Very Personal Training

Very Personal Training has truly been a godsend for me. Before I joined I was in a place where I felt very unmotivated to work out, and even though I had worked out extensively in the past in a variety of fashions, I just could not bring myself to the gym. I was very out of shape and the amount of work I had ahead of me felt insurmountable. Cue VPT… I first discovered VPT in September, but I didn’t get around to actually signing up until December. I started personal training with Zainab and it CHANGED MY LIFE.
Zainab is a fun, positive, friendly, encouraging, and tough trainer that helped me live up to my potential. She showed me that I am strong (both physically and mentally) and always pushes me to prove that to myself.
If you are hesitating (like I was) to sign up for personal training because of the cost, I urge you to reconsider. The way I feel now is worth every penny I spent on training. I look good and feel healthy, strong, and amazing!
Thank you to Zainab, Alex, and Dani!

Talie always checks in with you on your physical state –any discomfort to make sure that the training can relieve any tension or inflammation. She’s personable, engaged, and we always feel great when we leave.

I stumbled upon VPT while walking home from the subway one day. It was one of the best discoveries of my life. I’ve worked both with Dani one-​on-​one for my health goals, as well as with Alex in a group setting to focus on self defense. I have only had positive experiences in both setups and continue to work with Dani about once a month on my personal health, wellness, exercise and food issues. She creates a very nurturing environment that makes me feel completely comfortable to open up, which is a huge component of why I keep coming back. My favorite part of working with Dani is that she brings a lot of her own personal experiences and struggles to the table, which makes me feel like I am connecting with a (very well informed and educated) friend. Our ability to communicate and relate over life’s hurdles and personal pains takes her coaching to the next level. This isn’t someone on the outside looking in and critiquing your life –this is someone who has been through ups and downs herself and has come out on the other side stronger and smarter and is clearly passionate about helping others make a difference in their own life.

I can’t say enough about how wonderfully positive my experience has been with VPT. The owner Dani spent a lot of time helping me understand the process and prepare. She eased my fears and reassured me that i could do this! I was someone who was fearful of exercise and self-​conscious about the whole process. But since gaining weight after my daughter was born and of course getting a bit older, i felt like my whole body changed and i wanted it back! Working with Talie, my awesome trainer, has truly been a joy. She is so knowledgeable and makes working out FUN, something i never thought i’d be able to say. She’s exposed me to exercises and techniques I never heard of, and that really seem to suit me. I didn’t think she could find exercise that i would like! And I love that VPT is overall focused on who you are as a person, and not just about weight loss or getting super fit, — but about whatever YOU need and are looking for — they’re about helping the WHOLE person. It continues to be a very safe and welcoming experience and I can’t thank them enough for helping me in my journey of getting my body back!

I’m so glad I found Very Personal Training! I highly recommend VPT for anyone dealing with body image issues or those who have had negative experiences working out in the past. The trainers are incredibly supportive and it’s a fantastic workout. Also, the semi-​personal training groups are a lot of fun and a great value.

I’m so glad I went to Very Personal Training. Dani is genuinely supportive and my time at VPT turned out to be more effective in healing and strengthening my back than my time in physical therapy. I’m have a much better sense of how to safely and effectively work out without re-​injuring my back which is truly worthwhile.

I did one-​on-​one training with personal trainer Zainab for about three months. I had no experience prior to this with personal training, though I was working out pretty regularly. I came to Very Personal Training more for technique, better awareness of what to do in the gym to get an effective workout, etc.
I had 10 one-​hour sessions with Zainab, and it was a blast! She is such a kind soul — gentle in personality but a pusher in making you work hard! That’s what it’s all about. She is super accommodating to any level of fitness, and I would highly recommend her, and VPT, to anyone.

I just finished two, back to back, six week semi private training sessions with Alex and I have to say, I’m genuinely sad that it’s over. You work out with three other women and this actually makes the experience so much better. You still get that personal attention from your trainer but you also get that comradery of a group setting. You push yourself so much more when you have folks depending on you to get through your sets (right Sally, Rodelle and Faith? ;)) and even when you feel like quiting you have Alex and the other girls cheering you on. I feel so much better about myself and I definitely see great changes in my body and my mood. I would recommend this class to anyone that isn’t afraid of a little hard work and a lot of fun.

This review if specifically for the group training, though if one-​on-​one training is what you’re looking for I highly recommend you go to Very Personal Training. I have worked with every trainer here at one point in time or another and have been EXTREMELY satisfied. But I digress…
The group training sessions provide personal training in a small group (just FOUR people!) It’s been amazing because I love working out with others (being held accountable by others is especially helpful when trying to reach one’s goals) but was disappointed with my local YMCA. The classes were always packed and I learned from other members when I was doing something incorrectly — not the class leaders. Too many people to give me attention. NOT the case here! The small group training sessions are one hour long. We do cardio and strength training and the trainer, Alex, keeps things interesting in terms of our activities. With the nice weather we’ve also been able to head up to Prospect Park and do even more fun and motivating workouts (weight throws, relays, stations, etc.) The group training also makes it more affordable to work out more often. I am working out three times a week with an experienced trainer! I have never had the chance to do something like this. I feel amazing and I’m looking amazing! I’m also finding that I have more energy and a better attitude throughout the day. I work long hours and have a horrendous commute. Since starting the 3 day a week training, I no longer pass out on the train, have grouchy mornings, or even get winded walking up 4 flights of stairs. I feel stronger and have more stamina when I work out on my own. I have already signed up for the next session and will continue to do so. I only hope that Dani can start offering more sessions so that even more people can take advantage!

This was a great start for me to have a better understanding of my goals and basic GYM/​workouts. They have amazing trainers such as Dani, Talie and Zainab. Each trainer has their own flow. I enjoyed my 30min class package while working out with Talie and Zainab, both very detailed based and friendly personal trainers. This is a place to challenge your inner self and reorganize your life goals!

I’d been taking yoga classes for six months but really wanted to work on my cardio and strength training to improve my practice. I’d never really worked out before and was incredibly apprehensive and has more or less convinced myself that I couldn’t do it before I walked through the door. Dani took the time to listen to me and work on realistic and goals and objectives. As a result, I feel healthier and love training as much as I love my yoga practice. What’s more, I keep going back! I thought it would take a miracle to give me the level of motivation I have found with Dani, turns out all I needed was a great trainer.
Everything about Very Personal Training is geared towards making you a healthier, happier person — not about becoming a size zero overnight. I really feel as though Dani listens to me and tailors each session to help me work through whatever is going on in my life as well as towards health goals. Couldn’t be happier with my experience and wholeheartedly recommend Very Personal Training.

I met Dani through an invite to train for the 2013 NYC half marathon as part of a group she was running. It was such a life changing experience to meet Dani, others in the group and also to complete my first half marathon.
Dani was an inspiration and also an awesome trainer.
Post half marathon I have been training with Talie and she is as awesome as Dani! Fab trainer, attentive and a wonderful person.
I’m so excited to train with her next week xo

I just want to post an update on VPT since it’s been about a year since I wrote my original review. A LOT has happened over the last 12+ months. Dani has added a couple of carefully selected trainers to her roster who I have had the pleasure to work with. As a result, VPT now also offers early morning, late evening, as well as some weekend appointments which is fabulous. So there are no more excuses about not being able to fit personal training into your busy schedule!
Since December, I’ve been working with Talie and she is spectacular. She’s extremely knowledgeable, attentive, fun to work with and has helped me significantly improve my level of fitness. I’ve gone from being a spaz on the spin bike, to confidently doing major climbs. The strength training workouts are extremely varied so you won’t get bored. I’m able to do things I never thought I’d be doing a year ago.
Around May or so, I also started working with Leslie, Dani’s yoga instructor, and she is also awesome. It sounds hokey, but I’ve grown so much mentally and spiritually as the result of our yoga practice. Prior to practicing with Leslie, I had never even tried yoga before, but now I could not imagine my life without it. It’s a great compliment to strength and cardio training and has helped me with stress management.
If I could give VPT 10 stars, I would. Over the last year my fitness level has improved drastically and my confidence in myself & my abilities has grown exponentially. It’s a worthwhile investment in yourself. Don’t procrastinate any longer.

I’ve been going to Dani for a little over a month now, I used to dread the 8am work out time but now completely look forward to every appt I have with her. She’s changed my vision on working out and eating right! She also has made it easier for me to make the changes, slowly but surely… and best of all she’s patient with me. I’m also learning that it’s ok to not be perfect. I took up spinning because of her and I’m so thankful that she help me conquer my fears on going to a spinning class! I look forward to reaching my 3 month and 6 month goal with her as I go to her weekly training sessions.

Dani is an amazing trainer. What makes her amazing is she walks her talk. She is deeply knowledgeable not only about working out but also she is a wealth of information on nutrition, and weight loss If you want to workout with someone who is compassionate, yet tough, challenges you but doesn’t push you to a breaking point and makes working out fun and interesting with variety and true thought then Very Personal Training is for you.

I’ve been racking my brain trying to come up with the perfect review for Dani. Everything I came up with seemed so ordinary, and she is not your ordinary personal trainer.
So I will just say what she’s been for me.
When I walk into her place, it’s *me* who is cared for. I can let go all of my caregiving for others and allow another person to take care of me — but even better, she doesn’t allow guilt for that! She wants to take care of me.
When I walk into her place, I walk into a sealed, confidential room. I can talk to her about anything — she encourages me to talk about anything I want. She listens, without judgement and even better — she gets it.
When I walk into her place, she motivates me. She encourages me and she shares so freely of herself and lets me into her life just as much as I have let her into mine.
Am I forgetting the actual physical part of personal training? I’m not — but you see, Dani, knows that before the training, comes the mind. If our minds are present and attentive, our bodies won’t be either. She trains from the point of view of body and mind being one.
SO she listens, she motivates and pampers the soul.
And then you get your butt worked off so that your body can follow how good your mind feels.
You will get more than you expect from Dani, and I highly recommend her.

If you want a personal trainer who will scream at you like a drill sergeant until you are left lying on the floor in the fetal position in a pool of your own sweat and tears, then Dani of Very Personal Training is NOT for you.
Instead, Dani is the type of personal trainer who takes a thoughtful, measured approach to helping you achieve YOUR goals. She is not there to shape you into some muscle bound marathon runner (unless that’s what your goal is), but instead to help you to realize what it is you want out of personal training and to help you to achieve it. She sets a pace that is challenging, but not unmanageable.
Dani also takes a more holistic approach to personal fitness. You won’t just go there, sweat it out, and be forgotten until your next appointment. Dani will check in with you to see how you are feeling, and will adjust your workout accordingly. She also has a blog with lots of helpful tips about working out, eating right, and just life in general.
Dani, just by being who she is, makes you feel like you can do it, whatever your particular «it» is.

Here’s the thing about losing weight — it’s hard.
Here’s the thing about Dani — she gets it.
We’re not just talking about the standard calories in/​calories burned kind of thinking. She works WITH you.
She wants to know about your goals — and not just the ones on the scales. She makes you feel comfortable and confident to tell the truth about how you HONESTLY think about your body and how you WANT to think about your body.
She pushes you, but doesn’t make you feel like you are at boot camp.
She helps set smaller goals to help you reach those bigger ones. She is not afraid to talk about food in a normal realistic way — while keeping your health and lifestyle in mind.
I’ve worked with other trainers and it’s hard to find someone who cares on all levels — Body, Mind and Spirit. Dani does a great job of getting to work on fitness, plus bringing the Mind and Spirit to a better place too!

Dani works with you to train both physically and mentally to accomplish goals, overcome obstacles and to build overall strength and confidence. As per herbusiness title, Dani is just that kind of trainer — very personal.