Wellington Archives - Resilient Fitness in Wellington, FL

Jan Brons on Dressage and Physical Fitness

operator — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 15:10:07 +0000

Jan Brons is as no nonsense with himself as he is with his clients. After all, Dressage is a sport of exactness and precision — sometimes described as ballet on horseback.

Jan was born and trained in The Netherlands, a county world renowned for its horsemanship. He graduated from the Dutch Equestrian Center and is now based here in Wellington. He has garnered a laundry list of awards and prizes, including the $25,000 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize and his USDF bronze, silver, and gold medals. Jan has been training horses and riders in the United States since 2001.

How did you become interested in Dressage?

As a kid growing up in Europe, you cannot do any jumping unless you’ve trained at the very basic level and achieved certain scores. Dressage was required to get to the level of jumping. I enjoyed it and decided to stay with it.

What physical demands does Dressage make on the rider?

It really forces you to control what your body is doing on top of this moving horse. There is a lot of balance involved because the horse is moving in lots of different directions so you have to follow it. It requires control over your core.

Does the physical fitness of a rider affect the horse’s ability to perform?

Absolutely because if you can’t control your own body on top of the horse, you won’t be able to control the horse. You have to have a certain amount of toning and strength to move on top of the horse otherwise you are basically in the horse’s way. You want to give the illusion that it’s effortless. It has to look like the horse is doing it by itself and you’re just a passenger. So if you have no strength, it gets in your way.

During the parts of the competition that the horse needs help, you’re not available because you’re worn out. It’s not just the performance. There is a warm up before you go into the arena, which means you’ve been on the horse for 45 minutes total at least and if you’re not fit enough to go to the finish, it’s a problem.

What do you say to a rider when you can see that their lack of fitness is affecting the horse’s ability to perform?

By the time they ask me to help them train they already know where I’m coming from and what my expectations are. If something isn’t right I don’t want to hear them complain about it. I have all adults and they have to be responsible for their own actions on top of the horse. My job is to help them make things clear to the horse. I don’t want to waste my time with people who aren’t willing to put in any effort.

What have you learned about off-horse physical training over the years?

It’s a big mental game as far as I’m concerned. If you’re doing something that has a lot of repetitions, it really becomes a mental game to push one more time until you are there. It correlates with competition because when you’re competing you have to do one more thing and one more thing and one more thing until you’re done.

What is the most important thing a rider needs to do to stay in shape?

People have their strengths and weaknesses, so you have to work with that a little bit. It’s not one area unless a person is really weak in a certain area. You have to have cardio. You have to have control of what body part does what. You don’t need the bulk because that might get in the way. You have to be fit enough to hang in with the heat here in Florida. It depends on the person, but most of the time it is an overall fitness that we’re looking for.

What are you looking forward to in 2021?

It’s going to be a very interesting year because they’ve moved the Olympics. It will be interesting to see which horses rise to the top and which don’t. This one year delay might have taken some horses out of the competition because of age. Or horses that were younger might have needed an extra year to really mature and they will be ready to compete.

To learn more about Jan, you can read “How to Assess Progress in Your Dressage Training” and watch him in action on the horse during a Dressage Clinic.

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The Best Things To Do In And Around Wellington

operator — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 00:30:00 +0000

By Cheryl Love

I’ve lived in Wellington for seven years and it has become home. It has that small town feel and the village has so much to offer. Everyone here has their favorite places. They may be the places where they spend time on a daily basis, or the places they return to regularly that hold special memories for them.

With so much to choose from, here is my short list of the places I think everyone should experience in and around Wellington.

Wellington Amphitheatre. There’s always something fun happening at the Wellington Amphitheatre, including free concerts and movies year round. It’s very family-friendly with lots of room for the kids to run around and the acoustics are amazing. The Thursday night food truck invasion has south Florida’s favorite food trucks and live music. There are tributes for musicians such as Billy Joel and Shania Twain and even a silent dance party. You heard that right. People dance to music that only they hear…in their headphones. As fun as it might be to participate, imagine how much fun it would be to watch.

Last May, the entire Resilient Fitness team was there at the Wellness Expo. We met some fabulous people and got to lead a community Bachata class in the open air. See what’s coming up next on their calendar.

Address: 12150 Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington
Phone: 561-753-2484

Wellington Park. Located in the center of the city of Wellington, this park is home to the Wellington Recreation Center, the Peaceful Waters Sanctuary, and the Village Park Athletics Complex. In a town with hundreds of ways to “get outdoors”, Wellington Park is one of the best. The Sanctuary is perfect for bird watching, though it will be closed for most of this year to rebuild the boardwalk.

The Village Park Athletic Complex is located right next to our gym. It is home to two hockey rinks, 20 sports fields (softball, baseball, football, soccer, multi-purpose), a skate park, a playground, two gymnasiums, and much more. In addition, there are hundreds of athletic programs for people of all ages and abilities. If you’ve never been, you owe it to yourself to visit and see it in person. While you’re there, stop by the gym and say hello. I’d love to meet you.

Address: 11700 Pierson Rd, Wellington
Phone: (561) 791-4005

The International Polo Club. Just around the corner from Resilient Fitness is the premier polo destination in the world. The International Polo Club hosts the most prestigious polo tournaments in the country. Elite polo players and their fans flock here in the winter to enjoy this amazing venue. Imagine polo players navigating their ponies at 35 MPH over the space of nine football fields and you’ll have a good idea of why it’s so popular.

On January 20, 2020 the IPCPB welcomed “Polo for a Purpose” to the stadium and Resilient Fitness was honored to be there. The event was held to benefit the the Kids Cancer Foundation, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Miami Cancer Institute, and the Pediatric Oncology Support Team (P.O.S.T). Guests were treated to a dinner of authentic Indian cuisine. In addition to the polo match there was a live auction and a Kids Zone with bounce houses, face painting, and crafts.

The polo season runs through April 19th this year, so don’t miss the opportunity to take in a match.

Address: 3667 120th Ave S. Wellington
Phone: (561) 204-5687

Green Market at Wellington. The Green Market is a nice community area where you can get local, organic produce, fresh flowers, homemade baked goods, and crafts. It’s also a great place to stroll and relax after a long week. If you do find something you want to take home, the prices are good. The Green Market is open Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM, lakeside at the Village Hall.

Address: 1128 Royal Palm Beach Blvd #169, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411

Kaluz Restaurant. The experience at Kaluz starts when you arrive. The design of the building is beautiful inside and out. The service is excellent. The food is on the higher-priced side but worth it because of the quality. You can order a meal that is both elegant and health-conscious. And to top it off, it’s a favorite with the locals so you may run into someone you know and have a chance to get caught up.

Address: 2025 Wellington Green Drive, Wellington
Phone: (561) 784-5500

Chick-fil-A. Most people know about Chick-fil-A, another dining favorite of mine. They serve delicious food, their employees are professional and polite, and they support many worthwhile causes both nationally and locally. You can get your chicken grilled on a salad or in a sandwich with a multi-grain bun so you can keep your healthy life focus. If you’re visiting from the north in February, enjoy the surreal experience of ordering your favorite sandwich in shorts and flip-flops.

Address: 206 S State Road, Home Depot Shopping Center
Phone: (561) 333-4242

Life.Church Wellington. Life.Church is a different kind of church. It’s one church in many locations where the community is local and the teaching is national. Life.Church leverages the best of the internet to reach people wherever they are and welcome them in. The Wellington congregation is active locally, supporting the Kid’s Cancer Foundation and offering programs for all ages. It has a friendly, casual environment and you can come as you are. It’s an awesome place to bring your children, with a wing that provides children’s education and fun while their parents are in the service. There are six services on Sunday and one on Monday evening for people who work on the weekends. The men’s group meets at Resilient Fitness every Saturday morning. To get a feel for the people and the vibe, visit their Facebook page.

Address: 3061 State Road 7, Wellington
Phone: 561-793-6889

Resilient Fitness
Address: 11596 Pierson Rd #10, Wellington, FL 33414

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Preparing for the Winter Equestrian Festival

operator — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 23:13:05 +0000

The Winter Equestrian Festival will be starting in just a few weeks. While most equestrian athletes train year-round, focused conditioning in the weeks leading up to an event will ensure that your body is ready to meet the demands you are about to make on it.

Riding makes demands on several specific muscle groups including the core, the lower back, the quads, and the neck and shoulders. In addition to that, you will need flexibility and balance. If your body isn’t able to respond well to the requirements of the competition or if you tire too easily, you can end up with injuries or lower scores. With that in mind, here is how we recommend that you focus on off horse training from now until the beginning of the festival.

Develop Your Plan

Identify and list your goals for your performance. Make them specific, for example:
- I want to be able to complete an entire course without fighting for breath.
- I want to be able to compete without back pain.
- I want my legs to be able to do more with less fatigue.
- I want my posture to be better.
Identify the skills that are required to achieve your goals. If you run out of breath easily, you’ll want to emphasize cardio. If you suffer from lower back pain, you’ll want to strengthen your core. If you have poor posture, you’ll want to focus on your neck and shoulders. If muscle tightness is keeping you from having a nice deep seat, you’ll want to work on flexibility.
Match workouts and exercises with each skill you need to improve. Focus on parts of the body that you know need work. Ask yourself how you will build stamina, strength, and flexibility all at the same time.
Develop a conditioning schedule. Make sure you include rest days in your schedule and plan for gradually increasing your performance over time. You should participate in off horse training three or four times a week for at least an hour. If you can’t fit the entire hour in during one session, you can complete groups of exercises in smaller chunks throughout the day or divide your workout into morning and evening sessions. Use a calendar (either online or on the wall) and schedule the days you will cross train and the times you will workout.
Track your progress. If you’re using interval training to increase your cardio-vascular capabilities, you should start to see longer periods of exercise with less time needed to rest. If you want flexible calves or hamstrings, you should be seeing a gradual increase in your range of motion.

Enlist Help

Ask the people on your team to observe you as you ride, if they aren’t already. They’ll notice if your balance is slightly off when you jump or if your muscles are so tight that they are affecting your form in the saddle.
Talk with someone who is knowledgable in equestrian fitness about which exercises you should be doing to meet your goals and how often. Ask about specifics such as number of repetitions and how to make progress without injuring yourself.
Consider adding functional training to your routine. Functional training incorporates the usual movements of your sport while working all of your muscles together using your own body weight for resistance. You will likely need to do this type of training in a gym or class. Training systems such as Queenax provide a convenient way to engage in functional training, even if you’ve never done it before.

Focus on This Essential Cross Training Checklist

Cardio. We understand the benefits of intensive cardio workouts and provide you with a number options for both endurance training and high intensity interval training. If you can’t make it into the gym, schedule regular power walks. The intensity should be high enough that you’re breathing through your mouth.
Strength training. You should be doing this twice a week. We don’t recommend lifting heavy weights for rider fitness. Try lighter weights with more repetitions or participate in functional training.
Glutes. If you’re not sure where to start, this article gives you 50 exercises for stronger glutes. Or you can take one of our Booty Camp classes, which will give you a stronger butt in record time.
The essential core, including the lower back. Core strength here is the foundation of every other movement or exercise you will do. If you have chronic back pain and poor posture, there’s a good chance your abs are weak too. Check out this list of great core exercises and here are some ideas for strengthening your back.
Neck and shoulders. The neck and shoulders are easy to overlook when planning a training regimen. This article from WebMD is a perfect place to start if you haven’t paid enough attention to the area that gives you perfect posture.

Now that you’ve finished reading this and are highly motivated to train, don’t let the moment pass. Get out that notepad or device and commit to your plan and schedule. If you’re thinking that this would be easier if you had some accountability, stop by and see us. We want you to be the very best competitor you can be at this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival.

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Meet Diego: An Equestrian Fitness Trainer Since 2007

operator — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 15:49:58 +0000

With the Winter Equestrian Festival and the 2020 Polo Tournament right around the corner, we took the time to chat with expert equestrian trainer, Diego Piriz. Diego has been training riders since 2007. He worked for the International Polo Club for more than six years and now works as a personal trainer trainer serving individual clients.

How did you come to specialize is training equestrian athletes?

My first job as a trainer was in Wellington at the International Polo Club where I trained the riders. I worked with polo, dressage, and show riders. I worked for Alejandro – director of fitness for the polo club. The job kept me six months in Florida and six months traveling. I would be in the Hamptons during the summer season and also Aiken, SC, Franklin, TN, and Lexington, KY. I would travel with the equestrians and train the riders to make them as physically fit as possible.

How should an equestrian athlete train who wants to be at the top of their game?

For an equestrian rider the number one thing is always core strength. In addition, in order to be in top shape they need stability, lower body strength in each leg and both legs, and upper body strength, especially in their back. Flexibility is also huge so that they can recover faster. I recommend implementing stretching in every session combined with cardiovascular in order to get in the best shape.

The horse is the athlete but the rider has to be the best athlete as well. They are a unit, so the rider needs to be in the best shape possible. They have to work out like any other athlete. Functional training is one of the keys for riders. In functional training, the athlete uses their own body weight for resistance, along with equipment like bands or balls. The main focus should be functional training because it requires the athlete to use the entire body. Then, equestrian athletes can also do weight training, but not with heavy weights. A rider who tries to deadlift 200 lbs. won’t be able to ride the horse the next morning. Then they need to implement all kinds of different stretching and focus on recovery as well. Their goal is to be limber and flexible and strong at the same time.

How is training different for riders in show jumping, polo, and dressage?

The job they have to do on top of a horse is different for each sport. It requires different muscle engagement. For example, polo lasts for 90 minutes and is played by 4 players. A show jumping course will last one minute with one rider on a course with different obstacles. Dressage is one rider on stage in an arena riding to music. The horse has to go to the beat.

All riders need a lot of flexibility, a lot of core strength, and a lot of lower body strength. The back is the main muscle and it’s part of the core. Then specifically, dressage is all about posture — the rider has to be completely straight. In show jumping, the rider has to lean forward with their back straight. In polo, the rider has to lean forward and rotate. They also have to hit the ball while riding on a horse at 30-40 mph. This requires a lot of stability and balance.

What is your philosophy of training, health, and wellness?

I believe that proper nutrition is the most important part of training, along with recovery and sleep. I know that might be surprising coming from a personal trainer, but without those things, you won’t see the most benefit from your time in the gym. Then you have to be consistent. You can’t just train once or twice a week. If you’re seeing a trainer, you need to be in the gym 3 or 4 more times during the week. Finally, an athlete must be able to manage stress. This can be done through quiet times, breathing, journaling, meditation, and other things.

What do you love most about your work?

I love to be able to touch people’s lives, to have an impact, and to be able to bring them up. As a personal trainer, I can touch people in so many different ways. Ten years will go by and they will still remember the day I helped them to succeed — whether it was losing weight or finishing a race. I love that.

About Diego

In November 2007, Diego Piriz became one of the physical trainers at Polo Fitness where founder and creator Alejandro Moraes assigned him a variety of elite international equestrians. Diego is a respected personal trainer known for motivating , educating ,and inspiring athletes nationwide. He works with his Wellington clients at Resilient Fitness in Wellington, FL. To learn more about Diego’s personal training services, visit his website here. If you are an equestrian looking to increase your level of physical fitness, you can schedule an appointment with Diego directly at (561) 951-3535 or by calling Resilient Fitness at (561) 204-5003

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Top 5 Healthy Restaurants In Wellington

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 20:40:06 +0000

I think we all know that eating out while trying to eat healthy food and get those extra pounds off can be quite a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. I am going to give you the lowest calorie, weight loss friendly options at all of your favorite Wellington spots so that the next time you search for “restaurants near me”, you can find some healthy eats. Don’t worry – they still taste great!

1. Applebee’s

1. 7oz House Sirloin – 270kcal: 15F/1C/34P

2. 12oz New York Strip – 480kcal: 25F/1C/65P

3. Napa Chicken & Portobellos – 500kcal: 16F/38C/50P

4. Pepper-crusted Sirloin & Whole Grains – 350kcal: 10F/41C/28P

5. Thai Shrimp Salad – 390kcal: 19F/33C/23P

Apple Bee’s has something for everyone. They have an amazing selection with great low calorie and healthy food!

2. Bonefish Grill

1. Ahi Tuna Sashimi (Regular) – 359kcal: 15F/17C/37P

2. NY Strip Tataki – 351kcal: 18F/7C/28P

3. Grilled Sea Scallops and Shrimp – 191kcal: 5F/4C/34P

4. Grilled Tilapia – 334kcal: 13F/2C/57P

5. Ahi Tuna Steak – 304kcal: 14F/3C/45P

6. The Angler Steak (6oz) – 228kcal: 5F/3C/43P

7. Filet Mignon (6oz) – 272kcal: 14F/0C/38P

Bonefish is a great higher option for those who are possibly going for a date night or a special event. This is a personal favorite of mine. I love the filet mignon and scallops!

3. California Pizza Kitchen

1. Kids Grilled Chicken Breast w/ Broccoli – 240kcal: 6F/9C/39P

2. Asparagus and Arugula Salad – 180kcal: 16F/10C/5P

3. Bianco Flatbread – 380kcal: 15F/38C/18P

4. Shaved Mushroom and Spinach Flatbread – 400kcal: 18F/40C/18P

5. Shrimp Lettuce Wrap – 480kcal: 23F/40C/25P

6. Lite Adventures Shrimp Scampi Zucchini Fettuccine – 470kcal: 24F/30C/27P

Who doesn’t love California Pizza Kitchen? They have more than just pizza. Give some of these meals a try. I personally love the lettuce wraps and they are very low in calories.

4. Panera

1. Bacon Turkey Bravo Sandwich on Tomato Basil (half) – 320kcal: 12F/29C/19P

2. Frontega Chicken Panini on Focaccia (half) – 380kcal: 12F/40C/24P

3. Classic Salad w/ Chicken (whole) – 300kcal: 13F/20C/27P

6. Low-Fat Chicken Noodle Soup (bowl) – 160kcal: 5F/19C/14P

5. Spicy Thai Chicken Salad (half) – 260kcal: 11F/21C/12P

6. Ham, Egg & Cheese Power Sandwich (whole) – 340kcal: 15F/30C/23P

I am not sure what we ever did to deserve Panera, but it exists and – well – it is amazing. They have so many healthy food options and they all taste like heaven. I can’t choose just one, so give them all a try!

5. Pei Wei

1. Sweet and Sour Small with Chicken (steamed) – 290kcal: 3F/42C/24P

2. Ginger Broccoli Regular with Chicken – 480kcal: 480kcal: 15F/42C/43P

3. Original Asian Chopped Chicken Salad – 470kcal: 16F/37C/46P

4. Sesame Small with Chicken (steamed) – 410kcal: 13F/44C/26P

5. Mongolian Small with Chicken- 330kcal: 13F/30C/23P

6. Thai Dynamite Small with Chicken (steamed): 280kcal: 8F/25C/26P

7. Lemon Pepper Regular Chicken (steamed): 400kcal: 4.5F/44C/43P

Pei Wei is another gem. They have a steamed option that makes so many of their menu items weight loss friendly! Can we just appreciate this real quick, all of the options above are under 500 calories. The choices there are endless. You can’t go wrong with Pei Wei!

Remember- Everyone has a different calorie intake, so this list is subjective. But for the most part, these healthy food options are very weight loss friendly. Also, these restaurants are chains as well, so if you are traveling you can likely find them too. Enjoy!

-Blake Bernstein

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Memorial Day Event: Honor Our Heroes

operator — Fri, 03 May 2019 19:25:35 +0000

We are pleased to invite you to the First Annual Resilient Fitness “Honor Our Heroes” Memorial Day Event. The day will include a Queenax competition and flag ceremony featuring and honoring the United States armed forces. During the festivities, attendees can spend time and share experiences with our troops. We will be joined by veterans, active military members, and young cadets who are the future of the armed services. Ticket holders will also be able to attend our most popular classes that day – Spinning, Pilates, Zumba, and Bachata.

The service members and their advocates in the community will have booths set up with information and giveaways. After the competition, a flag ceremony to honor all veterans and active military will begin at 11:45 AM. The American Veterans Division USNSCC will provide Color Guard Service during the ceremony.

Local Non-Profits

For the competition, Army and Navy teams will be participating in a Queenax challenge for prizes and for charity. The beneficiaries of Honor Our Heroes will be the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) and Stand Down. Both organizations are local to the Palm Beach area here in Florida.

First, the USNSCC “is a national youth leadership development organization that promotes interest and skill in naval disciplines while instilling strong moral character and life skills through leadership and technical programs modeled after the Navy’s professional development system.” Two programs are available for participants at the present time. The first program is for students 13 through 17 years old and the second one is a junior program for students 10 to 13 years old.

Second, Roy Foster and Donald Reed founded Stand Down in 1994. These two veterans created Faith, Hope, Love, Charity, Inc. to help address the “seen and unseen wounds of our veterans and military members.” The nonprofit organization is working to end homelessness in the veteran community.

Memorial Day

The Honor our Heroes event starts first thing in the morning, with registration opening at 7:00 AM and the competition starting at 8:30 AM. Participants will be competing in a Queenex Challenge for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Prizes for each team with 8 people per team. In addition, we are providing breakfast. Finally, the flag ceremony will take place after the competition.

Please visit Eventbrite to register for the event.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1st-annual-resilient-fitness-honor-our-heroes-memorial-day-event-tickets-61005223265?aff=Blog

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Resilient Fitness Featured in Wellington The Magazine

operator — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 21:03:09 +0000

“I was in the automotive manufacturing industry business for 30 years in the capacity of Vice President of Human Resources. I was in charge of 300 personnel, including training safety, worker’s compensation and all human resources duties.”

This is how Cheryl Love, owner of Resilient Fitness, described her former life to Wellington The Magazine in the recent February 2019 issue. While reading the article, you can’t help but be struck by how proud Cheryl is of her community and how passionate she is about health and fitness. She has persevered and seen her “ultimate dreams come true.”

Cheryl has worked hard to create a welcoming place for Wellington residents. She envisions a place where they can do so much more for their health than simply work out. Resilient Fitness offers classes for every age and fitness level. In addition, clients can take advantage of the latest in training equipment and nutritional consulting.

Furthermore, all new clients undergo a “Personal Resilient Analysis” before beginning their new program. Cheryl says, “I wanted to have a fitness center in a small community where everyone that comes in can feel like it is theirs to enjoy.”

Resilient Fitness is the place where the Wellington Community can come to live resilient lives.

Click here to see the article online at Wellington The Magazine: https://issuu.com/floridamagazinepublishers/docs/wellingtonthemagazinefebruary2019/121?e=1976104/57772931

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Resilient Fitness Launch Party

operator — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 22:16:49 +0000

A great time was had by all at the Resilient Fitness Launch Party on Thursday, January 31, 2019. It was an event not to be missed with professionally catered food and drinks, gift bags for the first 150 guests, and a raffle. In addition to the food and cake cutting, one of the highlights of the night was dancing with the DJ under the Queenax. Friends and members were able to have their pics taken in front of our “Resilient Wings”. Enjoy the images of this evening of celebration for Resilient Fitness — a brand new, beautiful, sparkling clean gym in Wellington, FL.

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