About Tiger's World

Our mission is to promote great health and physical fitness by providing members with services to help them achieve their goals. We offer cardio and boxing classes to help maintain one's physical health. Tiger's World holds weight loss challenges and boot camps if you want to take it further. If you need dieting tips and programs, the Tiger's World training team is full of nutritionists who can help build the training & dieting plans to help you achieve your health and fitness goals.

Our Story

After a horrendous automobile accident halted his professional fighting career and left him in a coma, Dieuseul “Tiger” Berto vowed to fight back. That led to Tiger Berto establishing Tiger's World of Martial Arts, one of the first MMA gyms in Florida, in 1999, which became Tiger's World Fitness Center.

What began at a small and humble building across from the National Guard Armory right by Brigham Academy and by Denison Stadium, Tiger's World gradually became a force of professional fighting and physical fitness.

With the help of his family, Berto further grew Tiger's World into a powerhouse of MMA and physical fitness. Many of Berto's MMA students established themselves in the world of professional MMA.

Tiger's World fitness program grew into weight loss boot camps and 12-week body transformation challenges with resounding success. It is the original 12-week weight loss and body transformation challenge in Polk County.

After the passing of Tiger Berto, Tiger's World Fitness Center was passed onto Edson “Little Tiger” Berto who continues keeping the tradition alive and further into the 21st century. Some of the challenge participants became trainers for Tiger's World.

If you want to lose weight, build muscle, look good, and feel good, look no further than Tiger's World.

Even though Tiger Berto passed away in December 2019, the legacy he has built lives on through Edson and his dedicated team of trainers.

Meet Team Tiger

Dedication. Wisdom. Knowledge. Insight.

Our team of trainers carry decades of experience and results. Whether you want to feel and look good or achieve higher feats of physical fitness, our team of trainers will be there for you every step of the way.

Owner & Master Trainer

Edson Berto

Edson continues the legacy created by Master Dieuseul "Tiger" Berto. Since his late teens, Edson was closely involved with the growth and expansion of Tiger's World.

While Edson was one of the main cardio class trainers, he made a name for himself as a professional MMA fighter, fighting in Elite XC, Strikeforce, and Bellator. He was recently admitted into Florida's MMA Hall of Fame.

Being the well-rounded trainer that he is, Edson carries the torch and continues advancing Tiger's World well into the 21st century.

Trainer & Bodybuilding Guide

Van Adair

Van started with Tiger's World in 2006 through a mutual friend who connected him with Master Berto. Originally a participant in the cardiovascular classes, Tiger's World branched out to Lakeland and Van started teaching there. Later in 2006, Van was brought to Winter Haven to help with the weight loss challenge.

To further improve his strength and overall health, Van branched into bodybuilding and went on to do it at the competition level. He has competed in 23 competitions across Florida and will compete in the 70+ men's division this September.

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Trainer

Renetta Burke

Renetta has been a long-time member of the Tiger's World training team. She began participating in the weight loss challenge and now helps others reach their fitness and weight loss goals.

Her training knowledge, wisdom, and insight are invaluable.

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Trainer

Janina Freeland

Janina's fitness journey has been lifelong, focusing on 5K and half marathons, which have been an active part of her life. Before she joined the Tiger's World family, Janina taught body pump classes at Gold's Gym.

Her main fitness focuses are speed and agility.

Helping others is Janina's passion, whether inside or outside the gym.

Janina holds a 1st Dan in TKD.

If you want to increase your speed and agility or prepare for marathon races, ask Janina for tips and advice.

Trainer

Exana Louis

Exana started as a participant in the cardio classes and today teaches those same classes. She carries several decades of training experience and insight.

Our Management Team

Meet the management team that helps Tiger's World keep going while Coach Edson and his amazing training staff help you fulfill your fitness goals.

Lucretia Berto

Manager

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Chris Fullerton

Manager

Chris has been part of Tiger's World for at least 20 years. She originally participated in the classes and has been around so long that Master Berto assumed she was an employee. Today, she plays an instrumental role in managing Tiger's World.

She is also responsible for most photos you see on the Tiger's World media sphere.