Denise
How can our family continue to stay focused on fitness and even “wellness” in the midst of a pandemic? Would a healthy fitness plan have to be sacrificed along with so many other positive experiences in these restricted times? The answer for me was to convert my in-person cardio and strength trainings to virtual sessions. Although skeptical for months about the value, I had my first Zoom session with Rich and never looked back. The Results Training Plus commitment to a rigorous and accountable training was evident in each and every session. Now, I find the virtual sessions so valuable, I make them a priority. Thank you to Results Training Plus for offering virtual sessions as an option.
Craig
Craig spent much of his teenage years and into his early 20s dealing with injuries, causing him to lose control of his weight, and struggling to find a safe exercise plan that worked with his lifestyle. Once Craig set some firm goals and committed to making his health a priority, he had great success. In less than a year training with RT+,
Craig lost more than 50 pounds and found an exercise program that felt good and helped him to stay injury-free!
Shortly after achieving this goal, Craig took a major leap and moved to Colorado -- a life-long dream of his. It has been one year since Craig packed up and headed west. We recently caught up with him to find out how he's doing. Craig has maintained his weight loss and continues to live a very active life -- skiing as much as he can and happier than he could ever have imagined!
Craig reports zero pain and hindrance from his prior ankle and shoulder injuries. He has maintained his regular RT+ exercise regimen alternating strength and cardio workouts throughout the week, and he continues to work on strengthening his ankles and shoulder each day, preventative maintenance that he learned during his trainings.
Struggling with food choices is no longer a daily stressor for Craig. He is committed to cutting out late night eating and focuses on eating in moderation each day. This combination of healthy eating habits and regular exercise have proven to be the perfect lifestyle habits for Craig to feel good everyday and maintain a healthy weight. Craig's personal testimony speaks for itself… “I feel healthier than I have ever been and am excited to continue my fitness journey into the future.”
Cori
The last few years have been difficult for me physically; two major back surgeries and an accident that resulted in whiplash and metal plates in my forehead. I had gone from horseback riding, swimming, archery, hunting and mountain bike riding to nothing. My sister kept encouraging me to try a reformer class at Results Training Plus with her instructor Melissa. I didn't know where to begin. I was incredibly insecure and self-conscious about my weight gain and dealing with pain and neuropathy in both feet. I decided to try a reformer session and I am so thankful I did! I cannot express how much Melissa has helped me. Together, we reviewed my physical limitations, set goals and developed a program that increases strength while supporting my neck, back and legs. Melissa is incredible at making sure all exercises are done with care and integrity so as to not aggravate any injury. Additionally, she has provided guidance and exercises for me to do at home to help facilitate wellness in between classes.
My core and balance have improved. I have been able to take my dog hunting and have actually sat on my horse which I haven't done in years. I still have a long way to go but thanks to Melissa, RTplus and my sister, I am well on my way.
Gina
Matt is the most knowledgeable trainer/athlete I’ve worked with. I began training with him shortly after I broke my foot and knew he would keep up my strength while my foot healed. I had other issues from years of running. Matt taught me to run and train smarter. He broke down my movements (in photos and videos) and showed me how they were negatively affecting different parts of my body and were causing pain. My scoliosis had worsened over the years and I was having more back pain. Matt showed me better ways to exercise without twisting and over-rotating my back. He motivates me to do my best in the studio, and to work hard throughout the week on my own. And every week, our workout is different, challenging, and exhausting. I’m running again — injury-free, and am stronger than I’ve ever been.
Jonno
I’m a professional dancer working full-time for the past 17 years. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it was the first time I’ve slowed down and like so many I began to struggle with my fitness. I also started to notice more aches and pains from the wear and tear my career has had on my body. Try as I might, I couldn’t seem to find the right way forward. Six months later I was due to return to the stage, so it was time to get serious.
Lucky for me along came Leah, also a professional dancer, who was going to be part of the same show. The new opportunity required a strict 14 day quarantine prior to starting, so I hoped to use the time to build good habits and get on a path toward where I wanted and needed to be. Leah’s virtual Pilates and Core/Cardio classes wound up doing far more than that! At first I noticed improvements in my stamina and endurance. I was also thrilled to see the physical difference in my body. After two weeks the changes were evident, and to top things off the majority of my aches and pains were gone. I attribute this to Leah’s incredible Pilates classes rebuilding a lot of the core strength I’d lost. I felt strong and capable once more. Of course my fitness journey is more than just two weeks of virtual classes, but what Leah helped me achieve in this short amount of time was astounding. Now out of quarantine, I plan to continue to train with her and look forward to reaching new levels of fitness.
Her core/cardio workouts are killer in the best possible way. I know I’m working my body to the limit, but she always designs the classes in such a perfect way, and leads with passionate enthusiasm & energy, that even when I struggle I always manage to find the grit to push on. Her mat Pilates classes are a spicy yet blissful, full body workout that always leave me feeling aligned, calm and strong. Bear in mind my experience with her has been virtual and she still manages to connect, offer insightful corrections, plus push and encourage at all the right moments. Leah’s classes became the highlight of my days in quarantine because of the content, the results I was seeing, and untimely because of her!
I’ve intended to write this testimonial for weeks but have procrastinated as I was quite certain I’d never be able to fully describe the pure magic that is Leah. I’ve done my absolute best but just in case you are still unsure, please just give her a shot and experience it for yourself!
Claire
My husband and I started working out at Results Training Plus when the flab of COVID quarantine started sinking in. Matt listened to our goals in our initial meeting and paired us with the perfect trainers to suit our needs. I’ve been working out with Lisa for just two months and what a difference it has made! She has tailored the perfect workout plan to my needs, and I lost 10 lbs in just 8 weeks. She is challenging, motivating, and makes fitness fun. Whether working out in person at the beautiful studio, or remotely on Zoom, RT+ puts client health, well-being and safety first. And they even threw in a massage from their great therapist Autumn! Joining Results Training Plus has been the most important decision I’ve made for my health this year.
Mike C.
I first started going to Matt and RT+ for a specific hamstring issue. I envisioned doing a 3-4-month program. Matt helped me realize that my weak hamstrings were partially related to a weak core. I also learned that Matt was and is teaching a lifestyle, a lifestyle that was always just beyond my grasp. I was active, but I was consistently hurting myself. As the years went by, I started to believe that my active days were over. I have now been seeing him for a year and a half. I just turned 50 and feel as though I am in the best shape of my life both from a cardiovascular and strength standpoint. I even resumed mountain biking, a sport that I had not seriously done in years. While I started with RT+ for a specific reason, I now train with them to maintain great overall health.
Renee
My philosophy of life is to have a sound body, mind and spirit. Thus, I have always trained hard, loved running and my boot camps. Admittedly Matt had to convince me that I was beating up my body by quantity and intensity over form and function. After about 12 months my aches and pains have given way to more fluid movement. Lisa is an amazing addition and actually is showing me how Yoga/Pilates can help me become more athletic. She is the most positive trainer I have ever met. A bonus to all of this is that I feel very confident at RT+ in this time of COVID 19 worries because of their attention to separation, masks, screening and cleanliness.
Dennis
My experience with Results Training Plus began when a colleague of mine introduced me to Results Training Plus identifying them as a group that seemed to take a different approach to a physical therapy regime. I was suffering from repetitive pain in my (right) lower leg that began a year after I had hip replacement surgery. The doctors identified the problem as being sciatica. This led to a series of over the counter and prescription drugs followed by a prescribed regime of physical therapy that only provided more than a day or two of relief. Matt’s approach was to watch me walk, video record my walk, with front and rear views, and focus on reducing muscle knots with a procedure he refers to as fascia release. Rolling numerous muscles with a stiff foam cylinder and extensive stretching are part of the regime. He has numerous routines that involve stretching and strength exercises of virtually all muscle groups. His exercises focus on developing better balance and strengthening core muscle groups. In my case, the symptoms of sciatica that I was experiencing have not returned and my overall health is noticeably improved. Finally, Matt has periodically recorded videos of my walk. A very pronounced sideways misalignment of my back is now barely noticeable. I have been continuing my exercise sessions with Matt with enthusiasm.
Cheryl G.
Whether face to face or virtual, the sessions with RT+ trainers are thoughtfully sequenced for each person. No cookie-cutter work outs with these folks. The trainers are knowledgeable, supportive, and challenging—during every single session. Just follow their lead, and your body will soon show you the difference smart, individualized workouts can make. The results? Results Plus!
Cathy H.
I had my first online Pilates class with Melissa last week. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but I loved it! It really wasn’t much different than my private sessions with her at the studio. The only difference was that she was on my iPad giving me the training. She could see me and I could see her! And my muscles still felt worked the next day!
I’m so glad that Results Training Plus is offering this service in the time of social distancing. I need my Pilates for my "physical" and "mental health" during these crazy days.
Mike H.
My obsessive and compulsive tendencies had always served me well. I loved distance running and did it religiously since high school through any weather conditions; probably near 70,000 miles over 38 years. I often received praise from colleagues and friends for my discipline, I would tell them that I just loved to run! I could eat what I wanted and did daily activities without ever feeling fatigued. As I aged, I stubbornly never really changed my routine, and this continued into my early 50s, despite my wife’s advice to vary my exercise regimen. Then insidiously my pace began to slow and the distance I ran got shorter. This led to weight gain since I never adjusted my lifestyle as my exercise performance waned. My flexibility and mobility deteriorated but I continued to proceed to try and run without making any changes. My wife finally got me to see my flawed logic, she introduced me to Matt and his team at RT Plus. It was amazing how quickly they could identify strategies to fix the mechanical damage and loss of flexibility I had created over the years. As my body began to feel better and I could move better, it became easier to make the lifestyle changes that allowed me to get back to a better weight. I plan to enjoy life as I age with good mobility, improved strength, and flexibility. Matt and his team have helped me gain control of my life again and I owe them a huge debt of gratitude. Thank you.
Matt S.
Up until age 45, I was a semi professional endurance off road motorcycle racer. I was very serious about my training but relied on the motivation of being a better racer to drive my program. After my retirement from racing, I lost my motivation to train and began a downward slide in my endurance over the next 7 years. Although I still competed occasionally and picked up a love of mountain bike riding, my endurance decayed, I gained 40 pounds and my flexibility suffered. Finally I decided enough was enough. My wife set me up with Matt Petrarca, a personal trainer. In all my years of training, I never used a personal trainer but I agreed to give Matt a shot (with some degree of skepticism). It has been 4 weeks now and I can say that it was the best health choice I could have made. Matt has put me on a program focused on increasing my flexibility while bringing on strength training gradually. He has helped me to set goals based on a healthy lifestyle which has allowed me to bring back my motivation to keep on track with my program. The improved flexibility has allowed me to keep up with my endurance training with a side benefit that the pounds are starting to fall off. With Matt pushing my training and my supportive wife keeping up with his dietary suggestions, I feel like I'm headed in a positive direction for the first time in 7 years.
Cathy H.
Having lived in State College for over 30 years, I have tried practically every studio, every group exercise class and more in those years. Turning 60 this year prompted me to try something I hadn't done: Pilates. I signed up at my friend, Matt Petrarca's business, RT+. One of his trainers, Melissa, has worked with me since last January. I have a private Pilates reformer session and a group Pilates mat class each week. I have never experienced the total body change that I have had with Pilates. My core is stronger and my flexibility and balance are so much improved. I have lost inches all over (and 15 pounds!) Melissa is great as her routines are always varied and she always asks if any muscle group is bothering me and targets the exercise particularly for that area. Along with using the recommended food logging app, tracking my food and drinking lots of water, I have met my weight loss goal and feel better at age 60 than I did at 50! Thank you, Melissa and Matt!
Densie B.
I spent decades chasing the fitness dream with mixed results until I engaged with the team at Results Training Plus. Erin and Matt have changed the way I think about the interplay of activity and food, with true results that have taken years off of my life. The intensity and quality of training coupled with an investment of personal time and attention is not something a group fitness center can deliver. They want me to succeed and therefore I am motivated like never before.
Anne D.
I waited 48 years for core strength and decided in March 2016 that I wouldn't wait any longer! When I began training with Melissa at RT+, I could only hold a plank for 8 seconds. In four short months, I've lost 12 pounds, can hold a plank for 75 seconds and have been inspired to get back to running and biking. The gains I have made would have been impossible without her motivation and attention to detail. I'm able to do exercises on the Pilates reformer today that I thought were beyond my reach. It's never too late to start when you have Melissa by your side!
Jill R.
The elliptical-- sure I could do that. As it turns out I could only do that for about one minute. And since I was sure that I could never increase my time on that impossibly difficult machine, why really try to get in better condition? After all, I was 60 years old and I was already taking long walks. Well, something strange happened as I began to take directions from the trainers at RT+.. I began, bit by bit, step by step, working a little harder each time I trained. Amazingly to me, I never, not one time, went home sore or feeling bad. During the week between sessions, I began to notice that I had more energy and my daily routines were becoming easier. I seemed to have fewer and fewer "normal for a 60 year old's" aches and pains. I had shown statistical improvements: my walking pace had increased noticeably, I could do 30 push ups instead of 12 in 30 seconds, I could hold a plank 3 times as long as I could when I began and I have even been able to add in some mobility movements while stabilizing in the plank position. It turns out that after trusting and letting the trainers at RT+ help me improve my flexibility, strength, and stamina, I now can actually do the elliptical for a lot longer that I ever thought I could.
Craig H.
Throughout high school and now college, I have always been active and participated in many sports. One thing that had been plaguing me since I was younger was injuries. I have broken my ankle multiple times as well as had various surgeries to repair torn muscles and ligaments. I was struggling with my often reoccurring injuries, inability to work out and poor eating habits. I found myself slowly gaining weight and losing motivation. I decided enough was enough and started taking my health seriously. I have worked with other personal trainers and they were never able to address the core issues that were causing my injuries like my flexibly and balance. The team at RT+ not only addressed these issues but generated a blueprint for prevention so I can limit these injuries and stay healthy in the future. I can honestly say now that I am in the best shape of my life and am continuing to crush my fitness goals thanks to Matt, Erin and the rest of the RT+ team.
Jen B.
In advance of a total left knee replacement in October 2017, I worked with Matt Petrarca and Melissa Sherbondy in individual training and Pilates reformer sessions respectively. Initially the sessions were targeted toward delaying the need for knee replacement surgery and enhancing my performance in competitive horse showing. Before I started training with Matt and Melissa, I had no clue how much increased core strength would improve my posture on a horse - it seems obvious, but I had to live it to understand it. Matt and Melissa helped me to hold off as long as I possibly could before undergoing knee replacement surgery at a relatively young age. When it came time for me to schedule my surgery, Matt and Melissa seamlessly switched gears and helped me focus on strengthening the muscles I would need to rely upon to make a full recovery following my surgery. Their knowledge, creativity, and patience seemed endless, especially given the physical limitations I brought to the table with extremely limited flexion and strength in my left knee. With their support and assistance, I was able to undergo the surgery knowing I was prepared for both the surgery itself and the recovery. As I work toward making what I hope will be a complete recovery from my surgery, I recognize how truly blessed I am to have found Results Training Plus - as I have clearly benefited from their unique approach to maximizing their clients’ physical and mental fitness.
Turgay E.
I am a 70 year old retired faculty member from Penn State. I had been physically active until I turned 50 years old and for the last 20 years I have hardly exercised. I have started to workout under supervision of Matthew Petrarca at RT_ for the past five months. I have been pleasantly surprised to find out that I can go through some exercise routines that I thought I would not be able to do, and perhaps more importantly, I had felt that I did not have any desire to go through. For me, the learning curve has been quite steep and very enjoyable. I can comfortably state that the last five months have been an eye opener for me in the sense that I learned so much more about the overall muscle system of my body, as every day I feel that I am in more control of it. As a retired faculty member, it has been a pleasure for me to see, on more time, that learning is the end result of training. Thus, I am happy both on the educational side of the training that I have been receiving and the overall progress that I have made in my physical condition in terms of my mobility and strength.
Wendy M.
After trying many establishments around town, I have now been with Results Training Plus for over 8 months and I am very encouraged by my progress. I am noticing much more flexibility, as well as strength, and muscle tone that I had never noticed before. In addition, working on balance exercises has greatly improved my balance. All of these things have led to a great decrease in my joint pain and an increase in my overall health. Thank you, RT+!
Branyan S.
Two years ago, I had a herniated disc in my neck. Fortunately the herniation resolved but I had residual pain in my neck and back from using my posterior chain muscles to compensate. Last week I had the opportunity to go snowboarding for five days straight. I had a blast. I was moving on the board better than I have in years and my body felt great. I have put in a lot of work with Melissa on the reformer and Matt in the studio over the past two years but it has paid off. Thank you, Matt and Melissa!
Todd D.
I have been taking yoga at RT+ for the past year and I have achieved greater strength and flexibility as well as a stronger bond with my wife (we take sessions together). But the most noticeable benefit has been increased mental focus. From paddling out in big surf to negotiating business deals, I am able to face challenges with greater calm and confidence. I highly recommend RT+ for any of their services. What sets RT+ apart is their size: the establishment is small and the staff and clientele are personable. You can also tell by their well stocked and well designed space, as well as their top notch instructors that they set a very high standard for their business. The result is excellent, personalized workouts you can’t get anywhere else in town.
Katharina H.
I am in my mid 50s and have been taking Pilates classes, both private and group, since 2004 in both reformer/other apparatus and mat versions. I have taken classes in Athens- Greece, Brussels and the greater State College area, so I have considerable experience on what Pilates is and how it can benefit you. Pilates has done great things for me. My core is stronger than ever, and my posture keeps improving, despite the onset of osteoporosis. Mood improvement is a great side benefit, as you feel fitter, stronger and more flexible in your movements. RT+ is the only place in the region that combines genuine Pilates techniques with high professionalism to meet a client’s individual needs. There is great consistency in the quality of the services provided. Melissa Sherbondy’s deep understanding of Pilates principles, knowledge of anatomy, attention to detail, care, and extensive experience are reflected in classes that are highly effective in improving body strength, posture, flexibility, and balance. The classes are never repetitive or boring. The warm ambience created by the unassumingly elegant and serene premises, the small scale operation, and the friendly atmosphere makes exercising very enjoyable. In my opinion, Pilates at RT+ is the best value for the money, for the quality and range of services provided. I can highly recommend RT+ from the bottom of my heart and the core of my body!
Margaret B.
I am a 97 year old widow who lives in the house which has been home for over 50 years. I plan to live there as long as I can. Matt first started coming over 10 years ago for my ill husband and proposed that he could develop a program for me that would get me in better physical shape. He certainly has, everyone agrees. I have given up some things like gardening, but with little help I can do the necessary taking care of myself. The RT+ trainers have a good knowledge of anatomy and movement and are sensitive to changes, whether it’s pain I have or weak muscles. They are good at communicating and we have fun. On our walks we talk about what we are seeing and what it remind us of. I walk with pleasure, but I would be afraid to do it alone. RT+ certainly has contributed a great deal to me these past years.
Deb S.
“You have to have surgery”, a Hershey neurosurgeon to which I replied, “I am going to be the exception (and not need surgery).” I said it with confidence as this was the second time in two years (and two MRIs) that a doctor told me that I needed back surgery—first it was three herniated discs and sciatica pain, and now lumbar stenosis. I “fixed” my sciatica myself (with the help of a trainer) by working out at a local studio and I was determined to do it again with the lumbar stenosis diagnosis. However, the exercises that helped heal my sciatica pain were not having the same results; I needed something different. It was then that I searched out Matt, as an alternative to “regular” physical therapy, and he and Melissa have totally changed my workout routine and within six weeks, my stenosis pain is all but gone (with continuing progress). I have been foam rolling for years; however not for 30 minutes at a time….and that’s exactly what Matt had me do for my back…30 minutes of “trigger point” self-myofascial release with a roller and it’s working! Additionally, Melissa started me with specific Pilates reformer exercises that don’t aggravate my back and we have been able to steadily progress to more challenging moments as my core becomes stronger. I am thankful for the expertise and knowledge that Matt and Melissa bring to every workout to explain the what, why, and how for each exercise and to assure that I am performing all exercises with proper form. When performing the exercises outside of a session, I “hear” their instructions/cues in my head or reference helpful photos Melissa takes during our sessions. Switching to Results Training Plus has been a win-win….I am “fixing” my back again and I can utilize my own Pilates reformer and RT+’s home visits to have an excellent, well-rounded, workout routine performed at home!