From Basketball Player, To Tone House instructor.

This week we caught up with Yusuf Jeffers to find out how his basketball career at Rutgers University led him to became a Tone House instructor.

What made you decide to become a trainer?

I’m an accidental tourist in the fitness field. After many years of working as a research assistant in cancer therapies and diagnostics I became a bit bored and became certified to personal train part time. When my company went through a round of layoffs,  I picked some more clients and began teaching more. Haven’t looked back since.

Does your fitness routine change once it (finally) starts to get warmer outside?

Yes. I do tend to enjoy outdoors workouts a little bit more in the warmer weather as well as playing more sports outside.

After being active for so many years, how do you continue to challenge yourself in the gym?

Maybe it was Aristotle who said “The more you know, the more you know you don’t know.“  It’s the same with fitness. There’s always some aspect to improve upon or learn. When you stop trying to improve is when you’re no longer motivated to face the challenge.

Whether they knew it or not, do your trainees ever help you learn something new during a session?

Absolutely. I’m certainly not the same trainer now that I was when I first began. That’s most directly because of what my trainees have taught me about human movement and maybe more importantly, how crucial mindset and psychology is to improving your physical condition.

What is your favorite workout you to do to switch up your routine?