Testimonials

June 19, 2009

I found Sarah around the time I injured my rotator cuff in a group kettlebell class.  I was in the best shape of my life and I thought it was all going to go down the tubes with the injury.  My doctor was telling me it could take up to 2 years to get back to 100% and I was clueless as to how I could workout with out further damaging myself.  My doctor and PT were no help in this regard. They were NOT fitness enthusiasts and their best advice would have left me fat and flabby. All the plan and programs I had included something that was off limits for me.  Also, I needed to keep the uninjured parts of my shoulder strong and incorporate exercises from my physical therapist.

Because Sarah was so knowledgeable about corrective exercises and is really truly a pro, she was able to design weekly workouts for me that kept me in shape and allowed the shoulder to heal.  She even managed to work kettlebells into the mix without risking my shoulder.

Sarah introduced me to exercise bands which I had previously shunned as too “girly”.  Let me tell you, there is nothing girly about working out with bands.  They seriously improved the strength and stability of the muscles in my upper back and Sarah has figured out numerous challenging lower body exercises with the bands as well.

6 months later, and my shoulder is 90% healed and I’m still in great shape.  Best money I spent on fitness in years.

Tonya Bednarick

TBS Web Solutions

4/6/2009

“All I can say is…Wow.  I just completed the level 3 workout and boy, was I worked out.  I love the way you’re using bands to their full potential, not just standard squats, curls and overhead presses.  I feel like your methods are getting me stronger in ways that traditional strength training never did, at the extent of my reach especially.  Great for catching a leaping two year old who has no fear, doing yard work or helping my husband haul wood. All this while keeping my rotator cuff on the healing track.  You’re the best!” – Tonya B.

3/2/2009

Your blog is always a great read. In addition to the top-notch content, the thing that always stands out to me is your passion. Seriously-your passion for the fitness industry is very evident in your writing. I bookmarked and sub’d to your blog after reading 1 post, and especially after reading your “about” section on your blog home page. Keep up the great content!

Stay healthy,

Jason M. Johnson, CPT

JMJ Fitness

www.jmjfitness.com

2/7/2009

Sarah,

I’ve been getting your newsletter for just two weeks, but I can say with total confidence that it’s the best newsletter I receive. It’s packed with great exercises and tips. This is a MUST READ for anybody interested in taking their fitness to new levels!

Jimi Varner (www.jimivarner.com)

“Sarah thinks that I am a very special client of hers but she does not seem to realize that I have made it to this point because of the type of Trainer that she is and that she cares so much about her clients.  She has given me the encouragement and the tools to help me in my quest.

I always had the desire to eat well and take care of myself but I became so busy with kids, activities, home and work; exercise fell to the bottom of the list.  I was diagnosed with Lupus twenty years ago (my mother and sister also have).  I remember telling the doctor during one of my denial phases that, “I had the disease but that it would never have me.”  I have kept to that word and yes I have come up on a lot of speed bumps over time but with Sarah’s help, I have managed to ride over them.

My Mom was very ill the last few years of her life and I did not want to suffer the way she did.  I want to be able to enjoy my later years along with my husband.  That alone is the incentive I need.  The aging process is hard enough and I want to be somewhat flexible and be able to maintain my balance.

My Dad always told me that I could accomplish whatever I wanted to, you just have to have the desire.  Exercise has become like a drug for me now.  It has to be done; I need to do it but I also know that if I do take time off due to medical issues, I get right back in there because it makes me feel good.  I am not a fanatic about working out and I do take the weekend off somewhat.

I am down 25 lbs since we first began.  I was at my highest weight when we started.  It is not so much the weight loss as is the shape of my body – my clothes fit totally different now but I still would like to lose an additional 10 – 15 more lbs, and I am sure I will.” – Ruth Cohen, Baton Rouge, December 2008

“Sarah is a dynamic and motivating person. She is very knowledgeable in the field of personal training and always seeking to find new and interesting programs to keep her clients engaged. You will get results if you stick with her!” Liz Roberson, May 31, 2008

“Sarah is a one of a kind trainer. She is by no means ordinary and that is what makes her special. She loves what she does and for those of us who train under her that means the world. The fact that she is so innovative helps those of us who previously may not have been successful, find out what weight loss success is really about and in that become the people we were meant to be. Thank you lil chief for being so passionate about what you do!!” – Sheila Achee, Baton Rouge

“I did have a blast during bootcamp! I am very sad that it had to end…and I have finally dropped a little weight. I also feel stronger. I could tell how much I progressed during those few weeks. Whereas, when I was lifting weights, I felt like I was never getting any better. Your workouts definitely live up to their name! I felt like I was in boot camp. It was awesome! Thanks for everything! I hope your own training is going well!  ” – Adrienne Lopez, Baton Rouge

“Hey Sarah- The boot camp class was great yesterday and I am really excited about the next four weeks. I am so glad that I am doing this because you know how summer can be; it will make me stick to an exercise schedule. I am not miserably sore but I definitely do feel it, especially in my upper body. I cannot wait to see what you put us through tomorrow!” – Mary Catherine Kayser, Baton Rouge

“May 2006: I have been training with Sarah for about one year. She is the fourth trainer i’ve had in the ten years since I began weight training. She provides the perfect combination of cardio, weight, and core training while catering to my specific problem areas. My core strength and balance have improved dramatically since I started working with Sarah. My husband has started training with her and I hope to have my sons work with her over the summer in preparation for football season. I highly recommend Sarah Rippel.” - Marianne Hood, Baton Rouge

“I wanted to thank you again for the great training sessions. I not only got a great workout but learned a lot about the core muscles and balance of course!!! I definitely have started to see results after 4 weeks and plan to continue on with the workouts. I have been going to the gym for such a long time and this is the first time in months that I have felt sore and a real difference in my body. Thanks again!!” – Niveen Ismail

“May 10, 2006: I have only been working with Sarah since the beginning of April and the results are beginning to show!! I remember the first day that Sarah came to my home; she greeted me with a smile and we began our work. She took her time, never rushing and always paid close attention to what I was saying. What a program she worked out for me and she even included a travel version! Once our session was over, it was the beginning of the emails, constantly wanting to know my progress and if I have any questions and always complimenting me on my progress and motivating me to continue. Sarah is easy to deal with and very easy to like and I am sure that is one of the reasons that I continue working with her. Thanks to Sarah I am in much better shape then I was two months ago.” – Ruth Cohen, Baton Rouge

“May 8, 2006: I have only been training with Sarah for several months but it has been a rewarding and not to mention fun experience. Sarah and myself have a lot in common, I have also battled an eating disorder since I was 13 and I have finally had the courage and help to overcome it. It helps to have someone your talking to to understand where exactly you are coming from. Not only has training with Sarah done that, she has also helped me with my confidence issues. I enjoy the hard work and the drive she has about her. It makes each session interesting as well as rewarding. I look forward to many more “torture sessions” to come!!! – Ashley Cambre, Baton Rouge

“April 27, 2006: Being in HR for one of Club Industry’s Top 100 Health and Fitness Facilities, I strive to “live what we sell”, but I struggle like everyone else with weight, nutrition and fitness. I try to workout daily and generally enjoy running and other cardio exercises. I also enjoy rock climbing, traveling to a special facility weekly to practice and taking outdoor trips whenever I am able to fit them into my schedule. I had never considered weight training or the benefits until I met Sarah. Her personality is what initially convinced me to train a session with her. Her results are why I continue to train with her. She is an extremely energetic, motivating and innovative trainer. My goal was (and still is) to improve muscles necessary for climbing and to enhance my core strength. As a result of some of Sarah’s unique techniques, I now have more core strength and stabilization than many of the men with which I climb. My “climbing buddies” are all impressed. I would strongly recommend Sarah to anyone in any condition looking for a trainer. I would especially recommend Sarah to those looking to “spice up” their current routine or who are strongly in need of a powerful motivator with a positive attitude. I did, after all hire her to work at our company!” – Leslie Mock, Baton Rouge