Chain Fitness | Private Training / Testimonials

"Dear Taylor: ... America needs your creativity, energy, and determination. We hope you will continue to act on your idealism, deepen your educational experiences, and maintain the courage of your convictions. ... Keep up the good work."

President Bill Clinton

"I have found Taylor to be an extremely dedicated and committed athlete. He is a young man that is hard working, and always "fun" to be around. He has a very positive personality that affects everyone that is around him. He was the player that I always went to if I needed any help.

As a Head Football Coach, I felt that Taylor was the "emotional" leader of our team. He played the game of football as I feel that it should be played, with great emotion and intensity. I feel Taylor's greatest attribute is that his "motor" is always running."

Coach Kurt Thompson

"You will find Taylor to be a very committed, passionate person. When he takes on a task, he will put his heart and soul into accomplishing it. Taylor is a strong competitor, who loves a challenge and will fight to win. If Taylor is told he can’t do something, he strives that much harder to achieve the goal. Taylor is definitely someone you can count on! He is very loyal and always maintains a positive outlook.

Additionally, Taylor possesses good ethics and moral values… Without a doubt, he is a winner!”

Coach Jon Leamy - Missouri State University

“My quality of life has dramatically changed for the better in many ways. My chronic shoulder pain and lower back pain are both gone. No longer do I have moderate foot and knee pain while standing for long periods of time. My posture is much better. No more limping or walking bent over after a weekend of water skiing. Riding in a car for more than an hour is no longer a painful experience.

Taylor Ramsdell was a fantastic trainer and discovered the proper ways to motivate me to work at my fullest potential. While embarrassing to admit, I only did 8 pushups upon starting to work out with Taylor. I am proud to say that I did 52 pushups at my last evaluation and that Taylor had me doing sets of pushups during my workouts with a 45 lb plate on my back.

The comments from my wife are priceless as well as the look on a golf buddy’s face when they slap you on the back or squeeze your arm and what used to be soft is now rock solid."

Dave Koenigsfeld - COO & CIO

“When I first started working with Taylor I had recently lost 20 lbs. and was only looking to tone up a little. I have now been meeting with him 3 times a week for about 3 months now and I have achieved so much more than just keeping up with my progress. My energy, stamina, mood, diet habits, flexibility, and strength have all changed dramatically thanks to Taylor's way of training!

I never thought I would make it as far as I have or push myself so hard. Before, I dreaded even the thought of running for a long period of time. Now, I surprise myself with how much I can put myself though! Taylor's work out routines are so far from ordinary that you're never bored and always learning something new. His work outs are never the same and he pushes me a little bit more and more each session. Taylor is always very positive so you can't help but have a good time when you're working with him!

I look better, feel better, and am much happier since I started training with Taylor. I have truly become passionate about maintaining a healthier lifestyle. I look up to him as an amazing role model and I am forever grateful for everything that he has taught me.

You're the best Tay!!!”

Gina Brotsis

"My life is busy so I need to get the most out of my workouts. Three days a week with Taylor at Chain Fitness is like six days a week at any other gym, with or without a trainer. While I'm not a professional athlete, he trains me like one. Taylor has provided me with the most intense regimen I've ever had but it's also varied and fun enough that I never get bored. We've set up concrete, measurable goals together and I have blown through them. Chain Fitness hasn't just made me stronger physically, it's made me stronger mentally. I'm 33 and in the best shape of my life."

Dave Kalstein - Writer/Producer

"Working with Taylor has changed the way I thought about working out. Having never exercised with a trainer, I thought it would just be a guy standing next to me counting weight reps. If that's all your trainer does with you, you're missing out. The "Mr. Miyagi" type feel of his workouts get your entire body involved. He gets you psyched about looking good and pushes you as far as you're willing to go. I saw a marked improvement on my outside in just a short time and felt the motivation long after I had left the gym. The privacy of the space allows for total concentration between Trainer and Client. No Gym Drama or need to worry about appearances. I go to see him as regularly as I can and am always excited leading up to the next session. I can go easy on myself, I go see Taylor so I can get to the next level."

Erek Jozefski - Stylist

"When I first met Taylor in the spring of 2006, I was overweight and definitely lacking in the motivation department. I needed someone to really get me going and to encourage me in everything I was doing. When I got paired with Taylor, I have to say I was nervous. He looked great. He was in shape. I was honestly quite embarrassed to have taken such awful care of my body. Over the next three months I met with Taylor three times a week for my training sessions. He was always full of energy as soon as I'd walk through the door, even on days when I absolutely felt like I couldn't do anything.

I worked out hard for the first month, giving it what I thought was my all. I learned new exercises and new eating habits. When it came time for my first evaluation, I was pleasantly surprised by the results. I still hadn't "seen" them for myself, but the tape measures and body fat pinches don't lie!

After that first evaluation, I thought 'this is actually working.' That's when I kicked it into high gear and really went after it. I wanted to be a success story. I wanted to be able to say I did this. Taylor continued to tell me to rock it out, and was right there with me through the whole process, even the "crabby wabbies". Each session flew by. I don't ever remember thinking 'is this over yet?' We'd pass the time by talking about the goings on around town, music, or my favorite, tattoos. It was a blast.

During my final evaluation, I realized that I had met and surpassed my own goals. Over the three months, I lost five sizes. And not from crash dieting, or running miles and miles a day. It was from letting Taylor into my world and having him teach me ways to make my lifestyle better.

It's three years later and I still have the email Taylor sent me after my training was over. The email was informative, it contained the totals of all the inches I had lost of the three months. It was filled with compliments about how awesome I had done, and things to do to stay motivated. I don't think I have ever met another person who is as energetic and full of life as Taylor is. He has the ability to make anyone around him feel comfortable, and I can easily see why so many people love him."

Ashley Hensley

”Hi Coach,

I'm writing this letter to let you know how much I appreciate all you do to help people change their lives.

Not only have I gotten stronger physically, but since I have been training with you, I have also gained mental and emotional strength.

Taylor, I'm not sure if you are fully aware of how much you have impacted my life.

Having had a stroke, I had believed I was limited in what I could do because my left side was weak, but when I'm at Chain Fitness, I am honestly surprised by all I can do--and that is because of you. You are the first trainer I have worked with that customizes workouts to fit my needs and not only can I see changes in my body, but I feel stronger and healthier now than probably ever before in my life.

Oh, and I wanted to tell you that I just bought a new bathing suit-- first time bathing suit shopping since 1999!!!! And you know what? I look and feel good in it :D

Instead of dreading my upcoming birthday, I'm actually looking forward to being fabulous and 40!

Thanks for being you, Taylor--

You rock!”

Jacki Howard

“In my life, I have worked with 6+ trainers and no one compares to Taylor's work out. He is efficient, listens to what my goals are, and forms a personal workout to match what is best for me. If it's to lose, gain, or maintain weight...I can tell you he has helped me with all of that. I told him when first starting, "I am unable to sweat when I train". However, Taylor helped me do that within the first 10 minutes. Not to mention, I got results within the first couple sessions of working with him and I did not even think that was possible. I drive all the way out to train with him from the beach because he is worth it.

I look forward to train which is not like me at all. Taylor will push you hard yet you will have a blast everytime because you can tell he loves what he does and is the best at it. This is all thanks to Taylor Ramsdell!”

Summer Vaughan

“Maria is by far the best trainer I have ever had! I have tried out a handful of people over the years, but I didn't last long with any of them. Maria is encouraging and has me looking forward to workouts with her. I can't recommend training with her enough!”

Lauralee Jarvis

“Maria is the best trainer. She listens to your goals and works with you to achieve them. She is creative when it comes to working out and puts your nutrition on the right track too. She is always on time, makes sure your technique is accurate and encourages you when you just can't take it anymore. She also taught me Muay Thai and I am ever so great ful for this”

Susan Lavian

“Most people think of a personal trainer as a "person who helps people exercise" (in fact, that's how they're defined on wikipedia). BUT, Maria is so much more ... she gives me the kind of support that makes me feel so proud every time I workout, the motivation I need to keep going by myself; her blog provides shopping lists, menus, and healthy living tips; she is more of a "life coach" than just personal trainer. So glad I found Maria!!!”

Haylee Vance

“Maria is amazing! I've learned so much about fitness and nutrition since training with her. She makes things very concrete and fills in all the blanks. Not only do I know what to do, but I know why I'm doing it. She encourages me to do things I never thought I would or could - and somehow still makes it fun. I'm not normally a 'work out' person, but find myself looking forward to our training sessions. And after having a baby last year, I'm thrilled at how quickly I've made progress. If you're thinking about working with a trainer, don't hesitate to train with Maria!”

Carrie Pittman

“Most fun I've ever had working out and I love working out! She's totally focused on you and your workout and makes you feel like a rockstar all the time.”

Carrie Dufresne

“I've been training with Maria since September 2009 and it's been a great experience. I thought I might try the personal trainer thing for a couple of months, and here I am looking forward to making it at least a year. Not only does Maria make training fun, her natural sense of curiosity makes learning about what's really going on with your body and the improvements you are making a fun process of discovery. Very highly recommended.”

Chuck Carey