JENNA FARKAS
Get to know Jenna:
Education: Bachelors of Health Science at Bowling Green State University and Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Kent State Ashtabula
Certifications: ACSM CPT, AFPA Weight management and Nutrition and Fitness
Experience: I have worked in the health and wellness community as a physical therapy assistant for 7+ years. During my time as a therapist, I offered assistance in training friends and family to improve their health and strength. I created nutrition and workout plans and guidelines at home or in the gym. While working at the Nursing facility, I craved to teach strengthening at a higher level which was not always attainable in my setting.
Fitness Journey: I always loved the human body and the definition created by building muscles from a young age. Watching my father lift weights in the basement and his history of arm wrestling, I believe weightlifting was in my blood! Being raised in an Italian family, I was surrounded by pizza and pasta, basically a constant carb-loading diet. I grew up working in a family-owned pizza shop surrounded by homemade goodies. Deciding to change my diet was a huge step! I left Wadsworth, Ohio for Bowling Green State University, focusing on health science and therapy. I took a job in Columbus, Ohio because of a boy, my now husband. I decided to attempt a body-building competition in 2015 as part of a bucket list idea, and the thought terrified me! From then on, I continued the cycle of on and off prep, competing in both the NPC and WNBF. I won my WNBF Bikini pro card in 2020. At the beginning of 2021, I decided to leave my job as a physical therapy assistant with the support of my husband and join United Strength. I love school and love to learn, always taking new courses and certifications to add to my skill set in fitness and nutrition.
Quote to live by: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Neale Donald Walsh
Style of training: Bodybuilding, circuits, HIIT
Favorite Exercise: Deadlifts, anything shoulder and back! Cardio makes me cringe.
Fitness Advice: You’ll never know what you can do until you try. Just because the weight looks heavy doesn’t mean you can’t lift it. Form and proper body mechanics can enhance your workout. Lifting weights doesn’t have to be complicated. The easiest movements can cause the greatest gains; you don’t need to squat 200lbs to shape your glutes. Everyone’s body is different, and you’ll never know what yours is capable of unless you push yourself past your comfort zone. It’s okay to ask for help.
