Testimonials

12/01/2011...I have been working out with Richard Train for a few months, and already have seen a big improvement in my overall fitness level, and in the way I look and feel. Richard is a true professional and conducts our training sessions very carefully, always paying attention to safety and providing great coaching on not only the various exercises and weight lifting that I do, but also health related topics like diet and nutrition and other healthy training tips.

Thanks to Richard I am aware of the fact that as people age, they are subject to the gradual loss of muscle tissue. This is called sarcopenia (0.5-1% muscle loss per year after the age of 25), and Richard is an expert on weight lifting and how it can help prevent or slow sarcopenia. The frailness that most people experience as they get older due to sarcopenia CAN be prevented, but it requires weight lifting to do so. Richard is living proof that sarcopenia can be dramatically lessened, and he provides a great inspiration to his clients that they can do this too.

We all have a choice, either workout with weights or shrivel up! Weight lifting requires effort, but every time I work out with Richard I feel absolutely great, both physically and mentally. The benefits of my workouts are priceless, and I consider the cost in time and money of personal training sessions with Richard to be by far the best investment I have ever made. I am looking forward to my future workout sessions with him, and continuing to get more fit and healthy!

John Conlin

As an overweight, postmenopausal woman in a room dominated by testosterone laden fitness buffs, I would have never gone into a training room on my own. Richard's patience and expertise guided me through the various weights, cardio equipment, and using the equipment. He guided me through the daily routines, giving me time to warm up, and either showing me how to use the equipment, or encouraging me to make the adjustments to fit the equipment & get started.

I have some knee & back issues. Richard tailored my workouts to be challenging, but he balanced the challenge with concern for potential inflammation. He would often email me during the week, asking how my knee or back was. He helped me articulate my reporting as well (the reporting went from my saying "fine", or "it hurts," to really observing & thinking about what was going on after Richard challenged me: WHAT is "fine", or WHAT are you talking about when you say "it hurts.” This helped me build awareness I did not previously have. He was very cautious in his approach, for which I was very grateful. I had really lost confidence in my abilities. Until my early 40's (about 15 years ago) I was very fit. I had a series of health challenges, leaving me frustrated, by my new limitations. Richard was very cautious with my areas of concern, slowly building over time. He recorded the workouts on a new spreadsheet each week, and when I had completed an exercise, Richard would show me how it compared to the week before. I have regained much confidence in my physical potential because of his program.

As the time went on, my strength increased. I began to notice it translating into my other activities. Walking the dogs in the morning was easier, and my knee pain decreased. Stairs became easier to navigate. I am on my feet from one end of a large biology lab to the other, all day long. I noticed I felt more energetic, and my knee hurt less at the end of a day.

I had the most fun when I started lifting heavier weights.

Richard has a great personality for this work, and he has the expertise, but I think his biggest advantage is his enthusiasm for his subject, not only in the training, but also reflected his appearance. He is a living example of what he promotes, which can serve to inspire everyone, especially older adults, to realize the benefits of personal training.
Mary E.

July 23, 2008

Richard Train
Personal Trainer
8433 W 100th St.
Bloomington, MN 55438

Dear Richard:

I appreciate the fact that you thought of me for a letter of recommendation.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the time and help that you have put into training me. Before I started working out with you, I always procrastinated when it came to working out or exercising. Working out with you, I have learned to be more confident in myself and the way I look and feel about myself. I find myself looking forward to coming out and working out with you.

I would highly recommend you to anyone who is looking to change their physical appearance, whether it is weight loss or increasing muscle.

You take the time to understand a person's abilities and goals and help them achieve them.

Yousef Abumayaleh

Business Owner, Minneapolis

Richard was great at being honest and frank. He started by asking me about my diet and activity. I had half been hoping for and actually expecting the usual routine that I had received with a gym membership: the standard "Here's how to use the machines..." I was surprised that he took time to show me how to use the weights, suggesting ways to better correct my form and providing me with a variety of weight training exercises that I didn't know were possible.

I really had always avoided doing weight training because I thought that it would result in building bulging muscle mass. And, as an overweight female, that is the last thing that I would want. I have since learned that weight training + cardio can provide just the opposite: toned muscles, which in turn burns fat.

In the 2 ½ months that I have been working with Richard I have done the following:

I lost 15 lbs.
I am making more rational diet choices
I am now a regular at the gym
I went down 2 pant sizes
I can do 25 pushups

Thanks Richard
Dana B., Creative Market Manager, Eden Prairie, MN

Richard is very focused and dedicated to weight lifting training. He has great passion for the sport and its benefits. His priority is safety and proper technique. His teaching style is direct and motivating with his assessment and evaluations.

Richard encourages progress in your workouts and the harder you work the harder he will work for you to succeed. He customizes your training to your physical strength and limitations.

I had a very positive experience with weight lifting and while learning about the benefits and nutritional strategies in order to foster my goals and outcomes.

NO need to think twice this is a wonderful place to get individualized and personal training in weight lifting no matter your age or gender.

Sharon S.
Employee & Education Nurse VA Hospital Minneapolis

Richard’s knowledge and understanding of body building procedures were evident, as he led me through the body building process. His attention to safety and proper form were a critical part of my success. Once he determined my personal goals, he developed an individualized program for me and helped me achieve those goals. He kept me on track and motivated, which allowed me to reach heights I never thought possible.

Thanks Richard!!!

Julie S.
Real Estate Agent
Maplewood, Minnesota

I have worked with Richard Train for three months. In that time, my body has changed. I have more muscle, and my body is more toned than it has ever been. I feel more confident about myself physically.

I have had back problems for about 4 years. Since working with Richard, my back problems have disappeared. We have worked to strengthen the muscles around the area causing me problems. What an improvement!

Richard challenges me to improve myself physically. He encourages me to do more with the weights than I ever thought possible.

I know I will continue to improve my strength and muscle tone. It is so necessary at my age to continue to use weights.

Richard always checked to make sure my shoulders, wrists, and back were okay. He did not want any problems to occur.

Ramona K.
Medical Office Personnel
Burnsville, Minnesota

When looking for a personal trainer what are a few key things you’re looking for? If it’s someone who pushes you to do more because they know you’re capable, someone who not only teaches you about exercising but teaches you about healthy eating habits, someone who helps you understand exactly how your muscles work and develop so your work out not only feels great but also makes sense to you as to why you’re doing exactly what exercise for what muscle… then Richard Train is really an excellent personal trainer and encourager.

As a former Marine, Richard himself is very muscular; which gives you the confidence the information and exercise he provides is not only true, but they are proven to give great results. Is he going to push you? Of course, but that’s half the battle of working out. I now know exactly how to exercise to get the body I want, but I have also learned what it takes to drive myself and push 1 more repetition. So if possible I would still choose to workout with Richard a couple times a week. Having a personal trainer like Richard to push you so is so beneficial. I have pumped more weight on various exercises than I ever imagined I would be able to do. From his experience he knew I was capable of more and in turn, he showed me that I really am much stronger than I thought.

Richard instructed me on every weight exercise I know. He has helped me with maintaining a healthy diet. I have also learned what foods I should be eating prior to and after my workouts. Certain carbohydrates are necessary to eat before working out to give the muscle fuel while protein is essential to build the muscle post workout.

I would never recommend someone who I didn’t truly believe in. Richard is excellent at what he does. If you’re willing to be committed and get serious about shaping your body to fit your ideal, then he is willing to work with you to do so. You feel like you have accomplished so much when you leave. It’s not about changing your body. It’s about changing your way of life to be healthy and to look great. The body you want really is not that far away if you just take the leap and do it…And, what better than a mentor to help you out.

Katie H.
19 y.o.
NYU college freshman

The gratifying part of weight training is watching someone discover more about themselves and doing what they thought was impossible...Just do it!

Testimonials

The gratifying part of weight
training is watching someone
discover more about themselves
and doing what they thought
was impossible...Just do it!