New Canaan, CT -- An exciting fitness model has come to town thanks to Countdown Fitness and owner Anel Dzafic. Operating out of Personal Training Professionals (PTP) at 28 Vitti Street, Countdown’s super slow, high intensity 30-minute workout offers clients a truly unique and effective way to get fit.
“We focus on toning and building muscles in a way that most people have never experienced before,” says Dzafic, a certified Personal Trainer for over 7 years. “In fact our clients are shocked at the results they get from our once a week, 30 minute regimen.”
Thirty minutes once a week may sound too good to be true but a super slow approach to weight lifting has a long and scientifically proven track record. First promoted by professional weightlifters on Nautilus machines in the 1940s, the super slow lift has since been greatly refined. Anel first learned of it at a Manhattan gym and has put his own twist on it by adding high intensity cardio intervals, more boy weight exercises and a lot more fun!
“We lift weights slowly,” he says. “It sounds weird but it’s really effective because slow movements reduce momentum and force your muscles to do more work. Going slowly also reduces the forces that commonly cause injury to your joints, muscles, and connective tissue which makes it safe for everyone.”
Anel and Countdown Fitness personal trainer Madison Hughes typically take each client through a custom workout that focuses on 20-second repetitions. There’s a slow count to ten as the clients lifts, a fluid transition and another slow count to ten on the way down. Without pausing the client will repeat that rep several times for an intense burn. At the very end, when the client feels like they have nothing left, the trainer pushes them to hold the weight for another 10 seconds, which is where the real change occurs. It’s essential to have trainer supervision to ensure proper technique, prevent injury and to push clients past their breaking point.
“You need a trainer with this method because it’s very hard to maintain that slow movement AND up your intensity via weight or time each week on your own,” says Hughes. “Your trainer will keep you on track and make sure your form is right.”
“We are very hands on to get the necessary stimulus activated in order to get the body to change safely,” agrees Anel. “And it’s important because while a certain percentage of people come to get stronger and leaner, 95% have had some kind of injury due to exercise with the resulting bad postures, headaches and other symptoms.”
“I’ve been lifting weights for years but never had such an effective workout,” says one 42-year-old client. “I’m 60 years old with osteoporosis, fractures and back pain…after 20-30 minutes once a week I am stronger, more alert and my back is gone,” says another. “At first I was skeptical; would once a week really make a difference but after only a few sessions my body looked and felt so much tighter,” says a 30-year-old client. “I’ve trained through 3 pregnancies and a busy schedule and I've remained fit strong and slender,” says a 37-year-old mom.
Anel and Madison currently work six days a week out of the Greenwich location while Hughes is also now available one day a week at the new New Canaan location.
“If you’re stuck in your current workout routine, or injured from exercise or just want to get stronger and leaner, come in and try one free session,” says Anel. “Our slow burn method will tone and build lean muscle, kick start a crazy active metabolism and get you results in a safe way. Translation? A fitter, stronger you!”
ABOUT Anel Dzafic, Founder of COUNTDOWN FITNESS
Anel Dzafic is an experienced senior personal trainer and the founder of Countdown Fitness in Greenwich, CT. In addition to fitness, he provides guidance on nutrition and is a certified Holistic Health Coach by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. He specializes in weight loss, lower back pain, osteoporosis prevention and treatment, pre – and post-natal workouts, and is a certified golf-conditioning specialist. Anel has trained over 400 clients ranging from ages 10 to 90 and everywhere in between, including professional athletes from the NBA and NFL. He’s been featured on NBC’s The TODAY Show
ABOUT Madison Hughes, Personal Trainer at COUNTDOWN FITNESS
Madison Hughes is a certified Personal Trainer and recent graduate of Central Connecticut State University, with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. While studying at Central, Madison played lacrosse, a Division I program and was awarded three all-conference awards. Now a full-time trainer with Countdown Fitness, Madison is excited to help clients reach their fitness goals.