PERSONAL TRAINER

About Alonso

Since I was young I have been involved in yoga, dance, gymnastics, track, soccer, volleyball, Tae Kwon Do, and Muay Thai. Tae Kwon Do was my main sport, I competed regionally and nationally. I won 1st prize in the US OPEN Mix Martial Arts tournament under category of Wood Breaking High Jump. I won countless gold medals in fighting tournaments around Puerto Rico, and my Black Belt was given to me by Mater Young Soo Do at age 15. After that I decided to approach other martial arts like Aikido and Muay Thai. Muay Thai became my most favorite sport after Tae Kwon Do. After a few more years of martial arts training I decided to study dance. I started with classical, modern, tap, hip hop, and jazz. I showed a lot of talent in the arts of dance, and I was recommended to audition for dance schools overseas. At age 17, I left Puerto Rico and moved to NYC to study dance at The Ailey School. I won numerous scholarships including The Oprah Winfrey Foundation Scholarship and the Olive Tree Foundation Scholarship. After 3 years of intense dance training I worked as a dancer for Ballet Hipanico 2nd Company, Steps on Broadway, The Juilliard School (dance demonstrator for Milton Myers), The Ailey School, and other dance companies/organizations around the city.

Photo taken by Aaron Savage

Sadly, the companies I worked for couldn’t provide me the necessary income I needed to support myself. The first year I had to constantly house-hop until I found a tiny 10’x10′ studio with a friend. A year later I moved out, and slept in a twin bed on the floor in a slightly bigger living room. My following year I shared  a 1 bedroom apartment with two other tenants. In my last year of dance studies, The Ailey School offered me affordable housing in the Lower East Side. However, the stress of constantly moving, auditioning for new dance jobs, seeking odd jobs for extra income, and eating unhealthy food took a toll on my health. My body started loosing strength and flexibility, and it seemed that my body would never recover from its injuries. It also didn’t help that I couldn’t afford the full amount of physical therapy sessions. I knew that if I didn’t find a way to better my living conditions I would have to move back to Puerto Rico with my family. I knew I could survive in the city, I didn’t want to go home yet.

Photo taken by Sarita Apel

Things started to get better while living in the Lower East Side. I was able to take time for myself and re-asses my life goals. I started taking better care of my body on an emotional and physical level. I knew that I couldn’t go anywhere or change anything about myself if I didn’t take better care of my physical body. I started eating healthier foods and took yoga training much more seriously. My yoga teacher, Leslie Journet, was able to instruct me on the correct ways to strengthen and align the bones. As a result I was able to fix 2 torn hamstring and deviation of my left knee cap (patellofemoral syndrome) that the physical therapist couldn’t fix. Thank you Leslie for all the knowledge you passed to me!

Photo taken by Aaron Savage

Before dance school finished, I got my certification as a personal trainer. At first I thought it was a good idea  because I would have extra income while dancing, but I never thought that this decision would actually change my life! I learned so much about nutrition, kinesiology, bio-mechanics, anatomy, decease prevention, and other fitness related topics that helped me understand the human body better. I studied with ISSA (International Sports Science Association) and ACE (American Council of Exercise). I passed both exams plus got AED/CPR certified under the American Heart Association. I then secured a job in a local gym, working with many people of all different body types and all different goals. I trained clients one on one in the gym, and also took boot camps, training groups of 10+ people and helping them change their lives.
I specialize in gaining muscle, flexibility training, losing body fat, strength training, dance training, yoga, and martial arts! My online training is available for both men and women. No matter what your goals may be, I can help you achieve them and would love to take you on board as one of my clients!