Personal Trainer for Older Adults
Parent Q&A
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Personal trainer for active 60 year old
Nov 2012
I'm failing on my own to stay in shape and would love to work with a personal trainer and see what difference that makes. I'm early 60's woman, very active and in fairly good shape, and really want someone who understands my goals and challenges. anon
Simi Tufunga at Tufunga Team Training in Emeryville is not only awesome but very reasonably priced. The gym is cheap too and has a great vibe, very low key and real people. Ben
I highly recommend Dawn Miller. She is a fabulous personal trainer, has a lot of education and experience, and is great to work with. trainerdawnmiller [at] gmail.com maia
Harold Hatcher of H2Fitness is very experienced with training women of all ages, many of his clients are middle-aged to elderly. My mother, my husband and I have trained with him for a long time and we're all in much better shape than when we started. His studio is on 4th St. across from Spenger, in the bright pink building in the parking lot. His rates are reasonable and he is very personable - Call him at (415) 810-0814 or email: h2fitness701 [at] gmail.com - Michelle B.
Personal Trainer - coming out of hibernation
Feb 2010
I'm looking for a personal trainer who would be skilled at working with someone who is 60 and just getting back her health. I was formerly active in yoga but have had a long break from regular exercise due to a chronic illness that seems to be in remission now. The important thing is to find someone who won't push to the point of injury and relapse, yet will help me get back my strength. I'm able to go about all daily activities now and am cleared by doctor to start getting fit. A New Me
Aaron Holby 510 381 3107 is the trainer you want. I am 65, have been working with him twice a week for 3 years and during that time had a major illness that he helped me recover from. He also trains my partner, age 64, and helped her in recovery from spinal fusion surgery and total knee replacement. He's patient, gifted at tailoring exercise for the individual, and has a wonderfully dry sense of humor -- just what my overweight, exercise- phobic self needs to stay on a challenging program. I'm really pleased at what I've been able to accomplish and maintain. Feel free to email me if you want more details and I'll send you my phone number to talk. I found him on this network and others have recommended him as well -- he's in the archives. H.
I think I can recommend the perfect trainer for your needs. I am 55 and started working with Sando Endo two years ago prior to surgery (hysterectomy). I wanted to go into the procedure strong and recover stronger. I also have issues with my hip. We have used Pilates methods to improve my core strength and she has taught me how to achieve full body strength and proper alignment that has pretty much changed my life. Sandy knows her stuff, but what I appreciate most is her caring manner, gentle encouragement, and humor. I know that she is really listening to me, carefully observing my body, meeting me where I am each session, and expertly guiding me toward my goals. I can't recommend her highly enough. www.sandyendo.com sandy [at] sandyendo.com 510 590-6057 DB
A year ago, I started working out with Sandy Endo once a week. She is extremely knowledgeable, sensitive and kind. I love her sense of humor AND her ability to get me to do the things I need to do in order to feel better. I have noticed a huge difference in my energy level... and I my body is stronger. She combines many techniques and she really listens to what I need. Here is her website: www.sandyendo.com. Her e-mail is sandy [at] sandyendo.com
I've been working with Sandy Endo privately for a while now and can't say enough positive things about her. She genuinely cares about my well-being and manages to always strike the perfect balance between encouraging me to do the most I can while still staying very in tune with my limits and preventing any injuries. I feel great after every session, not just from the workout Sandy tailors for me but also from spending an hour with a truly kind soul. Sandy's contact info is www.sandyendo.com or 510-590- 6057. Good Luck!
I am sorry to say that I have to emphatically not recommend choosing a trainer at the Working Body in Oakland. I personally had a very bad experience with one of the trainers there, as have several other women that I have come into contact with (coincidentally.) Despite the fact that there are many female trainers there, the atmosphere is very macho and I did find the staff occasionally rude to the clients. (See Yelp review.) There are many other wonderful trainers in the Bay Area. Good luck to you! anon
I'm afraid I can't offer a specific trainer, but I had to write in reply to the poster who apparently had a terrible experience at the Working Body. In the year I've been going to Working Body (3-4 times/week for pilates, massage and chiropractic), I've had plenty of opportunity to interact with and observe the staff. They have consistently been friendly, helpful, and professional. I love the chiropractor there, and my pilates instructor is fabulous, but that said, I can't speak directly to the quality of the trainers. From my casual observation, it seems like there are definitely some 'macho' trainers (male and female), but the place itself never gave me that vibe. YMMV, I guess. Niki
Juliet at Juno Fitness http://www.junofit.com is absolutely the woman for you. I have been training with her for several years off and on and she has always been very intuitive about when to push me and when I need to back off. I have taken breaks from fitness training for major surgery, illness and family crisis and every time I come back she builds me back up slowly and carefully. I whine and complain constantly, yet her dedication and compassion never falters.
I don't usually post recommendations on BPN, but the description of what you were looking for in a trainer is exactly what Juliet can do for you. It's a small space, you get undivided attention and there are not a bunch of superjocks milling about to make you feel self conscious. Good for you for taking care of yourself! JunoFit Fan
I am always delighted to recommend Haley Shevener (http://haleyshevener.com), who was recommended to me by a friend who has worked with her for several years. I’ve seen her at her house where she has a space set up in her backyard, but I believe she might also work at some area gyms. She specializes in perinatal and postnatal training & has experience working with clients across ages and stages. I went to her 18 months after my son was born after repeated failures to self-start on exercise, experiencing chronic low back pain & feeling like I needed someone to tell me what to do. With just a couple of sessions she helped jumpstart me into a routine that I’ve managed to keep up for about five months now on my own at home. Pain is pretty much resolved and I feel much stronger and fitter than a few months ago!
Dear 50+ I work out at the Albany Y four days a week. It's a wonderful facility with excellent trainers. It's well run and friendly. It's a welcoming place for the "way past the spandex age crowd" though there are lots of younger folks there as well. There are fantastic classes from pilates to Step to Nia to TRX to barbells to Yoga.....check out Mary's Senior fitness classes. AND there are lots of wonderful personal trainers. Weight lifting classes three times a week. Weight lifting is really beneficial for building strength, preventing falls, building bone mass. Huge range of abilities/athleticism. Some people pick up 2 lb barbells while others in the room are picking up 20 and 25 lb barbells. No judgement and it's fun! . Highly recommend the Albany Y. ( I am 76 yrs old.)
I am 60+ and last year joined the YMCA of the E. Bay (Oakland, Berkeley, Albany and other too far for me). I very much enjoy the classes offered at Oakland and Berkeley. While I like the proximity of the Albany gym (I can walk), it is geared exclusively to the elder and more frail. I also picked up pickleball with Albany Rec (meet at the HS gym on Sundays and at the new courts on Thursdays) -- it is welcoming to all levels. Sorry I can't comment on personal trainers, but I look forward to reading the responses of others.
hi! I now work with a really good trainer who comes to my house and is super reasonable. She charges $60. a visit which is really good. She brings some weights with her and we work on strengthening and balance. I asked her whether I should give out her info here but she prefers that I do it individually, so please feel free to email me for her contact info.
Haven't used a trainer yet - I have a great physical therapist, but just joined Albany YMCA and it's fine. Affordable, relatively easy, generally the 40+ crowd. I think it was around $50/mo., no contract, etc., and you can use the Berkeley and Oakland Y too.
I highly recommend Jessica of Truly Madly Fit (https://trulymadlyfit.com). I've been working out with her since the spring and appreciate her gentle/firm approach--she's helped me build strength and has also taught me to listen to my body to rehabilitate after some injuries. I hadn't realized how far I had come with her until I saw a candid picture of myself last week--my legs were ripped!
Jessica works out of a small private gym on the Emmeryvile/Berkeley border--occasionally there is another trainer in the space with their client, but often it's just Jessica and me. Jessica offers 45 minute sessions and hour sessions--that flexibility helps me fit workouts in my schedule. Jessica will also help you find a work out buddy if you're interested in small group sessions (it's a great money saver). I work out 1:1 with her once a week and in a group with 2 other women once a week. It's nice to have both the individual customization and the group camaraderie. Lastly, Jessica is a hoot. She's always got something to talk about and puts me at ease. I like her!
Before I found Jessica, I tried to get a trainer at the Berkeley Y but it never worked out. They just never could find someone available (I work full time). I've had my Y membership on hold since the summer and think I may give it up. I'm sad to lose access to the Y's amenities, but now that my kids no longer need swimming lessons, there really isn't much drawing me there anymore.