have reached fitness goals that I simply could not achieve on my own. Laura Beaty, MD
Dr. Beaty has practiced medicine in Atlanta since 1998. She founded Alliance Primary Care in 2005 to fulfill her desire of working in a practice where she could care for patients to her highest standards. The popularity of this unique practice has expanded and now, the additions of Dr. Saju Mathew and Kimberly Brewster NP allow a greater number of patients to experience primary health care the way it should be.
“In third grade I listed my desired future occupation as physician. It was only when I finished my training and began to practice that I questioned that very early decision. Starting this practice has resurrected my passion. I love spending quality time with my patients, I love our staff, and I now love my job!”
Dominique – Before & After
Another Success Story from Thrive Fitness!
Ten months after having my second child, I was still 20 pounds away from being where I wanted. I had tried a personal trainer at a big gym, running, and dieting. I thought I couldn’t lose anymore, and that this is what I had to settle for now that I was a Mommy.
A neighbor recommended this bootcamp program and I decided to check it out. The first couple of times I wanted to give up because it was too hard, but I also knew it was pushing me harder than anything else I had tried. I kept going and started seeing results immediately. The more results I saw, the more I would go- after 2 months I had lost 3 inches off my waist!!
Nine months later, I’m not only at my goal weight, I’m in the best shape I have ever been in and have even decided to train for a triathlon.
Try the program – you can get so much out of it!
Dominique
Lloyd Garden | Owner & Personal Trainer
NCCPT, IFPA, TRX Suspension Training and Red Cross CPR certified
Lloyd Garden, founder of Thrive Fitness is no stranger to discipline and perseverance. Trained by some of the best strength and conditioning coaches collegiately and professionally, Lloyd understands hard work and the attention to detail. Through this hard work and his attention to detail, Lloyd gained the experience needed to customize efficient training programs for all types of clients, from professional athletes to busy executives and stay-at-home moms, who need maximal fitness in minimal spare time.
Lloyd is no stranger to high achievement. Starting from high school, he set football rushing records in the state of Ohio that exists today. After high school, he was heavily recruited by top NCAA football programs but eventually decided to attend the University of Cincinnati and he received a four year scholarship to play for the Bearcats Football team. To cap off his football career, he was signed by the National Football League Seattle Seahawks. Even though his NFL career was short he obtained the necessary ingredients to complete his unique personal training recipe.
Lloyd used his time as a member of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the NFL Seattle Seahawks for his own research and development to tie his knowledge of personal training and athletic conditioning to develop advanced methods to training to help prevent injury and target specific muscles. Lloyd created a full fitness regime from his template of free-weight, bodyweight, and machine-driven exercises, tailored specifically for each client. His main goal is to develop muscular balance in his clients, which is the foundation for more specific goals such as aesthetics, strength and flexibility gains, or developing a more powerful athletic ability.
His methods have touched people of all backgrounds. For more than a decade, he has used his knowledge and experience to develop the bodies and lives of hundreds including Stanford University’s All-American tennis players “The Burdette Sisters” (Erin, Lindsey, and Mallory Burdette), ATP World Tour player Scoville “Sco” Jenkins, and On the Rise Tennis Academy where he helped hundreds of students reach their full potential in the sport of tennis through strength and conditioning.
Lloyd’s philosophy is that when people begin to work towards better health and fitness, they inevitably begin to see more success in life. He designed his personal training studio with his philosophy in mind. The Thrive Fitness studio is strategically designed to provide clients with the most efficient method to accomplish their workouts.
