Eliot Gray

Has Prevail positively impacted your life in more ways than just fitness? 

Yes, training at Prevail has helped me build my confidence in sports and in life. Feeling strong and being able to move the way that I want affects all aspects of my life – on and off the field.

How does Prevail Conditioning differ from other fitness centers you have been a member of?

Playing team sports, there is not a focus on personal physical development. There just isn’t time during weekly practices for the type of measured, one-on-one feedback and encouragement that Prevail provides. Training at Prevail has helped me develop personal fitness goals and given me the focus and targeted training needed to achieve those goals.

Who do you think could benefit from training at Prevail and why? Other kids like me, who want to stay in shape or perform at a high-level in a sport could benefit from training at Prevail. The progress that I have made in the last year would not have been possible without my trainer, Chris. It has completely changed how I play soccer.

What is something you have achieved since working out at Prevail that you are most proud of? In addition to performing better on the soccer field, I am proud of how much I have progressed in the 10 meter dash, I started out running a 2.50 and now I run a 2.22. Most importantly, I am pushing towards my goal of 2.10.

David Rodriguez

Has Prevail positively impacted your life in more ways than just fitness? Prevail has positively affected my overall mood, confidence, solving problems at work, and being more outgoing. Without feeling strong, I am not sure how I would react to life problems.

How does Prevail Conditioning differ from other fitness centers? At Prevail, you get coaching that understands your goals, more importantly, how your body functions–to find the best program to reach those goals functionally, opposed to one size fits all. Even if you are not training with other coaches, you still feel the friendliness and encouragement from everyone.

Who do you think could benefit from training at Prevail and why? ANYONE can benefit from training at Prevail. If you want to get stronger, learn how your muscles function, and grow; if your goal is to lose weight, get a bit more active with a fun group of people, or want to train for an event, then perfect. I am confident Prevail can help anyone achieve their goals, so long as they have a positive mindset.

What are you most proud of achieving since training at Prevail? I am proud to squat more than a plate, continuously get stronger with bench press, and improve my pull-up. Growing up, I have always been a skinny person. Fast forward to today, to be able to perform compound movements with a higher weight each week has been incredibly motivating!

Improving Sleep and Recovery in High School Athletes

These days, high school athletes are constantly finding themselves “in-season.” This could be the combination of school and club seasons for one sport athletes, the year-round rotating seasons of multiple sport athletes, or even rotating school sports alongside club seasons. So what strategies can we utilize to minimize burn-out, prevent injuries, and keep athletes at peak performance year-round? In addition to a proper strength and conditioning base, we can implement proper soft tissue care, nutrition, and proper rest.

Motivating high school athletes to be compliant with regular Myofascial release can be difficult (to say the least). And while we would like our high school athletes to be responsible for their own nutrition, it often falls on family routines and habits. So what can we most universally hold our athletes to? Sleep.

The most common response I get from athletes when asking how they’re feeling is: “I’m tired” — understandable! Young adults physiologically need more sleep. Waking up early for school combined with late practices (or often early morning practices for those in-water sports) and heaps of homework that are all too often left for the last minute… It makes it hard to get the full-recommended 7-9 hours.

So let’s focus on quality of sleep instead. If they can only get 7 hours, let’s make sure they get a good quality 7 hours. There are multiple proven strategies to increase quality of sleep without major sacrifice. The hardest strategy for high school athletes? Putting down their phones before bed. A 2009 study by the Surrey Sleep Research Centre confirmed that the blue light emitted by electronics such as phones, televisions, and computers decreases the feeling of sleepiness and improves cognitive performance. That’s all great, unless you want to go to sleep. Through inhibition of the production of a retinal protein, exposure to blue light before bed decreases sleep duration as well as quality of sleep.

If reducing blue light exposure seems out of reach to the athlete (and often, sadly, it may), there are other strategies. As the body prepares for and enters sleep, internal body temperature drops. To prevent interference with this natural change, it is best to keep the room cool (somewhere around 65 F).

Lastly, and perhaps the most intuitive strategy: complete darkness. Again with the light – the darker the room is, the less possibility there is for interference with optimal sleep patterns. 

So let’s let our athletes not only sleep, but also sleep well. And who knows, you might sleep better too!

Ali Barbeau – Prevail Trainer

Bachelor of Science – Biopsychology (UCSB)

Certified Personal Trainer (National Academy of Sports Medicine)

Ali grew up in Salinas, CA, where she developed a passion for volleyball at a young age. She competed year-round through middle and high school, and then signed on to play four years at UC Santa Barbara. In 2012, she started at UCSB and earned First Team All-Conference accolade, as well as serving as team captain for two years.

After her athletic career came to a close, she turned to fitness and personal training as a way to stay active and healthy. She loves to help people improve and excel in their own health journey and hopes to instill her passion for fitness and sports performance in others.

 

 

Daniel Arioli

Has Prevail positively impacted your life in more ways than just fitness if so, how? Yes, it has helped me with a healthier routine.

How does Prevail Conditioning differ from other fitness centers you have been a member of? Prevail feels more like a community than a “normal” gym.

Who do you think could benefit from training at Prevail and why? I think anyone could benefit from training, regardless of age or your physical ability they really personalize everyone’s fitness plans.

What is something you have achieved since working out at Prevail that you are most proud of? I am most proud of deadlifting 275lbs.

Marcy Luikart

Why did you choose Prevail Conditioning? My friend Nora recommended it and I wanted to try the workouts. I really liked the workouts, people, and location

What is your favorite exercise? Any interactive throwing or tossing of the med-ball.

What is your least favorite? Anything that has to do with abs.

How does Prevail Conditioning differ from other fitness centers you have been a member of? I really believe that the staff at Prevail is incredibly caring and focused on each individual. They focus on the little things about you, you can really tell they genuinely care about you. Kayla is aware of everyone’s physical issues and is knowledgeable and caring.

Who do you think could benefit from training at Prevail and why? Everyone could benefit from training at Prevail because Prevail can assist anyone in the right direction of their fitness journey.

What is something you have achieved since working out at Prevail that you are most proud of? Being consistent with my workouts, which has led me to looking forward to train.

Joe Broome

Why did you choose Prevail Conditioning? I was looking for somewhere to workout that would be flexible to my work schedule and where I could focus on strength building and conditioning. And I didn’t want to join a cross fit gym.

What is your favorite exercise? Trap bar dead lift.

What is your least favorite? Hamstring curls.

How does Prevail Conditioning differ from other fitness centers you have been a member of? The level of detail and dedication that they have to their clients. I don’t feel like I’m just a number to boost their bottom line or membership numbers. Everyone is invested in helping you achieve your goals.

Who do you think could benefit from training at Prevail and why? Literally anyone. Whatever your fitness goals may be or where you are fitness-wise, Prevail is ready to meet you where you are, and then to help you get to where you want to go.

What is something you have achieved since working out at Prevail that you are most proud of? PR on the trap bar dead lift, 360lbs for 3 reps.

Russ Sharma

Why did you choose Prevail Conditioning? I was referred by my sister who had been working with Peter. I was stuck in Santa Barbara because of the pandemic so I decided to give it a try.

What is your favorite exercise? The crawl.

What is your least favorite? Jumping jacks.

How does Prevail Conditioning differ from other fitness centers you have been a member of? I have had personal trainers before, but for me, it’s the flexibility and personal touch. The trainers really care about you.

Who do you think could benefit from training at Prevail and why? Prevail could benefit most people. It’s good for mental health to train.

What is something you have achieved since working out at Prevail that you are most proud of? I feel great! I feel more confident. I don’t think twice when someone asks me to go on a hike.

Brad Reeves

What is your favorite exercise? I like all the exercises when they are done.

What is your least favorite? They have all been challenging at some point…Definitely sled push.

How does Prevail Conditioning differ from other fitness centers you have been a member of? I get punched a lot less at Prevail than at the boxing gym.

Who do you think could benefit from training at Prevail and why? Anyone looking to get back in shape. Prevail made a huge difference for me. The pandemic knocked me on my butt.

What is something you have achieved since working out at Prevail that you are most proud of? Consistency is everything for me. I’m proud I show up.

Chris Thrash

Why did you choose Prevail Conditioning? I met Peter and Erin through church and started working out at Prevail shortly after moving to Santa Barbara. I stuck with them because I love the instructors and my workout pals.

What is your favorite exercise? Anything with the slide board (as long as there is a good beat playing).

What is your least favorite? Barbell hip thrusts.

How does Prevail Conditioning differ from other fitness centers you have been a member of? I like the family atmosphere and individual attention that I’ve never received at other gyms in the past.

Who do you think could benefit from training at Prevail and why? I think people over 30 could really benefit from finding a good movement routine to try to prevent injuries that become more common as we grow older. Since coming to Prevail, I have noticed a tremendous improvement in my core strength, which has prevented back pain.

What is something you have achieved since working out at Prevail that you are most proud of? I lost about 20 pounds with the Precision Nutrition program and I am now able to do pull-ups unassisted.

Bri Aguilar

Why did you choose Prevail Conditioning? My husband has been a member at Prevail and I noticed that he enjoyed it and how much it benefited him. I felt like I had no time for myself since I am very busy with my kids, volunteering for various nonprofits, and working, so I wanted to take some time for my health. I decided to try out Prevail. I liked it because it motivated me to care for myself.

What is your favorite exercise? I had a broken toe, I couldn’t do a lot of exercises, but I enjoy doing sled work. Overall, It is nice to be able to do things since I couldn’t do much.

What is your least favorite? Echo bike. I did a lot of it because of my injury, but I am grateful for it.

How does Prevail Conditioning differ from other fitness centers you have been a part of?
I have been a member of many gyms, but what makes Prevail stand out is that I look forward to the workouts, and Prevail holds me accountable. I like the Metabolic class because it offers the movements I like and helped me prepare for my 10k.

Who do you think could benefit from training at Prevail and why? Moms would benefit because, as a mom, I struggle with putting myself first, getting so focused on work and my kids. But Prevail has made me committed to taking care of myself and holds me accountable to it.

What is something you have achieved since working out at Prevail that you are most proud of? Since working out at Prevail, I have gotten better at push-ups. Now I can do correct push-ups! Before, my form was terrible.