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Two Gregs Bring Personal Touch to Midtown Gym

Posted on: Tuesday, 22 November 2005, 12:00 CST

By Penny Aviotti Special to Midtown & Downtown Appeal

Greg's Gym in Midtown is to gymnasiums what television's "Cheers" was to neighborhood bars.

The gym is just a little hole-in-the-wall jammed with Nautilus equipment that is artfully placed for the Midtown fitness buffs who work out there.

Greg's Gym is on Overton Park Avenue next door to Marena's Restaurant. It has a neighborhood feel and is just large enough to house all the necessary equipment and small enough that everyone who exercises there knows your name.

There are no "members" of Greg's Gym. In order to work out there, clients purchase a six-week package with one of the two personal trainers - both named Greg.

"Greg #1" is Greg Liebermann, the owner of Greg's Gym. Liebermann has been a personal trainer for 40 years and is certified in sports fitness medicine. Greg has trained thousands of clients from professional athletes to 85-year-old women and bought his own gym a few years ago. "This isn't a career for me; it's an advocacy," he said. "I don't this to make money, but because I love it. How many people can make a living from what they love."

"Greg #2" is Greg McCoy, a certified muscle fitness trainer with American Muscle and Fitness Personal Training Institute. He was a personal trainer in Southern California for 27 years, working at Bailey, Gold's Gym and the YMCA. He is an avid bodybuilder who just won the Tennessee State Championship for weightlifting in the 220 category and currently holds the Arkansas and California Bench Press Championship state record for weight lifting. Greg #2 bench presses 623 pounds and ranks third in the world in the National Power Lifting Competition.

What both Gregs offer their clients is an individualized fitness program that all includes a three-pronged approach to exercise. The program requires stretching every day for at least six to 10 minutes at home or at the gym, cardiovascular work at least five days a week such as walking, biking or swimming for 30 to 45 minutes, and weight training at least three days a week for approximately 45 minutes. Clients are asked to keep a journal of what they eat and to record their fitness goals.

Just because you book time to work out with one Greg doesn't mean the other one won't express an opinion about your workout routine or your weightlifting form. According to Greg #1, form is far more important than the amount of weight or the number of repetitions. And Greg #2 provides enough suggestions about variety to make sure no one becomes bored by the same exercise routine.

Both Gregs believe that weight training is necessary to build and tone muscles and is a great way to combat osteoporosis. Both also say it's important to work out build strength, increase lean body mass and help develop coordination and balance.

For beginners and those interested in toning, not bodybuilding, both Gregs use an approach that utilizes both free weights and machines and is tailored to the individual need and ability of their clients. They coach their clients to lift weights on Nautilus equipment, dumbbells, barbells and good old-fashioned floor exercises.

Beginners lift with higher repetitions and lighter weights. Because muscles need to rest, both Gregs alternate different parts of the body on consecutive days and both advise clients to combine abdominal exercises with weight lifting.

For more information about Greg's Gym or for a complimentary fitness assessment, contact either Greg at 725-0064.

Penny Aviotti is a Midtown resident and a regular at Greg's Gym.

Source: Commercial Appeal, The

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