Since 1996, Timberline Fitness Studio has been taking Houstonians’ fitness personally. Through customized experiences, goal-based programs and boutique-like offerings, Timberline walks alongside each and every member on their journey to reach their full potential.

“We actually care if you come or not,” said owner and general manager Dean Theriot, who has been formally training since 1991. “Contrary to a lot of gyms that have people sign up and hope everybody doesn’t come—because if they did, it would overload the gym—we want to see our members coming. That’s what makes it rewarding for us.”

In 2020, the family-owned fitness studio moved from Montrose Boulevard into a custom-built, 7,000-square-foot facility at 4305 Jack St.—expanding on its devoted crew of personal trainers and nutritionists, state-of-the-art equipment and passion for people.

“We’re obviously a little bigger now than we were 20 years ago, but it still has that personal feel,” Theriot said. “Every employee here has an interest in knowing people’s names, even if they don’t train that person ... They’re passionate about fitness and they value working out themselves. Everything feeds off of that. If they don’t practice what they preach, then it’s not going to work.”

Whether someone has tried several different gyms or is just beginning to workout, Timberline is enthusiastic about meeting people where they are. No matter what a member’s fitness goal is, Timberline staff guide them to success through a combination of its services: membership-based gym access, kickboxing, personal training, Pilates, nutrition counseling, full-body assisted stretching and reflexology.

“Nobody ever regrets that they just did a workout. You feel like you’re part of a business transaction that is healthy for everybody involved,” Theriot said. “They’re extending their life, or at least increasing the quality of their life, and that’s a very powerful thing to be a part of.”



Personal training

Timberline’s approach to personal training is all about customization—so each workout will look different for each individual. Theriot said Timberline’s bread and butter is welcoming people into the fitness world and helping them fall in love with working out.

“[For] the average person, the first workout or two is going to be very moderate and introductory. Then, you just increase the intensity as you go and find where the stopping point of increasing the intensity is,” Theriot said. “The reason it works is because you’re accountable. When you come in, you have to have a purpose. Because if you don’t have a purpose, then you’re wandering around aimlessly.”

Another perk to personal training at Timberline is Theriot’s background in exercise physiology. All of the instructors have unique skill sets, but Theriot’s commitment to showing up daily gives members access to next-level consultation.

“All of the workouts are somewhat overseen and supervised by an exercise physiologist because I’m here and I see just about every session,” Theriot said. “I think from a personal training standpoint, an advantage of ours is that the owner who’s responsible for the facility and the well-being of everybody is always here.”

Kickboxing

For those who like to knock out their cardio while having fun, striking drills can be incorporated into personal training sessions, and kickboxing classes are available throughout the week.

While many studios have about five different kinds of kickboxing bags, Timberline has 15—and instead of large groups, sessions typically consist of four to five people, allowing the instructor to keep a close eye on each participant.

“If someone’s looking for a place where they can do kickboxing classes, our classes are going to be the same cost as the bigger clubs,” Theriot said. “I think [a small class size] just makes it a lot more fun and you feel like the coach is actually watching you, which is crucial.”

Pilates

In addition to an array of Pilates classes, Timberline offers a Pilates membership that allows members to use the Pilates equipment on their own. One of the instructors is former Army Ranger Jeff Raben, who was injured during his service and found relief through Pilates.

“His lower back was [injured] and he had to learn to mix traditional exercise with Pilates to treat his own back,” Theriot said. “It taught him to have a lot of insight into helping people with their lower back problems.”

Nutrition counseling

At the onset of Timberline’s nutrition counseling, each participant has their basal metabolic rate tested with a hospital-grade machine. Then, individuals can choose between a full food diary—which includes constant support from a nutritionist—or a custom diet to follow on their own.

“It’s incredible for people to see how their basal metabolic rate changes as they start working out,” Theriot said. “All of a sudden, you’re burning more calories at rest than you were a year ago because you started doing weight training. It’s a very powerful thing to see that number.”

Full-body assisted stretching

For members who find it difficult to incorporate stretching into their daily routines, Theriot recommends weekly appointments. Timberline’s full-body assisted stretching sessions are modeled after the book “Stretch to Win” by Ann and Chris Frederick.

“Everybody knows massage is good for you, but fitting it in is tough. Same thing with facilitated stretching, it’s very much like massage,” Theriot said.”

Reflexology

Timberline recently brought Rice University’s Kai Lewis onto its team to offer reflexology sessions to members. Reflexology is the application of pressure to different areas of the body to alleviate stress, promote relaxation and improve body system functions.

“There’s a lot of focus on the foot, but contrary to popular opinion, that’s not the only thing covered in reflexology,” Theriot said. “It depends on where your trouble is, and [Lewis] is able to adapt to that.”

Interested in learning more about Timberline Fitness and its services? Head to their website at timberlinefitness.com to discover more about what Timberline offers as well as its instructors, pricing and class schedules.



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