2009 Reviews

I have finally admitted to myself that I hate going to the gym and if left to my own devices, won't go. And I am not the type to workout at home. Walking isn't getting me back into shape. So, I am now looking for a great personal trainer. I've done personal training in the past and it was fine (although a little boring) but I am looking for something different. I want a trainer who programs interesting and challenging workouts that will help me get back into shape. I don't want to spend an hour with a trainer and then still have to do cardio (ugh, boring!) and I don't want to pay a trainer to watch me on the Stairmaster. And I am definitely not interested in a trainer who chats more than trains. Do you have a great trainer who keeps you motivated, pushes you and is helping you change your body? East Bay only, please. Wanting more

The workouts are hard - I won't kid you. I've never worked so hard in my life. But they are always different so it keeps me on my toes. There are no weight machines so I am constantly doing body weight exercises like squats and push ups (which I couldn't do when I started but can now) or lifting dumbbells and barbells, which use all of your other muscles to keep stable.

Really what makes it special though are the trainers. Juliet, Kelly and Dmitri all have their own style and way of motivating you. I always get the feeling that they push me like they do not because it's their job but because they really want to see me succeed. And you don't have to worry about chatting because while they are very friendly, if you can chat, you're not working hard enough.

I highly recommend you contact them. You can do what I did, and try all 3 before you settle on one trainer. Or you can let them decide - they have an uncanny way of perfectly matching personalities. http://www.phoenixfitnessgym.com/home.html Former couch potato

2007-2008 Reviews

Can anyone recommend personal trainer that will come to my home to train myself and my husband? We are feeling gross, but kids, intense jobs, and long commute times make it hard to find time for the gym. want to look better

If they no longer go to people's houses, then I recommend http://phoenixfitnessgym.com/ The trainers here all used to be trainers at the icechamber and are also excellent. They may have more flexibility for personal training.

Personal training changed my life and attitude toward physical fitness. I highly recommend it. Have fun and get used to feeling sore! Sore but happy

I am a busy parent who would like to find a personal trainer or some small classes in the Oakland area so I can get back into shape. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm looking for a personal trainer to come to my house and help me get back in shape post pregnancy. We have a treadmill, weights, etc., and so I just want some help with a plan and getting started. Ideally, I'd love a student in training or someone new to personal training to keep the cost down, but they don't need to be dirt cheap. Someone good and affordable is what I'm after. Wanting to Lose the Baby Weight

I'm a 43 y.o. woman, overweight and out of shape. I need a personal trainer! Know anyone who would be good for someone like me? Ideal person would be in Oakland, but willing to travel for right person. I'd love someone who pays attention to core strength and good alignment, who knows about bad knees, and can help me figure out where to fit exercise into my jammed schedule. Real nutrition knowledge a plus. Also, how much should I expect to spend? Thanks! Last Chance Lucy

It's so empowering, strengthening, just amazing and great, great results. By the way you are probably looking at $50 - $75/per hour to work with a trainer. I train twice a week for 1 hour, and work out on my own 2 - 3 days, doing cardio workouts for 1/2 an hour. heather

Hi there, I need some help and motivation to get started on a road toward better health and fitness. I'm currently taking 8 prescription drugs for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, depression, insomnia, yadda yadda. I feel like a walking medicine cabinet and a time bomb. I want to see my kids grow up. I have a long history of starvation diets and obsessed exercising, including anorexia and bulimia, so calorie counting and ''boot camp'' style personal trainers are a slippery slope for me. While I've stopped starving and throwing up (through 12 step recovery in OA), I now find myself obese and unhealthy. I've tried OA for my compulsive eating issues as well, but the ''tough love'' form of 12 step I encountered there sent me into a bulimia relapse. I'm seeing a therapist to work on my emotional health, but I'm in search of a personal trainer or wellness coach to help me build physical health without launching me into an obsessive exercise or diet program. Sorry for the long post, but I'd appreciate any recommendations! Anonymous

Over 50, couch potatoe, it's time for a change. Does anyone know of a female personal trainor in the Richmond area? done with Ohpra

Hi. I'm looking for a trainer who can help me in/near my home to help me get in shape FAST. I'm fairly athletic, but have lost a lot of ground --haven't done much except hike over the last year. I signed up to do a cross country ski marathon in March, and I need some help to get myself ready. Also, my knee has begun to really bother me, so I'm looking for someone who will design/coach me through a program and help with rehabilitating my knee. And who won't let me get away with any more loafing (while maintaining a sense of humor about it). Christine

After many years of living a sedentary lifestyle my father has finally started working out with a great personal trainer in Walnut Creek. He is now moving to El Sobrante and would like to find a personal trainer in that area. My father has had a stroke in the past, a heart attack, diabetes etc etc etc. I am AMAZED at the gains he has made in just a few weeks of working out. He is motivated too, really improving in his health and loving his work outs. Can anyone please recommend a great personal trainer in the El Sobrante area that has experience with people like my dad? He is 69 too. Hopeful daughter

I am very over weight and need to loose around 100lbs. I have a friend that is in same situation. Together we would like to hire a personal trainer to guide us regarding exercise and nutrition. We both are members of 24 hr fitness but would be willing to train elsewhere if necessary. We are not sure how to find someone outside of 24 hour fitness. Any names, advice or suggestions would be appreciated. anon

She has a vast knowledge which includes a variety of exercise methods, nutrition and massage. She uses this to tailor her training to the individual needs of each of her clients. Over the years, I have seen her work with people, like yourself, who want to lose substantial amounts of weight, people in their 80's and 90's who need help with balance, people with back problems, and people who just need to get movement back into their lives.

Just as important, Nancy is a genuinely nice person! She is not judgmental, but uses humor and (when needed) some firm prodding to keep you on track. Her emphasis is on wellness and health, not on sculpting 6 pack abs (though that does come with time :) She has made a HUGE difference in my life. It has truly transformed me physically and emotionally.

I know I sound like an ad and no, I'm not related to her. I am just thrilled with what she has done for me, my husband and daughter (who also now work out with her) and for my friends who also use her.

If you want more information or to have me gush more about Nancy, you can email me directly. If you want to reach Nancy, you can call her at (415) 722-3000 (not to worry - she is in the East Bay) or you can look at her website: http://www.bodywisdomstudio.net/

And on that note, I think I'll go down to the gym! Seriously, though, best of luck with whatever you decide. I've been there myself (lost over 70 pounds and HAVE KEPT IT OFF). It's hard work, but worth it. ida

Check out their web site: www.icechamber.com. It looks hardcore...and is, but if you run through the blog, you'll see that it's an amazing community of supportive folks--many of whom have worked hard to shed many pounds and get into the best conditions of their lives. Good luck! Love the Ice Chamber

I would like to offer an alternative approach to the struggle with weight and food issues. Address the weight issue and exercise can once again become part of a balanced life. Consider going to a meeting of FOOD ADDICTS IN RECOVERY ANONYMOUS or FA for short. FA is based on the 12-steps of AA and recovery from the physical addiction to flour, sugar and food in quantities is only the most immediately apparent result of working its program. The mental and emotional well-being that comes with it is truly phenomenal and you will get to hear the personal journeys of people who have been at their normal weight for years! FA is a wonderful free fellowship with many strong large meetings in the SF Bay Area. You can find the local meetings from the website.

Since early May 2007, I have released about 70 pounds and my blood pressure, severe chronic joint pain due to inflammation in the connective tissue from eating inappropriately as much as from the actual extra weight, and other very unpleasant results of how I was eating are all normalizing. I am doing yoga regularly now because it feels good to do it and I am enjoying life once again. Especially at the holidays, it is a great way to rediscover taking care of yourself. See: http://www.foodaddicts.org/ FA World Service Office New Phone: (781) 932-6300 anonymous

I am looking for recommendations for a personal trainer at the Albany YMCA. I have two boys under three I need to keep up with while pushing forty, and wouldn't mind if my body started looking more like it's old self again (or better) too! -Motivated but a little lumpy mamma

I'm looking for a personal trainer who can connect and motivate my middle school age daughter to work and strengthen her core muscles. She had major surgery when she was younger and her abdominal muscles were cut in the process. She is interested in working on her core muscles and has asked for someone to help her with this. Thank you. Core concerned mom

2005-2006 Reviews

Has anyone worked with Irene Diamond, a ''personal weight management and exercise coach'' in San Francisco? Or does anyone have a recommendation for someone similar in the East Bay? I need highly structured, one-on-one attention; weight watchers is too big for me. thanks for your help! Overweight and desperate

I'm a woman, I'm in my mid-thirties, I belong to the Berkeley Y, and I'd like to find a great personal trainer starting in July. By great, I mean someone who will push me hard. I've exercised my whole life, but it's easy for me to fall into a pretty easy routine so I want someone who will motivate me to get out of my comfort zone. I think the Y only allows personal trainers associated with the Y to train people at the Y, and that concerns me a bit, because most of the trainers I've observed seem to be working with older (55+) people and acting as physical therapists (focusing on rehabilitation).

The Ice Chamber has about three different programs and one will be right for you. There is the ''personal coaching,'' which is a one-on-one session and will kick your provervial flabby butt. There are also two kinds of group classes. The morning ''BOOT CAMP'' is the most intensive workout you can get, and believe me, by day 3 you are cursing Steve (your trainer) and yourself for having gotten this far out of shape. The evening ''FITNESS CLASS'' is also intense and is for long-termers (this option you probably do not want since you are already a member of the Y). Remember gym class? This is like that but harder and without the creepy coach.

My story: At 43 and a former competitive athlete (high school and college), even though I was skiing and jogging and swimming, I was out of shape and had not lost my baby weight ( my kid was 2 years old). I thought I knew what to expect: I'd worked out with a personal trainer before so I was ready for the challenge (when I was competing, I worked hard, too, or so I thought).

Enter the ICE CHAMBER. After the first day, all I could do was kiss my son and go to bed. The second day, I managed to kiss my husband and son... and then go to bed. The third day, several motrins later, as I stumbled in for my workout, Steve said, ''This is what it's like to hit the wall. You have to hit the wall to know where your threshold is.'' That was in April (I can't believe it's only April).

Since those fateful first three days. my BMI and body fat count are lowering, I'm losing weight and almost back to a 4 petite (I'm in a 4 now), and I am probably in better shape than I was in my 20s . . . or at least getting there. I am still pretty much contsantly sore, because Steve and Maya rotate the exercises and push you costantly. My abs are killing me, but I see the indentations of muscles showing through. I still have to ice my hams now and again, but they are well defined and ST-rong. I don't have waddly chicken arms, either, so I am ready for tank top season.

My food intake has changed, too. I learned that because I don't produce the kind of growth hormone at 40 that I did at 20 (duh), I simply cannot eat crap food (like Goldfish off my kid's plate, and potatoes, and burritos laden with cheese), and expect recover in time for my next workout. Naturally, I'm drinking more water and green tea, eating more energy foods (protein and leafy greens). More importantly, I'm eating less ''lazy'' foods: risotto, pasta, sandwiches, and the like (you know, kid food). And when I do choose to have a piece of cake or a glass of wine, I make sure it's worth eating. I figure I'm old enough not to drink bad wine or sugary cake just to be polite. Besides, at 43, I can always pat my stomach and say ''I'm on a diet.''

If I sound a bit evangelical, I confess that I am a convert. I had planned to only do the bootcamp for 1 month (blitz), but now I cannot see ever giving it up. My husband, too. After seeing my results, he joined the evening class and is probably going to cancel his Y membership. He was a former competitive rower who got a little chunky, and after only one month, has seen incredible results. Neither of us realized how much time we were wasting going through the motions at the gym.

As we've gotten older, we realize that this stuff about walking 45 minutes a day as a measure of good health just isn't cutting it. We're not trying to be 25 anymore (who would want to do that?), but we want to be able to telemark a run without stopping, and go bowling without throwing out our backs. Well, and it doesn't hurt to feel good about the way you look in a littel black dress.

check them out http://www.icechamber.com Tsan

Hello! I'm the stay-at-home mom of a 1 year old, and wanting to get back into pre-baby shape. Can anyone recommend a good at- home personal trainer that will come to my home in Rockridge? arozum

I am looking for a personal trainer who could come to my home so I could exercise during my baby's nap times a few times a week. The emphasis would be on core strength since my pregnancy certainly changed that. I've looked through the old postings but they are rather dated and I'd love some more recent recommendations. Thank you! rachel

I am a 38 yo woman. I want to find someone to help me improve my running, maybe even train for a race. Ideally it would be someone who could run with me 2 mornings a week, on the early side (maybe 6:30 or 7am). For the past 15 years I have been pretty fit (exercising regularly in the gym, lifting), but in the past year have fallen off the wagon (1.5 year old son, C- section, busy work schedule, generally overwhelmed). I need to regain my aerobic fitness -- and I want to break my dependency on the gym (after all, you can run almost anywhere). I have run off and on in my past, but never get that ''high'' that people talk about -- I am hoping to get in the groove enough with running that it gives me meaningful release from stress, and that I can make it a regular form of exercise. Too busy to drive to the gym... :)

This may be somewhat of an unusual request but I'm wondering if anyone knows of a swim coach/personal trainer with expertise in swimming that I might be able to hire to put together a swim workout plan for my husband. Thanks! Patrice

I'm wondering if anyone has any recent advice about someone who would meet with me a couple of times to help me organize a fitness routine. I recently lost a lot of weight, so now it's time to take it to the next step. I don't want to join a gym but would rather get some advice about organizing a fitness plan that I can implement on my own. I just need the kick-start. Thanks for any input you have! J.

2003-2004 Reviews

Hi, I am looking for a personal trainer in Lamorinda. Would prefer a female, very experienced and hopefully someone who can coach me on eating habits as well. I've been very idle for past 2-4 years, and tired of aching everytime I take a short walk. Need someone who is energetic, knowlegable and motivating! thanks so much, Brenda

Call Jennifer Hubbard at 415-543-1110. You will probably have to leave a voice mail message. She works in the City but lives in the East Bay. Jenn loves working with women over 40 and never overwhelms you with a workout that is too difficult. She is a pilates instructor and has completed many Ironmans. Tell her Sabrina gave you her name. Sabrina

I'm looking for a personal trainer who can help me get the amazing abdominal muscles I've always wanted. I'm 40 and I have some post-pregnancy fat around my stomach, and I haven't been able to make the time to do much exercise (I'm a single mom). >From what I've read, really ripped abs are mostly about losing fat and not so much about intense exercise--so maybe what I need is a diet consultant? I've always been thin and I don't really even know how to lose fat. I want a really really specific program and an idea of whether I can even have amazing abs or if i should forget about it, and if I can, how long it might take. I think this is my last chance to do something like this. Please no judgments as to how my time and energy might be better spent. Has anyone out there tried anything like this? Last Chance

Of course, the more muscle mass, you have, the higher your metabolism becomes, and therefore, you end up burning up more calories during the course of the day. But, I still emphasize cardio for people who want to lose fat.

To get really great abs, I'd recommend doing some fat burning cardio 4-5 X per week, (either moderate intensity like walking for a min. of 30 min. or jogging for a min. of 20 min.) and doing some abs resistance work, (crunches, planks, etc.) at least 3 X per week, resting a day in between.

One of the fastest way to strengthen your abs is to do crunches on a physioball. They're available at Elephant pharmacy, Walgreens, Barnes and Noble even I think. There's a great video that you can get for abs work on the ball at Elephant pharmacy that I'd recommend. Even replacing your office chair with a ball will strengthen your abdominal muscles. (Although it may take some practice first and getting used to!)

Of course, diet plays a huge role as well, if you're wanting to lose weight. I am currently in nutrition school and am learning a lot about weight management. I'd be happy to meet with you and go over a few basics if you'd like. I could also get you started on an abs routine. Please check out my website: www.herestoyourhealth.info, or call me at 510-524-0810 Good Luck! Sylvie Nalezny

I'm looking for a personal trainer who can help me get into shape. I'd prefer to work with a woman, although I can be flexible with the right person. I'd love someone who is kind and easygoing, and who won't be judgmental, because I have a LOT of work to do. I'm looking to create a long term relationship so a sense of humor is also essential. Jill

I am looking for a personal trainer to design a in-home workout for me that is tailored specifically to the needs of a pregnant woman -- to keeping my body in the best shape possible during my pregnancy and to preparing myself for childbirth. I especially want help working on my core strength. I have a ten-month-old baby at home, so the gym (where I practically lived during my first pregancy) isn't an option. I looked on the website, but only found general recommendations for personal trainers -- not recommendations geared specifically toward trainers who have the knowledge and experience needed to address the specific needs of pregnancy. Trainers who can help with nutrition a plus, but not absolutely essential.

Prenatal & Postnatal Fitness with Marie
Marie Morel-Seytoux
Certified Group Fitness Instructor
(510) 245-7587
mariemATstanfordalumniDOTorg

Earlier Reviews