Erin:
For 20 years, my exercise plan was cardio-based: running, walking, or using an elliptical. When I was a sporadic member of a health club, I would use the machines here and there but never worked with a trainer beyond the initial new member assessment. I was pretty successful at being able to manage my weight by running a few miles a week but as I got older, it was taking more and more cardio to get the same results. If I took a break from regular exercise, it took longer and longer to get back in shape. This pattern became my routine until last year, when I developed plantar fasciitis in my foot and no longer could run. Out of shape and overweight, I knew I needed help to get back in good physical condition and make some necessary lifestyle changes.
With minimum experience working with a personal trainer, I had a limited idea of what to expect. My perception of what a trainer did consisted of people who worked at health clubs, coming after you with ‘fat’ calipers—impersonally writing down the numbers indicating how woefully out of shape you were—maybe giving you some generic conditioning advice, etc. In contrast, the first meeting I had with Sam I was an active participant—together we talked about my exercise history and what my goals were for personal training. From the beginning, Sam made it clear that he would partner with me to achieve whatever goals I set for myself, including providing guidance with nutrition.
I’ve been working with Sam for 6 months and am thrilled at what we’ve accomplished! Resistance training makes me feel stronger and more flexible while helping re-shape my body. Sam is a great motivator, provides encouragement, and gives me simple and clear instructions to make dietary changes, which has accelerated my results. As a healthcare provider, I appreciate his evidenced-based approach to exercise and diet. As a busy professional, I also appreciate that we’re getting results from just two 45-minute sessions in the gym and two 20 minute interval workouts (at home!) on my own per week. Thanks Sam!
Grant:
I’ve been working out with Sam for seven months and I’m thrilled with my progress. In the first two months my body fat decreased by 6%! During this time, I lost 10 pounds of fat and gained 5 pounds of muscle (tested in the BodPod). I was strength training with Sam just twice a week and doing 20 minutes of cardio twice a week on my own. Sam has also helped me make a few changes to my diet that have had a very positive impact on my progress.
Prior to training with Sam, most of my gym experience involved cardio and group classes; I wasn’t liftiing weights and I was not going to pretend like I knew how. Looking to change my physique, I contacted Sam to set up an intro workout.
Sam is a smart guy—he knows how to keep workouts fresh by safely utilizing all of the equipment in the gym and providing clear instructions. My routine on Wednesdays is different than my routine on Sundays, and they both change every eight weeks. One of Sam’s strengths is staying current on the latest research in the field and taking an evidence-based approach, which helps us make the most out of those 45 minutes in the gym.
Sam knows his exercise science, but what sets him apart from others is his ability to put the ‘personal’ in personal trainer. For example, when we were discussing a work trip I had and how that would impact our normal training schedule, he called the hotel I was booked at and asked about the equipment in their fitness center so he could write up a workout for me. He went above and beyond and it kept me accountable while away from home.
Sam’s training style is what I would call ‘sensible tenacity.’ He’s not going to yell in your face to get you to pump out one more rep. But he will push you to do things you didn’t think you were capable of. He won’t set anyone up to fail, so when he puts the heavier dumbbells in front of me, I know that I can do what he’s asking. He’s confident in my ability to work hard and that only builds my own confidence. If you want an ally to help you be the best version of yourself, pick Sam. You won’t regret it.
Adam:
I was skeptical about hiring a personal trainer. After playing sports in high school and college I felt I knew enough that a personal trainer wouldn’t add value to my workout routine. I decided to give it a shot and here I am, down over 20 pounds — I haven’t been this lean since my high school days. Coming from an athletic background, I lifted weights five times per week. Sam was able to demonstrate how intense, brief, and less frequent workouts could be extremely effective. I didn’t need to spend an hour in the gym every day to be in great shape. In fact, I usually worked with Sam just twice per week.
With Sam’s strength training and nutritional approach, I reduced my body fat and noticed improved muscle definition and size after just two months. However, the biggest benefit from working with Sam was getting all of those hours back that I would have spent in the gym trying to get in shape. If you’re willing to put in the effort, Sam’s expertise, knowledge and coaching ability can help anyone reach their fitness goals. I would highly recommend Sam as a personal trainer!
Melissa:
Before training with Sam I was definitely one of those girls who believed that lifting weights would make you big and bulky. I felt I had a pretty good understanding of physical fitness and what it meant to eat healthy, but I struggled with achieving and maintaining the body I wanted. After trying everything in the book and still not seeing the results I expected, I decided to give strength training a try.
Initially, I was skeptical that I could reach my goals by working with a personal trainer. I thought that in order to get the body you wanted you had to spend hours in the gym every week. After the first two months of training with Sam my attitude completely changed. His full-body workouts are time efficient and there are no wasted minutes. By the end of a workout session, I am exhausted, but not too to the point where I can’t do anything for the rest of the night.
The workouts are intense but the results are definitely worth it. I’ve never been this lean and had this kind of muscle definition. I’m more confident and the best thing is I’m more motivated to keep improving because of the great results I have already had.
For me, what sets Sam apart from other personal trainers is that he truly cares about his clients reaching their goals and their overall well-being. I’ve often been confused by nutrition because of the overload of information available. Sam worked with me to set up an eating plan with simple guidelines that helped me achieve my fitness goals quickly. What makes Sam unique from other trainers is that he checks in even when you aren’t at the gym. I appreciate this because if I ever have an “off” day it motivates me to get back on track. Based on my results, I’ve become a huge believer in strength training. If you’re looking to achieve a fitness goal or just improve your overall health and well being, I highly recommend training with Sam.
Johnathan:
I began working out with Sam eight months ago and I never expected to see the results that I’m experiencing. Since training with Sam, I’ve noticed dramatic changes in the appearance of my body – my family and friends have commented on the positive physical changes as well. Within the first few months of our workouts I noticed improved muscle definition and size. I had a previous injury to my hand, which left me with an inability to firmly grip weights. Sam was able to work around my injury by implementing unique exercises that did not require gripping in order to provide very effective workouts without causing harm to my injured hand.
Since training with Sam, I’ve learned a lot about exercise technique and why we’re doing every exercise from an evidence-based approach. While he knows my limits, the workouts are extremely challenging and he pushes me beyond what I would do myself. Using the limited time that I have to work out, Sam makes every minute count during the hour and a half per week that I train with him. The results have been great not only physically, but mentally as well. I have more energy, sleep better and have gained a tremendous amount of confidence. Sam is very hard working and passionate about what he does – he’s very thoughtful and truly cares about my well-being.
Kati:
I was always active—in high school I played soccer every day, which kept me in great shape. Once college started I stopped playing soccer and became less active. My physical inactivity combined with the same dietary habits led to weight gain. When I turned 21, along with my friends, drinking became a more frequent habit and I started to get a belly—I gained 10 pounds in one semester! I knew something had to be done.
I started working with Sam twice per week and after training with him for 3 months I lost a significant amount of fat and became more toned. At the beginning of the summer I was dreading swimsuit season. After 3 months of training I felt completely comfortable with the way I looked and felt and others noticed the improvement as well. Not only did the training with Sam improve my body composition, he also taught me the proper way to strength train. Sam’s time efficient workouts (only one hour in the gym per week) combined with a few simple dietary changes allowed me to improve how I looked and regain my confidence.
I am more than satisfied with my results from training with Sam. He does a great job of gauging individuals starting points and progressing them in a way that is specific to their body type, goals, and ability level. His ability to encourage and push me during workouts allowed me to do things I would never have been able to do on my own. I highly recommend working with Sam regardless of age or gender.
Jon:
I had worked out with many trainers before I met Sam and every single one of them left my health and wellness program at the gym. What I mean by that is the second I left the gym and was not a paying customer, my trainers moved on to their next session. I can’t tell you the countless texts, emails, and phone calls Sam sent to me to check in, see how I was feeling, and confirm our appointments. He went above and beyond to make sure I was invested in my health and wellness program.
I think if you really want to change your health and fitness habits you need an accountability partner, coach, and not a paid “workout buddy.” Sam is that accountability partner for me. He not only focused on my workouts at the gym but also on creating workouts for when I traveled, a checklist of weekly health and nutrition habits, and a list of healthy eating options. He created a program that I can follow and still do to this day.
If you want an accountability partner and a personal health coach then Sam Topping is the guy for you! You won’t be disappointed if you put 100% effort into it, Sam puts in 110% in, and makes sure you will get everything you want and more for your money.
Eric:
When I first started my own strength training program, I considered myself fairly active and healthy. However, I lacked the knowledge to succeed in building muscle and losing fat. Lack of results from my own workouts and diet led to frustration, so I decided to take my fitness to the next level and seek out a personal trainer.
When I met Sam, I knew immediately he was the perfect fit for me. He was friendly and knowledgeable and I felt challenged in every workout. Sam showed me how to train with a good mix of free weights, machines and bodyweight exercises, while helping me create a workout routine to complete each week. Additionally, he helped me understand the changes that I needed to make to my diet, providing me with an individualized nutrition plan.
After six months training with Sam, I’ve seen big results: a decrease in total body fat percentage from 19% to 13% and a visible increase in strength and muscle size. I never dreamed that training with Sam would make such a difference in just 45 minutes a week. The value of working with a professional is now crystal clear to me. I would recommend Sam to everyone I know and I couldn’t be happier with my results!
Erika:
I’ve known Sam for about 10 years and when I heard he started his personal training business, I knew he would be perfect to help get me in shape. I started training with Sam five months ago, with the goal to lose a few pounds and tone up for my upcoming wedding. I’m now in the best shape I’ve been since high school and I’m ecstatic about the results! Sam’s balance of a coaching mentality, with the ability to push me harder than I would on my own – along with his encouraging and supportive demeanor – has been awesome and helped me achieve great results. The workouts are intense yet fun. My schedule includes a job and graduate school, which requires time efficient workouts. His workouts are great in this aspect- my weekly training time with Sam is always under 90 minutes and everything we do has a purpose.
Outside of the gym, Sam provided me with simple nutrition guidelines that helped accelerate my results and improved my overall dietary habits. When I can’t make it to the gym due to travel, he always provides me with workouts and detailed instructions of what I can do on my own to improve, both physically and nutritionally. He is very knowledgeable and passionate about what he does.
Gordon:
I am a 64 year old man with diagnosed severe heart disease. Due to my medical condition I was afraid of the stress and strain of physical activity. Then I met Sam and he encouraged me to consider strength training as a means of improving my heart function, controlling my blood pressure, and improving my overall health. Sam gave many convincing reasons (backed by research) for strength training—and I’m so glad I listened to his advice. I’ve worked with Sam twice weekly for the last 8 weeks and the results have been nothing short of miraculous. Not only have all aspects of my heart problems improved but I’ve lost weight, increased my endurance, gained confidence and improved my overall health. My numbers are lower in all my blood tests (such as blood pressure and sugar levels) and I’ve stopped taking a few medications altogether.
Working with Sam has literally been a life saving experience for me. He asks questions, listens, and his thoughtful approach to training greatly impacted my results. I recommend Sam with absolutely no reservations. He is a professional in every good sense of the word. He knows what he is talking about!
Nick:
I started training with Sam about six months ago because my health and physical appearance were not where they needed to be—the wear and tear of college life had taken their toll and I decided to make my personal health a priority. I was referred to Sam from a friend who trains with him and saw great results.
When I first walked into the gym, I feared it would be another one-month workout binge that would end with my typical “I’m too busy to workout” excuse. I quickly learned that’s one of the worst reasons anyone could have. Sam’s time-efficient workouts are proof that you don’t need to be in the gym hours per week. My work as an investment banker means long hours at the office. Despite this, Sam keeps me accountable for my commitment to a healthy lifestyle and motivates me to make my health a priority. My attitude toward fitness has changed since training with Sam – I’m committed to improving my health and appearance because he’s helped me attain favorable results. I’ve lost body fat and improved my strength — my family and friends all notice my improved physical appearance and energy levels. All of this, despite the demanding hours of my job.
One of the great benefits of working with Sam is having an expert map out every session with new and challenging exercises. Sam works with me on simple but effective dietary habits and helps me work toward achieving my fitness goals. Initially, he wanted me to increase my protein, reduce junk food intake and focus on sleep. Adequate sleep was not always an option for me so Sam was able to determine alternative ways for me to improve my health profile outside the gym. The results of working with Sam have been incredible – both physical and mentally. I definitely recommend training with Sam.
Joe:
I’ve been working with Sam one to two times a week since July of 2013. The workouts are intense! Sam is incredibly dedicated to helping me achieve my fitness goals and I’ve noticed significant improvements in my physique and overall strength by training with him for less than 90 minutes per week. I have a busy work schedule and I love that the workouts are time efficient and packed with intensity. Sam is an excellent trainer – my wife and I have started training together with Sam as well. Sam provides nutritional guidance, answers all our questions and provides great evidence-based information on fitness, training, and overall health. I look forward to continuing to work with Sam and highly recommend him to others!
Kaci:
Over the past couple years Sam has challenged me to become a healthier person. His workouts and constant motivation have helped me kick some unhealthy habits and helped me become a better role model for my kids. At 43 years old, I am in the strongest and best shape of my life.
Strength training has helped me in my full-time job as a Minneapolis Fire Fighter. Being strong helps me perform at the highest level in critical situations. I also play a lot of tennis. Since working out with Sam, I have noticed an improvement in performance on the tennis court and remain injury-free. Because my schedule is so erratic, it helps that Sam’s workouts are time-efficient and his schedule is flexible. Like many other people with kids and work, I can’t spend hours in the gym every week and Sam can show you how this is unnecessary with high-intensity strength training.
I have been working with Sam for over two years now and I highly recommend him to anyone looking to improve their health, fitness, or increase strength.
Chris:
Before working with Sam, I was working out here and there on my own. My workouts had no structure and I really had no clue what I was doing. I wasn’t achieving the results I wanted and felt unconfident and weak. After training with Sam for over a year now, I have never been this satisfied with my level of fitness and physical appearance. I have added 10-15 pounds of muscle mass, I am much more confident, and have improved energy levels throughout the day while at work. Sam showed me how 2-3 hard workouts per week could show better results than my former 4-5 days per week (usually for a few weeks on then a few weeks off) with bad technique and lack of intensity.
In addition, he has helped me understand how important nutrition is. Together, we worked on some simple daily nutritional habits that helped me add muscle and become healthier overall. Sam has a strong knowledge of strength training and nutrition, and working with him has been a great experience.
Scott
Sam is truly an excellent trainer. His workouts combined the perfect amount of intensity, encouragement, and coaching for me to achieve maximum results. Because of his efforts, I am stronger, have better endurance in sports and recreational activities, and I am more aware of the nutritional choices I make on a daily basis. Strength training has become a part of my weekly routine and will continue to be the foundation of my exercise program for the rest of my life.
Sam has been my personal trainer for a year and a half now and the results I have achieved to date are largely due to Sam’s perfect combination of diverse training methods and individualized exercise programs. He is professional, has an extensive knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, and only incorporates exercises that are safe, time-efficient, and productive. Through the use of strength training, cardio exercise, and nutritional advice from Sam, I have seen tremendous results. I would HIGHLY recommend him!
Norm
Every week for the past 15 months, Sam would begin our training sessions by asking, “How does your body feel?” During this time he’s been my coach, accountability partner and a source of inspiration.
In the past, I felt that regular sessions with a trainer weren’t necessary. As a younger man, the U.S. Army had been my trainer. After retirement from the Army, my own workouts became less frequent and were often based on the latest fad or popular advice. After my initial training session with Sam, I realized that his evidence-based approach could produce results that I was unable to achieve on my own. Each week he pushes me to go beyond what I often think is possible — helping me to get those last few reps on each exercise. Each full body workout completely challenges every muscle group and he periodically changes the routine with new exercises. As a massage therapist, the workouts are tremendously helpful in my daily work. I feel stronger, have more endurance, and I plan to continue my work for many years with his help.
After several months of training with Sam, he encouraged me to do a “Bod Pod” assessment, which allowed me to accurately assess my current body fat percentage. Six months later when I tested again, I saw a significant decrease in my body fat percentage and a corresponding increase in lean muscle mass. These results were proof that Sam’s workouts were effective and I was obtaining the desired results. I intend to keep going with Sam and would highly recommend that others looking to improve their health and fitnes do the same.