Personal Trainers of Virginia

Owner/Personal Trainer Eric Leader

For as long as he can remember, fitness has always been a part of Eric's life.  At an early age, he remembers his  father stocking the basement of his house with tons of equipment and introducing him to the world of fitness.  Since that day he laughs, he was hooked.

After reading countless books and magazines on fitness, he knew that this was the life for him.  After being introduced to the life of fitness at the age of 13, he continued his pursuits throughout high school and college, as well as his love for sports.  He attended James Madison University, where he received a degree in exercise science and nutrition.  Upon graduation, he became certified by the American Council on Exercise, (ACE) and started personal training and never looked back.

After seven years of personal training, Eric never takes for granted the pride and satisfaction he gets when a client achieves a goal.  He has worked with a broad array of clients.  He has worked with high school and collegiate athletes, right up to seniors wishing to increase functional capacity and overall quality of life.

Eric would love to assist you in achieving your fitness goals.  He believes that with hard work and dedication, any goal can be accomplished.

In addition, Eric would like to thank his loyal clients and in home personal trainers for their constant support and team work.  Without great clients and personal trainers within his company, he knows that he would never be able to make a living doing what he loves, personal training....

Personal Trainer Richard

Fitness Background:
Performance / Strength Coach: Design and implement fitness programs, cardiovascular scripting and nutritional guidance.. Personal train, teach boot camps and group training classes. Coach and encourage progress through positive reinforcement.

Director of Fitness/Strength and Conditioning, Arlington VA.
Develop and manage a team of 12 Personal Trainers and Coaches at premier gym in the Washington DC metro area. Administered teaching and training programs as well as trained various clients to achieve fitness goals.

Fitness Director / Trainer in Charge US Coast Guard:
Lead recruits to perform various fitness programs to achieve strong, fit and healthy military personal who would be ready for combat. Individual planning and coaching of individuals to help them reach there full fitness potential.
Areas of expertise:
· Body Building
· Weight loss
· Toning and firming
· Cardiovascular training
· Nutritional Guidance
· Body Fat analysis
· Stretching and Flexibility
· Rehabilitative exercises
· Group and in home training

About Me:
I grew up around the world in which brought me to my passion of being healthy and staying in great shape. I attended school in Switzerland, Italy, and Germany which gave me the opportunity to travel and explore various cultures. I came to the States for College and joined the Military in which I became a high ranking Commissioned Officer. I followed my dreams and became a Model for various magazines and advertising agencies. Then started training personal clients on my own and have done so for the past 14 yrs. Fitness is my true passion as well as being a Chef. I am also multi dimensional in which I have many other interests and can discuss pretty much any topic such as fixing and building things Home improvement, car repair, fashion, etc. I like to enjoy life and also like those who I come into contact with to laugh and have fun and not take life to seriously.

Training Philosophy:

You get what you put into your training. Failure training: Giving 100% of what you have on most days therefore getting the best results. Also like to have fun when training so in between exercises I enjoy a good laugh or story. 

Personal Trainer Tiffany

As far back as I can remember I proudly called myself a Tomboy. The school play ground was my second home and I spent most of my free time playing sports with the neighborhood boys.

During middle school, I participated in the community’s first organized girls’ basketball and softball programs. During my four years of high school, I played on the basketball, softball and track teams. As a college athlete, I participated in Division II basketball, softball and volleyball in the Boston, Mass area.

Throughout my athletic career, I was nominated for several athletic awards such as Most Athletic, Rookie & Player of the Year, and the Boston Globe’s featured Athlete of Week. In 1998, I became the second woman athlete inducted into my high school alma mater athletic hall of fame.”

In my spare time, I judge for bodybuilding, figure and fitness model competitions. I enjoy watching and participating in tennis, golf, running, yoga, weight training, skiing and any and all sports in between. In 2003, I ran my first ½ marathon in Vina Del Mar- Chile Santiago. In 2006, I entered a physique- based figure competition contest and won a professional figure card. By the end of 2006, I won several figure competition award. In 2008, I will prepare to enter the International Figure Professional Association (IFPA) figure competitions. My future athletic goals include participating in a bodybuilding competition and obtaining a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Additionally, while everyone knows and understands the importance of a healthy diet, it isn’t always easy to sort through the myriad of information about how to eat balance meals. If you are confused about your diet, or would like to learn the basic concepts about diet and nutrition, I can offer simple and easy preparations toward eating and maintaining a health lifestyle. 

Personal Trainer Heather

What got me into fitness was open heart surgery, which I had in 1991 to repair a hole in my heart that I was born with.  As I sat on the couch, eating an Italian sub with my confidence pretty low, I remember having the desire to move without pain and take care of myself so I felt better.  I made a promise then that once I was fully recovered, I would start working out.  That was when I was 14, and I have been committed to health and fitness ever since.

I have formally been working in the fitness industry for 9 years and have dealt with all kinds of clients, from those who have never worked out a day in their life, to those who have experience working out, but just need some guidance and that extra push.  I like to keep my workouts different each time I train, so my client’s bodies are constantly guessing. 

I worked in the gym atmosphere for most of these past 9 years, but since having 2 wonderful boys, I have stepped away from the gym and now train clients in their homes as it gives me the flexibility to work and stay in tune with the fitness industry, but still be able to spend time with my children.

Since I have become a mother, I am so grateful that I am in shape so I can play and keep up with the kids and I love to help other mothers and moms-to-be achieve their goals as well. 

No matter who you are, it is so important to take time for yourself to better your health, because then every other aspect of your life will be helped as well.  It makes you happier and more confident in your daily comings and goings.  I tell my clients, if you don’t have your health; it is hard to have much else.

Personal Trainer Nick

Nick is mainly a personal trainer in Sterling, Reston, Herndon, Gainesville, Woodbridge, and other locations throughout Northern VA

Melanie Brophy

Since before I can remember, athletics and being physically active have been my passions.  My mom loves to tell people that I didn’t start by learning to walk; I just got up and started running.  All my life, I have always been the one to round up a game of just about anything!  I love all sports and physical activities and am always exploring new ways to exercise and train.  While I enjoy playing many sports for fun and competitively, my heart belongs to softball. I have more than 25 years experience playing and coaching softball; in 1997 I was named to the Washington Post All-Metropolitan team and the Virginia All-State team and most recently I coached high school softball in Fairfax County.

While working as a financial analyst, I dreamed of trading in my high-heels for sneakers and sharing my passion for fitness with others.  After almost seven years in financial services, I decided to fulfill my long-time dream and made the leap into the fitness world.  At the beginning of 2009, I received my personal trainer certification from the American College of Sports Medicine, considered to be the most rigorous certification exam in the industry.

As your personal trainer I want to inspire you to have fun and find joy in physical fitness.  I will empower you to reach your personal fitness goals by emphasizing proper technique to maximize results and by using a variety of exercises for a total body workout.  I believe that enjoying your workout is the best predictor of success in training.  I am committed to do whatever it takes to make sure you enjoy your workouts, see results, and meet your health and fitness goals!

Melanie is a personal trainer in Alexandria, Fairfax, Arlington, and other locations in Northern VA

  Personal Trainer Shelley

Shelly Seidenberg, a native of Northern New Jersey, grew up surrounded by sports and fitness. Her first sports included gymnastics and horseback riding. In high school she ran cross country and track and became the captain of the school's swim team. In college at The George Washington University she played for the Women's Rugby Team.

During her four years at GWU, Shelly majored in Public Health and Exercise Science. Through her studies she realized the true extent to which health problems, mainly in developed countries such as ours, stem from a lack of exercise and proper nutrition. During her senior year at GWU, Shelly became a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through The American College Sports Medicine (ACSM) and began personal training while finishing school. She is also certified to offer nutrition advice and hopes to be getting her MPH in Nutrition within the next few years.

Her training sessions involve a mix of cardiovascular and weight training techniques. She engages her clients by often participating in the exercises herself as well as mixing up the workouts every session. Training with Shelly is a unique experience because Shelly is in constant communication with her clients even after they leave the gym. Clients email her what they eat in order to be held accountable; call for advice on what cardio to do on their own; and even text while out to eat and cant decide what to order. Shelly is more like a 24-hour personal fitness consultant than a personal trainer.