“Our emphasis is on slow-motion strength training,” says co-owner Brian Nielsen. “It’s not really a gym, it’s more like a semi-private fitness studio environment, where we can work one on-one with people,” adds other co-owner Diane Varga, standing with Nielsen and clients Dr. Susan Debin (front) and Laura Darling.
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Better Way Fitness:
A Unique Approach to Wellness.
Better Way Fitness is redefining the traditional gym experience. Co-owners Brian Nielsen and Diane Varga ventured into the fitness industry in April 2021. Their vision was clear: create a space where people who have never felt at home in a gym could find their path to wellness.
Better Way Fitness specializes in slow-motion strength training, a niche form of exercise that emphasizes controlled movements to build muscle mass and improve overall health. Sessions are all one-on-one and last 30 minutes.
“This method focuses on lifting and lowering weights slowly to fatigue muscles effectively within a short time frame,” says Nielsen.
It’s an approach that resonates with their primary clientele—individuals aged 40 and up who are often new to regular exercise. The studio is not your typical gym. It offers a semi-private environment where clients receive personalized attention without the intimidation of large crowds or rows of treadmills.
“You don't have an audience here,” Varga explains. “It’s about working one-on-one to achieve personal goals.”
Their clients come with diverse goals, from improving bone density to simply being able to carry luggage onto a plane. The studio’s unique approach has also attracted those preparing for surgeries, as they collaborate with doctors to provide prehabilitation exercises to condition muscles for optimal recovery.
Lydia Bouwmeester has been a client for the past year. “I’m 70 and my husband had passed away. My motivation was agility and strength to carry on doing the things he normally did like vacuuming and lifting boxes,” she says. “This has given me the independence I need, and I’m able to help my friends who do not have the same mobility. Coming out of grief and going to Better Way Fitness was one of the most important things I have done for myself. It has been wonderful.”
Nielsen’s and Varga’s backgrounds in aerospace engineering uniquely equip them to understand the mechanics of the human body. Combined with getting certified in personal training, they ensure that each workout is tailored to the individual’s needs, emphasizing safety and precision.
“We view the body as a system that can be tuned and adapted, applying principles of resistance and balance training to help clients reach their goals,” says Nielsen.
Beyond strength training, Better Way Fitness offers balance training, flexibility exercises, and corrective exercises to address postural issues. They also offer massage therapy and assisted stretching.
Better Way Fitness offers a trial experience—two free sessions to explore their methods without pressure.
“All you need is a goal,” Varga says. “We take care of the rest.”
“We want every client to live their best life,” adds Nielsen.
Better Way Fitness
438 East Katella Ave., Suite K, Orange, CA 92867 / 714-716-2177
