Liz R.
As the years have been slowly creeping up on me, (I'm only 42), I was tired of dealing with daily pain in my shoulder. I have a shoulder impingement and it became so painful all day and night. It was even hard to find a comfortable position to put my arm, prior to falling asleep each night - so frustrating.
I know how important lifting weights is as we age (especially for women), but I really don't know what to do when I go to the gym. I'm perfectly capable in the cardio section of a gym, but not in the weight room. I didn't want to aggravate my shoulder anymore than it was. I knew I needed someone to guide me - but I didn't want to end up with a personal trainer that got their license via a "discounted online course". I wanted someone with REAL expertise. A friend suggested a better trainer will have a CSCS certification.
Based on that suggestion, I found Ross online and decided to give him a call. Ross is amazing at explaining the science behind what you're doing and why form is SO incredibly important. I have absorbed so much knowledge from my time training with him! The BEST PART - after going 2x per week, I noticed my shoulder pain disappearing so quickly - and by 4 weeks, it no longer hurt!
I'm thrilled with the progress I have made. I also love how much stronger I feel and how much more confident I am about lifting weights on my own. I try to remember to keep the correct form that he teaches me, and to listen to my body. I HIGHLY recommend Ross to anyone that suffers from aches and pains. He really knows his stuff and will help you feel better!! I've had a personal trainer in the past too - so I have someone to compare him to. Ross really is awesome.
Shelley Bjorkman
Health for Life: The gift that keeps on giving
One Christmas, my friend Janet gave me a personal training session with Ross as a gift. Initially, I viewed Ross as just a personal trainer, now I understand he is so much more.
12 years later we are still working together. I’ve had a couple of operations and our sessions have helped me with recovery. In the past, if I was feeling bad I would cancel our session, now if I feel bad, I can’t wait to get together because it will make me feel better. His knowledge of martial arts has given him a leg up in helping me. He looks at where I am that day and he will adjust for what my body needs. Ross listens to me and he is focused on me, not some routine.
The advantages of working with Ross are countless. First, I have a much better awareness of my body that has prevented me from getting hurt. At 77, learning how to fall correctly has helped me avoid injury. I have also avoided neck or back surgery from a disk that herniated over 20 years ago. With my newfound body awareness, I know when things in my body aren’t quite right and he helps me adjust. Working with him is the last thing I would ever give up if I faced financial challenges because Ross keeps me healthy.
Mandy Gibbons
I've known Ross (as a colleague and friend) for over a decade... And met him, after approaching him, due to his incredible caring nature, professionalism, and knowledge, to come work with me. None of the Personal Trainers that I'd spoken with came close to what Ross was bringing to the table.
My clients adored him, loved his compassion, how dedicated he was to ensuring they performed their programs safely and correctly... His amazing experience and skills in psychology. While also taking into mind any medical or physical challenges they were experiencing. We've continued our friendship over the years... And I can tell you, hands down, his thirst for being the best he can be, and helping his clients also be all they can be... Is incredibly inspiring.
Gary Litwin
More than Personal Training: Athlete for Life
At 67, I was a once upon a time athlete with a strong desire to get back into shape. I faced several challenges in that quest. First was getting in the right mindset of what was realistic and achievable at my age. Second, was a set of aches and pains that came along with improper form and overuse of the front side of my body and underuse of the back side of my body. The subtleties of doing exercises wrong for years were creating pain and injuries..
Ross took a highly informed approach to our program. He paid attention to physiology, helping me with my individual aches and pains and differentiated between exercises I should and should not be doing. Most recently he introduced me to some new exercises that were such a relief to my body. He shows me how to do things with attention to the details, what I can achieve individually, and the biomechanics.
Ross has become more than a personal trainer, he has become a friend. Whereas other trainers and physical therapy focused on body parts, Ross focuses on the individual and their full body. We spent time talking about what I want to get out of this and Ross is able to help me avoid exercises that will hurt me and guides me toward the ones that can develop the muscle that I want to develop without getting hurt.
After Ross helped me realize the need to focus on the form and the right mental outlook, I now realize what is attainable and realistic at my age. I am able to work out with less pain and better results and be the athlete I want to be.
Janet Lawson
Health Gains as Opposed to Simple Weight Loss
I was seeking a personal trainer because I was overweight and had high blood pressure. Initially, I hired a typical personal trainer and was excited because he was a bodybuilder and a consultant on Friday Night Lights. He turned out to be a terrible fit for me and my needs. Luckily, I had a friend who referred me to Ross and the experience during my initial free session with him was night and day.
Ross’ approach was to talk with me and really *listen*. Based on our conversation, he came with a plan. Ross taught me the importance of stretching and I quickly learned being overweight wasn’t as big a problem as not being healthy. Ross pays attention, watches, and listens and sees issues before even I realize them. He takes in the information, processes it and responds with value.
The results I have received working with Ross over an 11 year period of time is substantial. My doctor ended up decreasing the doses of my blood pressure medicine. Additionally, I used to fall off curbs hurting my ankles, now my ankles are stronger and my reactions are natural and fast. I am much better at moving heavy things because I am lifting correctly. Working with Ross is also good for my mental health. He has great insight and sometimes he’s as much like a therapist as a personal trainer.
Paul Stansberry
From Operation Recovery to Injury Prevention
When I was seeking a personal trainer, I needed an expert in recovery. Recently I broke my hip and had hip replacement surgery. Additionally, I had two lumbar disks and impending surgeries for them which would create a real challenge in terms of an exercise regimen. It was imperative for me to work with someone who could create a specific program of rehab that would help me heal and avoid further injury.
Ross looked at my body, my strengths and weaknesses and used a thoughtful process to create a program that would allow for me to recover from the surgeries as well as improve my strength and balance. I haven’t had to buy any memberships or travel anywhere, Ross comes to me. The program he designed emphasizes core strength development, joint safety, and body awareness. Ross epitomizes the personal in personal trainer and is able to come up with the right approach. He is insightful and thoughtful.
When I started I had weak muscle mass in my joints and hip. Now those areas are strengthened and with each passing operation I bounce back faster because of the focus on physical therapy. Additionally, I now have the body awareness and core strength to avoid falls and prevent injury. I have progressed from recovery to a regimen that will help me to stay strong, healthy, and balanced for the long-term.