LINCOLN/CUMBERLAND – With an already successful gym in Cumberland and a gym in Lincoln set to open this spring, Erik Travers said he is determined to improve quality of life for others through fitness.
Travers grew up in Central Falls and Cumberland as a football player, wrestler and a powerlifter before going on to attend Southern Illinois University. There, he was a Division I wrestler and earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science and his master’s degree in exercise physiology.
In 2020 at age 24, Travers opened Travers Full Power Fitness at 1 John C Dean Memorial Blvd. in Cumberland, a facility offering private and semi-private training.
“My true passion is trying to help change other people’s lives,” said Travers. “Everyone has their own definition of quality of life, but to me, things like being able to breathe comfortably and move your body are so important.”
Travers told The Breeze that what sets TFPF apart is its realistic and healthy culture. He said it’s not his goal to make his clients gym-obsessed. Instead he aims to give clients the tools they need to live a healthy and active life so that after a few weeks of training, they can work out on their own.
Besides being an educated and experienced trainer, Travers said he attributes his own success to being personable and taking the time to understand and encourage his clients.
“It’s a hard process and I want to make it as fun as possible,” he said. “Everyone has different things going on and different needs and I want to help them to enjoy the journey of working out.”
Audrey Carroll, a client at TFPF, said Travers’ has made exercising approachable, and that “even through a grueling workout we took time to laugh and share life events or family stories.”
Carroll said she noticed positive physical and mental changes after three weeks of training with Travers, and that his “never say quit” attitude has continued to motivate her.
His philosophy is to train every person as an athlete, whether they’re an actual athlete with a goal of receiving a college scholarship or just someone who wants to maintain a healthier lifestyle.
With his coaching, Travers said he’s helped clients lose fat and gain muscle to achieve their goal weights, become better at their sports, and in one case, re-learn to walk up stairs and bend her knees after a double hip replacement.
“The doctor said she wouldn’t be able to bend her knees to a certain point, but she and I made it happen,” he said.
TFPF’s Cumberland gym has gotten so busy, Travers decided it was time to expand to 21 Carrington St. in Lincoln. The 4,300-square-foot location will open sometime this spring, Travers said, probably around the beginning of May.
He said that with this new location, he is looking forward to helping even more people along on their fitness journey.
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