Meet Heather Garrigus of Body Architecture Fitness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Garrigus.

Hi Heather, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started personal training while attending law school in Houston, TX. After my J.D., I met a PT in Oklahoma City who has a very unique education program (Resistance Training Specialist-RTS) that looks at training through a much deeper lens: force application, engineering and physics. It opened a whole new world for me and how I looked at training.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken this career path. No one out there was teaching about HOW you apply forces to the body and the potential effects. The RTS program is one of the most intense programs available and is not for everyone, as the critical thinking, knowledge and study involved has been more challenging to me than law school. I also got introduced to the developer of Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT), Greg Roskopf, who also helped me avoid knee surgery. I took his initial year long internship in Denver back in 2002 and have continued my training with him ever since. Those two program have been foundational to my practice. I opened my first training studio in Houston in 2005, which later led to three locations. After 15 years, I was ready to return to Tennessee and simplify by moving to strictly a one on one model and focus on honing and improving my skills. I am now the first MAT specialist in Tennessee and excited to be able to offer it to the area. I offer Personal Training, Pilates Reformer, and Muscle Activation Techniques. Most people don’t understand the difference of training specific to the individual until they actually experience it. I think most people’s paradigms are that training is just about “doing it” or motivation. I always tell people that you want someone very skilled at applying forces to be your trainer, as it is the same as wanting a doctor skilled with using a scalpel during surgery.

Just because someone is fit doesn’t make them qualified to apply forces on joints, as you wouldn’t think someone who has undergone several surgeries to be qualified to do your surgery. The skills I have obtained as a MAT practitioner allow me to address any muscle inhibitions that lead to tightness, pain, and decreased performance. Muscle Activation Techniques is widely used in the professional sports populations, as well as those just looking to function better throughout life and avoid injury. I hope to educate clients about the how their bodies work and how to get the best results training to their body’s specific needs. Forces are invasive and can do considerable damage if applied haphazardly. Truly individualizing a workout encompasses a deep understanding of body mechanics, joint tolerances, and all the numerous details involved in force application. There is a safer and more effective approach to exercise that can actually contribute to a higher quality of life. I am extremely passionate about what I do and love learning more in order to give my clients nothing but the best.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has never been a smooth road, but I always tell people that anything worth doing is always hard. I knew moving back to TN and starting over from scratch would be a challenge, as it wasn’t easy walking away from clients I had for over 20+ years. Adding the Covid pandemic to the mix didn’t do me any favors as well, but I know that it will all be worth it in the end. What is most challenging is that what I offer is new to most here and very “out of the box”, so know it will take time for people to learn about what I do and that I am even here. The good thing is that many people that are moving here from other parts of the country are quite familiar with it, so they are happy to find out that I am here.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I have a one on one training studio that offers strategic personal training that is truly individualized around someone’s unique body structure and promotes longevity and injury prevention. I specialize in Muscle Activation Techniques and the first and only in Tennessee at the moment. I have been a MAT Specialist since 2002 and trained directly under Greg Roskopf the developer. I am also Mastery certified in Trunk/Spine, Lower Body, Foot, and Upper Body. My goal is to start the RX program in the next year, which is the highest level offered, and there are less than a 100 practitioners in the world. I also offer pilates reformer training, weight training, and a unique 30 minute high-intensity workout utilizing the Isophit machine. I have dedicated the last 24 + years on increasing my knowledge base and skillset. I am constantly searching for more effective and efficient methods of training. The Muscle Activation Techniques is based on the principle that tightness is secondary to muscle weakness, and by identifying and treating muscle inefficiencies, we are able to restore mobility and stability to the body. It is a process but is more of a long-term solution than a band-aid.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I read so much, but most of that time is spent studying specific mechanics of muscles and the inter-relationship of joints. I just started Tim Grover’s book “Winning” and just finished the book “Close Your Mouth” by Patrick McKeown which has been a game-changer for me in its approach at changing how we breathe.

Pricing:

• $120/hr MAT
• $85/hour Personal Training

Contact Info:

• Email: Heather @atr-fit.com
• Website: ATR-fit.com
• Instagram: MusiccityMat
• Facebook: MusicCityMat
• Other: Muscleactivationtn.com

Image Credits
Nancy Center