Carlos has been my personal trainer for 3 years. I have more body strength now than I did 30 years ago. He is able to meet people where they are and construct a program that takes them to the next step. He has proved to me that people can grow in strength steadily, no matter what age.

 Carlos makes the discipline of building body strength and capacity great fun. He understands the mind/body/spirit mix very well. He models the idea that body strength is as much an attitude as it is physical capability. He laces in conversations on diet, life style health theory as the session proceeds. Kind of a moving classroom.

I like working with Carlos because of the variety, the pace and the professionalism. He mixes and matches the day's session to match any health issues I have that week. His approach is Challenging, interesting and flexible.

R. Dunsing

I am a medical doctor, Internal Medicine, and have been in practice now for 28 years. I have a wife and 3 children, and 3 grandchildren. Needless to say, I lead a busy life.

I first met Carlos in the early 1980's when, in my 30's, I began a regular exercise program at a fitness center in town, and he was a personal trainer for some of the other clients. When that facility closed, my commitment to exercise fizzled out and I got away form it. Then in the late 80's, I went to a chiropractor for a back problem and he recommended an exercise program. He was using Carlos personally as a trainer, so he invited me to a few sessions, and we became reacquainted. Again, my commitment fizzled out as my professional career was all consuming. 

One day at work, around 1991, I got a call from Carlos, "out of the Blue," asking me how my exercise routine was going. I told him it wasn't, and he encouraged me to come and see him and work with him on a personal program designed for me and my personal needs. I took him up on the offer, and have been working out under his supervision now for 16 years. I just turned 60, and I have to say that if it were not for my relationship with Carlos, I don't know how I would have overcome some of the adversities that I have had to face during the past 16 years. After each so called set back, he would bring me back.

As a physician, I recognize the importance of exercise. As a busy person, I recognize the difficulty of adhering to and exercise program. For the first 44 years of my life, I tried to commit to exercise on my own with sporadic compliance at best. So, how has my relationship with Carlos made a difference?

I could outline many reasons, but I believe the following are paramount:

• Accountability - When it was me holding myself accountable, I failed. Carlos' approach to accountability is one of a kind father. He has said on many occasions when I had a "show up day" (meaning I didn't really feel like it or have the time), "Why punish you for showing up; let's do 100% of what you are able to do today, rather than 100% of your usual routine." Carlos always knows how to modify my workout to meet my needs at the time in such a way that I leave feeling better than when I arrived. It doesn't get any better than that - knowing there is a place you can go where you get a boost (physically, emotionally, and spiritually).
• Trust - a very important aspect of a personal relationship is the element of trust. I don't really know how he does it, but Carlos has the ability to assess me each session in such a way that he can determine not only what workout I need, but how much I can handle. I believe he wants to see me be successful as much (or more) than I do, and would not do anything to jeopardize my growth. There are times when I don't realize I'm ready for a growth spurt and Carlos does. On those days, the bench press may feel heavier than expected and I only get 10 reps rather than the expected 12. Then Carlos will say, "Yeah, I hate it when I do that - that was 5 more lbs than last time!" He knew if I knew that in advance, it would psych me out and I might not make it. Carlos can be trusted.
• Relationship - In the Bible, Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." As I have come to trust this man, Carlos, he has become rather like a mentor. He is able to impart wisdom by his very lifestyle as well as the words he speaks. It seems to me that the tools of iron and wood used to make this man a world body building champion are also symbolic of his becoming a champion among men. I am honored to call Carlos my friend, as well as my health trainer and my mentor.

John A. Harler, MD
Richmond, VA

 I was referred to Carlos from a friend because I was experiencing back and neck pain from an old injury, and I also desparately needed to improve my Body Mass Index, which was less than satisfactory.  I was convinced that all that I needed was to go to the gym, but I was not disciplined enough to go regularly, and I didn't know what to work on when I got there.  Carlos taught me not only the correct ways of strength-training and cardio-work-out, but counseled me on many different issues that I had as far as my health was concerned.  I trained for two years, and in that time, I gained a positive attitude mentally and physically about my body and mind.  Carlos is extremely patient and supportive, and he encouraged me to find my own way of improving my lifestyle, which he called the philosophy of "One".  I lost fifteen pounds and gained muscle weight, which helped me tone my body and increased my confidence greatly.  Carlos became not only my trainer but a good friend.  It was an immensely positive experience!

Bekah Hughes

Personal Fitness Concepts
2311 Nelson Street
Richmond, Virginia 23228
(804) 264-4473