Testimonials
Training with Dennis & Charlotte:
Charlotte asked me to write a short "bio" and to make it personal. Here goes:
I'm 71 and have trained at PPT for about fifteen years - ever since I read a news item that
cardiovascular workouts are less important than strength training as one gets older. For
many years my main exercise was running - I've done dozens of marathons, ultra-marathons
and triathlons. However, it was not until I began strength training with Charlotte and Dennis
that I finally realized the truth of that news item. The personal training, the fun classes
(especially spinning, boot camp and Zumba) and the improvement in my overall fitness
make me look forward to each visit to PPT.
My family also works on fitness - through both diet and exercise (my wife of 46 years,
my two children (43 and 39) and all four grandchildren are evil exercisers and are mostly
vegetarian). My 9-year old granddaughter recently started with the group "Girls on the Run" ;
at a recent race she beat me and proudly texted to my wife "creamed Grandpa".
I still work as a general dentist three days per week and plan to continue as long as I enjoy
working. In recent editions of Baltimore Magazine and Washington Consumers' Checkbook
Magazine I was the only dentist from Howard County in their "Best Dentists" survey.
My son and I have worked together for over 16 years and a lot of our patients have told me
privately that he is a lot better than I ever was! He will be inducted into the International
College of Dentists this fall based on his service to the community and to the profession.
For vacations my wife and I like active trips. We went to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and
Vietnam in January with Overseas Adventure Travel. In May we did a bicycle trip in Spain with
Vermont Bicycle Tours. When we travel t places I've never seen I enjoy going out for a run
and usually getting a little lost - it's a good way to see the local area and people.
Finally, I just want to thank Dennis, Charlotte and all the other people who come to PPT for
making me look forward to each of my visits there. PPT has definitely improved my fitness
and enjoyment of life's opportunities."
Eric Katkow - 25 July 2015
Training with Charlotte:
"I started coming to PPT just over six months ago to train with
Charlotte Helloff, at the recommendation of a friend. Charlotte
immediately put me at ease, closely listened to my personal goals and
set a pace that allowed me to see progress without feeling overwhelmed.
I am getting stronger, slimmer and more confident as a result.
The gym is convenient and the cost of personal training and the classes
are all very affordable. Most of all, the PPT staff always make me feel
welcome and my patronage appreciated. I have broadened my workouts to
include Zumba, Body Sculpt and Basic Training and plan to also attempt
Spin and Core classes. The club also sponsors 5K's and events to help
their members of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels to get healthy
and achieve their goals. It's really been a positive and rewarding
experience which has earned PPT my sincere endorsement and
recommendation."
Loretta - May 2012
Training with Leigh:
I have trained with Leigh twice a week in the early morning hours for
about two years. While it is difficult, sometimes, to drag myself into
the gym early in the morning, the results make it well worth the
effort. I am well past my 40th birthday, but I'm now in better shape
than when I was 30 years old. Leigh tailors my workout to my specific
needs and pushes me to achieve my goals. She's fun, personable and
flexible, but takes my workout sessions seriously. She uses her
knowledge of human anatomy and sports training to design each session -
and I continue to get stronger and fitter each month. My endurance,
balance, and strength have postively affected every part of my life -
in and out of the gym. In short, I've become a lean, strong, agile
athlete - thanks to Leigh. I highly recommend her as a personal
trainer.
I also highly recommend the gym. There's no requirement to join the gym
or pay gym fees - I pay for only those sessions that I schedule. The
gym is small, so there's not a lot of sweaty people grunting on the
treadmill next to you. Its really a great experience and all of the
trainers at the gym are top-notch.
A Very Satisfied Client - July 2011
Training with Dennis:
"I've tried working out with trainers before, but they weren't the
right fit for my health and fitness goals. Over the past year of
working out with Dennis, I've seen great improvements in my strength
and balance. I've been very pleased with the clear progression of
difficulty, not just in the amount of weight lifted, but in the
exercises themselves. I've been running for many, many (many) years and
Dennis is helping me to stay uninjured and competitive."
Pat Wilkerson - 2011
"The Performance Private Training Gym is wonderful and very friendly!
The owner, Dennis, is very kind and supportive of everyone who goes
there. I am a competitive figure skater and train there twice a week
with Jacqueline, who is an excellent instructor! She has helped me so
much with my skating and I can see improvement. I am so grateful that I
found this gym and will continue to go there throughout my skating
career."
unsigned - 2011
Training with Dennis
"I started training with Dennis approximately 3 years ago. I had become
frustrated not reaching any goals that I would set for myself. When I
met with Dennis he discussed several areas of training, including my
weight training, cardio training and diet. He soon had me weight
training with him and paying more attention to my diet. I lost weight
and felt better within a couple of weeks.
When my progress stalled, Dennis explained to me that I had to do
cardio, on my own. He said something to the effect, "You can't expect
results without putting some serious, genuine effort into cardio
exercising - on your own - whether it's running, bicycling or just
walking. I can't do that for you."
I started doing cardio 2-3 times a week. I saw and felt improvement.
Every time I have noticed my progress slowing, I now can examine what I
am doing wrong with my cardio efforts (or lack of efforts) and my
eating. I now make time to do cardio 5-6 times per week, and I feel
better than ever. I take cycling/spinning classes with Dennis, too -
and as difficult as you may think it would be to make each class fun
and different, Dennis finds a way to do just that - every class.
Dennis has over the past couple of years not just trained me "to pick
things up and put them down", but to analyze my actions when I'm out of
the gym, so I can better understand what to do and what to report to
him so he can help me "fix-it". His training and advice is invaluable.
I don't always follow what Dennis has taught me to do, and he lets me
know it. No one knows more about training and exercising and explains
it better than Dennis.
Thanks, Dennis,"
David - 2011
Training with Charlotte
"I took several months of Boot Camp training with Charlotte Hellhoff.
Those classes were so tough, so challenging, and so rewarding. I lost
more weight and got into better cardio- condition taking those classes
than anything else.
I've also taken kickboxing and Zumba dance classes with Charlotte.
After one of her classes, you can't find a dry spot on your shirt!
Charlotte explains everything to you so you understand what you are
doing and why you are doing it. She explains the real-life benefits of
doing the exercises. You learn to appreciate her knowledge and her
sincerity in making sure that you achieve the most you can in the time
you are exercising with her.
Charlotte is never too busy to talk with you about your nutrition, your
daily activities and your training. She not only let's you know that
she is always there to help you -- she always does help you."
David - 2011