Personal Training Success Stories

Before

After

Jean Olson

54 & Stronger Then EVER!

Jean 0.

I can't say enough about FT Burlington! I'm a 54 year old woman who needed to lose weight (notice I said "needed") in order to look and feel better and be healthy. I really liked the idea of working out one-on-one with my own trainer in a private studio as opposed to being in a large class, or even with a personal trainer in the middle of a big gym. And at FT, there is nutritional support as well.  You get to use a great online tool with exceptional personal attention to tweaking your diet so that you eat optimally for weight loss and good nutrition (they don't sell special food or vitamins).  But obviously the biggest thing here would be the trainers, and believe me, they really know their stuff.  They are by your side for the entire session, training and educating you for correct form, and providing constantly changing exercises that tone your entire body the right (and most effective) way. To me, this is priceless and something that most of us can't get from a book or from watching a video. I've lost over 50 lbs and am more toned and stronger than I was in my twenties - and I thoroughly enjoy the compliments and other positive feedback I've been getting.  I never thought I would ever wear something sleeveless again - and now I can't wait for summer and tank tops! And one last thing - I've discovered my inner athlete! Who knew I'd be kayaking, hiking mountains, or running 5Ks with all the other active and fit people out there?! FT is truly one of the best decisions I've ever made for myself. I will never go back to my old ways because being (and looking) fit is way too much fun! 

Before

After

Dave Norden

Before

After

Linda N.

I started going to Fitness together in August of 2010. I won a trial session at a fundraiser for the Burlington Facility. Little did I know, I not only won 3 free sessions but won my healthy life back. I have never been a workout person but have always been active. I was fit most of my life. I continue to get up and go but life, 2 kids and a busy job were my "Excuse to pack on a few pounds" I was excited to get started at the gym. However, I was very concerned with lifting weights and doing a one on one training session. I worried my lack of experience would make me feel uncomfortable and look foolish. Just the opposite happened. I started my first session by saying "I have no idea what I'm doing" The sincere response I got from my new trainer was something on the lines of "It's ok because we do know what we are doing". That was just what I needed to hear. A bad back and lack of experience did not hold me back. I've lost 25 pounds and Like Brendan (The owner and one of my trainers) says it is finding your path to a healthier you. It's been a Journey. I'm still enjoying it every week. I am close to my goal weight and can not imagine going back to the way I was just 9 months ago. People have commented on my new looks and I know I look better because I feel better inside and out. I say if you are thinking about it make the call. Linda

Eden P.

I can't say enough about Brendan and FT. He is an incredibly energetic, outgoing and positive role model. I work out exclusively with Brendan but Robin and Nate are fun, personable, smart  and committed trainers as well. The atmosphere is fun, friendly and comfortable .  

I've been going to FT Burlington for about 3 years and thanks primarily to Brendan, I have embraced a much more active lifestyle. I have much more energy and  see muscles I had no idea existed.

Brendan is a wealth of knowledge on nutrition, the body, working around injuries and overall fitness. He embodies what a healthy lifestyle looks like and his passion is passing that on to others.

I would recommend FT Burlington to anyone. Brendan, Robin and Nate provide the firm but friendly push and accountability  so many of us need to get on track and stay there.

Jennifer M.

September 16, 2011

FT-Burlington changed my life. Or more accurately, Brendan Stapleton changed my life.

In the fall of 2010, I was middle-aged, inactive, and morbidly obese. I had a lot of great things in my life with work and friends and a variety of interests, but over the years the weight gain had caused me to cut back on travel and the lifetime sports and activities that I had always enjoyed a great deal. I also knew that I was facing a future that would likely be filled with weight-related medical issues and a declining quality of life. I understood that I was at the point of needing weight-loss surgery, but that was intensely unappealing. And without lifestyle and nutrition changes, it would also be pointless. It was at that point that I made a commitment to myself to make an all-out effort to get healthy through exercise and nutrition, and I understood myself well enough to know that a personal trainer was my best option.

I had liked the FT ads on television, and I know now that I am so lucky that the Burlington site was closest to my home. Once I made the commitment, it took me a month or more to make that first contact, and only by email. And when Brendan called to schedule an appointment for a consultation, it took me a few days to get up my nerve to return his call. And then every day until the face-to-face appointment, I gave myself the follow-through-on-this pep talk. And the day of, I needed to promise myself to at least get to the parking lot outside FT. And when I did that, I talked myself into following through with that initial appointment. It was a nerve-wracking morning. And then, I got inside, and I met Brendan and Nate and we got started— and truly, the hardest part was over.

For me, making the call and getting in the door were the biggest challenges in this whole process. It’s not easy to get honest with yourself about your physical reality and about your lifetime of bad choices. And much harder than that, for me at least, was getting honest and open with someone else about my weight and my lifestyle. What I didn’t know then was that all that worrying was pointless, that Brendan is the consummate professional, that he’s direct and focused and incredibly knowledgeable and he’s also non-judgmental and solution-oriented and funny and friendly and so incredibly tuned in to which type of approach would work with me
as an individual.

The training itself was a lot of fun. It didn’t take long to quit worrying what other people would think of me because the sessions are private and Brendan and his team are so positive. And most importantly, I was doing it! I was following through on this extraordinarily important commitment to my health and well being, and I was learning every day how to make this a lifelong lifestyle.

That teaching component and comprehensive approach are part of what made me so successful in the short term and so confident about my future. Brendan and his team combine the actual cardio, strength training, and nutritional plan with teaching about cardio, strength training, active lifestyles, and nutrition. Moreover, they do it incrementally, subtly, and tailored to the individual, so I personally was always learning and doing a lot, both physically and nutritionally, but it was never more than I could handle and there were never any gaps in the path to my personal success.

In closing, I just want to say again how life-changing my time with Brendan and his team was. I didn’t possess the knowledge, focus, or personal accountability to do this on my own, but with their help and extraordinary expertise I have lost 125 pounds in eight months. I have regained my health and physical vitality, and I have reconnected with my commitment to personal accountability for fitness. And most importantly, I now have the knowledge and drive for exercise and nutrition to maintain this effort throughout my life. And truly, the hardest part was just walking through that door the first time. Brendan, Nate, and Robin will take care of you after
that.

With boundless gratitude and confidence in a fit and healthy future,

Jennifer M.

__A p.s. for people concerned about the financial cost: When I figured out that the personal-trainer model was my best chance at success, I knew it would require a significantly bigger financial commitment than a gym or just getting a good in-home treadmill. But when I did the math—the cost of FT versus the cost of future exorbitant medical care, the day-to-day costs associated with obesity, the cost of lost
opportunities and quality of life—it was clear to me that FT was a bargain, a short-term investment for a lifetime of gain. I would do it again in a heartbeat (a very slow resting heartbeat, I’m happy to say).

Carla M.

I have been a member of Fitness Together for four years and it was the best desicion I could have made. There is nothing like a personal trainer.The health and nutritional services provided by the staff has improved my life with weight loss strength flexability and overall fitness. I am a hairesser of 28 years and being on my feet all day is stressful on the body but by incorporating routine of cardio and strength training will make it possilble for me to further my career for another 28 years. Brendan and the staff at FT are very enthusiastic and inspirational when it comes to meeting everyones goals.They also take exercise outside with hikes and runs. I would highly recommend FT to anyone who is willing to take that next step into a whole new life. I did and I will be in my first sprint triathalon in august thanks to FT. I am addicted.

Bruce M.

I have been a member of Fitness Together for approximately one year and have experienced many advantages. I feel much stronger and have lost over 40 pounds from their diet and exercise.

I became a member after I broke my left ankle. After it healed, I had problems with my balance. My trainer, Robin, helped me enormously and my balance has significantly improved. Robin has also helped me train hard to increase my strength. She has been both supportive and challenging, in just the right mix.

My cardio results have been remarkable. My endurance has improve significantly. I would recommend Fitness Together without hesitation!

Jean 0.

I can't say enough about FT Burlington! I'm a 54 year old woman who needed to lose weight (notice I said "needed") in order to look and feel better and be healthy. I really liked the idea of working out one-on-one with my own trainer in a private studio as opposed to being in a large class, or even with a personal trainer in the middle of a big gym. And at FT, there is nutritional support as well.  You get to use a great online tool with exceptional personal attention to tweaking your diet so that you eat optimally for weight loss and good nutrition (they don't sell special food or vitamins).  But obviously the biggest thing here would be the trainers, and believe me, they really know their stuff.  They are by your side for the entire session, training and educating you for correct form, and providing constantly changing exercises that tone your entire body the right (and most effective) way. To me, this is priceless and something that most of us can't get from a book or from watching a video. I've lost over 50 lbs and am more toned and stronger than I was in my twenties - and I thoroughly enjoy the compliments and other positive feedback I've been getting.  I never thought I would ever wear something sleeveless again - and now I can't wait for summer and tank tops! And one last thing - I've discovered my inner athlete! Who knew I'd be kayaking, hiking mountains, or running 5Ks with all the other active and fit people out there?! FT is truly one of the best decisions I've ever made for myself. I will never go back to my old ways because being (and looking) fit is way too much fun!   Jean O.

Bari & Mark G.

Being in our 50s we knew that our daily walks were not enough for our overall health and fitness.  We had never worked out before and knew that joining a typical gym would not work for us.  FT Burlington has been a terrific experience.  Over the past 7 months, we have improved our flexibility, gained strength, become more energetic and lost weight.  This has happened under the supervision of the trainers. Their expertise, encouragement and sense of humor have made this all possible.  The social atmosphere of the studio, with the banter between clients and trainers, adds to the overall experience, making it fun as well as beneficial.  The trainers motivate you to exceed your preconceived notions of what you are able to do.  Seven months ago we would never had predicted what we are able to do today.  We would recommend FT Burlington to anyone who wants to get into better shape.

Jenna G. (Daughter to Bari and Mark G.)

While I have never stepped foot in Fitness Together, I have been through the emotional wringer ever since my parents joined the gym. When I still lived with them, I would wait at home for them to return from their session, trying to imagine all the crazy pantomime they would use to try to describe to me the different types of workouts they did that day. These games of charades often lasted for whole minutes at a time, until I could offer a simple, "oh, you did plank?", to which Mom or Dad would point at me excitedly and yell "YES! THAT'S THE ONE!" Then, for the next several days/weeks, they would throw in that new vocabulary as much as possible. I just hope right now they are all sitting together, planning a recital for me to come to. I honestly am not sure what we would talk about if we didn't have the trainers at FT to gossip about.

Before

Dylan P

Dear FT Burlington team,

I've always been the scrawny kid, even as I entered my late 20s. Like everyone else, I wanted a body I could feel proud of, but it always seemed like an enormous feat of expertise and discipline to get there, so mostly I just tried to keep my shirt on as much as possible. Sure, I'd tried working out on my own and eating healthier, but I was never organized or knowledgeable enough to put together a real plan. I didn't know if I was doing the right things, let alone doing them properly to maximize my outcome and minimize my injuries, so I never stuck with anything long enough to see actual results. I didn't feel like I was making progress, I just felt worn out, and without a consistent plan that's probably all I was ever going to get. 

With an endless supply of conflicting and confusing fitness and nutrition advice out there, I knew I had three choices. I could accept the body I had, and hope against the odds that I stayed merely scrawny as I got older. Or, I could buy a fitness book and follow it unquestioningly, running the risk that the book either wasn't right for my body or wasn't clear enough, one way or another leading back to poor results and probable injury. Finally, I could hire a fitness professional to train me, one-on-one, and get precise, real-time guidance and continuous week-by-week encouragement.

Obviously, since you're reading this here, I decided to try out Fitness Together in Burlington, Massachusetts. I was nervous at first; it was a serious investment that put me on the first step of a long journey, and if it was going to be worth it, I'd have to take every step with conviction and never look back. But I knew I was paying for expert advice, so I tried my best to follow it, both in the gym and at the dinner table. Honestly, the trainers were all so knowledgeable that I never felt too lost and so friendly that I always wanted to succeed, as much for them as for myself, because I knew they were invested in my outcome just as much as I was. It wasn't long before I started to look forward to my workouts, exhausting though they often were, and the feeling of accomplishment that followed each and every one. Suddenly, exercising was actually fun and rewarding!

So, how did it go, long-term? Well, in a year if training, I gained over 30 pounds of lean muscle, shed 5 pounds of body fat, and, in the words of one friend, completely changed my body's build! And while I love my new body (I'm a little less shy about people seeing it now), the biggest changes of all took place in my head as I learned various exercises, workout strategies, and nutrition plans. Now, not only do I look like I fit in among the weight racks at the gym, but I'm not afraid to be there anymore, because I know what I'm there to do, how to do it, and, most importantly, that it's working. As I start my second year of training, I'm now writing my own workouts and being my own trainer twice a week, and it feels amazing to have come from paralyzing ignorance to confident knowledge thanks to my trainers. I still have a lot to learn, of course, so I still rely on the professionals at Fitness Together once a week, and I don't expect to give up their steady guidance and words of encouragement any time soon.

Thank you very much, FT Burlington!

Very sincerely,

 - Dylan P.
   Burlington, MA

Sonia R.

I can't say enough about the team at Fitness Together Burlington. Their ability to keep me on track is something I could not do on my own. Those who have known me for years, knew I was not a person who went to the gym (much less lifted any weights). I am more fit now than I have ever been and am certain that I owe that to Fitness Together and their dedication to my success. The energy I feel throughout the day is without a doubt credited to the workouts I do there. I am healthier, have made great friendships and know that it has been life altering. I would never consider going anywhere else.

Kris S.

I started doing 1 on 1 training at Fitness Together, Burlington after a bad injury from a car accident -- one that I was afraid I might have to live with.  I had already had a few old injuries before then.  Brendan was able to find ways to work around whatever issues that got in the way so they didn't keep me from being able to work out.  I was able to do overall strengthening without cauing further problems.  The injury I was afraid I'd be living with forever is gone.  I've been able to do things I thought I'd never be able to do again!!  It totally changed my life.

Kris M.

I've been going to Fitness Together in Burlington since the end of 2009, when I picked up a deal on Groupon.  I see Brendan exclusively, but have found the other trainers to be friendly and energetic.  Brendan has a great way of pushing me just a little bit beyond what I think I'm capable of - he toes that fine line of making me feel successful by not asking me to do more than my body can handle, but having me get the most out of every minute I have with him by pushing me just a little further than I want to go.  His enthusiasm for fitness is obvious, and contagious.

Helen F.

I've been going to fitness together for over two years. The trainers are so energetic and encouraging you just have to have great results. It's amazing the confidence you get from feeling fit. That's what Brendan and his trainers have done for me. It doesn't matter who you work out with, you leave sweaty and stronger. This is a great place to work toward your fitness goals. They really want you to succeed.

Jen M.

Brendan and his team are superstars, and they have helped me transform my health and fitness. In six months, I have lost 100 pounds and have gained muscle, overall fitness and stamina, cardio-vascular fitness, and a lifetime nutrition plan. The hardest part was making the phone call and taking the step to go in for an evaluation, given how far I needed to go with this. Once I talked myself into following through with those first steps, the work itself has been a pleasure. Brendan has an amazing capacity to be both direct and positive; he helps you identify and focus on goals and solutions, and he creates ever-evolving plans that are challenging but manageable and highly individualized. I also work frequently with Nate and Robin, and they share Brendan's passion for the work and commitment to excellent results.

One of the most important things for me at FT has been the comprehensive approach. In addition to thrice-weekly strength training, I have a plan for cardio and a plan for nutrition, which is all about healthy, mindful eating rather than complicated or rigid diets. I have gained nutritional and health knowledge and habits that will guide and serve me my whole life. I haven't been dieting per se; rather, I have committed to good nutrition and exercise that I can sustain for the rest of my life.

The team at FT-Burlington has so much knowledge and passion for their work and for the clients they train. Their expertise, energy, and commitment to helping you reach your goals make everything possible. These last six months have been life changing--truly life changing--and I owe it all Brendan, Nate, and Robin. I give them my highest and most enthusiastic recommendation.

Krista G.

After an extreme weight gain from my pregnancy, I knew I needed to put my weight loss and health as my #1 priority. Fitness Together helped me to lose a total of 88lbs in 8 months! The trainers were absolutely amazing at keeping me motivated and on track. My trainer, Robin, helped me to gain the knowledge and confidence to maintain and continue my weight loss journey. I feel stronger, healthier, and happier, thanks to Fitness Together!

Chris D.

The staff at fitness together in burlington are dedicated to each and every client's individual goals.  The experience I recieved was life changing.  I lost over 35 pounds with continual nutritional advice and consultation along with great workouts!  If something wasn't working, the staff and I would sit down and review what I was doing/eating in order to help continue my progress. I've gained confidence in everyday life and continue to progress in my training.  When I started, I set "realistic" goals of weightloss; but have surpassed these and continue my path toward total fitness. If you are toying with the idea of working with a personal trainer, look no farther than fitness together burlington!!

Jen H

Fitness Together has helped me reshape the way I think about exercise as well as my overall health and fitness.  For most of my life exercise meant going for a run.  It was a simple way to stay active but over time, as I got older, I felt I needed more diversity in a routine and help determining the most effective way to get in better shape.  As the working mother of four, I was also concerned about being able to find the time to fit regular fitness sessions into my routine. Fitness Together took the time to assess my goals and then built a program specific to me.  Sessions are easy to schedule around a busy lifestyle.  And as we have gotten to know one another better, my program has become even more customized.  I have also gotten excellent advice on nutrition, good ideas on how to work through exercise plateaus, and great support and encouragement along the way.  It has been a great program and a great partnership.

Kevin H.

Brendan and his staff are true professionals. You owe it to your wellbeing to meet with them and see if they can help you.

Gary

I originally signed up for 12 weeks. Since starting, I have more energy, feel better and am losing weight. I just signed up for another 6 months.

Ray G.

The 1 on 1 training is excellent, I would not go to a gym if left to my own initiative. They combine the right amount of support and encouragement to make the effort worthwhile.
Ray G, Burlington

Matty D.

I struggled for years with a busy schedule to make working out part of my daily life. That all changed after working with Brendan and his team! They make getting in shape enjoyable. The results I've gotten from working out here are results that I would of never achieved on my own. I strongly recommend FT Burlington!