Meet the Trainers

Tony Whitney: Head Trainer

B.S. Kinesiology, ACE Certified, BodyPump & Silver Sneakers Certified Instructor | Client Testimony

Contact Tony Today!

What inspired you to become a personal trainer?

I was an athlete growing up, thought I would enjoy helping people reach their fitness goals.

In terms of exercise, what area do you need extra motivation in? Leg day is a challenge, that’s why I do legs on Mondays.

What is the best advice you’ve been given? Hard work pays off.

What can a client anticipate when working with you?

Someone that is loyal and patient and will push you to reach your potential.

As a trainer, what can you bring that makes you unique?

Experience, I have been at Refinery for 7 years and I have a lot of knowledge.

Favorite post-workout meal or snack? Myoplex-42 grams

Favorite activity outside of the gym?

I love playing basketball and riding my motocycle.

Favorite training resource (book, website, magazine, etc)?

ACE website and PT on the Net

Supplement you recommend the most?

A multivitamin along with a good diet.

Reach Tony directly at antoniewhitney@hotmail.com

Nick Katrichis: NSCA Certified, M.S Exercise Physiology | Client Testimony

Contact Nick Today!

What inspired you to become a personal trainer?

I was insipired to become a personal trainer as a result of spending numerous hours in the gym as a high school athlete (football, wrestling, gymnastics).

In terms of exercise, what area do you need extra motivation in?

After working my full time pharmaceutical sales job during the day and then training clients at night, I need motivation just to begin my own personal workout.  Once I get started though I have enough internal drive to keep going.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?
If you always do what you've always done, you'll always be what you've always been.

As a trainer, what can you bring that makes you unique?

I possess a combination of hands on experience (former competitive athlete and professional Natural Professional Bodybuilder) as well as formal education and training (Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology).

Favorite pre-workout meal or snack?

Whey protein and an apple.

Favorite post-workout meal or snack?

Post workout smoothie from the juice bar at Refinery.

Favorite training resource (book, website, magazine, etc)?

I often consult my Exercise Physiology textbooks from Graduate school as well as the National Strength and Conditioning Association journals.

Reach Nick directly at nickkatrichis@gmail.com

Danny Iniguez: NSCA Certified | Client Testimony

Contact Danny Today!

What inspired you to become a personal trainer?

Having been obese in my early twenties and successfully kept of 70 lbs that i lost through diet and exercise, I wanted to inspire people and help them reach their weight loss goals. I know first hand the difficulties and frustrations that come with weight loss and hoped that my experience and advice could help people.

What does your workout routine look like?

My workout routine is rarely the same when I have time to map out my workouts. But if I’m strapped for time I usually do high reps with little rest in between to keep my heart rate up the entire time.

What is the first thing you do with a new client?

I put them through a relatively intense workout involving basic movements to address any biomechanical issues so that i can safely progress their workouts and push them according to their abilities.

As a trainer, what can you bring that makes you unique?

Experience. I've been where most of my clients are and I know what it takes to get people motivated and educated to make a lifestyle change for the better.

Favorite post-workout meal or snack?

A large or small myoplex depending on the duration and intensity of the workout.

Favorite activity outside of the gym? Running

Supplement you recommend the most?

I usually don't take supplements that often but when I do I take Kre-Alkalyn and Glutalyn

Reach Danny directly at danny_iniguez@hotmail.com

Amanda Burks: Cooper Institute CI-CPT

What inspired you to become a personal trainer?

When in college, I decided it was time to take charge of my health and fitness.  I lost 35 pounds!  Once I saw how nutrition, positive encouragement and exercise took me so far I couldn’t wait to become a personal trainer!

What does your workout routine look like?

I alternate days between running and taking indoor cycling.  In addition to that, I love metabolic conditioning, interval training, and body weight strength training exercises.

In terms of exercise, what area do you need extra motivation in?

I really need extra motivation on weight training days.   

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

You are not allowed to say “can’t” during a workout.  I love that piece of advice!

What is the first thing you do with a new client?

I want to know everything about my new client!  Goals, likes and dislikes, anything to help design a challenging and fun workout catered specifically to their needs.

What can a client anticipate when working with you?

My clients can anticipate new, fun and challenging workouts.  I love creative program design and utilizing “gym toys” to make the workout new and fresh each time.  We will work on interval training, circuits, metabolic conditioning, functional training, strength training, and endurance. 

As a trainer, what can you bring that makes you unique?

My creativity and encouragement.  I love incorporating new ideas to the workout keeping it appealing for the client, as well as providing the most motivation and support as possible.  Accountability and support are huge in making nutrition and exercise changes.  I am here to help with anything!

Is there a specific demographic you enjoy training?

I enjoy all demographics!

Favorite pre-workout meal or snack?

1 tablespoon of peanut butter on toast.

Favorite post-workout meal or snack?

Supreme Protein Bar – Peanut Butter and Jelly or Peanut Butter Pretzel J.

Favorite activity outside of the gym?

Hip Hop Dancing!  I grew up performing all around the Dallas/Fort Worth area and am currently teaching at a studio in Champaign.

Favorite training resource (book, website, magazine, etc)?

I love LIVESTRONG.com, The Abs Diet for Women, and SCW fitness education articles. 

Supplement you recommend the most?

Advocare Spark

Josh Hopkins: NSCA Certified

What inspired you to become a personal trainer?

I was an athlete in high school, my experiences with my coaches and teammates in sports such as Football and Wrestling have driven me to enjoy exercise and push myself. I decided I liked teaching new things and working with people during the time I spent teaching swim lessons and lifeguarding. I enjoy working with athletes, and anyone who has goals and wants to be driven to them.

In terms of exercise, what area do you need extra motivation in?

Until recently I have never been an avid runner, but I’ve grown to really enjoy it. But sometimes it takes extra motivation to get going, but once I do I love it.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

“The only thing separating you from happiness, is doubting you can achieve it”

What can a client anticipate when working with you?

They can expect someone who will listen and is patient and understanding. Who will motivate you to achieve your goals, and will work with you and do anything and everything possible to keep you on track to bettering yourself as a person.

Favorite activity outside of the gym?

It would be difficult to narrow it down to one, I enjoy a lot of outdoors activities such as fishing, bow hunting, canoeing, hiking and running. I also enjoy music; one of my favorite activities is going to concerts.

Supplement you recommend the most?

Nutrition, supplementing a balanced diet with a great training regiment is the best supplement you can buy.

Jared Gahm: ACE Certified

What inspired you to become a personal trainer?

I was always involved in sports since I was young from football, boxing, track, and baseball.  In High School I was always involved in the weight room and wanting to breakdown the different workouts for the different sports I was involved in.

What does your workout routine look like?

It varies from when I am trying to gain size and I will lift heavy weights with low reps, when I am cutting and getting lean I will do cardio and plyometrics 4-6 days a week and will lift lower weights for higher reps.

In terms of exercise, what area do you need extra motivation in?

Early morning cardio when it is cold outside and my bed is nice and warm.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

"If it was easy everybody would train."

What is the first thing you do with a new client?

I ask my client what their goals are not only for themselves but also what they are expecting to get out of the training from myself.

What can a client anticipate when working with you?

A total life change for the better, more confidence in their abilities at the gym, life, and their daily activities outside of the gym.

As a trainer, what can you bring that makes you unique?

I have my degree in Exercise Science as well as being certified and have been training for 9 years.  I was a college athlete and a professional Mixed Martial Artist.  

Is there a specific demographic you enjoy training?

I love training anybody that is willing to listen and try a different type of training that they have never trained in before.

Favorite pre-workout meal or snack?

Pb and J on whole wheat tortilla

Favorite post-workout meal or snack?

When bulking – whole wheat pasta ( My sauce takes 4 hours to make)

When cutting – grilled chicken, rice, baked broccoli with olive oil

Favorite activity outside of the gym?

Spending time with my friends and family grilling out, shooting pool, watching the Bears and Cubs

Favorite training resource (book, website, magazine, etc)?

Flex magazine, youtube, going to conferences, talking to other friends in the fitness industry in other towns and states.  

Supplement you recommend the most?

MultiVitamin (Complete Active), Pre-workout ( Blitz )

Carbsource (Morph), Protein ( Evolution ), Creatine ( CX5 )