Success Stories

I had been working out on my own for 12 years, thought I was eating OK, and was resigned that my body was ‘stuck’, and would never change that much.

Wow, was I wrong! My husband and I had recently moved to Stone Oak, and he accidentally stumbled upon an Iron Fit class just finishing up. He noticed the smiles and sweat, family-like atmosphere and was introduced to Erik by the class. We came back later in the day, and Erik patiently answered all of our questions and invited me to try Iron Fit Circuit Training for 3 days. Erik worked with me, and suggested alternate exercises as my body adjusted to the Iron Fit training and intensity.

I had a spinal fusion 4 years earlier, and Erik was knowledgeable, understanding and 100% supportive as I began my Iron Fit journey. I only thought I had been working out before! After 10 weeks and noticeable improvements in all areas, I entered the 12 Week Challenge. Erik was with us every step of the way, to include nutrition.

I didn’t know what I might accomplish in only 12 weeks, but I knew I trusted Erik, his methods, and my new Iron Fit family. As you can see from the results, my body was not ‘stuck’ – I just didn’t have the trainer, knowledge, or trust that it took to transform myself into a stronger, leaner, more energetic version. The results were amazing – I lost 30 pounds in 12 weeks – but the knowledge and confidence I gained from Erik and Iron Fit will last a lifetime. Thank you, Erik!

First, need to give a HUGE THANK YOU to Erik Guerra for all the support, guidance and knowledge he has passed on to me over the past few years.

Joining Iron Fit is one of the best investments I have ever made towards my health. Before Iron Fit, I knew very little about exercising, minimal experience in any gym, poor lifting techniques and my nutritional intake was not the greatest. I was ready for a change but was nervous about joining a new gym. Glad I decided to step inside Iron Fit and give it a shot. Amazing just how impactful a gym like Iron Fit can have on someone’s life.

Personally have gone through so many positive changes since joining Iron Fit. Iron Fit Circuit Training is more than a gym, it’s a community of positive motivating individuals that form a family environment. Since joining Iron Fit my weight lifting amount has increased, more reps to exercises and running longer distances. Also since joining Iron Fit, completed my first fitness competition and scheduled to run my first 5k. I lost over 42lbs and dropped below 9% body fat during my 90 day transformation challenge. With Erik’s guidance, I have maintained keeping the weight off. I can honestly say I’m physically and mentally in the best shape of my life. This has also had and positive affect on my personal life, helping with my confidence and overall outlook on life.

I cannot express enough how much knowledge I have gained from joining Iron Fit. The nutritional knowledge learned has been priceless. Erik constantly stresses the importance of proper lifting techniques and proper nutrition that will forever stay with me. From personal experience, The Iron Fit program does work. Best advice for anyone looking to join Iron Fit, Listen To Erik!

Thank You again Erik for Everything.

And a Special Shout Out to Iron Fit Members for being so welcoming and encouraging. Truly a great group of people to be a part of.

In 2006, I lost a son, Josh (drunk driver took his life); he was only 16 years old. The pain of losing Josh drove me into a very deep, but well hidden, depression. Before losing Josh, I was very healthy, extremely physical, and truly enjoyed MMA as my form of “exercise.” After losing Josh, I became a “workaholic” and stopped any/all physical activity; food became a comfort for me. I was outwardly being very strong — “going on in life,” but inwardly, I wanted to give up! Over the next few years, I had gained more than 100 lbs.! After going through a very hard and difficult grieving process, I looked in the mirror and was truly ashamed of what I allowed for myself; I made a decision that it was time to get “back in shape” – both mentally and physically (so, the journey began).

In late 2014, I made a commitment to myself–it was time for a positive change! I initially hired a personal trainer. I was so embarrassed to exercise in front of anyone (including my trainer), but I wasn’t about to “back out.” Over the next 6 months, working with my trainer, I lost more than 40 lbs and started to feel energetic and happy again — this was awesome! Then, in May 2015, I was transferred to San Antonio for my job. Initially, I was super excited for the move, but after moving, that internal depression began to seep back in — now, for the first time in more than 25 years, I am an “empty nester” — my son decided to stay behind for his job (he was 19 yo, but he is still my “baby”). So, once again, food became my comfort and the weight immediately started to return. We finally found a new home and began to get settled in October 2015. I reminded myself how great it was to lose the weight and gain that energy and confidence….., so I went out seeking a gym! I saw a FB ad for Iron Fit, so I decided to give it a try.

Day one at Iron Fit: I was greeted by owner and trainer, Erik Guerra. Erik explained the routine/structure and asked if I wanted to try it for a few days. I, again, was super embarrassed to work out in front of people because of my excessive weight, but I participated anyhow. I’m soooooo glad I didn’t “talk myself out of” working out at IronFit that day — the experience was awesome — the endorphins kicked in and I was feeling great! Erik was very encouraging and ensured that my technique/form was correct — preventing those injuries. Throughout the one hour class, other Iron Fit members would approach me with words of encouragement — made me feel at ease, forgetting how “embarrassed” I was! I was immediately hooked! Now, I attend 4 – 5 sessions each week and I am feeling great! So far, I have lost ~ 35 lbs. and 28 inches. I feel stronger, healthier and happier! Each time I go to Iron Fit, I leave feeling accomplished. I am always amazed and impressed by the Iron Fit team members/community– everyone is truly so supportive and motivating, and Erik is such a dedicated and devoted trainer! I feel so blessed and honored to be a part of this team and I now believe that I will always have a place of refuge — away from the “internal depression!”

My journey is not complete, but it has definitely progressed, and will continue to progress, in a positive and healthy direction!
A special thanks to Erik Guerra for your “listening ear,” nutritional and exercise guidance, pushing me to my highest ability, and encouraging me to “Never Give Up” — your dedication and devotion is so appreciated — you are awesome!

I have never been a very fit person throughout my life. I lived a very sedentary lifestyle, and my diet was not good at all. I decided it was time for a change, and a few years ago I began to exercise routinely. My diet changed for the better. I began to lose weight, and I felt great. I stopped exercising one day, and that day led to another, and days turned to weeks. Weeks turned to months. Two years later, I had gained over 50 pounds. I was back to my old sedentary lifestyle with unhealthy eating habits.

Every now and then I would tell myself “Ok, tomorrow I’m going to start again”, but I never did. It got to the point where I was not comfortable with myself, and I felt so insecure. I was horribly overweight. I had to buy clothes at “big and tall” sections. I wasn’t getting any younger, and the more I waited, the more weight I gained. I realized it would eventually become harder for me to lose weight and become a healthy adult, so I decided to find an exercise program and stick to it this time.

I have never been good at going by myself to a gym. I tried that a few times, and I would find myself pacing back and forth most of the time trying to figure out what to do and what machines to use. I came across a gym sponsored on Facebook. The gym was Iron Fit. I was not so much skeptical as I was scared. I thought walking in there the way I looked would make everybody just stare at me and say “This guy doesn’t belong here”. The owner/trainer, Erik Guerra, greeted me with respect and was very helpful.

I found out this gym was for everybody, from beginners, like myself, to intermediate and advanced people. Erik would help me out throughout the workouts, making any adjustments as necessary while still keeping me getting a good workout. The thing about this gym is that I went in by myself, and every time I would step out, I would step out with a new friend on my phone or on Facebook. Every member there is just plain awesome. Everybody helps each other out. Everybody motivates each other.

If you feel like giving up, there will always be somebody next to you keeping you motivated and not letting you drop the momentum. Even if there is a person across the gym, you will here them yell “Come on! You can do it!”. The amount of teamwork that goes on in there is incredible. Erik offers help with workouts and with a proper diet plan that won’t leave you starving. Everybody else at the gym is also great help if you have any questions or are seeking any advice. Erik provides all the tools for you to be successful; strength training, cardio, nutrition, and accountability. It’s up to you to follow his lead. I dropped a little over 50 pounds in 3-4 months, and I have the motivation to keep going this time.

I have never felt better in my life. I can jog 2-3 miles when before Iron Fit I could barely jog half a mile. I can lift heavier. Clothes fit nicely. I don’t have to shop at the “big and tall” sections anymore. Everything is great. Going to Iron Fit Circuit Training has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. It is the gym that guided me to the right path.

In May 2015, my husband and I moved from Pittsburgh, PA to San Antonio, TX. It was a tough move on me because I’d lived in Pittsburgh my entire life and moving meant leaving behind all of my family and friends. In Pittsburgh, I was active playing soccer on a few teams and going to TRX and kettlebell classes at my local gym however, in October 2014, I had suffered a severe concussion playing soccer. I was limited on exercise for 4 months while I recovered.

During that time we learned that we would be moving to San Antonio – I was out of shape already from not being able to exercise and I was stressed/emotional over the big move. My last few months in Pittsburgh were filled with going out to eat and drink with family/friends and eating fast food or take out as we packed all of our belongings. When we arrived in San Antonio, we didn’t know anyone so we spent a lot of time going out to eat and trying out all the new restaurants around us (Texas has amazing food!). I was out of shape and unhappy and I knew that I needed to find a gym and get myself back in shape both for my physical and mental health.

I started Googling gyms near me, checked out several in the area, read reviews and after exchanging a few emails with Erik, I decided to go to Iron Fit Circuit Training for my 3 day trial. I had never really used barbells and heavier weights before so I was a little intimidated. I kept telling Erik that my arms were very weak from a shoulder injury years ago and that I was worried about being able to keep up. He assured me that everyone worked at their own level and that we could build up strength in my arms and modify exercises as needed. My first couple weeks I was sore but I was also proud of myself for sticking with it. Erik made sure that I was using correct form and knew when to push me to add a little more weight or do one more rep. I like how the classes are structured at Iron Fit; they are balanced between weight lifting and conditioning/cardio.

Erik focuses on good reps with challenging but safe weight – not just how fast and how heavy you can go without regard to form. In my first few months at Iron Fit, I lost a little weight and gained some strength but I still felt like I was missing something. I joined the 12 Week Transformation Challenge in January 2016 to get my nutrition to match up with the work I was putting in at Iron Fit. I had not realized that my eating habits had gotten so bad and that was what was holding me back from reaching my goals. With Erik’s guidance and support, I reached my weight loss goal, losing 25lbs and 24 inches overall in 12 weeks. With encouragement from Erik to add in additional cardio, I also started running and I ran my first 5K/mud run this past weekend.

I plan to do more 5Ks and work my way up to at least a 10K. I am the leanest I have ever been with muscle definition in my once weak arms and even in my abs. I can run 4-5 miles consecutively, without stopping at a decent pace which might not seem like a huge deal to some, but I was never able to do that before Iron Fit. I look forward to working out every day and the only time I ever skip the gym now is when I am out of town (and even then, Erik gives me workouts to do while I am gone). Finding Iron Fit is one of the best things that happened to me since we moved to Texas. Erik has created an environment at Iron Fit where everyone supports each other and pushes one another to improve. I have made wonderful friends while getting in the best shape of my life. Iron Fit has not only gotten me in shape physically but it has helped me mentally and emotionally adjust to living 1500 miles from my family and friends.

For me, Iron Fit is more than just a gym or place to work out, it has truly been an amazing life changing experience. I will never be able to say thank you enough to Erik for all that he has done to help me and I look forward to continuing to get stronger and achieve my goals with my Iron Fit family.