Active Break

I’ve been training with Coach Ugochi for the last 6 months. I absolutely love it. I don’t think I’ve ever been stronger in my life. Coach Ugochi is able to make training super fun, while still being challenging. Whether it’s upping the weight or adding in different muscle groups or exercises I always walk away feeling great — in that sore sort of way where you know you’ve made a difference.
Coach Ugochi knows her stuff, she’s able to explain the science behind what you’re doing and she is supportive, funny and most of all inspiring! I’ve always been shy about doing weights or non-​cardio things at the gym and I’m confident enough now to be able to run through routines she’s taught me on my own. Being able to keep up with my exercise during travel is huge for me and for the first time ever I’ve taken my workout gear on work trips and vacations and actually used it!
If you are looking for a someone to help you get strong and change the way you see exercise or make you love it more, Ugochi is the best.

I started training with coach Ugochi after a personal recommendation. In turn I’ve recommended her to two friends who now regularly train with her.
I can see why she gets so many recommendations from such a different array of people. Not only is she a great trainer, she’s also an utterly approachable person with a knack for connecting with people.
When I started training with her, I had such little physical awareness that I struggled to follow even the most basic routines.
Ugochi never made me feel like this was failure on my part, instead she would effortless break exercises down to smaller, more manageable chunks or articulate them in a way that I could visualize them too. I’ve now been training with her for over a year and always look forward to our sessions. She’s also very good at switching it up whenever you get _​too_​comfortable with your routine: D
Her motto is ‘healthy at any size’. Ugochi will help you feel happy and connected with your own body whatever you’re planning in becoming the next G.I. Jane or just want to get up the stairs without breaking a sweat.

When one is getting married they are pressured to get in shape and Active Break really helped me achieve my goals.
I feel that I’m a decently active person but I needed something to jumpstart losing weight and having a personal trainer was just the ticket.
I always thought having a personal trainer would be intimidating and unaffordable but Active Break really took into consideration what I was able to do and I ended up coming in every week for the last 3 months.
Cindy has really kicked my butt and I’ve lost over 15 lbs! I’m feeling so confident in wearing my wedding dress and have her to thank. She really adjusts workouts so that they have cardio, weights, and we even spar and do boxing. Variation seems to be the key to success when it comes to being healthy and losing weight.
Another important aspect in working with a personal trainer is someone that is personable and someone you’ll enjoy the company of. Cindy is very encouraging but definitely challenges me and I hate and love her for it.
She’s such a laid back person and has really worked around my busy work schedule and I’m so glad I signed up to train with her.

I’ve been working with Active Break for over a year and I still love it!

I’ve attended several workout boot camps near the Lake Merritt area that were hosted by Cindy from Active Break. Cindy is a very high energy trainer! Her boot camps are fun but effective. Cindy employs multiple workout styles and techniques including African and Latin dance, cardio, weight lifting, etc. If you train with Cindy personally then she will custom design a workout plan for you.
I am very impressed by the diverse demographics she’s able to attract to the boot camps, which adds to the workout experience! Also, I am really big on trainers with good energy and Cindy definitely brings a positive and light energy. If you’re unable to train with her personally I would definitely recommend attending Cindy’s boot camp or one of her 5K fundraisers!

Don’t let Cindy’s bad-​ass pictures drive you away: she’s certainly bad-​ass, and she’s also smart, competent, patient, approachable and a lot of fun. I’ve been working with Cindy twice a week since January 2014, and it’s been just great. Things I especially like about the experience:
1) Convenience. Cindy comes to my work gym on weekdays — very easy for me! When I have to reschedule, she’s also been very flexible for make-​up sessions on the weekend.
2) Goal orientation. Cindy takes my measurements once a month using this machine she lugs around. I’ve got data to track progress.
3) Results. When we started working together, I couldn’t do a proper squat and certainly couldn’t do a push up. My squats are fine, and I can do 2×10 push-​ups now. I can also see my triceps! I know I feel and look better, and people are commenting too.
4) Fun. Cindy is a lot of fun: she changes things up all the time and listens really well to what I like /​remembers it. I’ve had some back issues and similar things, and not only has she worked around them, she’s also helped me get through them faster.
5) Pragmatism. Cindy isn’t stuck on one particular system: we’ve done regular gym weights, TRX, balance exercises and now boxing! She even tried to get me out to run but that’s just not my thing. :)
6) Expertise. Cindy went to school for this stuff. You can see her Psychology degree in action, and she’s got a masters in exercise science. She actually knows the names of the muscles. She is great at stretching me out after a workout.
7) Modern approach. Everything is digital: progress tracking, payment, rescheduling by email.
Two other people at work are now also working with Cindy based on my recommendation, and loving it.