Read what some of my clients have to say about SoulfulBody Fitness...

The mark of a great trainer

Carlos is consistently energetic, personable and positive, until you feel the vibe growing within yourself and you begin to respond in kind. Soon you are a team, approaching your fitness mindfully, healthfully, and (most importantly) with a sense of humor. It is only Carlos who can make me laugh while doing lunges. He has a almost preternatural sense for giving people what they need to encourage and help them become healthier versions of themselves. Who needs the elliptical machine and a talk about last night? Who needs a hug to stay motivated? I am a former and current client of Carlos-I choose to remain with him for the above reasons and for the respect, openness and humor he brings to each session. He helps me believe in me-the mark of a great trainer.

Abby Ruby - Jan. 2008

I've achieved goal I never dared to dream

I began working out about 10 years ago when sedentary habits and a junk food diet began to affect my ability to do my job. I worked with two different trainers on and off for several years and made some improvements. On the down side I experienced several episodes of repetitive-use injury (and physical therapy) at the end of which I found a whole year passing by without going to the gym.

When I contacted Carlos I was feeling embarrassed about my body (again) and knew I needed better help than I was getting with my previous trainers. Like many out-of-shape people I was very much aware of what I thought were my physical flaws. I didn't see my true capabilities or think of myself as an athlete. "I don't want to be big," I told him because I thought I was destined to be small and didn't want to be disappointed.

Carlos had different ideas about what my goals should be. He shifted my focus from a preoccupation with negative attributes toward developing better habits of nutrition and exercise - and leaving the door open to discovering my potential.

Right away I noticed several differences training with Carlos. He was very professional, which I expected, but what surprised me was his enthusiasm and upbeat manner every time we trained. Each session was a learning experience. He made it easy for me to stay focused on each lift because of his habit of full attention. His background in Occupational Therapy gave Carlos the ability to help me understand what was causing my previous problems and how to avoid them (usually an error in form). He encouraged me to listen to my body. Whenever I had joint or tendon issues Carlos always had an alternate strategy at hand. The solutions varied from assisted stretching, to modifying an exercise, to substituting a different movement to work the muscle.

With improved fitness I began to set larger goals for myself. A friend persuaded me to attempt a 5-day 500 mile charity ride, a more ambitious trek than I had ever attempted. Carlos adapted the gym work to build cardiovascular endurance and gave me diet advice to support sustained pedaling. His help made me a stronger cyclist than just road training alone, resulting in an amazing (and injury-free) ride.

Afterward he suggested I consider entering an all-natural bodybuilding competition. It seemed absurd to me - after thousands of miles on a bike I had great legs but a smaller upper body. Paradoxically, I had never seen my abs. Once again I was focused on my deficits. Not Carlos!

As we talked about it over several sessions he helped me to see that addressing my physique goals was not so different than the work I did as a cellist preparing a recital. With a deadline and a specific repertoire to learn my practicing had a different kind of intensity. A competition was just another kind of public performance I could use to focus my training and maintain discipline long enough to take my physical development to a new level.

Carlos' personal experience as a bodybuilder made him an incredible resource. He gave me invaluable nutrition advice, posing techniques and continued to teach me new and more effective training tools in the gym. My workouts in between sessions became more efficient; training with him consistently took me beyond what I thought were my physical limits.

In July of 2007 I took part in the OCB Yankee Classic. Carlos was more than trainer, he was coach and cheerleader. His encouragement kept me positive throughout the competition and, thanks to Carlos, I took second place in the 40+ Masters category.

Ever since then I have an entirely new self-image: I carry myself differently, I have more confidence in my appearance. For the first time in my life I see myself as an athlete. Currently my goal is to gain another 15 pounds of muscle and compete again next year after I turn 50.

The three years I have spent with Carlos have been a terrific journey. I feel better, I look better, I understand more about my body and what it needs to grow stronger. I’ve achieved goals that I never dared to dream. Thank you Carlos for making it all possible!

Brian Hagar McKee - Feb. 2008

I would highly recommend him

I had been training on my own, at home for several years before deciding to hire a personal trainer. Despite my best efforts and dedication I had reached a plateau and was not seeing the results I would have liked.

After some research into the field and after a consultation with him, I decided to hire Carlos Moran for at least a three month period. I was particularly impressed with his physical therapy background as well as the personal experience he brought from the weightlifting competition field.

Since hiring Carlos I have watched both my body and my workout transformed themselves. My lean body muscle mass has increased, my body fat percentage had decreased and my core strength has improved. Carlos showed me how important correct posture and stance are to exercising and improving core strength. My work out time has decreased while the results have improved due to use of proper form and increased intensity.

Following Carlos’ initial assessment of my state of health, he developed an eating and exercise plan that I am still following two years later. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to I improve their health and physique.

Anthony Viola - Dec. 2007

Patient, enthusiastic, and very encourging

Carlos Moran has been my personal trainer at Mike's Gym in Jamaica Plain, Mass for a year and a half. Carlos is an excellent trainer. He has a thorough understanding of exercise physiology and utilizes this information in providing an individualized program for his clients. He provides a constant mix of exercises for total body work as well as making the training sessions interesting. He consistently explains each exercise and the effect on the body part. He is patient, enthusiastic, and very encouraging.

I feel that my level of fitness has increased dramatically. In addition, my blood pressure and all my blood work has been in the normal range. I am fortunate to work with Carlos on physical fitness.

Judith M Dzyak, DNSc, RNC, Clinical Nursing Instructor, Northeastern University - March 2008

Thrilled with the results

I have worked with Carlos for over a year and I have been thrilled with the results. Being a woman, I was particularly concerned about toning and shaping my body rather than bulking up my muscles. Carlos has done a wonderful job of tailoring a fitness regime to suit my needs. He chooses exercise that will benefit my body type and he takes the time to educate me on the effect each exercise will have on my body. Through the training process, I have not only developed a leaner, stronger body - I've gained a greater understanding of human anatomy and the ways in which muscles groups work in conjunction with each other. Because of this, I have a lot more confidence when I go to the gym by myself, and I spend the time far more effectively and with greater results.

On top of this, Carlos is a terrific motivator - there's no way I'd convince myself to do all the things he gets me to do. He's always positive and high energy, and he does a great job of choosing a variety of exercises to tackle the different muscle groups and to keep things interesting. I look forward to the training sessions because I know they will be challenging and engaging - I won't lose motivation with the same repetitive routine.

In the middle of a hard work week, it's tough to muster the focus and energy to complete a full workout - it's great to have someone on your side. I think of Carlos as much more than a trainer - I think of him as a mentor and a friend and would highly recommend him to anyone.

J. in Boston, Mass

I work hard, I learn something, and I laugh

Three things always happen when I exercise with Carlos: I work hard, I learn something, and I laugh. He tailors his approach to the individual client and covers the range of knowledge and skills one needs for optimal health and fitness. In my case, I needed better nutritional habits, a more balanced physique, and realistic goals. Years of cycling had given me strong legs, an underdeveloped upper body and what I thought was a permanent pot-belly.

At the initial consults Carlos took an inventory of my previous gym experience and eating habits as well as my current physical condition (including weight and body fat). He then constructed diet guidelines and gave me new goals. Instead of letting me obsess about my waistline and the bathroom scale he drew my attention to correct form, consistent workouts and lower-fat, protein-rich, healthy carb meals. [By the way, Carlos is also an awesome cook! Eating right doesn't have to be boring.]

In the 12 months Carlos has trained me I have developed an upper body proportionate to my lower. I successfully completed a 5 -day 500- mile charity ride last September because he prepared me with specialized supportive gym work and biking season diet. I weigh the same as I did last year, but now with a better ratio of lean body mass to fat.

Most importantly to me, however, is that in the last year I have not sustained any injuries from weight-training. I am in my late 40s - and know it because my recovery time is not what it was 20 years ago. Carlos' certification in occupational therapy means that he is the ultimately flexible teacher. Whenever I am experiencing stiffness or joint soreness Carlos modifies movements or substitute exercises. On occasion we will spend time in the session with assisted stretching (my hips can be very tight from cycling). The result is that I am able to continue working out from week to week making gains, accommodating the kind of progress my older joints will allow.

Perhaps the strongest testimonial I can give to Carlos' effectiveness is an incident that happened last summer. I had gone out with a few friends to socialize and dance. We left all in a dither, because I had been seriously cruised that evening by a porn star! (No, nothing happened, I am happily married, thank you very much.)

I can't guarantee that working with Carlos will get you XXX- attention, but if you want someone who will help you improve your physical health, your fitness level, reshape your body and do it safely with good humor, then look no further. Call Carlos!

B. in Framingham, Mass

A solid return on my personal training investment

As a gift to myself for my birthday this year I made a decision to get serious about my own personal fitness. Quite a few years of going to the gym on my own and experiencing inconsistent results made me realize that I needed assistance from a professional. I was fortunate to meet Carlos, and in the late spring began working out with him on a regular basis.

Before our first session Carlos met with me to discuss what my personal fitness goals were, learn about my eating habits, and to describe his training philosophy. He presented me with a high protein eating plan and information on vitamin supplements, should I choose to use them.

During my first workout Carlos took me through an organized, strenuous and challenging hour long session that made me immediately realize that I had made the right decision. In the more difficult sessions since that first meeting his effective coaching skills and encouragement have become critical to me.

Carlos educates as he trains, and his goal is to make sure that I understand the purpose and correct form of each exercise while building strength. He is extremely attentive and patient, consistently providing feedback and information, and often repeatedly correcting an incorrect hand position or movement.

While I still have a ways to go I'm very pleased with the results so far. I've seen my ability and confidence level during workouts increase dramatically, and that increase in confidence carries on outside of the gym as well.

If your considering working with a trainer and want a solid return on your investment, call Carlos. I'm glad that I did!

M. in Boston, Mass

A recommendation for a great massage therapist

I am a 44 year old male living in Quincy, MA. I am not the fittest guy on the planet however, Carlos always makes me feel like a million bucks. His professional attitude speaks volumes about this talented man. I have been lucky enough to be able to schedule many sessions with this skillful therapist. Each and every time I am struck by Carlos's ability to help me relax. He always works out all the stress points from my head to my toes. I am equally impressed by his genuine concern for my over all health. He often asks detailed questions before our session and makes wonderful recommendations regarding my health concerns. The experience has always met and often exceeded my expectations. I look forward to the session and cant wait till the next one.

I give Carlos "two thumbs up"!

J. in Quincy, Mass

A one of a kind trainer

Its tough to explain in a few words how remarkable Carlos' skills and knowledge are. As a 50-something guy, I had been struggling to keep in shape for years. I tried a couple of “free fitness consult with gym membership” type trainers - and both of them gave me “startup” programs that threw my back out. Nothing against them; they are probably fine for in-shape 20-somethings who just want to buff up for the beach. But lots of “certified trainers” out there don't know enough to safely advise us “mature” types.

Carlos assessed my situation with an initial interview and by watching me during preliminary sessions. He started me off with several weeks of what was essentially remedial physical therapy to rebuild strength in my lower back and improve range of motion in chronically problematic shoulder joints. (It says a lot about his interpersonal skills that he did this without making me feel like an old geezer.)

From there on, we ramped up to strenuous supervised workouts. And those workouts are extraordinary. I've hired trainers in the past who set up a program and then stood around to chat while I worked out. Carlos watches closely, constantly correcting fine points of form and range, stance and grip. And that's been going on for long enough now that I've begun to recognize the real benefit that comes from doing exercises properly, rather than just going through the motions. He's one of a kind!

J. in Dallas, TX

More coming soon!