success stories

bob woodruff's story

It was time. After years of neglect, I was faced with the realization that too much time had passed, that I had not maintained a proper balance with my physical self. My focus was always on family and career, which left little time and energy for personal exercise and well being. Having played football and wrestling in high school, I thought that I knew how to exercise. However, I needed something to instill discipline. My doctor recommended Ralph and I approached this idea with some trepidation. However, from the very first time we met, my experience far exceeded expectations and Ferraiolo Fitness helped me progress toward my goals and change my life. They have an excellent studio and Ferraiolo Fitness not only reshaped my physical and mental self, but also my knowledge base of a true overall program. The experience and results far exceed going to the gym based upon what I thought I knew about exercise.

My wife, Beth and I work out together and we have included our kids, so this experience has reinforced a healthy lifestyle for the entire family. Ferraiolo Fitness runs a great personalized program designed to meet your individual needs and goals. They make exercise fun while elevating your performance.

kevin's story

As a person in my early 30s it was foolish to think I could continue to workout the same way I did as a 21 year old Division I College Wrestler. I have endured injuries over the years, primarily a chronic back injury, so I've had to change my approach to fitness. Ralph has helped me heal/protect those injuries, alleviate pain and gain strength through smart, low impact, total body exercises. Working out with Ralph Ferraiolo has opened my eyes to a new type of fitness. His techniques have taught me how to keep my body in alignment and stay strong not only for athletics but for everyday health. At this point in my life, I feel stronger pound for pound than I did when I was wrestling and running at 21. Ferraiolo Fitness has helped my back, my overall strength and my ability to coach my student athletes with a better understanding of the tools they need to succeed.

victoria's story

With two hundred people, ten managers and six booming mortgage bank branches under her belt, she had finally reached the pinnacle of her professional career. Victoria Stratman was the president of a major institution. Millennium Bank Mortgage Company reaped the rewards of Stratman's 16-hour work days and 20 years of banking experience before spitting out a tapped-out career business woman who had gained 30 pounds in a little over four years of service. The stresses had worn her physically and emotionally.

"That lifestyle took a toll," Stratman admitted. "It was a tremendous factor in my gaining weight because I wasn't able to get away and work out, or do the things I needed to do to take care of myself."
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fe's story

Just wanted to thank you for your support and guidance in my fitness program. While my first motivation in coming to work with you was to lose weight -- which I have done -- I realize I have gained much more. I am now the fittest I have ever been in my entire life! This gives me so much confidence in so many other arenas of my life, as well as more stamina to weather the tough times.

I have done other weight loss programs where I have exercised on my own, but I have never been able to achieve the results I have with you. I have shaped my body in ways that I did not realize was possible. I am so happy with the way I look now.

I know we have more to go, but I am ecstatic with the gains I have made. I appreciate your commitment to me. I get the sense that for you this is not just "a job:, but that you are committed to my goals. Sometimes I think your more committed than I am, which is good because when I lose focus you bring me right back.

You are what I need in a coach -- well-informed, engaged and engaging. You even have me liking getting up early -- now that is an achievement :-) Working with you is not just about going through the routine. You established a good rapport with me.

This has been a worthwhile investment in myself. A regular routine with you is now a top priority for me.

-Fe

bob's story

To Whom It May Concern:

My quest to improve my physical health began a little over one year ago, in July 2005, when my wife - for our anniversary - had us join a small, personalized fitness studio in Reston, Virginia. Her reasons were 100% selfish; one of my coworkers - an ex-Navy captain with a wife and six children who was one year younger than me - had died of a cerebral aneurysm while working out by himself in our office building's fitness center.

My wife didn't want this to happen to me.

For the first seven months at the studio, I had a great deal of difficulty motivating myself to work out regularly with the trainer that I had been paired with. The sessions were not conducive to my goals, and consequently, I ended up cancelling more appointments than I kept.

And then I met Ralph Ferraiolo.

This happened one day when my regular trainer had to cancel our session after I had already arrived at the studio, and I was offered the opportunity to work with Ralph for the next hour. At the outset, he noticed several weaknesses in my training to which I had been oblivious - primarily in core strength and balance - and immediately set about to correct them.

Fast forward to February 2006….

I commit to working out with Ralph three days a week on a regular basis, and follow his advice on nutrition and exercise. Six months later, I feel like I'm in the best shape of my adult life, and since a picture's worth a thousand words:

Date (Age)	July 7, 2005 (50)	May 17, 2006 (50)	July 31, 2006 (51)
Weights (lbs)	279	268	248.4
% Body Fat	35.6	33.2	30.2
Blood Pressure	104 / 82	126 / 76
Measurements
Shoulders	50	52 ½
Chest	46 ¾	46
Bicep: left	14 ¼ / 15	15 / 15 ½
Bicep: right	14 ½ / 15 ½	15 / 15 ½
Waist:	46	45 ½
Thigh: left	27	25
Thigh: right	27 ½	25
Aerobic Exercise	30 minute walk 2 days/week	45 minute walk 5 days/week	60 minute walk 7 days/week

Ralph is a consummate professional, and knows his subject thoroughly. He makes my work-outs entertaining, and something to look forward to. With his guidance, I feel great, and look better than I have in years.

And I can't wait for this afternoon's session!

Respectfully,

Bob