SIRENS & TITANS FITNESS
Results driven personally Designed training
and
nutritional coaching for changing your body.
The best athletes of the future are determined by those who receive the best of themselves in the present. Most athletes don't realize how good they could be.
Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez working out at Sirens and Titans Fitness
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4953934/J-Lo-Rod-spotted-outside-LA-fitness-center.html?ito=email_share_article-top
Repeatedly Pushing to the Point of Break
is a skill that must be carefully developed. In January 2023 I came to Jacques after signing my first pro cycling contract; I’d just decided to take a leap and commit to racing at the highest level in mountain biking. We did a thorough evaluation of my strength and mobility, discussed in detail what my specific goals were, and commenced what has become one of the most critical parts of my training program today.
When Jacques first told me that he could bring my power output up by 10% before the end of the first year, I was skeptical but ready to put in the work. We got to it and over the next few months, I watched as my numbers began to creep up. Fast-forward to a mid-season race in April where I set my first major PR of the season: averaging my former threshold power for two hours with an even higher normalized power.
I would go on to set multiple PRs across the entire range (from 5s to 90min) through the end of the domestic UCI racing block, but that’s not the most valuable thing I’ve taken from this work. Jacques and his curated team of trainers continue to spend time analyzing my changing strengths and weaknesses. From that, they prescribe targeted training that not only improves the force and speed at which I move but challenges how deep I’m willing to dig – and for how long – to complete the set. You don’t just wake up one day able to push yourself to the point of break. It’s a skill that must be reinforced by practice and familiarity.
In July, all these pieces came together at the US National Championship. Forty women lined up to the start of the Pro Women’s Short Track (STXC) as rain poured down in the mountains of Pennsylvania. On a 0.7-mile course with equal parts climbing as descending we raced for 20 minutes and, crossed the line in 16th, this would be my best result of the UCI season given the depth of talent that showed up.
The reason I recall this race isn’t just to boast about a result, it’s to talk about the climb. Each lap we had two short, steep hills at about 90s each. With every lap I was brought back to my 4 x 2.5 min single less press sets on the Versa MVP. I can’t emphasize enough how physiologically and mentally similar these two efforts are and when it came to race day, having trained the ability to repeatedly dig deep and recover gave me the edge and confidence I needed to pick off my competition on every lap. To top it all off, I walked away from this race with a new threshold power that was 16% higher than where I was when we first began just six months earlier.
The work that Jacques and his team put into my training has translated to higher, steadier output, increased muscular endurance, and an overall improvement in my ability to trust my strength and dig deep. As I endeavor to take on World Cup racing in 2024, I’m proud to say that the team at Sirens & Titans will continue to help me find and push new limits.
by Katherine Wood
September 30th, 2023
A successful offseason for Trent before starting his first season of D1 Loyola of Maryland University Lacrosse!
As I watched my teammates I previously played against just a year or so ago, I began to think about what I needed to do to get ahead of my class as I approached my college career. I realized I couldn’t step up my game doing the same workouts as I did in high school. I saw 2 of my former teammates play at Harvard University and Villanova University excelling on the field as college lacrosse players. So I reached out during the offseason to find out what they were doing to train, get ahead of their peers, and transform their bodies to withstand the next level. Ironically, they both were training locally with Jacques and the Sirens & Titans team. I immediately reached out to Jacques to inquire and schedule a personal assessment to see if this was the fit I was looking for. I was surprised by how tailored the workouts were to my personal position on the field. It was important that I trained with someone who knew the specifics of the body movements necessary for a D1 college Lacrosse player. It was also important that the trainer fed me the right mental food to get that extra rep. Jacques, Julian, and his team checked off all the boxes. Jacques and his team built a program that enhanced my agility, strength, and mental capacities. I feel more than ready and can’t wait to suit up this season with the Loyola University of Maryland Greyhounds. #0
Thank you Jacques, Julian and the team for the hard work and preparation!
Check out what our Harvard Lacrosse player, Owen, had to say about training with us!
After completing my senior year of high school, I knew the summer going into my Freshman year was crucial for a successful Freshman season. My good friend Patrick Murphy, who played soccer at Dartmouth, recommended Jacques, having nothing but great things to say about him and his program. Patrick told me that Sirens and Titans would push me and help me achieve my goals - and he was right. During the first session, I layed out my goals with Jacques, and he formulated a unique plan to help me attain those goals. Every workout is uniquely tailored to the individual and calculated to help attain results.
I started training in the Summer of 2021, and I haven’t looked back. I trained with Jacques and Alfonso for 3/4ths of the summer, and I arrived on campus in late August with a noticeable difference in my fitness level. I worked out in the morning 2-3 times a week and sprinkled in some VersaClimber sessions, which improved my mental strength and aerobic capacity significantly. During Thanksgiving and Winter break, I came back and stuck with the same routine.
The greatest part about the program, in my opinion, is the constant strive for improvement. Whether it's the daily quote on the white board or the reminders from Jacques or Alfonso mid-set, Sirens and Titans is an extremely motivating space. Jacques works tirelessly to help his clients improve. Also, after a couple of weeks, I started to build relationships with the other athletes, and I could feel the sense of community that Sirens and Titans offer. Everyone pushes each other to be better, and we all support each other, a testament to Jacques leadership.
During my Freshman season, I was able to start in every game. I felt stronger, quicker, and more balanced than ever before, and it greatly helped my confidence when stepping on the field with guys 4 years older than myself. I knew that Jacques prepared me for the season, and I felt my overall athleticism increase. I’m looking forward to getting back in the gym with Jacques and Alfonso this summer to prepare for my Sophomore season. I highly recommend Sirens and Titans fitness, and I cannot say enough great things about the program.
We would like to wish one of our student athletes, Patrick Murphy, good luck as he finally gets to go back to Dartmouth College to continue playing Soccer!
See what he had to say about training with Jacques over the summer and winter of 2020/21.
I am a collegiate soccer player at Dartmouth with the goal of playing professionally once I graduate. I have suffered with some nagging Patella Tendonitis for the last few years. I had worked with some top PT people across the country, received 3-4 PRP injections, and even had surgery on the area. In spite of this, I saw little to no relief. I contacted Jacques as I was familiar with his training methodology when I was in high school and playing at the Galaxy Academy. I came to Jacques because I had simply run out of options and had spent the better part of 2 years either on the sidelines or in serious knee pain when playing. When I first came into to see Jacques, I could barely squat and had trouble putting any sort of weight on my right leg without severe pain in my knee. After working with Jacques for 2-3 months I am confident and thankful to say that I am healthiest I've been in over 3 years and have very minimal pain in the same area. Unlike traditional doctors and PT personnel, Jacques was able to take a more holistic view of my body and realize that my knee pain was a result of muscular imbalances and improper techniques that I had developed from playing through injuries. We were able to work together to find a solution and develop plan to get healthy, and the results speak for themselves
I would recommend Jacques to any high-level athlete because he is a genius who has a knowledge of the body and the way that it operates unlike anybody I have ever worked with before. On top of that, he truly cares about his clients and their wellbeing and is willing to do anything to help them achieve their personal goals. I am thankful for everything that he has done for me and know he will help many top athletes in the future.
Planibble Webinar:
How to Lose the Weight and Keep it Off
Jacques’ Article on FlyWheel Training:
Flywheel Training: Producing Power in the Hips
by Jacques DeVore, CSCS
I tell my athletes that all roads in sports eventually lead to power. The difference between winning and losing in sport usually comes down to the athlete’s ability to produce power over different periods of time and in different movement patterns.
Power is produced through the stretch-shortening cycle. The body loads eccentrically, then explodes in the subsequent movement. The VersaPulley allows me to create this plyometric loading in any plane of motion. The IPU output then gives me a measurement tool to effectively determine how much power is being produced in different planes of motion and for how long. I can see total power output and how the athlete sustains power over longer time
periods. Having these tools available to a strength and conditioning coach is what makes the VersaPulley an unbelievable piece of equipment for training an athlete for power. With the VersaPulley, you are not blindly training power. I can measure absolute maximum outputs and also sustainable power outputs. Strength is easy to measure because it is weight on the bar. But power is much more difficult to measure, and the VersaPulley allows me to accomplish this measurement in almost any plane of motion. I am no longer guessing. One of my favorite exercises typically involves producing power in the hips. The engine for sport and movements as humans is primarily in the hips. So being able to effectively produce power in your hips is of great importance in any sport.
Here are two movements performed on VersaPulley as demonstrated by Jacques DeVore.
The first exercise I use a lot is for anyone who needs to improve hip extension explosive power. It is a hip hinge. I typically utilize a longer rep count of 12 total reps. However, the first six reps are more for establishing the movement pattern. I then have the athlete accelerate the movement so that the last six reps are at full output. The athlete will extend through the hips and drive into the floor to get triple extension in the legs. I establish the force/velocity setting by starting with high velocity and then making changes in force to produce the maximum power output. In sport, our movement is always a percentage of our maximum power output in a movement. So if maximum power output can be improved, then all other levels of output are improved. The VersaPulley allows me to measure and improve this maximum power output.
The next leg exercise I like is what I call the short row. It really isolates both the hips and quads. The rope length has to be set so that the athlete can get the hip extension at the end of the movement. The athlete can really load the hips and quads in this exercise because the arms are straight and not involved in the pulling. I utilize this for most sports but extensively with cyclists, runners, tennis players, and basketball players. I will program a long duration timed set with a short number of maximum power reps followed by a short rest and then continue. All the reps are at close to max output. The read out is so important and beneficial in this type of training.
Check out Jacques’ recent feature in Voyage LA!
LOCAL STORIES OCTOBER 11, 2021
Exploring Life & Business with Jacques DeVore of Sirens and Titans Fitness
Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacques DeVore.
Hi Jacques, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been a strength and conditioning coach for over 20 years. (National Strength and Conditioning Association, NSCA) CSCS. I am also a certified nutrition coach through Precision Nutrition and a Primal Health Coach Institute. I initially started a center in Santa Barbara over 20 years ago that still exists and then opened in LA about seven years ago. I have always been involved in competitive sports. I was a wrestler in High School and at UC Davis. I also competed in a number of other combat sports as well as racing both Mountain Bikes and Road Bicycles. I authored a book, published by Rodale Press, titled Maximum Overload for Cyclists. I practice what I preach and currently hold the unofficial world record for a mile on the Versaclimber.
We train our clients like athletes regardless of age or level of ability. We are client-driven and all of our training is designed and specific to the individual in a group or in a one on one situation. We see ourselves as coaches not trainers and feel it is our responsibility to get our clients to their optimum performance and health. We call this winning the workout! This applies to both general population and competitive athletes.
We are driven by creating outcomes for our clients. Improving their health and their life regardless of age.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The obvious challenges lately have been the covid lockdowns. That was something that sadly many fitness businesses were unable to navigate. Fitness in Los Angeles is like Broadway. If you can make it in LA then you are probably doing something really well. You have the normal competitive and business issues that come with being a small business in Los Angeles. You have to be light on your feet and pay close attention to a lot of moving parts.
Early on, I chose to not try to be everything to everybody. The group bootcamp business model seems to keep repeating itself in different forms. We chose to be more individualized which means that building the business took much longer. We are based on the science of training world-class athletes and we are not just the newest and greatest workout craze. We believe our clients want this and although more difficult as a business early on, it has paid off in the longer term and I also think why we were able to rebound from the pandemic better than most. We brought back almost all of our clients pre-covid and have added a large group of new clients as people are looking for something more individualized.
I think we have survived because We keep our focus on being a client-driven organization. In fitness that means figuring out how to deliver outstanding results at a fair price.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Sirens and Titans Fitness?
We are an appointment only fitness center. We take a very hands on approach to our clients. Each workout is written specifically for our clients. We require an evaluation for all new group workout clients. Our services is very hands on. We have Strength and Conditioning Coaches that are hands on during each workout.
We do provide one on one training as well and we were the first to offer a group Versaclimber workout. This is a group of about seven people and the workouts are coached even though it is a cardio workout.
Our largest group of clients are in the small group workout format. This is as close to one on one training at a fraction of the cost.
I think the results we deliver to our clients is what we are most proud of. We love to see our clients get better.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was always very active in sports. I was interested in sports, school and also enjoyed magic. I was a very fast runner but was always very thin. I wanted to play football but ended up wrestling as it was more conducive to my thinner frame.
Wrestling was one of the best things I did when I was young. I was also in the cub scouts, Webelos, and Boy Scouts. I was one merit badge from an Eagle scout. I became a life scout. I had a big strong family with four other siblings.
Check out Jacques in Shoutout LA!
Meet Jacques DeVore | Strength and Conditioning Coach, CSCS, Health and Wellness coach
April 15, 2021
We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacques DeVore and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jacques, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
My path to this business was different than most. I was in the world of finance for most of my working life and had been the owner of a sports performance center in Santa Barbara that is still there after 20 years and currently owned by two of my coaches that worked for me. I finally decided to leave finance and take what was a hobby and completely step into the health and fitness industry full time and leave finance. 7 years ago I opened Sirens and Titans Fitness in Los Angeles. I realized that I truly loved this business and that I needed to see if I could make it work on a larger scale.
What should our readers know about your business?
I am very happy that we have navigated the last year in the fitness business. I am very sad for the businesses that did not make it out on the other end of covid as I know how difficult this period of time has been for many. I have a real belief in moving the needle forward for my clients. We conduct an evaluation for every new client and will not start with them unless this is completed. I believe this is necessary so I can develop the proper strategy to move the client forward toward their goal. We look at our clients holistically and examine all aspects of what goes into training and improvement. That is not just the workouts themselves. It includes nutrition, sleep, recovery, intensity of training, rest weeks, rest days etc. We write each workout specifically for the individual so they know that the workout is specific to their goals and progressed according to their progress. We are coaches and a coach’s job is to win. That means sometimes we are motivators, and sometimes we are critics. This is why our clients want to train with us. I call this “Truth in Fitness” . This method takes more time to build a business because it not just exercise. It is training. Training has a prescription for a particular client. It also means that I need to spend a lot of time studying the science of exercise and recovery as the science is always changing. The fitness industry often focuses more on the marketing. Especially in the social media world we currently live within. However, the staying power of this differentiator is invaluable in the long run. I am proud of the fact that I had a long successful career in finance and then made a complete change into fitness and the business is currently thriving. In addition I was able to co-author a book that was published by Rodale Press. “Maximum Overload for Cyclists” available on Amazon. I am currently in the final stages of developing a nutritionist/health coach marketplace application called Planibble that should be released in the next few months. Lastly, the thing I have learned and really try to impart in my team is that the little things do really matter. I call it the 2 percent rule. Rarely is a decision by a client to hire you or stay with you is overwhelmingly one way. Typically it is 51 percent in favor of you and 49 percent elsewhere. So the decision is based on that 2 percent difference. That 2 percent is the little things. An example would be that after every initial workout we check in with our clients to see how they feel. This is a small thing and can easily get lost, but I insist on the first workout check in. We have a multitude of little things that we deem very important to our success and this bleeds through to everything we do. On the business side I monitor all aspects of the business on a daily basis. It gives me the ability to recognize where the business is during the month and if we are moving forward at the pace I want and what resources are available for growth and the future. Being a small business owner today in a service business is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. Especially with the new risk of city wide shutdowns. You need to manage the business accordingly and really know your numbers and your product. Our brand has survived because we care about the well being of our clients, and their success is our success. I think clients recognize that this is our goal and appreciate the attention to getting them the change they want to achieve.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As we know Los Angeles has been closed for the better part of a year. However, I would recommend the following when things get opened again. I love the outdoors so the Santa Monica mountain trails are wonderful for hiking and mountain biking. The Hollywood Bowl is a gem as is the Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA. I love to workout so I would have to stop at our gym in Westwood for one of our Versaclimber group cardio workouts. It is a tough 30 mins but you will leave with a sense of accomplishment. I love Carlitos Gardel restaurant for some great food in West Hollywood, and also Montana Ave in Santa Monica for Coffee outside or Forma Restaurant for excellent Italian food. If you want an active recovery day. Take a leisurely ride down the bike bath in Santa Monica. You can go all the way to Manhattan Beach and the view of the beach is unsurpassed. With LA having great weather there are so many options outside for brunch or dinner.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are a number of people who have greatly influenced my life. Of course my Mother and Father. I was lucky to have wonderful parents who gave me confidence and a fearless attitude towards my life. My wrestling coach from High School Roger Renfro gave me a humorous perspective on life and the recognition that hard work and focus will put you in the win column. I had a business mentor in Robert Canaday. He was always a wonderful ear to listen and give me excellent feedback. The lessons learned in my years as a competitive wrestler taught me how to suffer and the recognition that I am completely responsible for the outcomes in my life. I regularly re-read Marcus Aurelius Meditations to remind me of how to live a life of integrity.
Website: www.sirensandtitansfitness.com , www.microdosingfitness.com
Instagram: #sirensandtitans
Linkedin: jacques devore
Facebook: Sirens and Titans Fitness
Yelp: Sirens and Titans Fitness
Youtube: Sirens and Titans Fitness
Image Credits
Haldane Morris Photography
Golf Program
Golf is a unique sport that requires several different athletic capabilities in order to perform well. At Sirens and Titans, we have worked with world-class athletes in every different sport and although each sport is unique, the way you become a better golfer is to become a better overall athlete. Much of the critical thinking used to develop individual athletes in other sport is utilized for our golfers.
What are the primary physical requirements to perform better as a golfer? As a strength coach, one always looks at the highest level of performance to determine what needs to be added to the design and prescription of your training.
If you break the game down into three main components you would have
1. Driving/Full Swing
2. Chipping
3. Putting
Golf is a game where the individual is transferring force from the ground into the club at different velocities through a kinetic chain of muscles. Each of these three primary components have both physical and metabolic performance needs. This starts at the foot and goes all the way through the body to the head and neck. It is not as simple as just strengthening your core or adding some “golf” exercises. Evaluating the weak links in the kinetic chain is what is most important when prescribing the appropriate exercises for improvement.
Driving/Full Swing
· As we age, we see a diminishment in strength, power, mobility, and balance. This impacts your driving dramatically. You need lower body strength to have great body control and produce power. The core and upper body strength connect you lower body to the club so that it can be in the exact place needed while moving at high speed. Loss of mobility means your swing is going to shorten over time which delivers less power to the clubhead.
· As we age most people focus exercise primarily on strength and not on velocity of movement or mobility. This is because developing power takes movement and landing. We have developed methods of developing power without the landing which is a big benefit as we age. Using specialty equipment that can increase your power without the impact of a plyometric jumping movement is a big asset.
· Less mobility means your swing is gradually shortening over time and this impacts power.
· The stronger your hands and arms, the less tension you will need to have the same club holding grip. Less tension means more clubhead speed through impact.
· The full swing is of course a full-body activity, but the essence is that you pull from your left side, the right-side fires at impact and then keeps the club from flying away afterward. As we age folks lose quite a bit of left side strength/power (due to inactivity/ non focus on this area) and then wonder why golf is getting harder all the time.
Chipping:
Lower body stability is at a premium in chipping. Exceedingly small changes can result in skulls and chili dips, ruining your short game.
More overall muscle strength and balance mean more exact control of required force and power, bringing more consistency in ball flight distance. Great stability is a big component of control and balance.
Putting:
Stability of the whole body is paramount to putting accuracy. That is the chain of muscles from the head to the foot and how these muscles stabilize to control the body. Tiny sways, side to side or front to back will affect speed control and the tiniest rotational movements will affect your putting line, and even on a five-foot putt, four degrees off the line is enough to miss.
So how do we accomplish this for our clients?
1. We start with an extensive evaluation of strengths and weaknesses in all the areas above.
2. Next, we identify what we call “tipping point fitness”. These are areas that can be improved quickly and will have a great impact on an aspect of your game.
3. Simultaneously we develop a longer-term strategy to level up all areas of your fitness.
4. We look at your body holistically so we will address other areas of health such as nutrition, sleep, stress, and recovery modalities to improve your overall performance and speed of improvement.
Individualized Coaching, Unique Equipment
Here are some video examples of EQUIPMENT and EXERCISES we utilize for our golfers.
1. VersaPulley: https://youtu.be/6yfIyXSOyYA https://youtu.be/HK68dsexIYQ
2. kBox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxpd3-08f0w
4. Landmine: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqaudf1liKL/
5. Ab Wheel: https://youtu.be/dTSZ6QrZ15k
See testimonials below
“I’ve been working with Jacques at Sirens and Titans Fitness for over three years now and the improvement in my golf game has been substantial. At first, the obvious gains were in driving distance from 240-250 to 250-265. As time has gone on, I can say that there have been many more gains in many areas. Iron shot distances have improved, ball striking consistency, short game accuracy have all come around. And my ability to play more golf has been a welcome bonus. Just two weeks ago I was able to play 27 holes a day for four days. And recently, I’ve been fitted for heavier clubs which tap into my improved strength for more distance and accuracy. Overall, my ability to get into the proper positions, hold the proper positions at speed, and deliver more power into the ball have made me a better golfer than ever.” – Toyo S.
“I am extremely grateful that I found Jacques and Alfonso at Sirens and Titans. They have tailored a specific regimen to my body and my goals that have greatly increased my performance, stamina, and overall fitness. After just a few months I have noticed considerable improvements in both balance and rotational mobility that has led to an easier feeling controlled swing and a 15-20 yard increase in distance. Strengthening my core and back has virtually eliminated the lower back pain I used to experience after long-range sessions. I have never been through a fitness program that has produced these kinds of results in my body and can't recommend them highly enough.” – Ben A.
“I am an avid golfer, playing 2-3 times per week. Prior to coming to Sirens and Titans in 2017, I suffered from frequent low back soreness which I experienced only when playing golf. I had seen leading back specialists, worked extensively with Titleist Performance Institute trainers and other golf specific workout specialists and tried acupuncture. Nothing I tried made a difference…until I began working with Jacques and Alfonso. The diverse workouts are tailored to the needs of a golfer, and they’re never boring. Since I started working with Sirens and Titans, I am able to play pain free, often multiple days in a row. In addition to my scheduled workouts, Jacques is always helpful in providing me with specific stretches or other workouts I can do on my own. While my wife isn’t a golfer, she works out with me at Sirens and Titans and has commented this is the only gym where she never wants to miss a workout. We’re thrilled with our experience with Jacques, Alfonso, and the Sirens and Titans team. If you’re a golfer, you owe it to yourself to check it out.” – Larry J.
We have been highly successful in improving golfers’ overall performance and health. If you would like to find out more contact us at 310-307-0200 or visit our website at www.sirensandtitansfitness.com
Check out what our clients are saying about the changes we’ve made to reduce Covid-19 risk!
“It's so refreshing to work with a trainer that is dialed into me achieving my goals. Jacques understands what an athlete needs and then tweaks the workouts to meet my goals. I am not a professional athlete, however, my sport is Outrigger Canoeing and my competition out there is fierce. I compete in solo and team races all around the US which brings in a lot of talent from around the world. I needed to get stronger and push myself both physically and mentally. Training at S&TF with Jacques has given me the confidence to lift heavier weight beyond what I thought was possible. With proper form and encouragement, I push myself harder and I surprise myself at every turn. I've added the FUBAR, VersaClimber classes to my training. The VersaClimber is the fastest and most effective cardio in training. In the short amount of time I've done the Versa Climber, it has elevated my training to the next level.
My training with Jacques at Sirens and Titans has been invaluable.” -M. Hettinger
“I have been an active member of Sirens & Titans Fitness for over 6 years, so naturally I was dismayed when it closed for there months during the coronavirus pandemic. As soon as it reopened I resumed workouts, and feel totally confident in Jacques Devore’s management of all hygiene protocols. Which is a good thing because I am a high risk person. He has totally reconfigured the space so that all exercise stations are at least 8-10 feet apart. Attendance is managed so that only a limited number of persons are working out in the space at any given time. Everyone must wear a mask and/or face shield at all times and must have his/her temperature taken upon entering; anyone recording over 99 F is sent home., During workouts someone is constantly wiping down equipment with disinfectant. Most important, Jacques has cultivated a collegial clientele whose members are committed to observing the rules and considerate of one another.” - D. West
“This gym does an incredible job at ensuring public safety. They truly raise the bar for establishing cleanliness standards; the coaches disinfect every equipment contact point before and after each individual use, and the air is churned through a professional IQAir HyperHEPA filter and feels amazing. I have been training there consistently since they reopened in June and found that the coaches are truly committed to maintaining the safest environment possible for their clients. Unlike many other venues, it’s clear that they’re not just going through the motions to abide by public agency standards. They have clearly researched and thought through the entire process of preventing COVID-19 transmission. Everyone’s temperature is checked with a no-touch thermometer upon entering the facility, and everyone is required to wear face covering and stay 6 feet apart. They also limit class sizes and have completely reconfigured the space to ensure proper social distancing. This gym truly sparkles like the gem that it is at delivering results. Given their wealth of knowledge about health, nutrition and fitness, I highly recommend it for anyone looking to improve their immune system and overall health and performance. They are results-driven and all about helping you achieve your goals efficiently. The roadmap they laid out and helped me achieve could not have been accomplished elsewhere; I have trained hard at many other gyms and studios over the last two decades and ended up with overuse and other injuries. I have found that their deep bench and science knowledge were essential for me to safely reach my fitness and wellness goals.” - N. Kummer
“If you are reading countless reviews of gyms in West LA (lets say you're uneasy about even going back to a gym due to COVID) look no further, this is the perfect boutique gym for you. I am 26 and started training with Jacques about a year ago now and let me tell you -- I am in the best shape ever. I have tried countless other trainers in the past (Equinox specifically) and there is truly NO COMPARISON in the amount of detail that Jacques writes into your workouts + overall guidance. I do the semi-private classes which fit my budget and schedule.
"Semi Private...doesn't that mean more bodies in a room??" Yes, but up to maybe 4 people. But I NEVER feel uneasy about germs here. Jacques has installed state of the art air filters that are constantly on throughout the day and has all of his windows open. Plus he has a secure check-in with temperature checks and will offer you face shield masks that you can buy for workouts. He also spaces out everyone, so you're never next to someone directly as you are working out. He also disinfects all of the equipment you touched as soon as you're done with your rounds. Trust me, I am just as weary about COVID as you are...this is the safest gym you can probably be at.
I can't even imagine going to a large gym anymore, so if you have that same thinking -- you're safe here!
Lastly, Jacques is one of the only trainers to have Versaclimber classes. This is no doubt the hardest cardio workout you can do -- I mean this is the cardio training machine that the Lakers and NBA players use. They are roughly 30 min classes with maybe ~20 mins of a true workout and you will be very sweaty and will shed the calories. These machines are all 6 feet apart from each other -- so it is really nice!
If you miss the gym and want to see drastic results within a few short months, come here!” - S. Steadman
We’ve added a top of the line air purifier from IQAIR to our gym floor. Also be sure to check out the steps we’ve taken to reduce Covid-19 risk below!
Here are the highlights of the investment we have made to mitigate risk in the center:
Everyone will now enter through the side gate and into the rear doors of the building and the exit will be through the front door. There will be a table at the entrance with hand sanitizer for you to use upon entering. We will be taking everyone’s temperature with a no-touch forehead thermometer before you enter. If you have an elevated temperature you will not be able to train.
We have purchased a top of the line industrial air purifier to filter the air in the main workout room.
Here are the features of the air purifier: The HealthPro Plus is designed with 4 filtration stages: Pre Max Micro-Particle Filtration: eliminates coarse particles like pollen, pet dander, and mold spores. V5-Cell Granular Activated Carbon Adsorption & Pelletized Chemisorption: eliminates volatile organic compounds (the cause of odors) and other harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. HyperHEPA Filtration: Eliminates fine and ultrafine particles like bacteria, viruses, and combustion particles.
In addition we are managing the air flow within the center. Air will be exhausted with a high CFM (cubic feet per minute) fan through the roll up door, we are also adding a screen door on the front door so if necessary we can exhaust air out of the front of our space. We cannot be outside, however we want to create air flow as much like an outside environment as possible as this dramatically lowers risk based on all the data.
We will be putting some of the equipment outside as well when the weather permits and we will be adding a temporary carport outside of the roll up door.
We will be flowing air in from the back double doors. This will circulate fresh air from the back of the building while simultaneously purifying the air inside of the building and exhausting air out of the building.
Rearranging the layout of Equipment:
We have taken apart the VersaClimber tripods and mounted them along the wall with a minimum of 6 feet, and in most cases even more than 6 feet, of space between the climbers so you have plenty of space between climbers.
Mounting the climbers on the wall has opened up more room in the front which we will use to spread out our strength equipment even further than it is currently configured. For those of you who care you will probably get better times on the climbers as they have no movement when attached to the wall. :)
The workout space around equipment will be delineated with tape to ensure everyone can feel comfortable that there is enough space for proper social distancing during a workout.
Coaches will wear face shields during all group workouts.
A face mask or shield is required; we have face shields available to purchase.
All equipment surfaces will be cleaned with EPA approved disinfectant before and after each workout and also before you use any piece of equipment during your workout.
Hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and disinfectant spray will be available for your use throughout the center.
I know the risk cannot be completely eliminated. One of the reasons we exercise and stay healthy is to maintain a healthy immune system. I hope to see you all back and that the steps we will be taking will help you feel more comfortable in coming back.
Check out Jacques’ subscription based membership. The site will teach you about Jacques’ use of Microdosing Exercise throughout the week for optimum health and wellness: www.microdosingfitness.com
Check us out on strength coach tv with anthony renna!
Congratulations Denise, all your hard work paid off!
Talk about getting faster on a bike... 183.9 miles faster!
We are excited to announce our client Denise Kornecek broke the world record as the fastest person ever on a bicycle! Congratulations to Denise and her experience!
Check out the article highlighting her in Bicycling Magazine:
https://www.bicycling.com/news/a23281242/denise-mueller-korenek-breaks-bicycle-speed-record/
Check it out below!
Check out Jacques' presentation from the NSCA Southwest Regional Conference below!
CHECK OUT JACQUES' BOOK
Bicycling Maximum Overload for Cyclists discusses a radical strength-based training program aimed at increasing cycling speed, athletic longevity, and overall health in half the training time. Rather than improving endurance by riding longer distance, this book will teach you how to do it by reducing your riding time and adding heavy strength and power training.
The Sirens & Titans Fitness Weight Loss Program
S&T Fitness addresses weight loss by educating clients on how weight is gained and lost, and then coaching the participant weekly on changes they need to make to reach optimal body weight and energy levels.
Clients learn how they individually metabolize food,a key component to successful weight loss and sustainability.
Clients are also exposed to the problems that semi-starvation and restrictive diets present.
The S&TF weight loss program is not a diet! Weight loss is addressed from the most recent research on the science of weight loss and eating.
Armed with this understanding, you will be able to make rapid changes in your body and health. It will surprise you that there is a sustainable way to eat healthy, not be hungry, and lose or easily maintain your weight.
Signature Elite Program - SEE WHAT WE DO!
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