Andrew Reina works for Altice USA (formerly Cablevision) as an IT Engineer, and lives in Deer Park, NY.
Q: Take us back to what your life was like before joining the TBBC Program?
A: Before Joining TBBC I was pretty overweight – 198 LBS at 5’6” and overall not feeling well. I had been on blood pressure medicine for several years (I am just 43 years old) as it was high for my age and I was often feeling stressed out. I was not very active except for running around on the soccer field while coaching my kids once a week. I would easily tire out and lose my breath out there on the field. My eating habits were not terrible, but they were not great by any means either. While we were not a fast food family I could have been making better food choices.
Q: Why did you end up deciding to join the TBBC program?
A: I joined TBBC because I wanted to be healthy for my kids, set a healthy example that they will carry in to their lives later on down the road when we are not there to make the choices for them. My kids are my life and they deserve healthy happy parents. I lost my father when I was a young man – I was only 23 and he was just 54 years old. I want to be for my kids as long as possible, see them grow in to men, have their own families, and see my grand kids one day alongside my beautiful wife. TBBC is giving me the tools I need to give me the best chance for a long, happy, healthy life.
Q: What was your first impression from the TBBC program?
A: Right off the bat I loved the energy. Billy is clearly very passionate about what he does and it carries over to the trainers, staff, and other TBBC clients (a.k.a. Warriors). There is a lot encouragement from everyone, trainers and the warriors in your class, and it makes it less intimidating and motivates you. I love that it is all functional exercise based on body weight or kettlebells/dumbbells/cardio, opposed to lots of machines and big bars stacked with weights. It was something I felt I could do without hurting myself or embarrassing myself.
Q: What aspects/tools of TBBC have benefited you the most?
A: The one thing I think made the biggest difference is the accountability – and I mean that in a positive way. I like that the trainers seem invested in your success, ask you questions and push you to be the best. The other warriors encourage you and look to see you there each week. We set goals and write up a card that states out goals and that tracks our progress. It really helps to see your improvements and see your goals written down on that card. Everyone there wants to see you succeed. Additionally, I love the Facebook group, emails, and info that is there for you. It helps to hear others successes as well as struggles – we are all in the same boat- none of us are alone in our journey.
Q: How is the TBBC program different from other programs you have tried before? What makes TBBC different or unique?
A: I found typical gyms a bit intimidating or overwhelming – Lots of equipment that I do not know how to use, not knowing a good routine, etc. And without getting some of the nutritional information it often felt like it was paddling against the current. At TBBC it’s a small group training setting so there is a trainer right there telling you what to do and how to do it safely and properly in a positive and fun way. May times the trainers are working out with you which I LOVE! It’s great to be doing the exercises side by side with the trainer and other warriors. There is a real comradery between warriors that helps you keep going. The owner Billy, the trainers, and staff all really seem to care how you are doing not just in your fitness goals but overall. It feels like more than a gym, it is an overall improvement experience in my opinion.
One quick example – I posted on the TBBC warriors Facebook page about how I was feeling like I was in a funk (we had some personal tragedies hit recently). I didn’t say in the post what was going on, just that I was in a funk and unmotivated and I can’t wait till it passes. In addition to the number of positive replies to my message on FB, I got a wonderful call from Samantha G. (Sam), telling me how I was inspiring and what a great job I was doing, and encouraging me to keep up the hard work. It was really great and just what I needed, you are not going to get that anywhere else. I Love TBBC. They really cares and it shows. Outside of my kids and wife, TBBC is my happy place.
Q: Walk us through your journey. What results and benefits have you experienced in the TBBC Program?
A: When I started at TBBC I was overweight, did not have much stamina, felt tired all the time and just was not happy with myself from a health and fitness stand point. I lacked strength and it was tough to do 10pushups. In the first 6 months at TBBC I lost 30LBS and gained muscle, I can do pushup with my feet elevated on a bench or with a weight on my back and knock out rep after rep, I have more energy, can keep up with the kids and have seen my blood pressure get better and better. I am hoping by the time I hit the 1 year mark that I can drop some of the blood pressure medication because at 43 years old, I am too young to have high BP. It has also really helped me from a mental standpoint – improving my overall happiness and dealing with the normal stresses of life.
Q: What would you say to anyone looking at the TBBC program
A: I would tell anyone looking at the TBBC program to jump on in, you won’t regret it. This has been one of the best choices I have made in my life and I am sure you will feel the same way too. Do it now, you deserve it!
If you live or work in Farmingdale, Babylon, Deer Park, West Babylon, Bethpage, Massapequa, or Melville, the Farmingdale and Babylon Group Personal Training is just minutes away from you.
Total Body Boot Camp programs include Group Personal Training, 10-4 Challenge, weight loss programs, Corporate wellness plans, nutrition plans, core fitness training, strength training, toning and more. Clients include corporate executives, professionals, weekend warriors, stay at home moms, and anyone looking for results.
Owner, Billy Hofacker and his team have worked with hundreds of clients helping them get fit, tone up, and feel better about themselves. A 20 year veteran of the fitness industry, Billy owns and operates Total Body Boot Camp and Performance Center, which has locations in Farmingdale and Babylon, NY. He is the author of Lose Weight and Feel Great as well as a contributing author to Fuel Your Soul. Billy is considered a thought leader, especially in the areas of habit and behavior change, nutrition coaching and corporate wellness. Outside of his passion for helping busy people lose weight, Billy is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and is active in his local church. Billy and his wife Melissa live on Long Island NY with their two daughters.