Fitness Coach Tyrell Rachel, a personal trainer at Infinity Fitness in Fruitland Park, has been shaping lives and inspiring fitness journeys for the past eight years. 

With a total of 15 years in the fitness industry, Tyrell has become known for his deep, personal passion for helping others achieve their health goals through his program, TFIT. He’s won the Lake & Sumter Style’s Best of the Best personal trainer category multiple times.

Tyrell was always athletic. In high school, he played on the Leesburg High School basketball team. After graduating and entering the workforce, he cemented his passion for fitness during a transformative journey and decided to focus on personal training.

Q: What motivated you to become a fitness coach?

A: Meeting people suffering from serious health issues like diabetes made me want to help others avoid those fates. After meeting a diabetic woman who was on the verge of losing her limbs, I realized the impact of fitness and nutrition on health. I decided to focus on personal training full-time, and I haven’t looked back since.

Q: What is your advice for someone just starting out in fitness?

A: Get a trainer and nutrition coach. It’s essential to learn proper techniques and nutrition and have the right guidance from the start. Even if you start with a 30- to 45-minute walk, get out and start moving. Start now! No more excuses.

Q: Do you incorporate a specific diet in your training?

A: I like to consume protein from whole food sources like meat, fish, dairy and high protein vegetables. If you’re looking to pack on muscle mass, eating protein is huge. Protein also helps with recovery from your workout sessions. Hydration will make a huge impact on your fitness journey. Drinking water will also help you get shredded or help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Q: What is your favorite exercise for building muscle mass?

A: Compound movements like barbell squats, barbell bench presses, barbell deadlifts and barbell overhead presses. They involve multiple muscle groups and provide a full-body workout. But it’s going to vary from person depending if they have lack of mobility, lower back or shoulder injuries.

Q: How do you balance strength training with cardio exercise?

A: The TFIT program is based on functional strength training, high intensity interval training, and endurance training. It’s a great program to challenge my clients to help them reach their full potential.

For beginners, I recommend starting with 30 to 45 minutes of strength training to maintain energy, followed by 15 to 20 minutes of low-intensity steady-state cardio exercise.

Q: What are some common mistakes you see beginners make in the gym?

A: The biggest mistake is not warming up properly. It’s crucial to spend about 10 minutes raising your heart rate and preparing your muscles for exercise. If I know I’m going to be doing a chest workout, I’ll begin with pushups. If working legs, I’ll start with some lunges. Get those muscles moving before going straight into the workout. It will help you avoid injury.

Q: How important is rest and recovery?

A: Extremely important. You don’t need to work out 6 or 7 days per week. It’s crucial to give your body time to recover. When you rest, your muscles start to heal and grow back stronger. 

Q: What motivates you to stay consistent with your fitness routine?

A: Thinking about my family, my clients and being a good role model. I look at my family and know that I want to be there for them. A parent wants to be around for their child. A wife wants to be around for their husband. Being healthy and taking care of yourself exists outside of the gym.

Q: Are there specific health challenges that men face as they age?

A: Yes, men tend to lose muscle mass as they age, which is why maintaining strength training and proper nutrition is critical. It’s common for men to experience muscle sagging over time.I see this a lot. Getting regular checkups on testosterone levels and eating right are things that will help retain the muscle they gained in their earlier years.

Q: How do you define success in terms of fitness?

A: For me, it’s about being able to move well and stay healthy. For my clients, success is about consistent improvement. I want them to enjoy this experience. I’m constantly encouraging them and noticing the improvements to ensure they want to come back.