Like many people, Chaz works a job that forces a lot of time at the computer, but he also is an avid outdoorsman and Do-It-Yourselfer. He came to Hyatt Training without a ton of training experience, but with an open mind willing to try everything that was thrown at him. It wasn’t long before Chaz was ripping body-weight deadlifts off the ground and falling in love with the mental and physical challenges that come with kettlebell practice. His consistency in his training has been impeccable; he’s always getting in extra workouts at the studio and kettlebell practice at home, pushing to get better each week. One of the greatest parts of working with Chaz has been getting to hear numerous stories about how his (sometimes very intense) home renovation projects have been easier to accomplish since beginning training!
Name: Chaz Whiting
Age: 35
Length of time with Hyatt Training and date when you started: 1.5 years, October 1, 2018
Trainer: Will Johnston
What were your goals when you started? I was looking to get more functional. I work at a desk and have always had poor posture with my head being anterior, even as a kid. This results in neck aches and bad range of motion. I didn’t feel like I even knew how to move.
What are your goals today? My main goals haven’t changed. This will be a lifelong process of improving posture, mobility and functional strength. I also want to focus now on shedding a few pounds and improving my barefoot running this summer.
What has been your biggest challenge? I had a hard time becoming comfortable moving the right way. I couldn’t hinge in a deadlift. I could barely squat. For a long time I was nervous about injuring myself but Will helped me through it and these movements went from foreign to intuitive in short order.
What have been your biggest areas of improvement? I rarely feel like my neck is “stuck” anymore. After strenuous days of doing home projects outside, I’m not plagued with neck/shoulder soreness and headaches the following day anymore. I wake up ready to go again.
What is your favorite thing about Hyatt Training? Hyatt Training is very non-intimidating. I was hesitant to get started because I didn’t know anything about strength training etc… but it was never an issue. Everyone knows you by name. It’s very comfortable.
What is your favorite thing about your personal trainer? Will is always enthusiastic and we get along really well. Even if I show up sluggish, he brings the energy and we get after it. He also introduced me to deadlifting and kettlebells, which at first I was afraid of and dreaded both, and now they are my favorite things.
What is your proudest achievement or biggest accomplishment since you began working with Hyatt Training? I decided to build a large retaining wall in my yard at home by myself. I took a week of vacation and worked on it for 9 days straight. Before I started at Hyatt Training, I think I would have bailed after 1 or 2 days and not been able to move. I moved yard after yard of dirt and gravel by hand. I didn’t even feel tired until the very end. I had never felt so functional before.
What have you learned: Besides correct movement, I’ve also come to learn the importance of nutrition in making progress. While we’ve always eaten well at home, I have noticed that if I don’t get enough protein, my recovery takes far longer, and this inhibits progress.
What advice would you give to other people starting on their fitness journey? I can’t stress enough how helpful it’s been to have the right personal trainer that can lead you toward your specific goals.
If you remember, do you mind sharing why you chose to start training at Hyatt Training? My wife (who is also my chiropractor) was pushing me to find someone that can help me build muscle in the correct places to improve my structure. After a quick search I found that Hyatt Training was a short walk from my office and it has worked out perfectly!
Hyatt Training success stories feature our amazing clients and their inspiring achievements. Here’s a link to more great real-life stories from our clients! If you’d like to participate (or know someone who should), email us at Go@HyattTraining.com.
