Jim Hoke, DDS
Hoke Restorative Dentistry
The most beneficial aspect of working with my Empower trainer has been her ability to customize a workout regimen for my specific needs. After spending over 35 years bending over dental patients, my posture and joint mobility had suffered. Reduced shoulder and neck mobility and pain had become a way of life, an “occupational hazard” that afflicts many dentists. Katy has worked diligently with me to reverse those years of neglect. The result is increased mobility, reduced pain, and the realization that I won’t have to continue having these problems. Of course, there’s the emphasis on building core body strength and weight loss as well. In addition, I’ve found Empower to be the cleanest training facility to which I’ve belonged. Observing the other staff work with their clients has shown me that they all take a personal interest in their clients’ well being – it’s more than just a job for these highly qualified specialists.
And….. everyone seems to be having fun!
Shannon Hildebrand
“For a self-proclaimed gym hater, this place makes me feel right at home.”
I came to Empower for 2 reasons.
1) Caroline worked hard with management to get the students a great deal, so that we could actually afford to use the amazing services at Empower.
2) I was running a the Yeungling Shamrock Marathon in March, and I wanted to get a faster time than my last marathon.
Results:
I did not come in to lose weight. I made that clear from the get go. I am a nurse, and I lift very heavy people, and walk close to 6 miles per 12 hour shift. I am pretty active, and what I was really looking for was a fun way to get through the winter without being stuck on a treadmill, get a better marathon time, and get stronger so that I don’t get physically burned out too fast at work. Well needless to say, for the past 2 months, my scrubs don’t fit, and all of my coworkers keep asking if I am going to disappear soon, because I have gotten so small. Still haven’t dropped a pound, but I must have firmed up, because the clothes never lie. I am able to do lots of push-ups, plank for minutes, and I feel like my core strength has never been stronger. As far as the marathon, despite a pretty bad knee, I finished with a time I was proud of. All in all, Caroline has given me everything I could have asked for. Everyone there is so nice, always ask how I am doing, and for a self-proclaimed gym hater, this place makes me feel right at home. I am never bored, that’s for sure.
Francis Ali-Osman
Distinguished Professor of Neuro-Oncology
Department of Surgery
Duke University School of Medicine
Joining Empower Training two years ago was the single most significant life-changing step I have taken in the last five years. The experience has been simply phenomenal! The highly personalized and comprehensive program that Ronda designed for me, starting with the initial complete assessment, daily exercises, counseling and regular monitoring was remarkable and has transformed me into a completely new person in body and mind. I dropped two waist sizes within my first few months and my overall health, mobility, balance and all-round fitness have dramatically improved. I feel stronger, fitter and more energized than I have been in more than a decade. What is more, the flexibility built into my personalized program accommodates my complex and sometimes unpredictable professional life without compromising the effectiveness of my training experience. Being part of Empower is like being part of a family. Ronda, Jessica and their highly professional staff make you feel at home and very wholesome. By the way, the facility is awesome!
Elizabeth Nguyen
“Empower Fitness, Durham, NC – the best around!!!”
I have been transformed by working with Mike Babbit for the last 3+ months 2 times a week. I am a stay at home mother whose back often hurt from taking our son in and out of the crib and car seat. Since training with Mike I have not had a back ache b/c he has focused on strenghtening my core muscles to better handle the everyday activities of being with a toddler.
Gene Odonne, M.D.
Director, HSR&D
Durham VAMC
I came to Empower, and Michael, 6-months ago, hobbling on a knee sore after 35 years of running. Orthopedists and Physical Therapists were not able to create a program that helped ease the pain of running. Yet, 3-months into a twice a week work-out with Michael that focused on core body muscles, I was able to run again, pain free. No two workouts were the same, yet we stayed on track to restore my ability to run again. I had never before relinquished my physical fitness to someone else, but, in the end, it has made all the difference. I could not have foreseen this change in this short time. If you are looking to recreate a level of fitness that you had before, I would strongly recommend Empower!
Grace Couchman, M.D.
Co-founder Carolina Conceptions
I would also add a personal vote of confidence for Empower. They are a very professional and female friendly group who offer a high level of expertise. There are quite a few Duke MDs who already go there regularly and I think it would be an excellent opportunity for PDC members.
David C. Steffens, M.D., M.H.S
Duke University Medical Center
I am pleased to write this strong letter supporting Empower Personal Training. I have known Michael Whitehurst for over two years as my trainer at Empower Personal Training here in Durham. While I have benefited from my relationship with him from a fitness perspective, I have also been able to observe his leadership skills as a Training Manager as the Empower team has grown.
Michael clearly has a terrific knowledge of fitness, and I have been the recipient of several approaches to fitness that he is familiar with. The variety is nice, and it clearly helps me work on different aspects of my overall health and fitness.
I speak from the perspective of a physician. I have such confidence in Michael and in Empower that I have referred many others to this company.
Tom Sporn, M.D.
Pathology
Duke University Medical Center
Why do you train with Empower Personal Training?
I enjoy competitive bicycle racing; time trials, criterium and road races, as well as cycling for general fitness in the off-season. Empower provides the perfect environment for cross-training all year round, and my trainer, Michael, has helped me immensely with a concentrated group of exercises directed to strengthen muscle groups required for cycling. The facilities and staff at Empower are first rate, the friendly but professional environment at Empower makes it a very pleasant place in which to train.
What have been your results?
I have lost considerable weight over the past two years, predominantly body fat, changed my ìbody typeî, and really strengthened my core and lower body. A benefit from increased quad and calf muscle strength from my training has been the stabilization of my old knees, which are kind of beat up and arthritic from old sports.
The difference I have experienced working with Empower versus going to a gym can be likened to going to Duke Medicine versus a Doc-in-the-box ñ there is no comparison.
Ann Gleason
“Great personal training!”
I’ve been with Empower Personal Training for 2+ years and recommend it to friends and acquaintances all the time. I don’t have grand training goals, I’m just trying to stay strong as I get older. It’s been more than I could have expected. The staff is wonderful, professional yet welcoming and friendly. From the start, they listened to what I wanted to get out of the experience, then provided it and more. The environment is far superior to any gym or health club I’ve ever belonged to–no posturing “trainers”, no blaring music, no overcrowding. It’s always immaculately clean. I feel like a member of a community dedicated to fitness at Empower, not just a client.
I also have the added benefit of more stamina and a more trim, tone body which all add up to more self confidnce! I have worked with other trainers and none have increased my strength and given me workouts with so much variation as Mike. And observing other trainers in the gym…they all give their clients workouts that are challenging and not the same hum drumn over and over again exercises.
I highly recommend Empower if you want to be in the best shape of your life and have fun getting to your goal!
Al Jones
“Extremely Productive Time”
The personnel at the gym are all quite nice and always willing to help. They greet you when you arrive and wish you a great day when you leave. The workouts are extraordinary and the staff is very knowledgable. Katy is my trainer and she has been my life line. I am very happy to be assoicated with this gym and I recommend it highly!
Karin Sullivan
“Awesome Personal Training”
Empower Personal Training is a clean and well maintained environment with a knowledgeable and friendly staff. I have been working out with Jessica for many years and have realized great results. She varies the workouts and keeps the exercises fun and interesting. What started out as a weight loss program became an overall wellness program. We not only concentrate on cardio and weight training but nutrition, yoga, and thai massage as well. The onsite nutritionist has been fantastic about suggesting healthy choices and not making you feel like you are missing out. The yoga classes with Satya have been wonderfull….a great way to vary your exercises! Although I am a beginner she makes me feel like I can do any of the exercises. I recently tried thai massage with Satya and it was the best massage I have ever had. Unlike a traditional massage this works on your joints and incorporates stretching and some yoga techniques…I highly recommend it! As if we weren’t doing enough training Jessica recommended Boot Camp with Matthew…that is a lot of fun! Talk about mixing it up….it is fun and allows you to try a bunch of different exercises in a group environment.
