I have been a consistent trainee at Essential Fitness for the past year. Over that time frame I have been able to transform my somewhat older body to where I am feeling lighter on my feet as well as stronger in my upper body. Austin has trained me based on my personal goals. He had been able to READ my personality and customize my workouts accordingly. This past May, I ran a Spartan Sprint held on the Tuxedo Ski Slope. The distance was 5 miles with 20 obstacles to navigate. I was able to complete the event as well as feel a great personal accomplishment. I would not have been able to attain that goal in the time in which I did had it not been for Austin/Essential Fitness. Thank you Austin!
SAMANTHA HERNANDEZ
Samantha lost over 50lbs
My name is Samantha, I decided after years of being overweight to make a change and turn my life around health wise. I was always an athletic person, even served in the Army for 8 years but after having kids I became too busy to take care of myself. I spent all of my time taking care of my family, going to school, and working. Little by little my weight crept up and I became more and more uncomfortable with myself. I had a moment in the summer of 2014 that I realized I was not in any pictures with my family, or if I was I had a kid blocking my body. I would have fun with my family but hate how I looked in every picture. At one of the busiest times in my life (working as a nurse full time, going to school online full time and with two athletic children) I decided that whatever it took it was time for me to take care of myself. A friend brought me into Essential Fitness and I instantly felt comfortable, everyone was friendly and classes were modifiable to my level. I sat down with Austin and made goals that I thought were unattainable. He made me a program based on my needs, wants, limitations, and schedule. I was skeptical because I’ve yo-yoed with my weight and never lost more than 5-10 lbs (that always came back), and when I made my first goal I was hooked. I attend as many classes as I can each week and am even able to bring my kids with me and they join in the workouts. This gym and the people that people in class have become a part of my life and my children’s lives; friends that I feel comfortable inviting into my home. My results became real to me when I realized I was comfortable taking pictures with my family without a shield. I have lost 50 pounds and 22 inches overall in 8 months. More important than the numbers on the scale is the way I feel; I have more energy, I am confident, and my overall mood is so much better. I am truly happy again and look forward to continuing to meet goals in and out of the gym with the help of the team at Essential Fitness.
LIZ WORTHMAN
I am in no way an athlete or health nut (not even close). Like millions of others, I've struggled with my weight; up down, up down, and so on. My problem: self discipline. My solution: pay to be accountable to someone else, at least in my own mind ;) I've known for a while that I require guidance to keep myself on track with my weight/health. It's what works for me...at least for the foreseeable future. I let my weight and overall health get way out of control over the 6 yrs after my daughter's birth. I met Austin when I went looking for a personal trainer to help me lose weight/inches and get healthier. In the short time I've known Austin he's been a tremendous inspiration to me. He has the knowledge and experience that I was looking for to improve my overall well being along with the great team at EF backing him. The best part.... an unintimidating, fun & positive personality to boot. He involves himself in many charitable and fundraising events and causes for our local community and has great children and senior programs as well. For me personally, my biggest problem area is my waistline. I started with Austin in Sept of 2014 and as of April of 2015 I've lost 23 lbs and a total of 16" from all body area measurements combined! 7" of those from my waist alone! I've reduced my body fat by 7.2% and dropped my BMI by 4.6 points. I've had great strides of improvement in my cardio, strength and endurance, and with that naturally comes improved mental well being. He knows how to keep me motivated and encouraged by tracking my progress, making necessary adjustments, keeping workouts fun, and different, and reminding me that the greatest achievements and rewards don't come overnight. Needless to say I am extremely pleased with the results I've achieved so far, and have done it the right and safe way with Austin's guidance. I know that by sticking with Austin and the team at EF I will have no problem reaching my goals. Thanks for everything, Austin Essential Fitness, I can't wait to see what we can achieve in 2015!
ADRIANA COPOLANCHI
My name is Adriana. For years I've struggled with my weight. I tried everything including Weight Watchers, diet pills, 3 day diets, you name it, but nothing worked. Back in May of 2014 I was taking my son to a basketball tournament and I passed a building with an Essential Fitness sign. So when I got to where I needed to be I went online and checked out his website. I found he was exactly what I had been looking for, a one on one personal trainer. You don't find them at Planet Fitness. Since then I've lost 35 pounds and I went from a size XL to a Medium...size 16/18 to a size 12/14. I just couldn't believe it. Austin is awesome and he kept me going when I gave up on myself. I have so much more energy and I can do the simple things like going up a flight of steps without being out of breath. Thank you Austin for everything you've done for me!
DINA ZAGER
Dina lost over 100lbs
From the moment I met Austin, I felt comfortable and knew that this is what I needed to do if I was going to continue towards a healthier lifestyle. I immediately started with 2-3 personal sessions per week, along with a Dance it Out class. Then, I decided to try out Benjamin’s Bootcamp where I continued to amaze myself each week. From being out of breath those first days trying to do 10 jumping jacks and not even being able to do 5 sits-ups. In a 6 month period of attending personal training with Austin, along with an Essential Fusion class with Stephannie and Austin’s Bootcamp, those 10 jumping jacks/5 sit-ups have now increased to 25+ during any given session! Austin is a great personal trainer, he is patient, cares about his clients and pushes each person to the limits he knows can be achieved. THANK YOU, Austin for coming to Port Ewen! You are an asset to this community.
DONNA REUSS
Donna lost 50lbs
I work just a few doors down in the same building as Essential Fitness. In August of 2014, at 50 years old weighing in at 216 lbs, I went into the emergency room with chest pain and elevated blood pressure. I was diagnosed with acute hypertension, I was put on two blood pressure medications. Shortly after that, in October of that year weighing 222 lbs I decided that I had to do something about my health condition and weight, so I signed up for personal training sessions with Austin at Essential Fitness and began eating a healthier diet . Besides the personal training sessions, I started taking the group classes taught by Stephanie, including Dxf, Fusion and PiYo as well as Austin’s Bootcamp and Kris’s Zumba class. Within 7 months, I have lost 60 lbs, over 16 inches and 10% body fat! In addition to that, I feel so much more energized, my blood pressure went from 180-120/120 to 119/86 with no meds! I am so much more confident and happy with the way I look and feel. Thank you so much to the Essential Fitness team!
JACK CLEARY
My journey began not long ago in December 2013 when I decided for Christmas to ask my wife for a gift certificate for personal training sessions at Essential Fitness with Austin Benjamin. I live in Port Ewen and saw the sign for Essential Fitness and knew a few people who were training there. I realized I wanted to lose weight and feel better. It became more of a reality after I went to my firefighter’s physical that January. I knew things needed to change. I made my first appointment and was impressed from the start. Austin was professional, knowledgeable, supportive and motivating. He customized my workouts based on my individual needs and concerns and also provided nutritional counseling. It soon became more than just the same “I want to lose weight” but a lifestyle change instead. Besides my personal training sessions, I began participating in Austin’s Bootcamps with a great group of people all at many different fitness levels but still feeling included and at ease. I have lost 25lbs and numerous inches. Besides the physical changes, I feel more alert, energetic with a better overall positive outlook. Austin Benjamin and his staff have become more than my trainers but good friends, genuinely concerned with my health and well being. I recommend Essential Fitness to anyone who wants to get healthy and fit in an atmosphere of support, motivation and fun! Hope to meet you at Essential soon! Get started and set out on your own journey to health!