Fitness Client
Matt Harris
As I reflect on past year I feel I should give the Blue Wave family a special holiday shout out. I’m particularly grateful to have been part of their fitness program for over 16 years! I feel particularly loyal to Blue Wave because of their commitment to me and my personal journey towards being the fittest person I can be. I’m always greeted by name and can’t help but feel welcome every time I jump into class. I’ve also made several friends there over the years and that makes the classes so much more fun. Shannon and Kennedy know my limits and areas where I need modifications to help protect impacted areas to avoid injury. Blue Wave’s fitness program is a place I look forward to going multiple times each week because I know I wouldn’t be able to get the same results working out on my own. They push me beyond what my mind tells me I can do. Thank you, Blue Wave!!
Dianna Folwarczny
I’m a natural born…marshmallow.
I’m not fast. I’m not coordinated. I’m soft, sensitive and hyper self-aware. I’ve been on a weight regulating diet since I was seven. I’m not competitive. I’m not an athlete. So, it’s probably surprising that I’m training to climb the world’s tallest mountains and signing up for half Iron-Man races. Well, no. It isn’t. This is the age of Cross-Fit and Paleo, right? There are Pinterest pages full of inspirational quotes and glossy pictures of women in bikini competitions, pantries full of clean eating cookbooks and protein powder. Lots of people are conditioning. But I don’t fit into the be-fit-for-Fit’s-sake world. I don’t have the right kind of body, and I don’t have the right kind of attitude.
What’s the point? What is the goal, the end game of muscles, strength, and physical fitness? I can only tell you what it means to me, what fit is to a woman who is finally comfortable knowing that she looks like she stepped out of a Botticelli painting instead Sports Illustrated. To me, fitness is a moving target and unachievable goal that somehow I’m achieving. Most of me still thinks that things like mountain climbing are for supermen from Eastern Europe. But I’m climbing mountains.
I did not understand how liberating it would be, how much fun it would be to literally be able to do anything that I wanted with my body. Strength is a kind of freedom. Freedom. And what freedom is, what it allows is, choice. It’s opportunity. These are the things that breed moments of exhilaration, and lifetimes of vitality. It’s the difference between reading National Geographic magazine and living it.
So there’s Dave, my trainer. I mentioned that I was sensitive and hyper self-aware and I’m not exaggerating when I say that it’s paralyzing. I need a special kind coach. Dave. Is. My. Trainer. Dave is quiet. He’s graceful. He’s hard and he’s great. I’ve been crabby at him and he’s been sensitive. I’ve cussed him and he’s told me a math joke. I’ve cried to him and he’s hugged me.
What’s most important is that I believe his coaching strategy and his hugs and his compliments. Dave’s my backbone. He’s what binds together the pages of my adventure magazine. Frankly, he’s the one that told me I had adventure in me at all and sent me to Everest Base Camp.
And on the way to EBC, and on the way to the summit of Kilimanjaro, I didn’t get pee on my boots when I squatted because my quads were strong from all the tucks he made me do. I didn’t notice my backpack because my core was conditioned for it. I didn’t twist an ankle. I didn’t cramp up. I was never sore. I just had fun…and that’s the point.
And…a couple guys tripped from staring at me.
Thanks, Dave.
Amy Fridley
I have known Dave Blevins and his family for over 15 years. I can sum up his training in a little poem I read:
-You push me out of my comfort zone.
-You train me til I moan.
Thanks for pushing me beyond my limits. For training me I give you full credit
Janice Bross
I am 58 years old and have been struggling with chronic back pain for many years. I was diagnosed with scoliosis as a teen and now it is referred to as Kyphosis in my upper back. I have been very active all of my life but nothing I was doing was seeming to help my back pain. I started to see Dave Blevins for personal training two months ago. I have noticed a marked improvement in my overall posture and a definite improvement in my back discomfort. I have been able to continue my hobbies such as gardening and horseback riding with much less discomfort. I would highly recommend Dave for Personal training to others who suffer with back issues.
Lisa Kuhn
I have been working out at Blue Wave since February 2013. The trainers are very energetic and motivating and the classes are challenging and full of variety. After a short time, I started feeling great and had so much more energy. Along with taking the classes I began doing personal training with Dave once a week with a small group of ladies that were all wanting to take it to the next level, the results speak for themselves, I am lot stronger and am consistently improving on all my exercises. Dave is a great motivator and challenges us to always strive to push our personal boundaries to new heights. I recently had ACL reconstruction and Dave would tailor the workouts to fit my individual needs. Although the workouts are hard, he makes them fun for us as well, if you want to get fit and have fun doing it this is where you want to be.
Pat Hacker
In Novemer 2013, I wanted to lose some unwanted pounds and “shape up” before the holidays so that I could feel good about myself in some holiday dresses. Thirty days later, I had lost the unwanted weight and started feeling fit. The team of instructors, the clean facility, and the people I met in the classes kept me “coming back for more.” In May of 2014, at age 57, I signed up for a 14-week fitness challenge named HARDCORPS. It is now the end of the challenge and I feel the most fit I’ve ever been in my life! Yes, it was challenging, but it was a great experience with great results. I’m looking forward to doing it again next summer. The short-term intention of getting fit for the holidays has turned into a long-term intention of staying fit and healthy for life.
Debby Grenia
In July 2013, a year ago, I was looking to sign up for a fitness class close to home. Conveniently located next to Starbucks (one of my favorite places in Lake Saint Louis) is Blue Wave, so my daughter and I just stopped in one day to check it out. I picked up a schedule and found out the first class was free, tried it out and the rest is history. Not only did I find a fitness class that worked with my schedule, but I found a group of people who are completely awesome, accepting, and supportive. Prior to working out at Blue Wave, I mostly ran, cycled a little, and swam a bit. I was somewhat fit, when it came to endurance, but I wasn’t strong. A year later, I am addicted. I am so strong. I look better. I love going to my classes. I love the instructors and my new fitness friends. They are so supportive and welcoming. I would highly recommend this fitness studio for anyone looking for an awesome workout and to gain strength and fitness. One of the best choices I ever made.
John Slaid
I was not on a mission when I joined Blue Wave Marital Arts & Fitness 8 month ago. I joined simply because I knew that it was time to get some type of physical activity going and because it was such an inviting atmosphere. Eight months later, I have lost 16 pounds and 2 inches off my waist. It might not seem like much to most, but that’s most of the 20 pounds that I was overweight. My clothes fit better, and even I look forward to running when I’m not at Blue Wave. I have also regained the strength, muscle tone, and endurance I had in my early twenties. I truly feel 15 years younger. My overall attitude has improved dramatically and my energy level is strong all day long. It feels great. Blue Wave is the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time. Thanks, Blue Wave!
Lynn Martin
As a former cardio junkie, I have to say I have been overwhelmed and surprised with the results I have found at Blue Wave. A friend recommended Master Blevins to me a few years ago. She said it was the best workout she had ever had, and I have to say I was a bit skeptical. After all, I had been running for most of my life and had taken several classes along the way. But… I can’t thank her enough for sharing her “secret” with me! I have never seen the results and energy that come with fitness training at Blue Wave. Dave has a gentle yet persuasive way of encouraging everyone to achieve their utmost potential. You get what you put into it, and he gives you every opportunity to give it all and then some. You really can do more than you think. I had upper back pain as well and have now built strength around those weak muscles that I once thought would stop me from exercising. Every time I work out, I am amazed that Dave finds a new muscle to challenge! I am now stronger and more confident than I have ever been. If you want to lose inches and feel better about yourself mentally and physically, then this is the only place to go. I have been to gyms for the past 30 years and none compare to the challenge and results you get from Blue Wave!
