Empower Personalized Fitness

I’ve been going to Empower Personal Training for over 5 years now and love the friendliness and professionalism of the staff and trainers, the cleanliness of the facility, the variety of workouts and classes and the relaxed and supportive environment. Currently, I do pairs or individual training once a week with Paul and try to get to at least one group class each week. It is clear that the trainers love what they do and are passionate about helping people of all ages be fit and happy. Jessica and Ronda (co-owners) lead the way and set the tone. They are smart and hard working and its no surprise that the business is thriving in these uncertain times. Staying active and healthy is part of my family’s financial plan and the money we spend at Empower is worth it!\r The annual decathlon is coming up again which is a month long focus on 10 events (not your typical olympic decathlon!). Some of the events include a wall sit, 1,000 meter row, suicides up the stairs, sled pull......you get the idea. You post your best time or weight lifted, pushed or pulled in each category and at the end of the month, the final rankings determine the champion team and individual for both men and women. It is very motivating and sometimes very silly. I hear this year they are going to put all of the trainers through the paces and let us “lift” the best trainer’s time/weight in 2 events! Another fun thing they do, in the Spring, is Train the Trainer...you can pay (donations to go a chosen local charity) to torture your trainer! Sounds great, until that next workout, when they seek revenge. \r I’m looking forward to the new expanded space and additional group classes. Empower works for me! \r more

I’m so lucky to have Empower near my house. The trainers are awesome at personalizing workouts for your needs and taste. Whenever we can make our schedules work, I share a training session with one of my best gal friends. Not only motivational, but it’s a great way to visit without the standard meeting for lunch. Much more productive! I also really enjoyed the MELT classes. They are small enough to still feel “personal” but such a great workout. I’m really looking forward to the expanded group-fitness schedule this fall. Thanks Empower! more

empower durham rocks...they have trx and fun classes...zumba, lots of core strength incorporated. more

Having been athletic my whole life, there are times when I have fallen off the band wagon, as most of us do. With that being said, my most recent fall was about 1 yr. ago. I decided to lace up my shoestrings and get back into the groove that I am all to comfortable in. After some extensive research in locating the best ""push"" that I needed again, I landed here @ Empower. I am two months in, and back in the swing of things. Everyone has been flexible, helpful and supportive. I have made some new friends along the way and definitely notice a difference already. Not only does the gym improve one's personal appearance, it changes you on the inside more than anything. The boost of self confidence and the knowledge of being fit provides a feeling of ""Empowerment!"" If you are doing your homework and looking for a great place where there is good fun, lot's of hard work, lot's of opportunity and ton's of support then you have found your place! Come and see for yourself at one of their free summer classes; Every Sunday at 4:30p.m. A special ""thanks"" to Blaine for his patience and confidence in me and continuing to push as I train for my 1st mud-runner in the fall (no pun intended).\r Tammy K....AKA Ginger : ) more

10 years after having my last child, it was time to take care of me! But getting started is never easy. Empower made it easy! Not the workouts, those were hard. But the encouragement, goal setting, specific to my needs training was the best thing I have ever done for me. Empower is empowering! more

Inviting, fun, family-like atmosphere for anyone who would like to improve their fitness no matter your age. They monitor health conditions or train you for marathons - it's personalized fitness at its best. I am very active but was in an exercise ""rut"" that was causing injuries because of overuse in some areas and weakness in others. Now I am stronger and fitter than ever & credit the Empower team. Not your run-of the-mill gym or personal training facility, the Empower team is a professional & highly competent team who always seem to provide the needed push, laugh or reminder that keeps you going and coming back. So worth it! \r more

Empower Personal Training is the place to be if you're looking for a great workout designed by caring and highly skilled personal trainers, and motivation to reach your goals. My experiences with Empower have been top notch, and I would recommend it to anyone who is serious about fitness and health. I'm excited about the expansion coming soon. more

I have been working out at Empower for almost a year now and absolutely love it! As a law school student with limited free time to spend exercising, I sought help from a personal trainer to keep me fit and doing exercises that had results. My personal trainer is Chris and I couldn't ask for a better trainer. Fun, energetic, and motivating, he not only pushes me further in my fitness goals but makes the time enjoyable. Empower has provided me a comfortable and relaxed environment to try new things and push my physical limits. Working out two days a week under the student package is one of the best investments I have ever made! more

This is my 3rd summer working out at Empower, and I could not say enough good things about my experience there! Each summer I have done the ""Fit Club"" package (awesome deal!), so I've been able to work personally with a trainer (Tom=amazing!), do their classes, and use their gym. The classes are wonderful, and the trainers are super patient when you are new and make you feel really comfortable right away...not to mention, they try to make it as fun as possible! Doing the personal training sessions are awesome, too, and I feel like they do a great job trying to individualize your workout according to what you need or what results you are looking for! And, the gym itself, and equipment is great (and will be even better, I'm sure, with the expansion!). Everyone that works there is so friendly and welcoming, and I can honestly say that I've had at least 2 other staff members that I've never worked with before greet me by name, which I think says a lot about the way that they value their clients...even the ones they don't personally work with! I can't say that I've actually ""enjoyed"" working out and going to the gym until I started coming to Empower! more

I joined empower for three reasons: wanted to lose weight, wanted to start getting fit, and because of my temporary status in NC, I needed place that did not require long term membership. On all counts Empower has delivered beautifully. And delivered more. The nutritionist I have been seeing is warm, knowledgeable, understands the importance of personal attention - and I have lost weight. The personal trainer I have been seeing is the same. And the instructor for the classes I have been attending - the same. You walk into this place and you are greeted by name. The atmosphere is warm and yet you know you are there to work hard - but never to feel like a failure. Even during the classes, the instructor pays attention to each individual , and you never leave there feeling like you didn't work hard, but you know the level was set for you, even in a group. I love this place and am sorry to leave it (returning home). Wish I could take it with me in suitcase. more

I've belonged to may fitness clubs, small and large, but the personal attention and variety and intensity of the workouts at Empower cannot be matched by any ""fitness club"". more

My son starting working with Mike a couple of years ago to overcome some health issues. He has made tremendous progress and has had so much fun doing it! His strength, endurance, flexibility are all much improved. The facility is well equipped and immaculate. The workouts seem to be (with all the trainers) creative, well-rounded, challenging, and fun to do. It's just a great environment for all ages to go to for exercise and fitness training. It has earned my highest recommendation and appreciation! Pros: Experienced, well-trained, fun, and friendly trainers Cons: None that I can think of more

I've been working out with Matt at Empower for a couple years. He's motivated me to exercise regularly and eat much better. I'm feeling great and am definitely in better shape than when I started. Pros: great variety of workouts, extremely clean gym more

This is the place to go if you are ready to get in shape and improve your overall health. I have been a client since January 2009 and I have been extremely impressed with the quality of services, the facility and the trainers. Paul Piracci, my trainer has worked with me to set goals and put together a program that has worked for me. Paul makes the workouts challenging and enjoyable. I am over 50 years old and I've lost inches in my waist and chest and dropped 20 pounds. I have been able to set up a schedule that works with my calendar so I can be consistent with my workout sessions. I have never before had this level of success with any other gym or studio. I highly recommend Empower Personal Training! more

Empower is a great fitness option in the Durham/Triangle area. The facilities are unusually spacious, organized, clean, and well-kept, through out. I have worked with Katy Harris the entire time I have been at Empower (about four months, so far). My greatest regret is that I did not start sooner. Katy rocks! She is fun, engaging, motivational, knowledgeable, and patient. I truly look forward my workouts with her. She listens to me and is focused on making my workouts work for me in a way that is both comfortable and very challenging at the same time. I leave my workouts feeling like I have been tested and pushed to my limit, but not in doubt that I’ve “overdone it” in a way I’ll regret the next day. She really knows her stuff. more

I have enjoyed the years of working out the fabulous staff at Empower Personal Training. My personal trainer, Paul is exceptional, youthful and motivated. It's an uncomplicated relationship where the goal is simply for me to feel the best and look the best I can. more

As a ""semi-retired"" health professional i know how critical exercise is to health maintenance. Getting motivated to start a program and be consistent was my problem. I found Empower Fitness online and it's close to my home. The first day I walked in I felt welcome. KATY is my trainer and she knows just how far to push this ""old lady"" in her workouts. She ""encourages"" me to go past what I think I can do, then I realize I am stronger than I thought. They are fun, I never imagined i would enjoy them as much as I do and they feel really good, (most of the time). She is flexible with my schedule, offers great variety in my workouts, knows her stuff and respects the knowledge base i bring. Thanks to KATY and EMPOWER FITNESS!!!!! Pros: PROFESSIONAL, CARING, FUN Cons: CAN'T THINK OF ANY more

As a professional pilot for a large fractional aircraft ownership company my schedule is subject to change at the last minute. When I'm on the road I may be in Paris, Texas one night and Paris, France the next so having a personal trainer as flexible and adaptive as my schedule is essential. Patty Shoaf is a perfect match for my crazy flight schedule. Her can do, outside the box, never say never, upbeat, positive attitude is down right contagious. Thanks to Empower for attracting such experienced and creative trainers as Patty. I wish you continued success. Sincerely, David Jelley Pros: Personalized training to meet the most difficult schedule. Cons: A little bit farther than I'd like to drive for workouts. more

I did a lot of research before choosing Empower Personal Training, and I definitely made the right choice! Six months ago I joined their Fit Club which offers a TON of services for an incredible deal (personal training, group training, nutrition classes, yoga/pilates classes, etc). KATY is my trainer, and she is excellent! We have never done the same workout twice. She does a great job teaching the correct form ensuring that I am getting the full benefits of the exercises and avoiding injury. SHAWN leads the group classes, and he is also excellent! He makes classes fun, is a great motivator and knows how to push me to keep going. Connie teaches the pilates classes and is wonderful. Pilates is so much better with an instructor than just a dvd! The nutrition classes have been very informative and helpful as well.\r \r The environment at Empower is always friendly and inviting. All of the trainers greet you by name when you arrive and leave. When I started out, I could barely run for 1 minute intervals without dying. I just finished my first 5K and will be attempting a half-marathon in the fall. So many people have asked me where I have been training, and I am always eager to recommend Empower! Pros: Absolutely everything Cons: Just one- Most of them like the wrong shade of blue! ;) more

I have been training at Empower for 3 months and have experienced great results even after a short time. The trainers tailor workouts to client's specific goals and deliver quality personal attention. The studio has an intimate feel where everyone knows each other. This gives the place a very comfortable feel. I wouldn't think of going anywhere else! Pros: Amazing friendly staff, quality personal attention Cons: Studio could expand more