Best of Philly

Best Personal Trainer

2022 Best Trainer

Roger Schwab

This year’s Best Trainer has been coaching for more than 50 years. We watched the 77-year-old do his thing at X-Force, his Center City gym equipped with what are called “eccentric” — or negative — strength-training machines that provide a tough-AF workout. Schwab swears by the science behind X-Force — machines that “stimulate a physiological response by engaging muscles in their full range of motion” by increasing the resistance by 40 percent in the lowering (negative) phase of the rep. Everybody, he believes, should train the same way: “We all have the same muscles in our bodies.” The only thing that varies is intensity. Read More »

30 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA Website

2016 Best Fitness Trainer

Osayi Osunde, Fit Academy

It takes nothing short of superpowers for a fitness trainer to make flutter kicks fun. So fun, in fact, that you leave the workout looking forward to doing more of them the next day, like some sort of masochist. Meaning: Osayi Osunde, who leads muscle-burning, laughter-filled boot camps at the Art Museum steps, might just be ... a superhero? Read More »

Website

2014 Best Personal Trainer

Marshall Roy

His specialty is strength training, so if you want to get ripped, Roy's the guy to show you how. The KOP-based trainer and owner of RISE Gym, whose résumé includes a stint at Equinox NYC, takes on one-on-one clients who are willing to work hard to reach their goals. And then he helps them chisel their bodies into muscled submission. Read More »

485 South Henderson Road, King of Prussia, PA | 610-247-5715 | Website

2014 Best Trainer

Marshall Roy at RISE Gym

If your main gym objective is to get jacked, Roy's your guy. The competitive power lifter left his job as an NYC Equinox trainer to open a no-frills shop dedicated to weightlifting, where you can grunt like you're Schwarzenegger, under the watchful eye of a trainer who won't let you slack off not even for a second. Read More »

486 South Henderson Road, King of Prussia, PA | 610-247-5715 | Website

2013 Best Personal Trainer

Brian Maher

Whether in his personal training studio in Center City or in the privacy of your own home, Maher, a certified strength and conditioning specialist, provides a custom exercise program, sensible nutrition advice, and, most importantly, the firm but friendly voice you need to drown out your inner "I'll just skip today" monologue. Read More »

1429 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA | 267-455-0100 | Website

2012 Best Personal Trainer

Nick Odorisio at Nick’s Gym

Whether you're training for your first 5K or just want to keep pace with your kids, Nick uses your own body weight and exercises that involve multiple planes of motion to get your body working like the machine it is. Read More »

600 Old Lancaster Road, Bryn Mawr, PA | 610-996-1799 | Website

2011 Best Personal Trainer

Mike Smaltz of Platoon Fitness

Your paunch doesn't stand a chance against this dude, a trainer for the past 20 years who'll whip your wimpy butt into shape with kettlebells, gymnastic rings (yeah, you heard us) and nonstop body-weight intervals. Read More »

See website for locations Website

2010 Best Trainer for the Weak-Willed

Holly Waters

Commitment-phobes have nowhere to hide from this energetic, tough-as-nails fitness pixie. When five-foot-two-inch Waters isn't cheering you on at the gym, expect e-mails, texts and calls rooting you toward your weight-loss goals. She's happy to be your (adorable) motivation as you learn to tap into your own. Read More »

, Philadelphia, PA | 267-702-6043 | Website

2013 Best Personal Trainer

Brian Maher

You can come to him or he'll come to you—so there goes your "I'm too busy to work out today" excuse. And with Maher's tailored-to-you workouts and solid diet and nutrition know-how, you may even—gasp!—look forward to your gym time. Read More »

1429 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA | 267-455-0100 | Website

2012 Best Personal Trainer

Nick Odorisio

Your body's a machine—you just need a little help greasing up the gears. Nick uses body weight and corrective exercises—ones that incorporate everyday movements—to maximize results and help you achieve your goal, be it a 5K, a marathon, or a day spent running around the playground with your kids. Read More »

Nicks Gym, 600 Old Lancaster Road, Bryn Mawr, PA | 610-996-1799 | Website