Derek Burns Sr., founder of AfterBurns Fitness & Performance — 18 years of lab-driven training in Chantilly, VA
Practice Active SINCE 2008

— Our Story

Eighteen years. One standard.

From a one-person practice in Chantilly to a holistic optimization brand serving Northern Virginia and clients nationwide.

Train With AfterBurns Read The Story
Founded 2008 · Chantilly, VA
Founder Derek Burns Sr.
Veteran-Owned U.S. Navy
— STUDIO · CHANTILLY AfterBurns Fitness studio interior, Chantilly Virginia

How We Got Here

Built in Chantilly. Grown by method.

AfterBurns was founded by Derek Burns Sr. in 2008 — a Navy veteran returning from service in the Gulf War and Operation Deliberate Force. What started as a small private training practice grew steadily for eighteen years, one client at a time, on a single principle: every program begins with data.

Today, AfterBurns is a holistic optimization brand. Flagship studio in Chantilly. Online clients across the country. Board-certified partner physicians. Same standard, scaled.

Everybody knows what they want. Most people don't know what they need.

— Derek Burns Sr., Founder

— FOUNDER · 18 YEARS Derek Burns Sr., founder of AfterBurns Fitness & Performance, in studio

Founder

Derek Burns Sr.

Master Trainer · Navy Veteran · Eighteen-Year Practitioner

Derek served in the U.S. Navy during the Gulf War and Operation Deliberate Force. After his service, he channeled his discipline into competitive bodybuilding — five years on the stage — before transitioning into full-time coaching.

He founded AfterBurns in 2008 to apply the same standards he held in the military: structure, accountability, and real measurement. Eighteen years later, the standard hasn't changed.

Meet the Full Team

Co-Owner / Operations

Rhianna Burns.

Business Operations & Expansion

Rhianna is a registered nurse with 19 years of experience specializing in oncology who oversees the operations and strategic growth of AfterBurns. Alongside her husband — a seasoned personal trainer — together they've created a practice where medicine and performance finally work together, giving clients the precision of clinical care and the accountability of performance coaching — under one roof, with one unified approach.

 OPS // CO-OWNER OVERSIGHT / EXPANSION
Clinical Background RN · 19 YRS
Specialty ONCOLOGY
Medical Wellness LIVE
Boutique Standard PRESERVED

Clinical · Operational Co-founded with Derek

Our Approach

Solid. Soulful. Substance. Strength.

Four words. Each one earned over eighteen years.

— 04 Pillars

— 01

Solid

Built on data — labs, hormones, body composition. The foundation isn't opinion.

— 02

Soulful

Body, mind, and spirit. We coach the whole person, not just the workout.

— 03

Substance

Real protocols. Real outcomes. Real measurement. No gimmicks, no quick fixes.

— 04

Strength

Physical, mental, and structural. The kind that carries into the rest of your life.

As Seen In

Eighteen years. One reputation.

Featured nationally and locally. Below: the segment + the broader coverage.

04 Outlets · Active
TV · FOX 5 DC FOX 5 DC segment featuring AfterBurns Fitness — Derek Burns Sr. on screen View FOX 5 Coverage ↗

  • Huffington Post

    "Lab-Driven Training: Why The Old Cardio Rule Was Wrong"

    National

  • Northern Virginia Magazine

    "Inside Chantilly's Most Private Training Studio"

    Regional

  • Thrive Magazine

    "How One Veteran Built A Lab-Required Standard"

    National

  • Embassy Speaking Circuit

    "Health & Wellness In The Workplace"

    Speaking

Giving Back

Where we show up.

Beyond the studio, AfterBurns speaks at embassies on health and wellness in the workplace. We've also been a regular voice at Northern Virginia health fairs and community organizations — including Jack and Jill of Loudoun County and Delta Sigma Theta Fairfax Chapter.

Our work isn't only with paying clients. It's with the community we live in.

I'm down over 50 pounds, feeling stronger than ever, and my overall well-being is night-and-day compared to when I started.

Derek is the kind of trainer who listens, really listens, and then somehow knows exactly when to push you a little harder on the days you're struggling. He's taught me proper form, helped me avoid new injuries, and has been absolutely instrumental in my health and weight-loss journey. He keeps telling me, "We're not done yet," and I know he's right.

— Susan Danker · 2-Year Client · ★★★★★ Google Review

Get Started

Train with

AfterBurns.

Free 30-minute consultation. No commitment. Just a plan.

Book Free Consultation OR CALL — (703) 225-8999
18Years of practice
500+Bodies optimized
04Major media features
5.0Google rating