The
Lab
INSIGHTS FROM
VOLUSIA FITNESS LAB
A set of resistance bands will be key to your success in strength training, whether you’re working out at home in Deland or anywhere. As a personal trainer with over a decade of experience, I know that consistency beats intensity every time. Many of my clients train with me only once a week, while they train on their own two or three times a week. Some prefer to train at commercial gyms in areas like Daytona Beach or Ormond Beach, but many choose to save time and train at home.
Rather than investing thousands of dollars and dedicating 150 sq. feet or more to a home gym, I suggest starting with a good set of resistance bands and a few accessories. The total cost should be no more than $200 and can easily be stored away when not in use. A set of resistance bands allows for a highly effective full-body workout, anywhere you go.
I began teaching my clients how to safely use resistance bands in late 2019, just in time for the COVID lockdowns. While many people quit training completely during the lockdown, my clients relied on resistance bands to maintain their progress. While it’s not the same as a fully equipped gym in Volusia County, resistance bands were key to avoiding losses in strength and fitness.
Many of my clients, from Deland to Port Orange, have unpredictable work and travel schedules. Rather than relying on poorly equipped hotel gyms, we developed strategies using resistance bands for effective workouts on the go. During our sessions, we focus on learning how to use bands safely and efficiently for strength training.
One of the biggest misconceptions in the fitness industry is that resistance bands are only good for rehab and can’t provide an intense, effective workout. This mentality exists because many don’t know how to use resistance bands to their full potential. I’ve spent the last five years learning how to use bands safely and effectively, making them a central part of my personal training sessions.
I challenge anyone who doubts the effectiveness of resistance bands to schedule three sessions with me at the Lab in Deland. We will learn how to make gains with nothing more than a few rubber bands, setting you up for success during travel, gym closures, or when time is limited, and you can’t make it to a gym.
A decade’s worth of personal training experience in Volusia County has shown me that my most successful clients are the ones who don’t quit. It’s a straightforward concept, but it’s often an overlooked aspect of fitness. Many of my clients in Deland, Daytona Beach, and other areas start off eager to train as hard as possible. While I appreciate the enthusiasm and work ethic, I recognize the need to ease a client into a program and employ multiple fatigue and injury prevention strategies.
New clients often express concern that I am too easy on them during the first few sessions, but like everything in the Lab, this is by design. I use the initial weeks to coach good form and make general assessments. I carefully track which movements can be performed pain-free and which ones will require modifications. This approach ensures long-term progress for clients seeking personal training in Volusia County, including those in Deltona and Ormond Beach.
My long-term clients seldom express concerns about the intensity but enjoy the benefits of avoiding sickness during workouts or developing chronic injuries due to overuse or improper form. Every workout at Volusia Fitness Lab is customized for each client, whether they’re in Deland or surrounding areas. I take into account prior health concerns, fitness goals, and personal preferences. If a client is having a rough week, we still train, but we may lower the intensity to avoid burnout, ensuring consistency remains key.
I opened the current location of Volusia Fitness Lab in April of 2024, with the goal of creating a specialized leg and glute training gym and offering the best personal training experience possible in Deland. The Lab boasts the largest selection of leg and glute training equipment I’ve seen in my 11-year career. With only the client and myself in the space, we never have to wait for equipment or skip exercises. Clients control the music and enjoy my undivided attention during their private sessions. I’m proud of the Lab and all the efforts made to create a sustainable, results-driven training environment.
