The Trainers
Mariela
Mariela was born in Peru and spent most of her life there. After a long career in aviation she moved to the United States, and began to focus full-time on her true passion in Physical Fitness and coaching, helping others achieve their wellness goals.
Her education started in PTEC Fitness (Personal Training Education Center) where she graduated as a Certified Personal Trainer. NCCA Accredited.
She also specializes in Birth and Beyond, working with Pre and Post Natal women on a continued fitness level and preparation into child birth, as well as postpartum recovery.
Her dynamic and empathic approach with people creates a fun and motivating fitness environment, challenging people to progress and exceed their perceived limits.
She emphasizes the foundation of big muscles groups, mixed with proper form and full body movement. Her love and passion for fitness is her driving force and she is always open to learning and growing as a trainer and a human being, with compassion, respect and appreciation.
Mariela was born in Peru and spent most of her life there. After a long career in aviation she moved to the United States, and began to focus full-time on her true passion in Physical Fitness and coaching, helping others achieve their wellness goals.
Her education started in PTEC Fitness (Personal Training Education Center) where she graduated as a Certified Personal Trainer. NCCA Accredited.
She also specializes in Birth and Beyond, working with Pre and Post Natal women on a continued fitness level and preparation into child birth, as well as postpartum recovery.
Her dynamic and empathic approach with people creates a fun and motivating fitness environment, challenging people to progress and exceed their perceived limits.
She emphasizes the foundation of big muscles groups, mixed with proper form and full body movement. Her love and passion for fitness is her driving force and she is always open to learning and growing as a trainer and a human being, with compassion, respect and appreciation.
Michael
Michael has taught indoor cycling and whole body/bodyweight classes for over a decade, yet always strives for fresh and exciting ways to motivate his class. He has an ACE personal training certification and his favorite piece of workout equipment is the jump rope. Michael enjoys playing squash, swimming and hiking in the East Bay hills; his hobby is "making everyone's legs burn". Michael loves to experience the magic that happens when a group of people work hard and feel the energy together.
Michael has taught indoor cycling and whole body/bodyweight classes for over a decade, yet always strives for fresh and exciting ways to motivate his class. He has an ACE personal training certification and his favorite piece of workout equipment is the jump rope. Michael enjoys playing squash, swimming and hiking in the East Bay hills; his hobby is "making everyone's legs burn". Michael loves to experience the magic that happens when a group of people work hard and feel the energy together.
Dario Mathias
From Sao Paolo, Brazil, he has always held a passion for sports. He received his Bachelor Degree in Exercise Science in 2005. Since then, he has completed two fellowships in Physical Exercise in Aging and Disease and now specializes in giving training for rehabilitation and prevention of heart disease to specialized groups (golden agers, hypertensive, obese, diabetic and revascularized patients). He has also completed a specialization course in Pilates. Dario has worked for the last 10 years in a fitness club in Brazil and started his career at the pioneer gym in providing exercise training for rehabilitation and prevention of heart disease. Dario is enthusiastic, friendly and keeps all his clients always motivated!
From Sao Paolo, Brazil, he has always held a passion for sports. He received his Bachelor Degree in Exercise Science in 2005. Since then, he has completed two fellowships in Physical Exercise in Aging and Disease and now specializes in giving training for rehabilitation and prevention of heart disease to specialized groups (golden agers, hypertensive, obese, diabetic and revascularized patients). He has also completed a specialization course in Pilates. Dario has worked for the last 10 years in a fitness club in Brazil and started his career at the pioneer gym in providing exercise training for rehabilitation and prevention of heart disease. Dario is enthusiastic, friendly and keeps all his clients always motivated!
Xabier Zapata, Owner
I grew up in Spain, in the Basque Country and played competitive soccer there. I have always been very athletic and active. Nowadays, I still play soccer but my focus is to help others become more active and incorporate fitness into their lives. I have been a personal trainer since first arriving in the USA in 2000, and my intention has always been the same: to help improve people’s lives and make them feel good about themselves. Seeing my clients progress and reach their goals is incredibly fulfilling for me. Each client who comes to my studio is a completely unique person with their own fitness history and experience and reasons for wanting to exercise. Some are recovering from injuries, others are elite athletes in training, some have health issues that exercise will help, others want to lose weight, some are preparing for a special day or event. Whatever the reason, I enjoy helping.
Recently, I had my own experience with injury and recovery. Because of that I feel I can better understand my clients who are adjusting their lives as their bodies change. For me, my surgery changed my own fitness goals – I have 2 young boys and at this stage in my life, I exercise to stay healthy and happy and young and fun for my family.
I am happy to help you find your own goals and then reach them. It is very gratifying work. My workouts have a special flavor and are challenging, safe, and fun….even funny! Instead of being just your trainer, I hope you will find that you also have a friend supporting you.
Besides training people one on one, I also lead very challenging, dynamic classes that provide a whole body workout. Each session and class incorporates myofascial release and flexibility. My studio has a lot of flavor and attracts happy and enthusiastic people... Come and check it out! Whether you take classes or want training or both, I invite you to come and see why so many people say that Happy Hour Fitness makes life feel good.
• Certified in Bosu, Physio Ball, Body Conditioning (Plyometrics)
• Special Focus in the pelvic hip complex of the core as well as balance and stabilization.
• Certifications: National Academy of Sports Medicine, Muscle Activation Techniques, Nutrition and Fitness, Group Fitness Instruction
