In Home Personal Trainers in Downtown, Houston

When I started with him I was 10 months post-op from having an L5-S1 Anterior Lumbar Fusion (back surgery). For ten years I had issues with my back, throughout my entire 20's I felt like I had the body of an unhealthy 80 year old. I was in pain all the time. I could not exercise or do most things people my age were doing without "paying for it" during the following weeks. I had heard about Ricky from some friends and they all spoke of him very highly. I was very skeptical about training because of my history with back pain, but eventually I was talked into at least giving it a try.

The first time I worked out with Ricky, we talked extensively about my concerns and about my surgery. He developed a program to help me strengthen my core to help support my back and lessen the pain. When I started I couldn't run more than a couple of minutes, could barely squat 85 lbs. more than once and was still dealing with back pain. Within 6 months of training with Ricky I was running 2 miles, squatting 225 lbs 10 times and I no longer had back pain 24/7.

Due to a new job and hectic travel schedule, I had to take a 10 month hiatus from the gym. However, I've since returned to the gym and part of that decision was due to that "sneaky" back pain I felt returning. Since being back in the gym the last 3 months, I am doing things I never thought possible. I am already up to running 3 miles every workout and I feel great. My strength is also returning rapidly.

Training with Ricky was one of the best decisions I ever made, he has changed my life! People workout with trainers for all different reasons, I chose to do it because I wanted to take control of my body and be pain free. Ricky Jackson helped me achieve this goal. In addition, working out has helped to increase my self-esteem and confidence in my abilities.

Heather G

On Thu, Nov 10, 2016 at 10:48 AM, anndria wright wrote:

"This Journey... I feel my original goal has changed a few times throughout this journey and especially working with Mandi in particular. She has refocused so many aspects of my life for the better. In the beginning I wanted to get back in shape which meant just start working out again, which I did. I had a few measurement goals to reduce size in many areas, and I did. But the things that I learned that I did not expect outweigh the original goals and far exceed what I thought I could...only because Mandi listened and watched! I have a breathing problem and it is not controlled therefore I struggle everyday with asthma and allergies just to make my body function properly. It's like a salmon swimming Upstream everyday all day. I noticed that Mandi was adjusting each workout routine based on whether I struggled or not. she pushed me when she could but always found an alternative when I couldn't! this made for the best workout possible each time. And what you wouldn't have expected is that someone with asthma CAN run! I could barely get very far without stopping at first, but gradually we'd realize I had gone the entire path without stopping! I noticed a huge difference in my stamina and legs and hips area! I was amazed and thankful that Mandi did the research before putting me in that position...she set me up for success not failure! Mentally I was not prepared to expect a trainer and a friendship. Mandi is the only person I wanted to talk to at 5 a.m. LOL. I find myself missing her on days that we don't talk or days that I don't know how she is getting through her day. Everyone struggles on their journey with food and getting enough exercise in the day, but I know I am not the only one. I trust Mandi and she is very easy to talk to about her own struggles as well as what she sees of mine. Her friendship meant caring about what I need, what I want and knowing when to push me a little further. She goes above and beyond as a trainer to include in that friendship all the research that is required in order to understand my situation specifically. I can't tell you how many times I thought I knew but I really didn't know! You know that feeling when you thought having a cheat day was a good thing...well not if you want to ruin the entire week you just took to get to that cheat day! NO FRIED FOOD! DRINK WATER! DRINK LESS ALCOHOL! DONT EAT REFINED SUGARS! You can have a cheat day but it doesn't mean you need to go back on some of the things that are the foundation of your goal! I don't know that Mandi has friendships with all of her clients because it doesn't seem to matter she never fails to make me feel like I am her only client. With this month being my last, what I have noticed is that I have achieved my goals and then some. My goals are not just a number on a scale but it had to do with so much more inside That You Don't See with that number. And though she may not set her focus as a nutritionist she has taught me so much more about food and in a way that it does not seem like work. Because the more effort I put in the more results I see. I have gained so much in the process of loosing! I am no longer afraid to push myself in new ways, and look for alternatives that help not hinder! And I learned to trust that a consistent pattern was what I needed. Mandi and I focused on strength and alignment in the beginning and I had no idea what it was all for, but I know now! the way I walk, the way I sit, the way that I pay attention to the direction my feet are pointed! I now have a better alignment that even a chiropractor can be happy with! So to my trainer and my friend, Mandi, I say THANK YOU! I hope to continue watching your journey grow and prosper and that you continue to change lives!!" -- Anndria G. Wright

I have worked with Artemis on off since 2009 or 2010 and I have seen her clients change both physically and mentally. She has a great attitude that is refreshing and it makes you want to work hard and do a good job. I think that she is a quality trainer.

My husband and I had the opportunity to work with Jake over several months and enjoyed every minute of it (although we may have struggled during some of the workouts). We are both very active but wanted to put on more muscle—and Jake helped us reach our goals.

Jake is professional, punctual, flexible and attentive. He planned every session in advance and quickly adapted whenever we had sore muscles, injuries, or other concerns. And his enthusiasm and professionalism never wained.

It is rare to find a trainer that is knowledgeable about both nutrition and training—Jake is well versed in both. He answered all of our nutritional questions and helped us develop meal plans and habits based on our goals. He encouraged us to achieve our training goals while remaining cognizant of our limits. In doing so, Jake heavily emphasized form and fundamentals. This approach was especially beneficial to me because we started working with Jake only a few months after I underwent surgery. Jake greatly simplified the transition from physical therapy to class workout sessions.

Lastly, we experienced meaningful tangible results with Jake. My husband and I both gained a significant amount of muscle and lost fat. More importantly to me, my post surgical leg is now almost the same in muscle mass and strength (in under 10 months). My physical therapists noted how much muscle I gained and how much stronger my legs were.

At base, Jake is the best trainer you can find in Houston and we could not be any more enthusiastic in our endorsement.