By: Laura Shaver Photos by: Rachel Benavides
SelinabrHinajosa’s everyday goal is to show women how they can use fitness to helpbrtheir bodies, minds, and spirits. Hinajosa opened Lift by Selina, a personalbrtraining studio at her home in the Waverly Estates neighborhood, in the summerbrof 2016.
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She has been abrcertified fitness professional since 2000 with the International SportsbrSciences Association, and she is currently an Elite Fitness Professional, abrcertified exercise specialist, and a corrective exercise specialist.
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After years ofbrtraining at and managing various fitness facilities, Hinajosa felt called to startbrher own business in her hometown of Corpus Christi. “We were blessed with abrhome that had a detached storage area to use as a personal training studio,”brshe says. “Basically, we converted the ‘man shed’ into my training space with abrlittle TLC. We painted the walls, and put mats on the floors.”
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The mission ofbrHinajosa’s business is centered on helping those in need. She works withbrindividuals who have chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, Multiple Sclerosis, diabetes, and Lupus.brIn private or small group training sessions, she also assists those with musclebrimbalances.
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“So many of usbrsit over a computer all day, or looking down at our devices, and over time ourbrbodies present with hunched shoulders and a forward neck,” she says. And thosebrstretched muscles eventually develop scar tissue, which can lead tobrmuscular-skeletal problems.
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Hinajosa alsobrserves as a trainer for those whose physical therapy commitments have ended,brbut who wish to continue a physical fitness program. “I take pride in keepingbrup with and maintaining doctors’ orders,” she smiles.
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One woman whobrattends sessions regularly is battling obesity and does not feel comfortable inbra typical gym setting. Another is under a doc- tor’s care for heartbrpalpitations, so Hinajosa carefully plans her exercise regimen, and anotherbrclient lives with Lupus, so her routine is customized to her needs. “She hasbrprogressed beautifully,” says Hinajosa.
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While Hinajosabrgears her services toward helping those in need, she also fully welcomes womenbrlooking to get stronger and in shape. With Hinajosa’s guidance, women learnbrproper form and biomechanics and focus on healthy movement and progressing tobrfull body workouts.
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“I have foundbrthat women are hesitant to li weights and want to focus solely on cardiobrworkouts. They haven’t learned how to properly do a dead li or a bench press.brBut these are the exercises that change our bodies and our composition,” saysbrHinajosa.
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At Lift by Selina,brit’s not always about losing weight; it’s about getting stronger and preparingbrwomen’s bodies for the little, everyday challenges, such as bending over tobrpick up children, squatting to perform a task at a lower level, or reachingbrhigh above our heads to retrieve an item.
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What women willbralso find in Hinajosa’s studio is an abundance of love and kindness andbrencouragement. “I hope others see my love for God and my gratefulness for thebrstrength he has given me through my actions and words,” she said.
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Originally thebrname of the studio – LIFT by Selina – stood for Ladies in Faith Together. Aboutbrsix months ago, Hinajosa re-branded the small company, and now the word “Lift ”brcan take on personal meaning for each client. “It means we lift weights, but webralso li each other in encouragement, hope, faith, and empowerment.”
Contact
(361) 904-4282 || @LIFTbyselina || liftbyselina.com
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