Interview by Kelly Postiglione. Photos provided by Alessandro Persampieri.
Meet Alessandro Persampieri, a personal trainer, former professional soccer player, and co-founder of BARC Run Club. After spending a lifetime dedicated to athletics and fitness, Alessandro now helps others build strength, confidence, and healthy habits that last. His approach focuses on consistency, realistic goals, and creating sustainable routines that fit into busy lives.
In addition to personal training, Alessandro is helping to grow a local community of runners and fitness enthusiasts through BARC, a welcoming club that brings people together through movement, camaraderie, and shared goals. We spoke with Alessandro about his journey into fitness, the rise of hybrid training and HYROX, and his advice for busy parents.
What inspired you to become a personal trainer? Was this something you always knew you wanted to do?
I have been an athlete all my life having played professional soccer abroad and in the States. While training for soccer I always prioritized my fitness and nutrition regimens and learned a lot about building strength and agility. This was something I started on my own and then became certified in. I enjoyed the camaraderie of being with/interacting with people daily on a team. I loved becoming the best version of myself and knew that this was something I wanted to help others feel.
What do you love most about the work you do?
I honestly love the ability to connect with individuals about their goals daily and helping people realize that they’re capable of more than they think. Watching someone go from feeling intimidated by the gym or recovering from an injury to moving with confidence and reaching goals is incredibly rewarding. I always wanted someone to support my goals as an athlete so to be that person for someone is what I love about my job.
Your approach focuses on consistency and long-term progress. Why is that mindset so important when it comes to fitness?
Goals don’t come from one class or session, it comes from consistent progression overtime. A lot of people look for quick results, but real change comes from small actions repeated over time. Understanding that obtaining a fitness goal is not going to happen overnight is huge. I want my clients to build habits that fit in their lifestyle, not follow an extreme plan they can’t maintain.
What are some of the most common mistakes people make when starting a fitness routine?
One of the biggest mistakes people make is not having a plan. They jump from workout to workout or try to follow routines that worked for them years ago even though they are in a completely different stage of life. Your schedule, goals, recovery and body change over time so your training should evolve too. Having a plan that fits where you are today makes it much easier to stay consistent and see results.
For busy parents trying to balance work, family, and health, what are some realistic ways to stay active?
This balancing act is probably one of the hardest to deal with. When working with individuals it’s often about finding what works best for them and their schedule. I focus on what is realistic for their schedule. That might mean shorter workouts or finding ways to stay active throughout the day. Consistency is always more important than perfection. If that is only 20 or 30 mins of walking at 5 or 6am, do it. If it’s a 12pm gym session/class on your lunch break, do it. If it’s 30 mins of any kind of movement late at night, do it. The point is schedules are not all the same. Levels of fitness are not all the same. You have to find what works for you and stick to it.
Fitness trends like HYROX and hybrid training events have become really popular lately. What do you think is driving that trend?
Strength training has had a major boom due to recent numerous studies explaining its benefits to all health ages. While most people are diving into the deep end with strength training, some don’t want to leave the ‘high’ that cardiovascular training gives you. In comes hybrid training and Hyrox. You get the benefits of building strength while also improving endurance and overall fitness. It’s a fun challenge and a great way to train with a clear goal in mind.
For someone interested in training for a race or fitness event this summer, where should they start?
The best place to start is building a base. For Hyrox or any fitness event, I usually tell people to start running and get comfortable with consistent mileage first. From there you can incorporate strength training and movements that match the event. The key is to not do everything all at once but building in steps so your body can adapt and stay injury free while you prepare.
Tell us about BARC! What inspired you to start a running club and where does the name come from?
BARC stands for Briana Alessandro Running Club. Spelled backwards it spells crab, hence our logo of the tiny crab. BARC is really about community through running and coming this summer, training. It brings people together at all different levels. My business partner, Briana and I wanted to continue to grow a Hybrid community of runners and lifters that enjoy the camaraderie of running in groups. Our hope is to create an environment that makes running more enjoyable and easier to stick with. BARC was inspired by bringing people together to make running feel more accessible, social and sustainable. From there we hope to transition to our own training facility.
What upcoming events does BARC have, and what can new members expect when they join?
The month of June is going to be very busy for BARC. We will be hosting weekly Tuesday runs at Playland Park, Wednesday evening track training sessions, partnered run sessions with SweatHouz in Harrison, and finally Saturday events that will feature hybrid training (some even partnered with Vuori in Greenwich, CT). What people can expect is a welcoming group environment where the focus is on showing up, moving together, and building habits that last. It’s not about pace or performance. It’s about connection, consistency, and making running something you can enjoy being a part of.
Are the runs geared toward experienced runners, or can beginners join too?
Beginners are absolutely welcomed. The runs are designed so people of all levels can participate. You don’t need to be an experienced runner at all. It’s more about showing up and moving at your own pace. We always make it inclusive and the goal is for everyone to feel comfortable whether it’s their first run or they’re training regularly.
What’s one piece of advice you would give someone who wants to get healthier but feels intimidated getting started?
Best advice I would give to someone looking to improve themselves is, find a goal that truly means something to you. If the goal is personal and connected to your life, you’re more likely to stay consistent. Motivation comes and goes, but having a goal that really matters to you keeps you going when it gets hard.
We love to support local! What are your favorite spots in Westchester?
Love this question.
- Park Place Bagels in Bronxville: Bacon, egg, & cheese, with hot sauce.
- Decicco’s Market in Scarsdale: Italian imported goods.
- LaLas Taqueria in Larchmont: Chicken Tortilla Soup.
- Roma’s Pizza in Tuckahoe: Large Plain Pie.
- Blue Stone Lane in Larchmont: Breakfast Burrito.
- One Rare in Scarsdale: Porter House.
Let us know how to book a personal training session with you and sign up for BARC!
For personal training you can shoot me a message on Instagram or through my website www.alessandropersampieri.com
As for BARC runs, all of our runs will be posted on our instagram @barc.run.club for now.
We’re incredibly grateful for our amazing community and the wonderful people and places that make it so special. Explore our Blog page for features that spotlight local businesses and more. Looking for something to do in Westchester? Check out our Local Guides and Calendar pages to discover what’s happening locally and follow along on Instagram for more!