Steve Roy, CPT

Steve is a NASM certified personal trainer and has been training individuals for 8 years. He specializes in weight reduction programs, strength training, nutritional counseling and general fitness. Steve services the Northern Virginia area, Montgomery and Frederick county area.

Steve is an excellent trainer. He has made an accurate assessment of my starting point and has developed a plan to increase strength and flexibility that is effective. I'm noticing improvement in my stamina and am feeling great from the workouts!

Steve has also been very helpful in educating me about nutrition facts and choosing a better diet. It is an area in which I've had some general knowledge but I'm learning more specifics that will help me make better decisions.

"I am very much enjoying the experience of working with a personal trainer. I was a little anxious at first, believing that the trainer might push too hard or try to apply a formulaic program that didn't consider my needs or expectations, but I was relieved of that anxiety on the first visit. It is a pleasure to work with Steve and I'm confident that I will achieve my goals. Thanks so much!"

Donna Smith - Arlington, VA

The training is going very well...Steve is great! He's very motivating (I won't call it nagging) about contacting me more than once a week to ask about diet and soreness from exercise. "I have learned a great deal more about the foods I should be eating, which has been hindering me in my efforts at muscular growth more than I realized. It really DOES come down to diet!"

Workouts at home have also proven to me that I can get a workout in, even in 45 minutes if necessary, which will keep me honest when I don't have time otherwise. Thanks for everything!

Dawson Cagle - Arlington, VA

"I am officially 4 weeks into my adventure and completely satisfied with my results so far! "I've lost 13 pounds, have already dropped a size and am feeling stronger every day!" I know that this time is going to be different because with the support of Steve, I am making a lifestyle change. It's not a quick fix, it's not easy, but it's working! The fundamentals I am learning now will help me throughout my life maintain this healthy lifestyle."

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

A: I have had a passion for the health field for as long as I can remember. My father is an Exercise Physiologist at UCLA and I grew up learning about the human body and how it functions. Watching him as a professor and researcher, I saw the benefits of teaching proper principles of exercise and living a healthy lifestyle. I truly enjoy educating individuals on how the human body functions.

A: I believe the difference in my philosophy of training is that I listen to each client's specific goals and look at their current lifestyle. I design each exercise and nutrition program to fit into their life with realistic expectations. While I do believe if an individual truly puts their mind to something, they can achieve it, I look at the reality of the situation. I have clients who travel extensively and cannot commit the same time and energy to their program and diet as others. I have to adjust their expectations to fit their lifestyle. I would say my specialty is working with individuals just starting out so I can take them through each step of the process. Someone who has been training for years may not be as open to suggestions and may have preconceived notions about how they should train or should be eating.

A: I think the biggest challenge is keeping the client motivated. Everyone beginning has a gung-ho attitude but in time that fades. The challenge is keeping their eyes on their goals and my job is to make sure that happens.

A: I change my workout routines every 4-6 weeks to keep things interesting for them. When a client starts to show a lack of interest in the training we are doing, I will explain how the results they want will not happen if they are not truly committed. I tell them they may be better off spending their money elsewhere if they cannot give it 100%.

A: There are many vital components to a successful training program, but I feel the most important and often overlooked is attitude. If a client can maintain a positive attitude towards their program, they will have much greater success that a negative thinker. It's quite easy to become discouraged during a fitness program, but it's imperative that they keep focused on their goals and they absolutely must believe they can do it.

A: My strengths are patience with each client, close attention to proper form, and designing programs that consistently challenge the client. My weakness would be that I don't allow my clients to use me as a sounding board. I try to maintain an environment that focuses entirely on training on not on last nights television programs.

A: I believe a diet that restricts any macronutrient (such as carbs) is certain to fail in the long-term. At some point, you will have to go off the diet and start eating carbs again and when this happens, weight gain is the result. Any diet that restricts certain nutrients or calories substantially cannot be successful. Changing your lifestyle and eating habits are how one can achieve lasting changes in the body.

A: Over the years, most of my clients have been women, and they often ask if they will get 'bulky' if they perform strength training exercises. The simple answer in 'no'. Women simply don't have enough testosterone in their bodies to build large and unwanted muscle mass. Strength training will however, build a lean sculpted body.

A: "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle" by Tom Venuto is far and away one of the best books I've ever read on the topic of health and nutrition.

A: I have had many clients who have reached their goals in the 9 years I've been training, but my greatest success has been motivating my close friend to begin a career as a personal trainer. He was inspired to go out and learn about the health and exercise field through hearing about how I was helping my clients change their lifestyle and outlook on life. He received his certification and is now a very successful and sought after trainer. He has helped numerous individuals achieve their goals and often thanks me for the guidance I offered.

A: Realize that making a lasting change in your body takes time and a lot of very hard work. Stay positive on what you can accomplish and there is no limit to your success.

A: One-on-One training allows me to devote 100% of my attention on the client exercising. I monitor every rep performed to ensure proper form. Training multiple clients at once makes that task very difficult. I feel every client deserves my undivided attention.

A: I am currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science and am always looking to expand my knowledge of the ever changing world of health and science.