Who’s Behind Fitness Warriors
Gymtime’s Fitness Warriors program is led by two top coaches, Chris Vollaro and Andrew Parra. Both grew up with a strong athletic background, Chris competing in gymnastics and Andrew in martial arts and together have 50 years of experience coaching children. Their combined backgrounds create a one-of-a-kind class for Gymtime’s Fitness Warriors students. We asked Coach Chris and Coach Andrew to share how their past experiences have influenced the current Fitness Warriors Program.
From Coach Andrew:
I’ve been in the martial arts all of my life training, competing and coaching in Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Ju Jitsu and Boxing. The martial arts are a fun way to achieve fitness, focus and self-discipline. Each of these qualities are integrated into our Fitness Warriors program as they are necessary in order to progress over the course of the program.
From Coach Chris:
As a gymnastics coach for the past 25 years, and as someone who has been involved in sports since I was 5 years old, it is important for me to share my values with the children I coach. Gymnastics is an extremely disciplined sport and it’s important to feel confident and proud when you reach your goals. Being part of a team means everything to me and while Gymnastics seems like an individual sport at a competition, it is the complete opposite during practice. Practice is where you learn about responsibility, respect and accountability. Practice is where you learn how to be part of a family and that family is everything. It is my goal to share these values in Fitness Warriors and help children begin to love exercise and learn how to be part of a team.