Gemily Marquez, Personal Training Supervisor at Palmetto Bluff, shares her unique approach to fitness that focuses on core stability first and reveals how her journey from aspiring physical therapist to passionate personal trainer shapes her training philosophy.

• Started with a biology degree before switching to exercise sport science with plans to become a physical therapist
• Found personal training while taking a gap year and discovered the same rewards she sought in physical therapy
• Believes core stability and strength should be the primary focus of fitness training, not an afterthought
• Starts training sessions with core activation before moving to extremities, emphasizing the posterior chain first
• Creates personalized circuit-based workouts with slow, controlled movements for maximum effectiveness
• Views nutrition as 80% of fitness success, with protein intake being particularly crucial
• Most clients seek strength and pain-free movement rather than weight loss
• Loves the growing focus on recovery in the fitness industry
• Cautions against over-reliance on wearable fitness technology and tracking metrics
• Defines wellness as finding balance between mental and physical health

Join us next month as we continue our fitness trainer series with Nader Bertouli, who will share his perspective on training and wellness.