Shannon is 4 dress sizes smaller, enjoys eating healthy, and loves buying bathing suits. Read her amazing story.

It all started in October 2003.  I was training with another personal trainer and was not seeing any results.  I was at the point to where I was reaching the high teens in dress sizes, and nothing was looking good on me.  My previous trainer wasn’t interested because I wasn’t interested.  I was frustrated and needed a change.  Little did I know that a big change was ahead.

It wasn’t until I found Gary that I realized how overweight and out of shape I really was.  Gary spent many grueling sessions with me teaching me the mechanics of my body.  This helped me focus on the body parts that we were working on.  He also taught me a million different exercises that I can use on my own at the gym.  Now, I can confidently go into a weight room having more freedom and selection in my workout.  Also, knowing more exercises helps me not get bored from repetition.  Finally, Gary also taught me how to change my diet to get better results.  Once I had an idea of the foods I should not be eating, I got creative and now I enjoy eating healthy.  Not only is Gary a great trainer, but the gym he trains at has a perfect atmosphere.   Also, the resources available at Next Level Fitness includes chiropractic, massage, facials, etc., which makes this gym a complete package deal.

Today, I am four dress sizes smaller, in excellent shape, and happier with my body than I have ever been!  Today, I actually love buying bathing suits to show off all of my hard work, and I thought I never would!  I am so grateful for having such an excellent trainer! 

Thanks Gary!

Salpy, a diabetic for over 15 years and on the verge of needing insulin shots, lost 24 lbs and lowered her medication to half the dose.

Hello,

My name is Salpy Pchakjian.  I have been diabetic for 15 years and recently my blood sugar levels have been elevated because I haven’t been careful with what I eat and I don’t exercise.  Occasional walking has not been enough to help lower my blood sugar levels.

In June of 2007, I was referred to Gary by my physician, Dr. Mikhail.  He has been my doctor for over 8 years.  At first, I was nervous because I was not sure that I would be able to workout - I have always hated to exercise.  But, with Gary’s personality and knowledge I have found that I actually do like working out.  In the process, I have lost 24 pounds and have been able to lower my blood sugar by over 50%.  As a result, my doctor has happily lowered my medication to half the dose.

As I continue to workout with Gary I am looking to lose more weight and become even healthier.  And I know that I will achieve these goals with Gary’s and my family’s motivation and support.

While I am happy with my results my only regret is not having started with Gary when I was first diagnosed with diabetes.  But, I look forward to the future and working out because I see the results and feel great!

Salpy Pchakjian

Diane lost 40 lbs in 6 months, reduced her blood pressure, increased her bone density, and survived breast cancer. Read her amazing story.

My daughter, Emily bugged m e for months to go to her personal trainer.  That’s just for the rich and famous like Madonna, Oprah, and Cher, I told her.  But, when five-foot-two-inch-60-year-old me stepped on the scale and saw 194 pounds, I turned my body over to Gary Yodokawa, a personal trainer at Next Level Fitness.

After many failed attempts to do this on my own, menopause and a year battling breast cancer my fitness level was at an all time low.  Besides being sick of all the Xs on my clothes, XL, 1X, 2X, I knew obesity increased the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and joint injuries.

My first day in the gym I was nervous and with my short round body and red “chemo” curls I did not look the stereotypical jock.  But, Gary reassured me and after a thorough workout he designed a program according to my present ability, body type, goals and food preferences.  He knew just what this pear-shaped woman needed.  What Michelangelo is to carrera marble, Gary is to the human body, carving away the bulges and sculpting muscles.  His desire for you to be healthy is heartfelt and sincere.

A camaraderie forms in the small groups of mixed levels he works with.  It’s Ann grab two 5-lb weights, Diane, 10s, and Colleen 15s.  Gary Keeps it from getting boring, using balls, mats, benches, Nautilus machines and treadmill.  Sometimes we are against the wall like a chorus line and other times we rotate between several challenges.  We never know what he will come up with next.  One day Gary said I have a surprise for you, Diane.  He led me over to one of the machines and said I was going to do some pole dancing and I began doing squats holding onto one of the Nautilus poles.  Don’t forget to lean back and smile for the crowd every now and then he said.
The best part is the results. I started in February and by August I was down 40 pounds and packing away baggy clothes for Goodwill.  I’m less pear-shaped as my hips, thighs and butt are slimmer and my shoulders less rounded.  I feel stronger and no longer huff and puff walking up stairs.  Working with free weights has built up my muscle mass which burns more calories than fat.  It will also counteract my osteoporosis.  Frequent small meals have erased the need to take medication for heartburn.

I know I still have a way to go, but Gary has given me hope.  He’s replaced the feeling of lead inside me with a helium balloon.  I am in better shape at 62 than I was at 42.  I feel stronger, my resting pulse and blood pressure are down and my last bone scan showed an increase in density.  What I thought impossible for me is now within my reach like tackling an indoor rock-climbing course, joining a baseball team, or hiking to the top of Mt. Whitney while wearing a size ten of course.

Diane Dorman

I can confidently say Gary Yodokawa is one of the best trainers you will ever meet. Whatever your goals may be, with his extensive knowledge, drive and experience, Gary Yodokawa of Power2B will make you get there.

My name is Rishi Kumar, and I am a 23 year old whose been training with Gary Yodokawa of Power2B for 6 months now.  Prior to training with Gary, like most college guys, I would work out for years and years following the “gym science” of my fellow peers.  I even invested in a trainer at a local 24 Hr Fitness.  Unfortunately, 99% of the “trainers” you find working at such facilities merely memorize a set routine to give to all their clients without specializing a routine to the individual client.  Moreover, these so-called “trainers” do not even understand the principles and exercises they are teaching, rather they are just going through the motions with their clients for a paycheck.  Hence, for many years, I struggled to achieve the type of results I desired.  Fortunately, 6 months ago through a referral, I heard of Gary Yodokawa of Power2B. 

My first impression of Gary, and what particularly impressed me, was how his desire for me to succeed was as great as my own.  His enthusiasm, coupled with his extensive knowledge and education (which he is very humble about.  Gary knows he does not have to speak of his qualifications because his actions speak louder than his words) made the process simple for me. 

I told him what my personal goal was, and he knew exactly what I needed to do, and he had it all planned out.  It was that simple.  Unlike previous trainers I encountered, Gary molded a specific routine for me, Rishi Kumar, not using a generic template for all his clients.  Additionally, Gary distinguishes himself from other trainers in that he actually knows what every exercise is doing to your body, down to the cellular level.  He knows the science behind everything he teaches.  Every bicep curl, bench press, leg squat, ab crunch, and on and on, Gary knows exactly what is going on inside your body.  For example, I learned how to correctly do a full range chest press, rather than the half range press I was doing for years that I learned at the gym.  Hence, there’s a difference between real science and “gym science.” 

I can confidently say Gary Yodokawa is one of the best trainers you will ever meet.  Whatever your goals may be, with his extensive knowledge, drive and experience, Gary Yodokawa of Power2B will make you get there.

Regards,
Rishi Kumar

Diagnosed with scoliosis, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure, Susan has gained strength, reduced her blood pressure, and developed beautiful muscle definition in her back. Read her amazing story.

I started with Gary two years ago barely able to lift a dumbbell, not that I’d have known what to do if I did lift it.  Middle-aged, diagnosed with osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and scoliosis, I had also reacted to menopause medication that left me weak.  With Gary’s patient encouragement, I’ve regained my strength and lowered my blood pressure.  I can lift things again during everyday chores, and I’ve started kayaking.  There’s even some muscle definition in my back!  Gary pushes me a little more each time, something I couldn’t do for myself.  Working with him is a high point in my life.

Susan Hecht

Meredith lost 50 lbs and enjoyed her fairy tale wedding. Read her amazing story.

Anyone who has trained with Gary has had some type of success story.

It is rare to find someone with so much drive and ambition to educate their clients into developing and maintaining happy and healthy lifestyles. Because of Gary’s passion we have all experienced victory.

What I have learned from Gary is that my mental health is just as important as my physical health. When I first started training I had to accept who I was and know that what I wanted to achieve would take a lot of hard work and determination. But with the right mindset I knew I could accomplish the task I have been longing for.

I am now 50 pounds lighter and I haven’t felt this good about myself in a long time.  

Gary has given me the strength physically and mentally to do now what I was afraid to do two years ago.  

I thank Gary for not only his enthusiasm to see myself and so many others succeed but for his friendship that I am ever so appreciative for.

Meredith Frazier