Mr. Raynor, a former employee of BTC for 18 years, has always been involved in physical fitness from a young age. Along with his brother, Ian, the pair were competitive swimmers who both represented Bermuda in international competitions. Ian eventually went on to the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Mr. Raynor’s sporting passion, however, extended beyond swimming to also include martial arts, track and field and triathlons. 

Throughout his sporting career he recalls his coaches emphasising power, endurance, strength and focus, however, it wasn’t until he took a Pilates 101 course with expert instructor Sophia Cannonier that the “light bulb switched on” which illuminated the benefit of strengthening the core muscles, the band of muscles that wrap the mid section of the body like a corset. These muscles are responsible for much of the functional movement of the body, including, but not limited to, activities like throwing, swinging a racket or bat, bending over and picking up objects. 

"Sophia’s program really gave me a greater awareness of my body as we considered correct biomechanics, posture and the importance of properly engaging the core,” said Mr. Raynor, who is working to complete the course to become a certified Pilates instructor. “Although I felt strong from training for the other sports throughout my life, when I applied what I learned from the principles regarding the core, it was a far different feeling of fitness. Everything in my body felt tied in or connected. I felt more functional and nimble. ” Building upon what he learned so far from his course work, Mr. Raynor found the TRX Suspension system was an ideal blend of core , callisthenic , aerobic  and plyometric work that wasn’t available at the time in Bermuda.

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