New Image Fitness NY

Gregory Barton, Football Player, Washington and Lee University

Having worked with Chris for four years and counting, I want to immediately emphasize the fact that I would never have reached the level of athletics that I am currently at without his guidance.  I met Chris during the summer before my senior year of high school.  At that time, I played both football and lacrosse, but had never really lifted weights before.  I went to the gym in early June just to do a standard treadmill and machine weight workout when Chris approached me because he noted the football shirt I was wearing as well as my clear inexperience in the weight room.  Chris took the time to explain the significance of weight training in order to truly heighten my athletic performance.  He went into great detail about how nutrition and weight lifting go hand in hand and when done together, are essential to becoming a better athlete.  Having college football ambitions at that time, I felt that Chris could probably help me make that a more realistic goal.  I am definitely glad that I took that chance…

Because of the work that Chris and I put in that summer, I was able to garner interest from multiple college football programs across the country.  I finally chose Washington and Lee University in southwest Virginia.  After that crucial pre-senior year summer, Chris had sold me on the idea of weightlifting and nutrition, hence why we will continue to work together until my athletic career is over.  I am a rising junior now coming off my best football season yet.  I started all eleven games my sophomore year and I will hopefully end my career as a three year starter at the defensive end position.  On top of that, my team won our second Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship in school history this year and I can proudly say that I made a major contribution. 

I have often thought to myself “what if Chris hadn’t approached me in the gym that day?”  I can safely say that I would never have reached the level I find myself at now. In fact, I probably would not even have come close.  Not only has Chris helped me get stronger and faster, he has educated me in the proper way to train, which I will carry with me long after my athletic career is over.  I don’t only think of Chris as my trainer, he is also a great friend who I trust to make me the best that I can be on and off the field.