based on 8 reviews
Neighbors say
- I won't starve, and I can lose weight in 4 weeks
Integrate Performance Fitness
Al Painter
2624 Fayette Drive, Suite D
Mountain View, CA
94040
(650) 224-4354
info@integratefitness.com
http://www.integratefitness.com
By: julie
Date: June, 2007
The exercise and personal training portion of the program was very good. I would definitely recommend Al Painter and his program. The exercises Al taught us were varied, trained a variety of muscle groups, and were very helpful in improving my muscle tone. I work out at a gym regularly and found Al's program to be a good strength and muscle endurance supplement, and even substitute, for the resistance training I was already doing. Al was also helpful in giving us "homework" -- additional exercises we could do at home between training sessions. I really appreciate his willingness to give us ways to keep up the program on our own, when it is impossible to come to a training session. It is important to come back to training sessions on occasion, however, as your body adjusts to a steady routine and weight loss slows. To keep losing the weight and inches, go back to see Al for more variety! I also liked the fact that Al's program did not require the use of a lot of fancy exercise equipment. Although some of the exercises involved using medicine balls, Pilates balls, stretch cords or stretch bands for the legs, most of the them required only a space on the floor. You used your own body to provide resistance and weight to train yourself. As a result, I became more conscious of what my body was doing and which muscles were being trained. I also found Al to be a personable, friendly, supportive coach. His enthusiasm, manner, and eagerness to help his clients get in shape were a big plus. I found myself working very hard at the exercise program not only for my own benefit, but so as not to disappoint Al. Over the course of the 4-week program, I was able to substantially improve my performance of the original exercise routine (Al had us do a variety of routines over the course of the program, and then had us repeat the original routine to measure improvement). Although my weight did not change, Al's measurements showed that I lost some inches over the 4-week program. The one part of the program that was disappointing was the nutrition counseling. Although the training session times had been planned well in advance, presumably set by Al in consultation with the nutrition counselor, the nutrition counselor we were supposed to see was never able to attend or schedule a session with the group. It was only about halfway or more through the program that we found out we would not be seeing a nutrition counselor. Al did his best to compensate by referring us to nutrition books, giving us some figures on calories expended at rest or in various activities, and general nutrition and weight-loss tips. However, I was aware of many of these facts and tips, and I suspect that many of us who had been trying to lose weight for a while were aware of them too. I had originally been led to expect a more detailed, personalized nutrition counseling portion of the program than was provided, and therefore am somewhat doubtful that I achieved the optimum results of a 4-week exercise and nutrition (i.e. diet) program.
By: janine
Date: June, 2007
Al knows his stuff, and has fun crafting clever exercises to work specific areas of the body. The workouts went fast--they should probably be a little longer--just from the perspective of time management. I lost 2 pounds and 7.5 inches during the month. I can tell things are re-distributing around my body. The space is very utilitarian and easy to use. The only challenge I have is that it is in Mt.View. I'd love more nutrition advice, and it would be helpful to know what each exercise is designed to do.
By: organicmom
Date: February, 2007
Al is very well respected in the community for his work with athletes. He really understands the unique needs of each individual. I am a cyclist and Al was quickly able to assess the areas that I needed to work on to improve my performance. Al's programs are tailored to address your specific imbalances and are not the cookie-cutter approach that you find with most personal trainers. Not only is Al very well educated and a great resource, he is very positive and encouraging.
By: Dan Arra
Date: February, 2007
I've been working out with Al going on two years now. Al has developed a fun and challenging exercise routine for me and three other 40+ year old dads/friends. The workout changes frequently enough to keep it interesting and I always feel like I'm improving.
When I started with this group, we were all at different levels but the exercises Al proposed were versatile enough to challenge the individuals in top shape while accommodating those of us who had to ramp up. We are all now in close to the best shape of our lives!
I've completed three triathlons last year (my first ever) and ran the San Jose 1/2 Marathon! Thanks Al!
By: Roselena
Date: June, 2007
This was a great opportunity to start exercising and doing something good for me. I needed this challenge to start and now it's easy, almost natural, to continue exercising. Al painter is a great trainer; he encourages you to do your best during the exercise sessions and answers your questions with patience. The major change in my body was my strength, after the first week in the program my muscles were sore but then as the sessions went by it got easier to do more and more of the exercise’s repetitions, now I feel that my legs and arms are stronger. The last week measures reassured this, not only was I stronger but I loss 9 inches total on top of that! Thank you, Al, for this great opportunity to challenge myself, I’m looking forward to continuing exercising with you.
[I did a 4-week program, twice a week, with Al.]
By: rita
Date: July, 2007
At the end of our 4-week fitness program with Al Painter, he sent us each a summary of our before and after body measurements. Although I’d love to take credit for all the inches I’ve lost, I think most of mine are due to Al’s firm grip* on the tape measure on the final day. ;-) That’s okay, I had fun and feel so much more physically fit now than at the start. (Even though I work out regularly.) Al’s a real sweetheart and went the extra mile with a lot of our time-consuming after-session questions. He was very responsive with email follow-up to those questions, too. One day we did extra stretching, another day we talked nutrition, and yet another we talked about losing weight from specific body parts. (It ain’t gonna happen.) Al emailed us with links to stretching exercises, home workouts, a nutrition checklist and recommended reading on nutrition. I learned to my delight that chocolate milk is the perfect after-workout snack for the best nutrition and weight-loss effect, and that freezing it the night before creates an incredibly refreshing smoothie-like drink. New exercises were introduced very quickly. There were a lot of ‘huh?’s in the first few sessions while we were trying to figure out the exact movements and proper form. Eventually we settled in, but form was never highly stressed. Al has a bubbly personality - full of energy and very encouraging. The word ‘torture’ was overused; I would have preferred ‘challenge’ or something a bit more positive and fitting. His sessions were definitely a lot of work with occasional aches and pains the following day(s), but still it was too enjoyable to be called ‘torture’. I also didn’t care for the “Monster Mom” program name. I’ve never aspired to be a monster. Lean, fit, trim, energetic, full of vitality – take your pick, but not a monster. Would I recommend Al Painter to others? Yes, without hesitation. His group rates are very reasonable, and with the way Al structures his workouts, the more the merrier. I had high expectations when I learned that Al was voted “Best Bay Area Personal Trainer” by CitySports Magazine, and now I can see how he earned the title. *After writing this review I grabbed my own tape measure out of curiosity – Al’s measurements were fairly accurate.
By: Your Neighbor
Date: August, 2007
Al Painter is a fitness guru who knows how to handle individuals with varying body types and varying levels of physical fitness. He makes fitness fun and I highly recommend him.
