MaxStrength Fitness doesn’t just produce remarkable results from two 20-minute weekly sessions—trainers also keep the safety of guests and their schedules as top priorities

By Patricia Nugent

As the Lead Advisor with JL Smith Wealth & Tax Planning, Jeff Warnkin has for decades planned, protected and ensured his clients’ futures. But in 2006, when he suffered what he thought was a heart attack at age 44, the fate of his own future was at stake.

“It turned out to be an arrythmia, and thank goodness was treatable without the need for surgery,” he says. “Needless to say, the trip to the ER and diagnosis was a wake-up call. I had been exercising sporadically at a gym, but it was frustrating since I didn’t really know what to do to produce results. It was time to seek the care of a professional. I saw an ad on television for MaxStrength Fitness and the science-based, trainer-led protocol of two 20-minute workouts each week appealed to me.”

Jeff Warnkin says founder Jeff Tomaszewski impressed him from the get-go with his extensive knowledge of exercise science.

“His commitment to his craft is absolutely infectious,” says Jeff. “He communicated the importance of maintaining lean muscle mass. We came up with goals for me.”

After his first workout, he says he immediately fell in love with the program.

Efficiency and Safety
“I go in the mornings and since I don’t have to shower after due to the cool studio temperatures. It’s highly efficient and a great time-saver,” he adds. “When I go to the YMCA for additional cardio to complement the strength training, it feels like I’m packing for vacation.”

He says he also appreciates the one-on-one MaxStrength sessions, with trainers leading workouts based on the safest protocol to avoid risk of injury.

At 61, Jeff shows no signs of stopping, enjoying daily yoga, golf and spending time with his wife and three grown children.

“Feeling great is its own reward,” he says. “I plan to stay fit and active the rest of my life.”

Spreading the Enthusiasm
“Everyone should have a daily dose of Jeff Tomaszewski’s motivating enthusiasm and motivation,” says Jeff Warnkin. “He has spread that to his team of trainers, who want to be a part of clients’ success. In my career, I work mostly with retirees. Over the years I have come to understand how their overall wellness affects the quality of life in their retirement years. I asked Jeff to come speak to a group of clients for a lunch program. They were fascinated with his presentation.”

Wellness Program Anniversary

The pandemic spurred many people to a better relationship with physical fitness, returning to the safe haven of the great outdoors. But for Jeff Warnkin, it had the opposite effect.

“I was under a lot of stress, worrying about protecting my family and my clients. There were so many unknowns, you never knew what or who to believe,” he recalls. “I guess food became my go to way to de-stress. For better or worse, it was always there waiting for me. I packed on 30 pounds.”

Last summer, he had reached out to a work associate to get a name for a nutrition and wellness coach around the time he received the email from MaxStrength announcing it was launching a Wellness Program.

“The timing was perfect,” he says. “Serendipity calling. I signed up right away.”

Jeff Tomaszewski says he founded the program, led by certified wellness coach Jennifer Puhalsky, to take his training protocol to the next level.

“We want to help people get to the root of negative behaviors that are holding their health and fitness back,” he says.

Through virtual or in-person weekly sessions, Jen addresses the key areas of a client’s life: nutrition, exercise, stress management, getting the best sleep, attaining financial security, and finding happiness by expressing daily gratitude. Her background in cognitive behavioral psychology helps her relate to clients and determine individualized strategies to reach their goals.

“I want to find out what their picture of wellness is before we create a customized plan for getting there,” she says. “Then we set realistic lifestyle goals and strategies for achieving them.”

Jeff Warnkin had never been one to track calories, food intake and activity, but he says it became a game-changer.

“Jennifer is completely committed to my success, always encouraging me and cheering me on,” he adds.

Since starting the program, Jeff has gone from 235 to 205 pounds, and says he’d like to “see what the 195-pound version of myself looks like…that would take me back to college days.”

MaxStrength Fitness is located at 4212 State Route 306 in Willoughby. Call 440-226-8080 and at 2211 Crocker Road in Westlake, 440-835-9090 or for more information or to view more testimonials, visit MaxStrengthFitness.com.