Meta Burn Studio provides
personal training and nutrition coaching
You don’t need to have a traditional gym membership or a home gym to hire a personal trainer. The trainers at Meta Burn have a studio in Locust Valley where their clients come to get in shape; and many have had tremendous success.
Trainers Greg Kalafatic and Rahz Slaughter worked together at Equinox before deciding to branch out on their own to create Meta Burn, a five-step system for weight loss and improved health. They were in Greenvale before moving to the Locust Valley location about two and a half years ago. They focus on nutrition more than on exercise and currently have 66 clients.
Greg Kalafatic, a certified nutrition coach and strength and conditioning specialist, says their coaching style is unique in that they gear it towards each individual client based on personal lifestyle.
“We have a fact finding period for new clients,” he says, “and then we work to create new habits.”
The majority of their clients are women between the ages of 35-45, though they are capable of training people of all ages. He speculates that what might attract clients to them is their approach.
“We listen; it’s not a cookie cutter program,” he says.
The trainers boast “twice the results in half the time” focusing on building muscle, getting toned and burning fat. They mold the system around the individual, getting to know the weaknesses and trying to encourage making better decisions. The six components of the Meta Burn system are resistance training, cardio training, nutrition, supplementation, flexibility and coaching.
Clients like Alicia Buontempone maintain that the system works, and she is eager to tell anyone who asks all about her personal trainers.
Buontempone, 28, has been training with them for a year and has lost more than 30 pounds.
“It’s the only thing that works,” she says.
In addition to having a scheduled time to work out, having a trainer keeps her accountable for her lifestyle choices. She comes at the same time three times a week, which she says motivates her to stay on track with her diet and exercise habits; in addition to her training sessions at the studio, she exercises on her own twice a week. She says the biggest impact has been learning how to eat more healthily, and her dietary changes have directly affected her fiance’s diet.
“It’s changed his life as well; he eats better food and has joined a gym,” she says, adding that she likes the side effect of having a positive impact on those around her.
The studio is in the basement of the Forest Executive Center at 480 Forest Ave., and has a weight room as well as a cardiovascular workout room. The music choice is also up to the client, unlike a gym where you might be stuck with loud dance beats even through your headphones. In addition to one-on-one personal training, they offer 30-minute semi-private sessions for small groups and a 12-week weight management program.
Another way these trainers keep their clients motivated and informed is through weekly email updates, offering the latest news on ways to burn fat, exercise or the dangers of sugar. They also hold workshops periodically, which are open to the public.
Both trainers are personable as well as tough on their clients. While they joke around during workout sessions they still push. And clearly they are passionate about what they do.
“It’s a fun career,” says Greg. “I like making people feel good about themselves.”
