Success Stories

I started training with Marc in September 2006 (or was it October?) after deciding that I needed to get in shape not only for me but for my 2 young sons. I was a fairly regular (sometimes spotty) gym goer then, but the time I spent at the gym never yielded any tangible results. After a short time working with Marc I noticed that I had an increased energy level, an increased focus on diet and exercise, my body became much stronger and my clothes fit better.. Marc and I train for 1 hour twice a week pretty religiously. Marc takes his work seriously and keeps me on track. I actually dread the thought of missing a session. Marc keeps the exercises diverse and interesting and I work hard an have a lot of fun at the same time.

Approximately one year ago I began training with David Faran becuas I did not get the results that I had een looking for from my prior training program. I was having difficulty with exercises that addressed flattening my stomach. Anytime I did simple crunches , I would get sharp musle spasms.
David taught me a series of exercises, personalized especially for my condition, which has allowed me to do pain free stomach flattening exercises. .e year ago He figured out a way to reverse the stress.
I highly recommend him for his ability to customize the workout routine to make it enjoyable and effective.
Laurie Munn

David Farand is a remarkable trainer. I've worked with quite a few, and ended up with the best: David.
He is the thinking man's trainer. He pushes you, and you push yourself, safe in the knowledge that he is watching carefully to ensure you use the right muscles, and that you will not injure yourself. He knows physiology, and he is also a master of psychology. He is a tremendous motivator. He adapts himself to the person he is training. The client is always the star of the session. David keeps detailed records, and plans out every training in advance. He is always introducing new techniques, so boredom doesn't set in, even if you train with him several times a week. He is friendly and personable, yet always professional. He does not talk about himself, or his other clients; he talks about you--how you are feeling, your recovery from the last exercise session, your reaction to a new routine. Best of all, he listens to your responses, and adjusts the program constantly to make it more effective for the client.
David is someone I recommend to anyone looking for an experienced and talented trainer.
(Dr) Anne Balcer

The Training Studio has been a panacea for my health and well-being for the last two years. When I walked into the Studio, I knew I needed to do something for my flexibility, my bone density, my weight and my mental health.
Donna Borell has helped me with all of the above and much, much more. She is more than my personal trainer. She is my inspiration, my cheerleader and has become a good friend. She works me hard and, I have seen great success. With her help and perseverance, I have gained strength, loss of weight and improved my golf game. We work on specific weight training and exercises to benefit my game that she has programmed just for me personally. I feel more confidence in myself and more athletic than I have felt in years. Donna will even call me and say "let's go for a fast walk." Next summer we are going to also spend some time working out in the pool. These are only some of the benefits. I have also lost four notches in my belt buckle and have loads more energy!
The Training Studio is the perfect place in which to work out. It has all the equipment that anyone would need for his or her ability. It caters to all ages and their specific needs. It is a calming and welcoming facility. I cannot recommend a better place. You can't find a more supportive and friendly staff anywhere. My congratulations to Jeff.
Ejane Mac Cartney, (Nyack)

Quite a few months after the birth of my second child, as a slightly older new mom I was still not losing the weight. More importantly, I felt out of sorts and in a funk and needed someone to "kick me in the butt" a bit to get me back on track. Enter Jeff Castaldo's "The Training Studio" in Nyack. I was promptly matched up with a tough yet sympathetic trainer, Donna Borell, whose temperment matched my own and with whom I felt an immediate connection. Donna aptly took her cues from my motivation to "stay fit for my kids," and designed a program that met my needs and built on my existing strengths. I am now much more comfortable and confident in my own skin and better able to keep up with the demands of raising two small children and running a business -- not to mention looking better and feeling stronger than I've felt in a very long time!
Mary Felegy, (Congers)
Fair Game Goose Control Inc.

A few months after giving birth to my second child, I needed help with both my physical and mental health, as I was out of shape and mentally drained. I spoke with Donna Borell from the Training Studio, hoping she could at least help get me back into physical shape. After working with her for the last six months, she and I have achieved that and much more. Not only has Donna helped me regain my physical form, she has transformed me mentally - I have more energy a bright outlook, and confidence in myself which I haven't felt in years. Donna's unique approach to fitness keeps every session with here exciting and new, with innovative new exercises which are at the same time challenging, interesting, fun and effective.
The Training Studio has been the perfect place for me to work out. I can't recommend a better place for anyone!
Anne Marie Mac Cartney, (Valley Cottage)

It has now been a year and a half that I have been working with Jeff in the Training Studio. I learned of Jeff by coming to the Birchwood Center for Yoga and Massage, immediately adjacent to Jeff. I have never belonged to a gym and since I, for the most part, took care of myself aerobically-woods running, cross country skiing, hiking, Nordic Track machine (I know this last item really dates me)- I didn’t really see a need, or even think I had time for, other kinds of body work. And a personal trainer? Only professional athletes or CEO’s had them, in my very narrow way of thinking. Then I saw “regular” people coming out of Jeff’s studio. Then I talked with Jeff. What a nice guy I thought, personable, very knowledgeable, serious but fun, totally competent, and looking like a walking ad for his body work! And what a cute baby he has.
So this 57-year-old male went in, signs up, gets his body mass something or other measured (it wasn’t too bad to my surprise) and begins. It was hard at first, but a good kind of hard, where you know for the first time in years that you have parts of your body that you forgot about. Jeff has been there to encourage, to instill confidence, to push you just a little bit further, to design the specific exercises that your body needs. After a while I started to notice some definition to my body (it took me by surprise in the bathroom mirror one day- I thought, whoa, what is that!). I would like to say that I haven’t seen that since high school but, to be honest, I didn’t see it then either.
So I have been trying new things, new machines and cool stuff that Jeff brings in, adding repetitions, doing at home more of the exercises that do not require special equipment. Jeff was great just before the summer when I told him that I couldn’t come at all because of my owning and operating a day camp. He gave me a whole list of things I could do on my own.
It’s a good feeling to feel stronger, to feel more toned. My work with Jeff has helped with my aerobic workouts, especially running. And it just feels downright good to know that this past week I have started doing 50 pushups a day. Vanity? No. I think more sanity!
Ed Beiber is a resident of Chestnut Ridge and owner of The Nature Place,
Day Camp in Chestnut Ridge, NY

I just want to say thank you to Donna Borrel who has taken me to my next level of performance.I feel and look better than ever!
The training Studio in Nyack New York, is a comfortable non-threatening enviroment to workout on all the latest equipment and carefully planned programs tailored to suit all your needs.
I've been so pleased with my results that my husband has begun his workouts with Jeff Castaldo,the owner of the studio. I would love to keep this place a secret but I know that will be difficult with these talented people at the helm. The local gyms just cannot offer the cutting edge quality training and personalized programs you get at the training studio.It certainly beats working out at your local gym with the masses where the emphasis is more about what your wearing to the gym to workout rather than the results after the workout.
The Silvers, Pomona, NY


David Farand is incredibly well prepared before each training session, which enables a very effective work out. No time is wasted and we exercise the various body parts according to plan. My time is well spent - that is very important to me.
Focusing on balance and conditioning the "core" has given me clear direction and identified health / fitness issues that I was previously unaware of. David has continued the program started by my previous trainer but has given it more order and consistency which I appreciate.
David Simpson

David Farand taught me concepts and explained the logic behind every exercise or sequence of exercises. As a result, I feel more empowered than ever before to continue a life - time of exercise. Also, I have seen a tremendous difference in my strength and self-image.
Cathy Leiber