Blakely FIT
Personal Training Testimonials
Mary G.
Inches Lost: 13.75″; Weight Lost: 10 lbs.
If you’re looking for an excellent personal trainer to get you in the best shape of your life, Michelle is for you! A big woohoo!”
Kristin M.
“Michelle is an incredible trainer and person. She has a wealth of knowledge on nutrition, exercise and personal wellness. I highly recommend her to all. So far, the physical results – almost 20 inches (in various places!) and 22 lbs. and I hope to keep going.
I had 2 kids and didn’t even know why I was struggling or how to get out of the ‘space’ that I was in – the weight, the stress – but she gently and deliberately has helped me with my overall fitness level, my ability to manage stress, to recognize my own accomplishments and contributions.
On our first meeting – I said I can’t seem to find the time to work out and she very poignantly asked, ‘why?’ without any judgment. As I felt myself wondering the same thing – we continued and I have been with her for almost 2 years. She has been a life-changer for me and I know that she can be that way for many others.”
Measurement Change:
Lost : 28.75″
Lost: 30 pounds
“Michelle takes the personal approach to a new level. I’ve had the fortune to work with her for about 4 years now. She has completely changed my life. She passionate about my health and more than that. She’s become a trusted friend and supporter in all areas of my life…not just my health. She makes working out fun. She’s a motivator. If you’re looking for a trainer, you simply MUST call Michelle. You will not be disappointed. She’ll take the time to listen to your goals and personalize a program to get you there. And she’ll continually check-in with you to ensure you’re staying on track.”
“I’ve been training with Michelle since 2004 when I began getting involved more seriously in competitive sailing and triathlons. I’ve had multiple goals for my training and she’s consistently helped me achieve them through creating customized plans, keeping me motivated and most of all, making it fun. I’ve given her some unique challenges to understand what skills and strengths I needed for sailing and each time she has created exactly the right program to help me be successful for various jobs on the boat and beyond.
It’s really been amazing to see how much my body has changed – I’ve increased my strength, agility and endurance…and not to mention lost pounds and inches! She is a terrific supporter, motivator and knowledge source. Thanks Michelle!!”
Lost: 11.5″
Lost: 14 pounds
“I was in relatively good shape but was looking for a trainer that would take me to the next level of fitness. Michelle has exceeded my expectations. As a recovering cancer patient, she took the time to get my medical team involved to asses my training regiment and figure out a way to get me in shape and stay healthy. Michelle constructed a fitness program that was interesting and challenging. I have been with her now for four months and am already seeing amazing results. I went to a personal trainer in the past and had a bad experience, however in giving Michelle a chance I would never leave her!! Her program is incredible and she is very knowledgeable about her field. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for a trainer.”
“I have been working with Michelle for almost a year. It has been the best investment I have ever made and have never felt better about myself. Her approach was helpful to me as a beginner and continues to be so as I have moved to an advanced stage. I am ecstatic with my results as I never imagined my body could get into this great shape.
Michelle is patient, encouraging, and thorough. She teaches proper form for all exercises and makes sure to correct the form at all times.
She knows exactly when to increase the intensity, and, if I am not feeling 100%, will take it down a notch. Also, she makes sure I am safe at all times to avoid injury. Michelle listens, gives tips, and makes sure I am eating properly. I absolutely love getting my butt kicked by Michelle at each session. Michelle is simply the BEST!!”
Measurement Change:
Lost: 40.625″
Lost : 43 pounds with Blakely FIT (97 pounds lost in total)
“Michelle was the “jump start” that I needed. Michelle taught me that MORE is not necessarily BETTER. I have the dedication to work out regularly, but I lacked the knowledge of proper training. Michelle helped me immensely!”
“Having worked with several trainers prior to Michelle, I cannot overemphasis Michelle’s superior approach to personal training. I consistently am impressed with her knowledge and her efforts to refine and individualize my workouts. Frequently I arrive at a training session to find Michelle has researched a topic we briefly discussed in the previous session. Such commitment and enthusiasm has helped support and motivate me to achieve my goals. Since working with Michelle, for the first time in six years fitness has again become a routine part of my life. Her attentive and easy going personality helped me feel comfortable reaclimating myself. Michelle is a gem! I highly recommend her.”
“Michelle changed my life! Always inspiring and encouraging, she helped me realize my potential and achieve goals that a year ago I never would have imagined! I cannot thank her enough for what she has made me today: stronger, more confident and healthier!”
SD Completed fundraising century bike ride in honor of her late mother as part of her training goal achievement
“Michelle is such a talented, conscientious and caring trainer!
Workouts are completely individualized, which is such a refreshing change of pace from the trainers at many of the large chain gyms. I always leave feeling like she has really taken my personal needs and goals into account and cares about my progress.
I would highly recommend her to any woman looking for motivation and guidance in her health and fitness goals.”
“Several months ago, I went on a beach vacation with a group of friends–all of whom repeatedly asked me the same thing: How’d I get in such great shape? My answer: Blakely F.I.T.
Simply put, I can’t imagine a more effective trainer than Michelle Blakely. Michelle puts the “personal” in personal trainer; she devises highly individualized workouts targeted for my specific goals of more muscle and less fat–which is precisely what I’ve achieved. She not only clearly explains how to perform the exercises but also thoughtfully provides the reasoning behind them. Professional, kind and always inspiring, Michelle has helped me appreciate the bigger picture: that my physical fitness involves not just how I exercise but how I sleep, eat and drink as well.
My partner jokes that I’m always passing on tidbits of workout advice with the words, “Michelle says…” As long as I look and feel as good as I do, what “Michelle says” goes.”
“I have been a client of Blakely FIT since January 2012. Michelle is incredible thoughtful and thorough. She not only developed a work out that is responsive to my needs, but took into consideration the challenges posed by an ongoing condition with my back. Additionally, we talk about other factors impacting overall fitness, such as diet and sleep.
During each workout, Michelle is 100% focused on the work we are doing. She also does a quarterly assessment, and changes the workout according to the progress I am making, and my goals.
I am definitely stronger and healthier since working with Michelle.”
“I started training with Michelle back in May, and my mind, body and spirit have been energized. She engages you in a challenging work out (complete with strength training), which will make people notice (this poster received never-heard-before compliments about newly toned arms); but, she also–perhaps more importantly–treats and challenges every part of your life. It makes for a wholistic approach to physical improvement. I give her highest marks and recommend her for those who need a fresh, enjoyable trainer to reinvigorate their work-out and, even, outlook.”
“My search for the right trainer to help me recover my pre-pregnancy form stopped with Michelle. She is deeply knowledgeable, attentive, sensitive and common-sensical in her approach. Training is an investment of time and funds and unlike my past experiences, working with Michelle has only inspired my trust and confidence. I highly recommend her — she is a Chicago great.”
“I was fortunate to be involved in sports throughout my academic career. After graduating and entering the real world came “busy adulthood.” Work, significant other, family, friends, errands, eat, sleep, and oh yeah, find time to exercise. Fast forward a few years of adjusting to the real world and I got engaged, I had 12 months to get into the best shape of my life and had not a clue where to start. So I began doing some research and came across Blakely Fit, read all the great reviews, and decided to make an appointment for an assessment. From the second I met Michelle, I felt that I could be 10000% honest with her about where I was and where I wanted to be, with zero judgment. She didn’t make assumptions, she really listened. At the assessment (first meeting) we did some goal planning and came up with some specific goals and planned how we were going to get there. Life coach and personal trainer? Count me in!
We began to meet on a weekly basis and I would have small goals to hit throughout the week and during our sessions she would check in, and if I had a bad week, she wouldn’t judge, she would simply refocus to how we could make the upcoming week better. Months later my goals are now habits and I am well on my way to attaining my long-term goal of looking my very best on my wedding day.
Sessions are completely customized; she aligns workouts to the ultimate goal. And my biggest fear would be putting in so much effort and then 12 months later, not being where I wanted to be, but she conducts quarterly assessments to evaluate where you are and provides you with the hard data. She is, also, a wealth of knowledge, you can ask her anything and if she wants to verify the answer, she is so well connected she will find out the answer from another subject matter expert and always follow up with you.
I would highly recommend Michelle to anyone, she is accountable, committed, very personable, and an expert!”
“Michelle Blakely is the most skilled, professional, and empathetic personal trainer I have encountered in the industry. I have been working with Michelle for over 10 months and am continually impressed with her sincere interest in my overall well-being. I have made tremendous progress! I look forward to my sessions with her (even at 5:30 am and I have to drive 30 minutes to get there) and the exercise I do in between. She has provided me with the gift of feeling, not just seeing, the benefits of strengthening and training my body. She includes education into every session, always takes the time to explain why we are doing what we’re doing, not just rattling off the exercise, sets, and reps.
I am a physical therapist and have found Michelle provides safe and research based exercise to her clients. She is wonderful, a definite asset to her field!”
“Michelle is the best trainer ever!
I’ve been working with her for five months now, and have been so happy with her direction and guidance. Her goals are your goals, and she is only concerned with what is best for you as an individual, which I appreciate more than anything. I first met with Michelle to discuss my personal goals and why I wanted to begin strength training with her. I told her that I wanted to improve my health, strength, and flexibility, but that I had a firm stance on not wanting to focus on any numbers. I wasn’t concerned with what the scale displayed or what my measurements read. I just wanted to feel better! She understood this completely. I felt as if she had truly heard me, and wanted to help.
Michelle understands that everyone is at a different place in their lifelong health and fitness journey, and wants nothing more than to help you succeed based on your terms. She is very motivating, even when you feel as if you’ve fallen behind or could have done something better. I never feel as if I have “failed” at something, only inspired to do better the next time. Her words of encouragement and caring demeanor are always sincere, and if there is ever any kind of issue related to my health, she is always ready with suggestions to help me back on the right path. She is extremely knowledgable about her field and is incredibly supportive. Her curiosity and desire to learn from new scientific advances (and from her clients!) confirm that I am in the right place.
If you are considering working with Michelle, I cannot recommend her enough. She is professional, optimistic, and an absolute pleasure to work with. I can’t wait for my next session!”
“I have been a client of Blakely Fit since December of 2011 and can’t speak highly enough of Michelle Blakely the owner. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Michelle has researched the disease to make sure that we train smart. I have not had a flare up since starting with her and we have definitely pushed my body. I credit her with helping me achieve many things these past 9 months. I have gained strength and confidence. She has helped me to better handle the stress of my job. I don’t hit the snooze button anywhere near to the extent that I did when I started. And I now am incorporating cardio into my life and enjoy it. It really has been a life changing experience. Michelle is kind, smart, intuitive, funny and I highly recommend her.”
“I’ve been working out with Michelle at Blakely FIT for a couple of years on and off. In that time I’ve seen other trainers for one reason or another, and also kept up and in contact with Michelle. In this last round of sessions with Michelle, I have really come to fully understand her expertise, professionalism and quality of training methods. To say the least, she’s truly the best. The BEST. THE BEST. I will maintain a relationship with Michelle and Blakely FIT for a long time and will recommend this company to every woman I know.”
“I went to see Michelle three weeks before a trip to Mexico in February. She has me feeling fit and confident in no time. I had only planned on a few weeks for my trip but I liked her so much, I continued going. Michelle provides a thorough, challenging work out that doesn’t kill you or hurt you. I have a disc herniation and she was always cognizant of it and worked around it to ensure a safe, effective work out. She is also makes it fun and interesting. No clock watching here!”
“Michelle Blakely is an incredible personal trainer. I had back surgery earlier this year and needed some help getting back in shape. Michelle was patient, very knowledgable about my condition and customized a training program that would be safe and effective for me. It was incredible to watch my progress from week to week.
Aside from being a smart and effective trainer, Michelle adds that extra something special to the experience. She is extremely friendly and relatable. It’s actually fun working out with her. You feel like you want to tell her your life story during a 30 min work out session 🙂 and you feel better walking out the door than you did walking in.
If you are looking for a personal trainer, Blakey F.I.T. Inc is the way to go! Enjoy!”
“I am a very active and sporty person and I have worked out with several personal trainers before Michelle. I immediately noticed she was different, in a good way. Prior to our first meeting I had to fill out a questionnaire to help her getting to know me better, in terms of lifestyle, eating habits, exercise routine,etc. I thought that was just brilliant and a sign of her professionalism. Unlike my previous workout sessions, the one with Michelle are just 30 minutes long: at first I was a little skeptical, but as she always says, it is not the quantity, but the quality that matters. And believe me, at end of the session you are kind of happy that it is over! Also, I think it is very fair from her to not to charge you for a warm up that you can totally do on your own. Lastly, she always finishes the workout with a breathing/meditation exercise that helps you relaxing and focusing on your goal achievement. It is like getting a pill of yoga after your strength training! Absolutely awesome! So, if you feel like you need a twist on your current workout routine with a highly knowledgeable person, don’t wait any longer and call Michelle!”
“Michelle Blakely is one of the most professional trainers I have ever worked with. Not only does she stand out with the quality of service she offers to her clients, she also keeps herself in top shape year around which is very motivating and rare to see these days.
Michelle has specialized her training services towards woman exclusively and has since then really found her “nitch” in the fitness industry.”
“Michelle Blakely is truly AMAZING!
Ive been working with Michelle for the past 3 months. The results I have achieved in such a short space of time are better than any workout program I have ever tried. And recently I have realized it’s not by coincidence. It’s due to Michelle Blakely!
Michelle uses her knowledge in a made for me approach! From the first conciliation I had with Michelle she helped me think about what goals I was looking to achieve during my time with her and over the past three months she has built a customized plan for me to ensure I meet those goals and achieve my desired results.
Along with the results comes understanding how to maintain a balanced active lifestyle, so my goals become part of my daily life. I never imagined that working out could be fun and be integrated into everything I do. Michelle is truly training me to be the best me I can be and the confidence it has helped me achieve is added extra bonus.
Michelle has an innate ability to focus on what’s important to me and provides helpful tips and suggestions along the way. I’m so thankful for the approach Michelle has used with me and I know that I’ll continue to learn from her and I’m excited to see what’s next.
Thank you, Michelle!”
“I have to admit…I was a little hesitant as to what a personal trainer could offer me. Then I met Michelle. I have been training with her for about 3 1/2 months and have already seen changes in my body! She has the right mix of support, encouragement, and knowledge to get the job done. I appreciate everything she has done in getting me started on the road to a healthier lifestyle and I look forward to what’s to come.”
“Michelle Blakely is amazing! Michelle is the most professional and knowledgeable trainer I’ve ever met with (and I’ve met a few). She makes working out fun and she’s incredibly encouraging. I never dread going to train, I actually look forward to it. During my training sessions, Michelle concentrates on my frustrations and successes and I always leave feeling motivated. She has given me a personalized training plan that I can complete without a separate gym membership and I feel like I’ve finally found a way to incorporate exercise into my life without it feeling like another job – it’s a lifestyle.
I highly recommend seeing Michelle if you want to make a change in your life.”
“I am so excited to write a review for Michelle at Blakely F.I.T! I spent 10 weeks with her and they were awesome- I learned so much about my own body, fitness information and tips, nutrition guides, etc! I have been someone who really has had to think about food intake and exercising my whole life and Michelle makes it not so freaking overwhelming! Michelle was also a bit of my personal therapist while I trained with her, which is a true testament to her ability to really connect with her clients and make you feel NOT like a client but like a great friend. I had wonderful conversations with her while training that made me not think about the bench press! Her workouts were challenging and creative and I definitely felt stronger! She was always in tune with my emotions of the day, how much I slept, what I ate so she could adjust my workout if needed- which was awesome because there were some days when I showed up and felt like I had already been run over after a long day at work! I would recommend Michelle and anyone and am really sad I no longer train with her (mainly because I had a job change and had to rearrange my finances!!) but the lessons I learned from her while my time are so impactful and I will hold onto them forever!”
“Personal training with Blakely FIT changed my body and jump started me on a much healthier path for my body! I’ve never been very good at sticking to a workout routine and especially not with weight lifting. But after a few weeks of training with Michelle Blakely (the trainer behind Blakely FIT) I could see and feel the difference in my body. My arms were less jiggly, my stomach was tighter, there was definition in my leg muscles and my energy increased (even though it was the dead of winter). Michelle made training fun (and it doesnt hurt that she is super fun and nice – I enjoyed spending the time talking to her just as much as the training)!
Michelle is not the kind of trainer that just screams commands at you – she walks you through everything with support and explains why you are doing certain moves. Michelle taught me the most safe and effective way to get the results I wanted for my body!”