Eric Lichota, CPT

My name is Eric Lichota. I was taught to be an instructor in the British military and have been a professional instructor in some capacity ever since (Military Physical Training Instructor, Professional Weight Training Instructor, Driving Instructor, Personal Trainer, and Diving Instructor). I recently arrived in the U.S.A. after five years of diving instruction and personal training on the Caribbean island of Tortola. I look forward to being successful in Montgomery County and making it a fitter place.

Thanks for checking in. "My experience with Erich so far has been great. He is very knowledgeable and thorough and is pushing me along nicely. I have seen improvements even after only a few sessions!" He is also pretty easy-going and has a great sense of humor, so my sessions have been relatively enjoyable (as enjoyable as working my butt off for an hour can be). "It's only been a few weeks, but I couldn't be happier."

Steve Brick - Potomac, MD

First let me say that I have extremely high standards. And Erich has surpassed all of my expectations. Every exercise he has me do is rooted in scientific based information--there is always a reason why he has me do something. There is a method to it all. When I first started with Erich, I wanted to get in shape for my upcoming wedding. I was married in June and I will keep working out with him because I see the value. In the beginning, I couldn't even do one push up. Erich worked with me and now I am doing 7 sets of 20 push ups. That's not the "girlie" style push-up either, it's the full on guy style push-up! That's 140 push-ups in one session! Not to mention all the other things he has me do during our time together.

He is truly the best in his field. "My husband comments on how great I look. People at work notice also. My clothes fit better. I can eat more b/c I have so much muscle I just burn off the extra calories. Overall my body is much tighter and more compact. I have definition in every part. Also, I feel so much better. I am better at my job because I have more energy. As you can tell, I could go on and on about Erich. Thanks so much for referring me to him!!

Brigette L. - Rockville, MD

"These are the most intense workouts I've ever had. I'm seeing tremendous results. Erich is fantastic!" I'm going to re-up for another 8 weeks when my first session expires. Thanks for your interest.

Tom Bonorden - Olney, MD

Best regards,

Nancy Altman - Bethesda, MD

I just wanted to let you know that everything is going great! Eric has been working me real hard with his circuit training. "When I first saw him walking into my house with his bosu ball and the other big ball, I thought to myself , no way is this going to be a hard workout. Well, I was wrong!" It took everything out of me and all I did was the warm up and 1 circuit. I am now up to 5 circuits. I feel stronger, I am eating much better, and I have more energy than ever. I have not weighed myself at all during this process, because I am weird about that, but I do know that I have been getting many compliments on how it looks like I am dropping weight. I am not even half weigh through the 8 weeks yet, but I am very happy with Eric and what he has taught me so far. I am looking forward to using this for a long time even after I get to my goal of losing 50-60 lbs before my wedding next July. When I am comfortable enough I will weigh myself, to know where I am at and where I need to be. "I think I am headed in the right direction now and I am determined to stick with it forever now! Thanks Jim for everything!

"Things are great! I went shopping the other day and bought a skirt and pants...size 2!!!!! I'm so excited!" A few months ago I was a 4/5. Joe's clothes are getting loose on him as well. We've been working hard with Eric and watching what we eat. I actually cheated today for the first time in months and I totally feel guilty. Eric is great!!

Below Eric explains how he got into the business of personal training, his overall approach with clients, his fitness philosophies and more.

A: I was encouraged by the military to become a physical training instructor and enjoyed it so much I carried it on through civilian life.

A: Because I started so young, I have many years of experience and have worked with such an extensive clientele that there isn't a specific group of people I haven't trained. My specialty is getting people to do what they think they cannot.

A: My biggest challenge is getting clients to take fitness as seriously as I do.

A: I make them understand how serious I am, and that I will work harder than they do; and if that isn't enough we will say goodbye.

A: The most important component is that we are creating a "lifestyle," not just a temporary thing.

A: My strengths are motivation and inspiration. My weakness is extremely early mornings.

A: It is too severe, too much of a fad, and it's not something with which you can create a lifestyle.

A: "I'm not going to get big muscles, am I?"

A: My favorite author is Vince Gironda.

A: I would say myself; because I am living proof that a 49 year old grandfather can still hold his own with most people in the gym.

A: My advice would be to set reasonable and reachable goals and to work toward those goals consistently and persistently for the rest of their lives.

A: I prefer one-on-one, because is it more personal and easier to for both the trainer and client to focus and achieve our goals more quickly.

A: My personal goals for the future are to establish myself as an exemplary personal trainer and to reach a level of success that will comfortably support me and my family.