Best of Philly

Best Trainer

2023 Best Trainer

Noel Davis

After a car crash left her with chronic back and leg pain, Noel Davis rehabilitated herself with resistance training. Now she’s helping others get stronger­ thanks to her Old City gym, Paris Fit; pop-up workouts throughout the city (including an annual National Fitness Day event); an app for personalized training plans; and at-home gear like bands and sliders. Read More »

221 Vine Street, suite B, Philadelphia, PA Website

2021 Best Trainer

Asher Freeman, founder of Nonnormative Body Club

Asher Freeman is out to “smash racist, fatphobic, cisnormative and ableist myths about our bodies.” How? With a fitness space where all bodies are celebrated — in a kettlebell class, a personal training session, or trans wellness workshops on topics like top surgery recovery and binding health. Read More »

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2020 Best Trainers

The Triyo Fitness Triplets

The enthusiasm and joyfulness of 24-year-old Black identical triplet brothers Malik, Ahmad and Khalil Jones is infectious — they just love working out and helping you work out. (They’re also steeped in Philly’s boutique workout scene: In addition to running their own fledgling fitness company, Malik teaches at Unite Fitness, Ahmad teaches at Barry’s, and Khalil is an instructor at Rumble.) Their classes are some of the hardest in the city, and in the wake of Philly’s Black Lives Matter protests, the three seamlessly shifted their Instagram feed from playful synchronized dance videos to serious snippets on practicing meaningful allyship and becoming anti-racist. Read More »

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2019 Best Way to Train for Broad Street

Never Give Up Training

Yes to 100 percent customized training plans. Yes to personal training sessions with NGU owner and certified Ironman coach Ali Cook Jackson. Yes to all of that costing $60 to $150 a month. Read More »

| 267-297-6600 | Website

2017 Best Trainer

Katie Gould at KG Strong

Thoughts of post-workout beers at the rooftop Bok Bar—a convenient elevator ride away from Gould’s studio—should be enough to push you through her fierce yet fun kettlebell workouts. Prepare to work muscles you didn’t even know existed. And bring a notepad: The always-informative Gould will tell you what they are and why they matter. Read More »

1901 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA | 215-395-3618 | Website

2015 Best Trainer

Kasey Manwaring at GoalsFit

This is the trainer other trainers go to because they love how Manwaring emphasizes bodyweight exercises (push-ups, burpees) using whatever equipment (benches, fountains) happens to be around. Even better? She'll give you the know-how to tone your muscles effectively on your own, too. Read More »

4450 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA | 610-457-5424 | Website