The Story behind Body Architecture...
Body Architecture Fitness is a private one one one personal training business in downtown Franklin, that I opened in late 2019 after returning to Tennessee from Houston. My love & thirst for learning information is constant, and I am always seeking to maximize my skillsets. Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) saved me from knee surgery and a life of constant knee pain in 2001. This led me to joining the MAT internship in Denver to learn directly from Greg Roskopf (the developer of MAT) . I didn't know that muscles get inhibited when overstressed, and that exercising was reinforcing existing compensation patterns. The MAT and Resistance Training Specialist (RTS) programs were huge paradigm shifts for me, as I previously believed exercise was all about pushing your body harder at all costs. That approach got me knee issues, plantar fasciitis, constant aches & pains while in my 20s. Once I implemented a more intelligent approach, my body transformed as well as my clients'. Building and running multiple studios in Houston took me away from the passion I have for working with people individually, so moving to a solo model in Franklin allows me the ability to offer a level of quality most have never experienced before in fitness. I am the first to offer MAT® as well as Isophit in Tennessee, but I am happy to be bringing them here. I can talk about the science of each for hours, but in the end you need to actually experience the difference. I feel like it is an option most people don't know is available to them.
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​The ideal client for Body Architecture?
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Someone that is seeking something "more" than what is traditionally offered in fitness. I want clients who are invested in the process and looking for the guidance to tap into their full potential. Body Architecture is a great fit for the discerning athlete, who is seeking the most effective methods to prevent or overcome injury and ensure longevity. I am an equally great fit for the non-athlete who desires to remain active throughout life doing the things they love doing. Aging is unavoidable, but aches and pains don't necessarily have to be a "normal" part of it.
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Why choose me as your Personal Trainer?
I can offer you safe and efficient exercise in a one-on-one setting. I have dedicated the last 25 years to in-depth learning, to offer clients the most personalized and professional training experience possible. I want to help you get amazing results safely, and get the greatest improvements while spending the least amount of time doing it. When your muscles work optimally and efficiently, you will move better and have more strength capabilities. I want to inspire you while you achieve your fitness goals, and allow you to enjoy the experience along the way. There is no time like the present to get started!
Your health is so important now, more than ever before!
What people are saying...
"I was overweight and in terrible shape after trying 5 large cases back to back over an 18-month period and started training with Heather in order to lose weight and gain some strength and endurance. I have worked out with her pretty consistently for the last 14 years. The discipline of her work-out routine helped me lose the extra weight as well as build the strength and endurance that allowed me to enjoy life and continue a rigorous professional life as a trial lawyer into my 60s. Heather has a great understanding of what exercises were best suited for my body and would achieve the best results"
-Irv Terrell
FAQs about Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT®)
Become Faster. Stronger. Healthier. Pain-Free. Better!
What are possible signs of muscle inhibition people might experience?
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Movements that are painful
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Irritating or injuring the tissue easily
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Feeling weak or imbalanced
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Irregular tightness
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One side of your body moves differently than the other
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Hard time "feeling" the exercise
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Decreased performance
What are some benefits seen with Muscle Activation Techniques?
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Increases the body's tolerance to specific forces and stresses
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Increases the body's ability to generate specific forces
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Stop, reverse, or slow down degenerative orthopedic/musculoskeletal and neuromuscular processes
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Creates an environment for healing in the body
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Can assist athletes' recovery time from competitive stress quickly and help prevent future injuries
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Prepares the body to be more efficient in training and athletic performance
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Brings internal stability to the body and restores mobility
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Find potential problems before they become problems
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​Is MAT® really a form of exercise?
Yes it is. MAT® is a precise and focused exercise process that can be used as an adjunct to any number of other exercise processes. MAT® can help an individual prepare for exercise, help someone sustain an exercise program and support rehabilitation for certain conditions when deemed appropriate by medical providers.
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Can Muscle Activation Techniques help my pain?
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MAT® does not directly address pain, as it is not a pain modality. You should address your pain problems with a licensed professional. This is not physical therapy, massage, or chiropractic work. Consider MAT® a strength modality that is working to improve your weak links. Sometimes after weak tissues get stronger, it can alleviate pain symptoms. So it might indirectly affect pain, but is definitely not a quick fix.
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As an athlete, how can MAT® help if I don't have any pain?
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Short-term imbalances can go undetected causing decreased performance. With MAT, we can test specific muscles before and after training to gather info about the intensity, frequency and duration of workouts.
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How long will this take?
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MAT® is a process, just like most everything else in life we do. It depends on the status of your system and how much you are willing to commit to the process. You can't take away years of continued abuse to your body in a couple of sessions. The more severe the abuse on your body, the longer it might take. As you go through the process, you will start to learn how to pay more attention to your body and its signals that something is wrong and you will start to know how hard you can push your body and when to back off. You don't have to do MAT®, but if you want to function optimally, it is a great tool to incorporate into your regular fitness regime to optimize your results. You can take it as far as you want to go.
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Who is MAT® for?
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MAT® is really for anyone: Someone who has tried exercising but every time they do, they get injured or have pain symptoms. Someone who wants to exercise but does not know where to start, and would rather have professional guidance based off knowing that the body is in a balanced state before adding stress from exercise. Athletes wanting to keep their body strong and "tuned up" to optimize performance. Someone who has been in chronic pain and has tried every possible modality (which is recommended first) with no progress or relief. Someone who wants to make sure their workouts are not hindering them and want to ensure they are addressing their weak links. MAT® allows you to know if your body is handling exercise correctly or is it potentially going to cause problems. Your body is the one with the answers and will tell us when it is ready to move forward.
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Contact Me
/ Phone: 615-543-5370