Brothers spread 'blessing' of good health through personal training business

Tyler, Travis and David Blessing have more in common than being brothers. They're all certified personal trainers, and they own a business together, TNT Fitness.

"We always liked exercise and fitness, and we wanted to choose a career that would help people," says David, the oldest, who's been doing personal training for about four years.

The brothers, originally from Perryville, Mo., all studied at Southeast Missouri State University. After helping friends and family members reach their fitness and nutrition goals, the Blessings decided to establish their own personal training business in Cape Girardeau.

"We want to bring the knowledge to the Cape Girardeau area about health and fitness -- things that you are supposed to do and things you're not supposed to do, and living in a healthy and efficient way," says Tyler.

What makes TNT Fitness different is that the brothers travel to clients' homes and develop personalized workout routines they can do right in their living rooms. Privacy and convenience are big benefits of working with a trainer at home, says Travis, as is accountability: When a trainer shows up at your front door, you can't exactly turn him away because you don't feel like exercising that day.

The Blessings set up routines based on a client's age, fitness level and other health factors. Minimal equipment is needed -- they may bring some light equipment, like resistance bands and light weights, but many exercises can be done using the client's own body weight and even the furniture in their home.

"We have to be as creative as possible," says Tyler.

Adds Travis, "We have to think quick on our feet because we're in a new environment ... we have to adapt."

The brothers also create individualized nutrition plans for clients and teach them what else they can do on their own to lead a healthy lifestyle. Routines can be adjusted as needed to help clients push past their weight loss plateaus and avoid boredom with the exercises, and they always work in small steps.

This month, the Blessings will open a studio inside the City Centre in Cape Girardeau so clients can come to the studio or still elect to have a trainer come to them.

The brothers' best advice to busy employees is to set aside just 30 minutes a day for exercise, including both cardio and resistance exercises.

"You just have to find the time, and for many people that's the problem -- just set aside 30 minutes," says Travis.

Tyler adds that "you have to change your priorities," or unhealthy living will catch up with you later in life. So, he says, you can make fitness a priority now, or later, when it will be more difficult.

"You might as well do it now. Just set aside 30 minutes," says Tyler.