Google Reviews

Four months ago I was debilitated by sciatic nerve pain that stopped me from carrying out my daily activities. My 1st month was nonstop internet searching the many people who had just the right stretch that would cure my pain. I gave that a month… nothing helped. My 2nd month I went to PT, had just 10 % improvement with cookie cutter exercise routine with no one watching me to make sure I was doing the details of the exercises correct so that healing could take place. Then a friend who trains with Mike told me “I know someone who can help you heal from your pain! My trainer” A Trainer!! My thoughts of a Drill Sargent yelling at me, motivation through mild humiliation, piling on more weights and reps to the point I wouldn’t be able to walk after my sessions, all at an outrageous fee. But I was in so much pain and getting tired of dealing with the pain… what did I have to lose!! Boy was I surprised and pleased with Mike! Mike fits none of my worrisome thoughts! Mike is more than a trainer, he is a gifted instructor and a healer! First, Mike is comfortable to be around. His strategy is to find and focus on the Cause of the pain so that long term healing can take place, never to return. In finding the Cause, Mike showed me how my painful hip area was compensating for my weaker other side! During my session, Mike would “talk” about the importance of building muscle strength and stability (correctly) to heal my current pain and to prevent other areas of pain later on in life. So, after just 3 ½ weeks doing 2 sessions a week with Mike, my pain/discomfort was down 85%! With the discomfort basically gone, I chose to continue training with Mike to continue building my body strength and stability correctly.
Thanks Mike for the healing, your knowledge, quality training and an enjoyable time mixing them all together during my one hour sessions that fly by so fast!!

-Barbara Besser

Mike has been great! I came to him after knee surgery and physical therapy. Physical Therapy (which was painful for my knees) was not addressing my issues which was that I needed strength and to stop using my skeletal system so much, but first we needed to get the muscles firing. Mike was able to work with me and keep my knees out of pain while doing the exercises. I started seeing him in December of 2023 it is now June 2024 and I have seen and feel significant increase in my strength. He is always very patient, very educated in his field, and fun to work with.

- Gretchen Sjoberg

Mike has been working with our family (ages 8 to 46) for over 10 years. The entire family has, at some point or another, received personal attention from him related to some emergent muscle or joint issue, which he expertly attends to and resolves. He refreshes all our workouts to keep us engaged and happy. Not only is he a knowledgeable and engaging personal trainer, but he has also become a personal friend of the family.If you are looking for something different than the normal gym experience, please give Mike a call. - Hope Family

Mike has been the first personal trainer I've ever used. I wanted to get in better shape, but I have always struggled to find the motivation to keep consistent. I live quite a sedentary lifestyle because of my work and hobbies, but working with Mike has gone a long way towards fixing the back problems I've been dealing with for years. Nobody wants to feel like they have back problems when they are only 30 years old, and thanks to the exercises I do with Mike I haven't had my usual twinge of pain down my spine while trying to work out. He always makes sure my form is correct and helps identify weaknesses and where I need to improve. Working on muscles that I have neglected for years has really made me feel comfortable and confident in what I am doing in the gym. To top it all of Mike is friendly, approachable, and not at all intimidating. We spend our time between sets cracking jokes and I've never been happier to make time to go exercise each week. I'd recommend him to just about anyone, but especially if you have always wanted to get into better shape, but haven't felt comfortable in those large gym environments and want someone who can show you how to exercise properly without hurting yourself. -Brian Sparrow

I started seeing Mike in November of 2022, I had basically no gym / exercises experience and was intimidated by giant gyms. Mike put me at ease immediately during out phone consultation and it has been smooth sailing ever since! The workouts are tailored to my needs and goals, and he's just a fun and knowledgeable guy too! I highly recommend if you're looking for a trainer and private gym experience to give Mike a call! I even brought my husband with me and now we work out as a couple with Mike as well. There is no B.S., no intimidation and upfront on pricing and scheduling. Also, he NEVER cancels so you don't have to worry about not getting into see him every week.

-Kelsey Sparrow

Testimonials

I have been going to Mike’s for a year now and everyday I have a blast. I am a 16 year old boy who wanted to start working out to improve my health and my body. Originally I was skeptical about working out because I have tried other places and they all intimidated me and made me feel anxious to work out. But ever since I met Mike I have been working out almost everyday. He makes it fun, and he motivates me to keep going. When I first started going to Mike’s I worked out 2 days a week but now I go 5 days a week, and I love it. He advises me on nutrition and things to do at home, and best of all he keeps it realiztic!

-Liam R. Queen Creek AZ

"When I first met Mike Raspantini, I never suspected that he would become not only my trainer, but also my nutrition coach, my cheerleader and a friend. I have been working with Mike since he opened his fitness studio and I never regretted it. From the very beginning, he shared my concerns about fitness at my age, health, nutrition, weight, and looks,- all those things women are concerned with. I always feel supported and validated. During my individual sessions, workouts are always different, yet you work all areas of the body.

Mike asks about aches and pains and then develops a program that addresses those needs, constantly researching and improving his skills. He watches that I maintain my form when we work out and challenges me to increase weights or repetitions. It’s amazing what you can accomplish with a trainer, and Mike is the best that I have known. Mike also trains a friend and me together which is a lot of fun. Thank you, Mike for that. Not only do we have Mike to challenge us, but in turn we support each other. I am always looking forward to partner training. I have watched Mike grow professionally tremendously in the past five years. He has so many tricks in his bag that I will never get bored with the workouts. He can change a routine at the spur of the moment when I have troubles with my back.

As a person, Mike Raspantini is patient, is conscientious and accepting, innovative, has a sense of humor, is always positive. Boy! I could give a word for every letter of the alphabet to describe Mike. It has been easy having been in his care for the last five years. He makes you feel like family, not just a client. I would recommend Mike as a trainer to anyone, whatever your needs, Mike will taylor your program towards meeting your goals."

- Hanne Hansen

I originally came to Mike 5 years ago to lose weight. I took a break due to work and came back a number of years later in 2020. In between I had bariatric surgery and was looking to Mike to help me build strength after losing all the weight. Since I’ve been seeing Mike he’s helped keep me fit and retaining my range of motion through a meniscus tear and a rotator cuff tear. He’s able to adjust the workouts to accommodate my level of physical fitness so that I continue to make progress. He has been able to work with me when personal schedule unexpectedly conflict with the sessions we have scheduled. I continue to go to Mike because I can tell he likes what he’s doing and because he’s as invested in results as I am.

- Carole Marsters

"When I first started working with Mike in Sept 2016, I had been dealing with chronic tendinitis and joint pain for years from cancer medications. All my surgeries and treatments had left me with a pinched nerve in my shoulder that I'd been doing physical therapy and getting medical (painful!) massages on for over a year. I had reached the point of looking into surgery to just kill the nerve because nothing was working to resolve the pain - I couldn't sleep, I was cranky, and I was tired of hurting.

Mike watched me move and found the areas I'd been protecting from my treatments and how I'd unconsciously been moving my body incorrectly for years. The first few months were painful and didn't feel like "working out" but as we targeted specific muscles to strengthen and work on, I realized I had less numbness and pain, better sleep, and I could move again.

Within 3-4 months, my pain was gone 95% of the time. This is HUGE. And I know now when stress is making the pain flare up and how I can work to resolve it.

In the meantime, I have been getting stronger all over. I can workout in ways I haven't been able to since I was diagnosed almost seven years ago. I can LIFT. My joints and tendons are less inflamed. I can squat and move and marvel at the definition I'm seeing in my body again.

Mike is so much more than just a trainer - he is a therapist, a counselor, a friend, and a magician. I have encouraged my husband to work with Mike for his own back issues, and I can't wait for my mom to start seeing him to help after a bad knee replacement. I'm so thankful my friend Jenn introduced me before I scheduled surgery!"

- Dr. Benah J. Parker Gilbert, AZ

"I have been working with Mike for four months now and I could not be more impressed how much he cares! He's clearly knowledgeable and you can tell how passionate he is when you talk to him. For me, one of the things I like is that he was heavy at one point in his life and understands what it is like. You can't fake that! He knows how to push me, taking me out of my comfort zone and having me achieve things I never thought possible! The only problem is he's states away...I train online. I could only imagine how incredible he is in person! I would, without hesitation, recommend Mike and RealiZtic Fitness to anyone!"

- Dawn Nicolosi, N.J.

I have to admit that when I first walked into Mike's gym... I was a bit hesitant. I thought "uh oh, it's just a guy in his garage" but I told myself I'd give him a fair shot and see what he was about. Boy am I glad I did! Mike is amazing at what he does. He knows what he is doing and has all the right tools to get you exactly the work out you need. He is such a force of motivation as well. But the best part about him and his program is that he can adapt to your needs. If I end up with an injury (usually due to something I did at home, not at the gym 😅) he is able to work around that and still make me feel like I got a full work out. I've been seeing him now for over 6 months and I have no intentions of stopping.

-Jon Hydeman

I came to Mike when my wife bought his new client special for me as a birthday gift. Mike and I have been working together 7 months now. Working long hours sitting at a desk was taking it's toll on me. As a result, I could no longer do many of the things that I used to do. Mike helped me turn that around. Granted I still need to do the work but Mike makes sure that I am doing the the exercises correctly and provides just the right amount of encouragement. I have gained confidence again in what I could physically do. What I like most about training with Mike is his positive attitude, realistic approach and that he always keeps my needs his top priority not his. I would strongly encourage anyone who wants to get their body moving again and is willing to put in the work to give Mike try. He is not like other trainers at the local gym. He is much more. You will be glad you tried.

- Eric Martinson Sr.

"I've been working with Mike at Realiztic Fitness for a year now. Mike was referred to me by a trusted friend. Originally I started with him because I was in terrible pain from my sciatic nerve. I felt relief almost immediately! After a handful of session, I realized I needed to do more for my over all well-being to make sure my pain stayed away. Like most people, I make excuses as to why I do not work out - it's too expensive, I don't have the time. But the reality is those excuse kept my pain present. Mike is more than a just a trainer, he has become a good friend and motivates me to give my all and to take time for myself. I highly recommend giving him a shot, whether it's for pain management, weight loss or achieving / maintaining your fitness goals."

- Jennifer Roselli

"At the end of the year, I won three free trials of personal training sessions with Mike. I knew then that I want to get back into working out on a regular basis to 1) get back into shape to keep up with my kids and 2) not hurt so bad (I have a lot of old injuries from my cheerleading days). It has been three months since I started with Mike and I have been feeling better and stronger every day. My goal has been to be consistent with my workouts. I see Mike once a week and he gave me a great workout that I can do from home (he switches it up for me all the time, which is great!). I can honestly say that I have been staying very consistent with working out at home and in the gym with Mike. The other aspect of working out with Mike has been that I have been more consistent with eating healthier. Mike has given me some great tips and he will talk you off the ledge when you really want French Fries loaded sweet pork and BBQ sauce! :) I can't wait to see what the next couple of months bring me!"

- Heather Chadwick

"In 2010 I injured my back requiring me to undergo herniated disc surgery. Although the surgery went well, I was left with a weak core and no understanding of how to recondition my body both in strength and mobility.

I met Mike Raspantini, the owner of Realiztic Fitness, through my wife. He had been her trainer at that time for about 8 months, and I can honestly say I was seeing positive results in her fitness and well being. My work requires me to travel 40 weeks a year, so I did not have the luxury of visiting a trainer everyday and needed someone experienced who could work with me and teach me how to condition myself while traveling. Mike is that guy, hand down! Not only did he dedicate himself for one on one training guidance, he is an amazing teacher on how to perform the exercises and stretches correctly. Because of Mike, I’m able to return to backpacking, one of my favorite outdoor activities.

I would recommend Mike and Realiztic Fitness to anyone wanting a professional trainer that will help you deliver serious results."

Shawn Kaul, Gilbert AZ.

"I owe my accomplishments to my wonderful trainer, Mike Raspantini. I have been working out with Mike for almost 2 years and his enthusiasm, support, good humor and Jersey attitude is my inspiration to do better, to challenge myself with every session....and going down three sizes helps, too!!!!! From the very beginning, Mike accommodated my schedule. I work out at 5 A.M. two mornings a week, 6:00 A.M. on Saturdays, and he will fit me in when I have vacation or a business trip so that I don't lose momentum. I followed Mike from the big box gym he previously worked for and have never looked back. Thanks Mike, for giving new meaning to Sweating to the Oldies(I am living proof)."

- Fran Stavros, VP of Marketing at Phoenix Children's Academy

"I've been training with Mike for a few months now. I feel more energy and I am able to fit into my old clothes. He is very knowledgable about health and fitness and does it all with a great sense of humor. Mike inspires me to succeed and is so motivational that I actually look forward to our training sessions. He cares about your total well being, everything from nutrition to stretching. You will never get into a rut because he keeps it interesting by changing up the program and introducing new exercises that continually provide a challenge. I would highly recommend Mike to anybody that is willing to put a little work into transforming their body!"

- Shari K. Gilbert, AZ

Google Reviews

Testimonials

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