Offers online services
About
The most important part of my job is to figure out what you like (and don't like) about exercising and customize a routine for you. I give you recommendations about small tools to purchase like tubing, bands, or dumbbells that you can use at home or on the road as well as provide you with pictures and instructions to complete them. My goal is to make you an independent exerciser. However, some people do need the motivation and structure of weekly appointments and invest in a healthier lifestyle. You will have fun in a low stress environment working with me.
The majority of my clients have chronic health issues (this can happen at any age) and I provide guidance to exercise safely and effectively. Examples include diabetes, high blood pressure, Parkinson's disease, Ehlers-Danlos, arthritis, cognitive challenges and more. I enjoy the creativity required to modify exercises or simply make up new ones to motivate people. Your workouts will not be cookie cutter or derived from boot camps. I would love to meet you and see what I can do to help using my very customized approach.
Specialties
Number of people
Individual training, Couples training
Event to prep for
No specific event, Vacation, Wedding
Current exercise
Customer exercises 0 times per week, Customer exercises 1 – 2 times a week, Customer exercises 3 – 4 times a week, Customer exercises 5-7 times a week
Gender preference
Clients who have no gender preference, Clients who want female trainer only
Medical concerns or injuries
Back problems, Joint pain, Asthma, Pregnancy, Other injuries or medical conditions
Age
Younger than 18, 18 – 22 years old, 23 – 30 years old, 31 – 40 years old, 41 – 50 years old, 51 – 60 years old, 61 or older
How often
Customers who want to meet once a week, Customers who want to meet 2 – 3 times a week, Customers who want to meet 4 – 7 times a week
Fitness goals
Lose weight, Get toned, Build muscle, Gain flexibility, Boost stamina and endurance
Photos and videos
Reviews
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debbie S.
Laurie makes it fun to work out! I always look forward to going!
January 11, 2019
•Hired on Lessons
JM
Jim M.
Laurie Gordon is Montgomery County’s best kept secret when it comes to fitness and musculoskeletal health. I met her playing on a mixed doubles tennis team 12 years ago. I hired her as my Personal Trainer nearly 3 years ago. I waited this long because I thought it was ridiculous to have an instructor by my side to go through such obvious exercises. I “should” be able to do them by myself, I thought. But it turns out, there are lots of ways to do exercises wrong, and technique really matters. Further, I am not so unusual that I need a little regular encouragement to stay in shape. Using Laurie’s guidance is a way of being kind to myself. And the body, I’ve learned in my work with her, is a quite complicated thing to understand and manage. Ignorance is not bliss.
When we first started, I couldn’t play two sets of tennis before my inner thigh muscles would freeze up quite painfully, and I would walk off the court, bent over from the pain. I also have a partially torn right PCL, in my knee, which is irreparable and my knee would ache badly. On top of the knee and inner thigh muscles, I periodically got tennis elbow. Since I was totally dependent on tennis for exercise, the downtime would cause me to get painfully out of shape.
I quickly found out that Laurie doesn’t just throw a bunch of exercises at you. She actually gets to know you and thinks about your specific needs — constantly and continuously. You will leave with a home routine, but can come back for more. I use a mixture thereof. And my routine keeps being further refined as I get stronger.
It wasn’t long before I was back on the court with no symptoms. I was amazed how quickly and easily the groin muscle problem was eliminated with “sliders”, one of her magical exercises. Now I play injury-free to my heart’s content and know exactly what I have to do to stay in shape and prevent injury. And, recently, my shoulder started hurting a bit from serving. No more. At her instruction, I carry a little hand weight in my bag and do circle eights with my shoulder and arm circles before each match. End of problem. Positively magical. I’m blasting serves harder than ever before, at age 72.
At first, when she would get that “come on, you can do more” look on her face, I thought of her as “Our Lady of Pain!” Now, I realize that she is actually very careful not to go too far and knows exactly what that means for each person. I feel very comfortable pushing my limits under her watchful eye. If you want a calm, patient, caring, and thoroughly enjoyable personal trainer in your back pocket, to help with whatever you’re involved in, be it post-rehab, just staying in shape, or competitive sports, Laurie is so special and valuable, I have no words.
October 02, 2018
HF
Howard F.
Laurie helped me become a better athlete. When I met her I was playing basketball 2-3 times a week and doing regular cardio workouts at the gym or riding my bike outside. I would throw in some push-ups and crunches and call it a workout. I finally decided I should learn how to use the weight machines at the gym to gain more muscle mass and I knew I needed to improve my flexibility. Laurie worked closely with me to make sure I learned how to set up the machines properly, use the right form and push as much weight as was safely possible for me. My wife and kids noticed the gains I made in muscle definition and an added bonus was I shed about eight pounds. She also taught me flexibility exercises that I use to this day. We worked together for about 18 months at which time I felt confident enough to workout on my own and have continued to do so. We “cracked each other up” during the sessions with situational jokes and shared life experiences which made the time enjoyable. I would recommend Laurie as a trainer without any hesitation.
September 23, 2018
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Bill S.
I am a snarly septuagenarian who grunts, grumbles (and Laurie claims), complains during every session I do with Laurie. Despite this treatment, she shows up cheerfully every week with a fresh set of exercises for me to complete. I must admit that I feel much better; I have shed 12 pounds; and I have lowered my cholesterol significantly. So, I somewhat grudgingly and only a very slightly reluctantly recommend Laurie to anyone who needs a great Personal Trainer. [And, of course, that’s everyone!] ‘Hrrrumph’
September 23, 2018
EM
Ethel M.
I hired Laurie Gordon as my trainer on the recommendation of a friend. Before we started, Laurie did a battery of checks and measurements so that we could monitor my progress. The diagnostic check also meant that Laurie could make sure I was healthy enough to begin the fitness and exercise regime that she had planned.
Where I live, the building has a modern, state-of-the-art gym, so I have worked with Laurie here. She assessed the equipment, set up a written exercise program, and also gave me exercises to do in my home with balance boards and other portable, small equipment. Laurie continually updates and tweaks my routines. She sends pictures to help me exercise on my own between our sessions. Overall, she has done an outstanding job of choosing exercises that are good for me and that I do not mind doing!
Accolades to Laurie – I am far more physically fit; my balance is much improved and I have lost ten pounds in the last three months.
September 23, 2018
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Deb. F.
Deb came to Laurie with a goal of running a 5K race. Laurie referred her to the Women’s Montgomery Road Runners Club running program for help with technique while she helped Deb work on her physical weaknesses in order to make her gain strength and stability for the run. She trained for 12 weeks and then ran the race.
I wanted to run a 5k. I was training with Laurie to build strength and increase flexibility, and I had some medical issues to work around. I told Laurie I wanted to run a 5K. She referred me a running club, and I trained for 12 weeks with them, too. The day I ran the 5K, Laurie met up with me when I crossed the finish line!
September 23, 2018
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We start with an initial meeting, preferably at my in-home studio to review health and exercise history and get to know you and vice versa. We set goals and do some exercises. This meeting is $50. Your program will be totally customized to your needs, abilities, and motivation. She will obtain a medical clearance from your doctor if needed to start. For post-rehab, she will collaborate with your physical therapist. You can email her for a Welcome Packet.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified Personal Trainer (#1220873857) and a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (A4126). I have been a personal trainer for over 20 years and regularly attend continuing education courses. I also have a Fitness Nutrition Specialist certification from NASM. My education includes undergrad (The Ohio State University) and graduate (Northeastern University) degrees in business. I spent 10 years in the business field and then switched careers to fitness. I earned an Associate degree in Applied Science from Montgomery College in 2014. I also completed 2 out of 3 years of a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy at the University of Findlay. I decided to focus on my personal training business instead!
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
FAME Studio Rates
1 person $80
2 people $120
3-4 people $150
Your Workout Place*
1 person $110
2 people $150
3-4 people $180
For partner and group rates, participants divide total price listed.
*Rates can be more or less depending upon travel time to reach you.
Payment options: Credit cards, Venmo, Paypal, Zelle, Applepay, Checks, Cash
The initial meeting is preferably at the FAME studio and costs $50.
How did you get started teaching?
I started in the fitness industry as a group exercise instructor (land and water), became a personal trainer, became a Fitness Director and managed 20 trainers at Rio Sport and Health and started this business in 2011. I love what I do! Motivating people to move more is my passion.
What types of students have you worked with?
Laurie doesn’t offer cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all fitness programming, like boot camps. Instead, she works with clients who need customized fitness programs for a medical condition, post-rehab, or simply fear hurting themselves at a gym. Here are the reasons why customization is so important:
-Different levels of experience require different starting points and proper progressions. We do not give advanced programming to a beginner or vice versa.
-As your body gets stronger, more flexible and more balanced, your workouts need to change with you. And, changing the workouts makes your time with Laurie more interesting and fun. It is also physiologically better for your body to do a variety of movements.
-The same exercises will not be comfortable for everyone. For instance, for those who have problems getting up and down off the floor, certain exercises will be converted into seated or standing ones.
-People with significant medical conditions can still enjoy exercise with a program specifically tailored to their needs.
-Different goals require different programming. Some people want to lose weight, while others want to gain weight. Some people want to be more flexible and stronger, while others want more endurance or better balance.
Everyone has access to different equipment, so Laurie develops your exercises based on what is available to you.
Customizing workouts also means your fitness experience fits with your life, even if you travel extensively! Laurie will help you devise ways to exercise while on the road.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I helped a client lower his A1C so he did not need medication anymore. I helped another client lose the weight she wanted to lose and keep it off. I have helped golfers and tennis players get back to their sports after their injury was treated in physical therapy. I helped another client prepare for her winter ski vacation. I helped another client set up a workout space in their home for under $150. Another client used a travel workout I developed while on an extended 1 month vacation overseas.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
-Make sure the trainer has a reputable certification like NASM, NSPA, ACSM or ACE.
-Find out about the last continuing education credits they earned and when they earned them. If they don't have an answer, they are not keeping up to date with their education.
-Ask if they are CPR/AED certified.
-How many years of experience do they have as a trainer?
-Did they graduate from a college? If yes, was their degree in a health-related field?
-Do they have any specialty certifications like nutrition or behavior change?
-See if they have availability that matches your scheduling needs.
-How do they track your progress?
-Does their coaching style (loud and screaming or subtle) match your motivation needs? Can they be both?
-What is their cancellation policy?
-Are they selling "required" supplements to supplement their income?
-Overall, do you feel comfortable with this person...
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
-What are your fitness goals? -How many hours a week can I commit to these goals? -Do you prefer a male or female trainer or it does not matter? -Do you prefer working out alone, with a partner, or in a group? -Where do you prefer to workout?
Services offered
Personal