Physique

02/18/2008 Posted by moscato

David is the best trainer I've had in 15 years. I usually never write reviews on public forums, but I felt compelled to do so because David is authentic, honest, and delivers results. He really listens to your concerns and scrutinizes your body for the problem areas, and works hard to address them. I've had so many trainers/therapists pretend to listen to concerns but never address them, that I've lost count, and it is truly refreshing to find someone who believes in what he does and actually cares about solving your problems, rather than signing up as many clients as he can, focusing on watching the clock and/or getting you to buy all sorts of add-ons you don't need. I am probably one of the most skeptical consumers you can meet, never giving people the benefit of the doubt and requiring them to earn my trust... call it too many times of being sold on a service/product only to find out nothing was more superior than the salesmanship. I was intrigued at first given all the rave reviews on Physique, and was very impressed after my initial conversations and movement screening with him, but still a tad skeptical, so I initially only signed up for a 6-week session. Well, sadly for my fashion budget, I have just renewed for a 6-month package - that's how much I believe in his program. I implicitly trust that he tells me to do only things that will help correct my problem, and not just to 'sell me'... I'm also a fan of massages from therapist Katarina! The fitness world needs more trainers like David and more programs like his...if your goal is to improve your core strength, there is NO better place to start than at Physique.

Pros: Great setting in a loft space with ambient lighting and music and hardly any machines!

Cons: Climbing four flights of stairs to get there

12/04/2007 Posted by deverainnyc

David has been my trainer for 4 years. I was referred to him by my husband, who's been Dave's client for over 5 years. As a former RN, I am really picky about people who try to talk the talk about anatomy & physiology, but know absolutely nothing. Dave knows more anatomy and physiology than I ever learned in my college level courses during nursing school. And he uses that knowledge to create individualized instruction for each client. A few months ago an incredible massage therapist, Katarina, joined Physique. She consults with Dave on what areas I need worked on, and finds muscles I didn't know I had! The loft space is beautiful, and each visit is never the same, so for sure you don't get bored! I love this place! BTW, I'm a senior citizen, and feel confident that as I continue to age, working with Dave and Katarina will continue to allow me to age with balance, strength, and excellent musculoskeletal health.

10/14/2007 Posted by pat42lui

I had heard through a friend that Physique had very good massage services so I called to book an appointment. I spoke to David (the owner), and after talking to me about my body history he suggested I book his Active Movement Screening first. He promised that it would be information I could take anywhere and would actually enhance my massage experience. Well, how right he was! Not only was my massage the most individualized muscle therapy experience I've ever experienced, but I also got information on how to easily adjust daily lifestyle routine and specific muscle movements that have virtually cleared my neck spasms. I now am a regular manual therapy junky (you will LOVE Katarina), and purchased my first training package last week. I am training with Nicholas and he is great. David's method is infused in every aspect of staff services and he seems genuinely concerned with making sure everyone has a great experience. I am referring a friend who needs a trainer to come to her home to try Physique To Go! That's their in home training service which I am certain is just as good. Just do it.

09/10/2007 Posted by huggymeow

I was looking for a personal trainer to help me lose 10 pounds for my wedding in June. During the search, I tested out a trainer from my gym Crunch and the experience was not pleasant to say the least. She didn't ask me any questions about my current health/limitations and just went straight into working me out HARD. I had to stop going to the gym for 7 days since I was in so much pain! I interviewed a few other trainers and no one really caught my attention until Dave from Physique. I was on the phone with him for good 30 minutes and I drilled him with many questions - If I was going to spend my hard-earned money on a trainer on top of paying for my Crunch membership fee, I needed to make sure I would get results. He answered all of my questions patiently and with extensive knowledge in weight loss and corrective training. During our initial meeting, Dave assessed my training needs through questions about my lifestyles, postures, etc and through physical tests. And at the end of the meeting, I signed up for 12 sessions. I wanted results and I got results and so much more. After 3 months with Dave, I lost 10 pounds and he unexpectedly helped me alleviate my back problems too. Before training with Dave, I had back pains and frequent pinched nerves from poor posture and sitting in front of the computer all day. Through core weight training and stretching, my back felt so much better and I understood my body better too. I was very satisfied with the end goal and the process of getting there was fun too. I love the studio - very zen and nice relaxing music always in the background. Dave was just a pleasure to work with - He not only helped me lose weight and be pain free, but he also helped me survive the pre-wedding stress. He always had extra time to listen to me complain about vendors and flower colors. Dave is simply the best trainer out there and you will also gain a friend!

08/15/2007 Posted by charrall

After 20 years of running, marathon training and soccer I found myself at age 36 with back problems, sciatica, muscle soreness and nagging injuries. 50 hours behind a desk were taking their toll. My active lifestyle was becoming less active and I became tentative about doing things I loved, such as snowboarding, for fear that I would make matters worse. I'd had MRIs which revealed the usual wear and tear on my spine and discs I'd been to several physical therapists at the expense of my medical insurer. After nearly two years of low-intensity monotonous therapy, I was not much better off. That's when I decided to seek alternatives. Serious core training seemed the right direction to take. I found Physique on CitySearch and went to the studio for a consultation with Dave. It's now six months later and I've got my life back. Through some great training, Dave nursed me out of my back pain and into some solid core training programs that made me much more fit, balnaced and resistant to the deadly combination of sitting at a desk and then heading out the door for a 10 mile run or game of soccer. He achieved what no PT had been able to do. Dave has a genuine interest and devotion to figuring out what's wrong and helping you solve it through his solid understanding of how the body works. He gets it. If you're serious about curing what ails you and achieving a level of fitness and stability that is likely well beyond that which you've ever had, then go see Dave. Pros: Dave's knowledge of the body and how it works Constantly varied routines that challenge you while remaining acutely aware of any injuries or potential weaknesses you may have Personal attention The studio environment is inviting and spotless Good hours of availability Having a postitive and dedicated individual who's as, if not more devoted, to you achieving your fitness goals Dave helped me get my life back. Best money I've spent in years!

07/24/2007 Posted by nycwrites

I have never written an online review in my life--not for a bar, restaurant, or hotel, and certainly not in support of an exercise-related experience. I've never been compelled to...until now. I stumbled on Physique out of a combination of desperation and laziness (impending bikini season and the fact that it's three blocks from my apartment were probably the biggest factors), and the positive reviews on citysearch pushed me to check it out. Like some of the other reviewers, I've worked with numerous trainers at a number of city gyms, and I was skeptical. And just like those same reviewers (although I admit I was convinced that *I* would see through the hype), I wrote out a check within fifteen minutes of meeting Dave. I worship Dave. He seems to have an impressive academic and scientific background with regard to fitness and nutrition BUT doesn't bore me with endless explanations of this tendon and that muscle, blah, blah, blah. There's also no repetitive rep counting or log books or "upper body today lower body tomorrow" type of patterning, which is refreshing. Each of my sessions has been different from the one before it and has incorporated a whole-body approach. There's a feeling that he's actually personalizing it--a lot--based on my abilities/goals and not some playbook. My naturally thin body type has deceived many trainers before into thinking I was in decent shape, but not Dave: he saw immediately that I had horrible posture, poor flexibility, a humiliating lack of coordination, and ZERO strength. It's hasn't happened overnight, but I'm starting to see improved strength (5 lb. weights to 10...woo-hoo!) and feel more toned. There are probably other trainers who could've gotten me there, too, but none of them took as personal an approach as Dave. I'm just about to finish my first 6-week program, and I've already signed up for round two. Yes, I'm totally drinking the Physique Kool-Aid, but trust me: you will, too.

Pros: Relaxing studio, great music, no work-out dread

Cons: Feel guilty getting on the elevator after a training session, so when Dave's watching I take the stairs

01/31/2007 Posted by jowalters

I swung by Physique for a consultation on spec after reading about it in Time Out, because my back was shot from an old sports injury and too much desk work and ultimately the various things I'd tried in the line of massage, yoga, shiatsu and general fitness helped but it never went away. In one hour, Dave gave me the most intelligent diagnosis of my problem in 10 years. I have a really good radar for picking up health hype, BS and overselling stuff and I don't like the gym culture, but I felt that what he told me about my muscular dysfunction made sense and I liked the idea that we were going to fix it and retrain my body without gimmicks or set formulae. I have a healthy mix of cynicism and optimism in general - but I wrote my check on the spot and have just signed up for my second six-week course. We're trying to correct 15 years of problems and i still have to spend long hours at the computer, so it's not going to happen overnight, but I feel as though we are getting there and it's worth the expense because I'm investing in the rest of my life. On every visit I am put through very specific exercises, different each time, quite strenuous (in a good way), that focus on the exact muscle, joint and nervous system problems that have made me a bit of a physical wreck underneath an athletic exterior! Dave will do a bit of physio as well if there is a need, which helps to ease aching, locked-up muscles and joints. I feel as though I work-out on target areas quite hard under expert supervison, am making progress on my back, core strength and (slowly) flexibility and that is very motivating. And I continue with the exercises I've learnt when I'm at home and carry myself better througout the day. Dave creates a pleasant, down to earth atmosphere in the well-equipped space. When I said it was inconceivable to me that I could become pain free, Dave said it was inconceivable to him that I couldn't. How cool is that? It's my new goal.

08/14/2006 Posted by beautyandtruth

I am a 43-year-old writer, former athlete and gym bunny. I've seen several private trainers and taken movement classes, tai chi, yoga, pilates--everything from hell to breakfast. Dave is, hands down, the best trainer I've ever had. His knowledge of body mechanics, his intution re: muscle functions (and, in my case, dysfunctions), his eye for balance and coordination and, perhaps most of all, his belief in what he does all combine to make working with DAVE an exceedingly worthwhile investment in YOU. I trust him implicitly; our work together has changed my body. What's more, I'd always thought myself in better-than-average condition. Dave quickly disabused me of that notion. I injured myself rather seriously making the same mistakes, over and over through the years, at gyms like crunch and equinox and new york sports, etc. I'm glad Dave intervened and that I am now on the upswing--my only regret is that I didn't see him years ago. See him now and thank me later.

05/04/2006 Posted by bernietheattorney

I have had several personal trainers, both in nyc and in europe and dave of physique is by far the best. He is knowledgable, peaceful, motivating and enjoyable to be around. I actually look forward to working out!! Great new location is more spacious and more zen! Really worthwhile!

Pros: peaceful, energizing, flexible scheduling

Cons: no sunday availabilit, no dogs permitted

04/14/2006 Posted by dawn1465

I’ve been training at Physique for more than three years. The addition of Katarina to the staff is indicative of the high standards to which David (the owner) holds for his employees. The bodywork I have received at the hands of Katarina is without a doubt the best manual therapy I have ever experienced – and I have been incorporating massage into my life for the past 25 years. These are not your normal run-of-the-mill massages. I have experienced positive changes in my body since I have been utilizing this add-on service. The opportunity to have your trainer confer with the massage therapist on-site is invaluable. Problem areas are discussed and addressed with the goal of making workouts more efficient. Katarina rocks!

Pros: Knowledge, Personality

Cons: I don't live close enough to go everyday