Testimonials
Dana G.
"Gyms intimidate me, they always have. I can’t help but feel like I need to already at least look fit to cross the threshold with my head held high. I am aware of the inherent vicious cycle fueled by this obviously irrational anxiety, but exercise and I have a sordid history. Our relationship bares a shocking resemblance to a dysfunctional teen romance from hell. I love it and the way it makes me feel when I get “on a roll” as much as I hate the way it makes me feel about myself when it’s been too long since our last date. I was never actually afraid of the impending physical strain. I am a lifelong competitive horseback rider, I have come to love that focused burn of accomplishment. My clammy hands and thumping heart stemmed from racing thoughts, such as these: “I do not belong in there and everyone will know it. The real gym people will see straight through me. I am too fat to be in there, they will see nothing but my fat and then think I am just one more chubby girl with a New Years Resolution… Welcome to the warped mind of the eating disordered. The way I see myself through body dysmorphia colored lenses amplifies every flaw by approximately 10,000 times.Before the founder of No Limits started his consulting services, he spent some time as an independent trainer for hire. I hired him for three months of 4x a week sessions in a desperate attempt to get myself fit and proud. I was nauseatingly anxious, as I followed him into the gym for our first session. At 5.5 and 132 pounds I was actually completely within the healthy weight range for my height, yet it was just about the heaviest I have ever been and I felt completely naked and ashamed. In addition to this being the first time I had ever had personal training sessions, he was actually one of the first people that I was upfront with about my eating disorder. He was both a respectful and compassionate listener, his caring response is in large part why I was actually able to cross that long-feared threshold into a gym for that first work-out and many to follow. I would love to regale you with a lovely tale of how I came to love my body and love taking care of it with exercise through those training sessions. But why lie in a review? It’s not like he would take it any easier on me when next I schedule a session with him. So here’s the truth: I mostly hated those sessions. I hated squatting with weights on my shoulders because I felt so profoundly uncomfortable about my body that I legitimately hated drawing attention to it. I hated watching the needle of the scale continuously hitting the same weight even after enduring such unbearable (perceived) humiliation. I wanted to cry when he made me do sprints in the gym. I stopped weighing myself towards the end of our 3 months as I couldn’t stand how little was the difference I could measure. Then I visited my hometown for the first time since before I started the personal training. After every single person I saw complimented how I looked I got up the courage to weigh myself. I had lost 11 pounds! I was comfortable in 25 inch waist jeans as in addition to the pounds lost, I replaced weak and tense muscles with lean and healthy ones. I went to my first training week for the riding season and my coach was so impressed with my fitness level that I immediately did what I hope any decent human being would do: I texted my trainer to once again apologize for what a drama queen I too often was, and to thank him profusely for never giving up on me. Those 3 months spent training with him were absolutely paramount as the first major step in my eating disorder recovery process. His steadfast encouragement as he relentlessly challenged me is the number one thing I credit for recalibrating my once trashed and ragged metabolism. The work-outs he designed, while admittedly peppered with moves I hated doing, also always incorporated some of the things I enjoyed doing, such as working towards a pull-up, for example. While you could find a number of options for knowledgable personal trainers with relative ease, I defy you to find one with half as much commitment to understanding and tailoring your regime accordingly to you as an individual. He never once treated me like I was emotionally unstable and fragile. Instead he just showed me how to get strong as he pushed me through every plateau when I was too discouraged to want to keep trying. He did not treat me like a patient, he treated me like an athlete, in so doing, reminding me that I AM an athlete. I owe him several rounds of complaining free squats…but for right now, he’s just going to have to accept this review as a small token of my sincere gratitude."
Anthony P.
"No one that knows me would ever describe me as an athlete or a fitness enthusiast. I’ve struggled with my weight since I was a teenager, including throughout a 20+ year Air Force career. My father died in his 40s of heart disease and I have diabetes and high blood pressure.
A few years ago, I started workout out at Gold’s Gym but I was satisfied with getting stronger and losing some fat. But this year I decided to get serious about losing weight. My trainer, Rane Chalk, laid out a program of exercise at the gym three days a week. I also became more active on the days I didn’t come into the gym, walking during my breaks and lunch during the week. He also laid out a diet plan which ensured I would lose fat, but included enough protein to gain strength and muscle. Following his plan and working out, I finally managed to lose weight. During the Challenge, I managed 13 pounds and 7.5% of body fat. I lost inches of both my waist and hips, meaning I’ve had to buy smaller pants!
As a diabetic, one of the measures that my doctor tracks is called Hemoglobin A1c, commonly referred to as A1c. Basically, it measures how much glucose adheres to your red blood cells. Since red blood cells have a life span of about 90 days, A1c gives an indication of how well you’re controlling your diabetes. When I started the Challenge, my A1c was 8.6—not good. At the end of the Challenge, my A1c was 6.5! That’s considered “under control” if you’re a diabetic. My doctor and I were elated!
Most important, I feel better and have more energy. The exercise and diet plan Rane has me on is one I can sustain and continue, losing weight and gaining strength as I pursue a healthier life."
Nina L.
"Before I started the 30 day challenge I was totally unhappy about myself and my body. I always felt bad after I had ONE little cheat and I hated myself therefore. In the beginning nothing changed and I really was struggeling with the challenge.. I thought it would be a lot easier for me. After a while I started to see things different. A cheat wasn't the end of the world anymore and I kinda accepted the way I look. It really helped me out of this negativity."
Toni N.
"I'd like to share my experience about No LIMITS, which was truly awesome! I just had surgery Sept 2 for a pinched nerve , c6 C7 disc. My arm had been going numb and I was losing a lot of strength in my right arm and right pec. But, before my surgery I asked RANE, the owner of NO LIMITS , his advice on how to eat and supplement my body so I wouldn't lose weight. He gave me some advice on supplements and food! But, what he didn't have to do was give me a free diet to not only maintain my weight but sustain as much strength as possible. Not only did i maintain my weight, but pre surgery I was 275, during my recovery I gained 12 pounds lean body weight . His advice and calming demeanor was what i needed as well as sustained my depression. I didn't lose any size , thanks to NO LIMITS instructions. I recommend him to any athlete needing improvements in size , strength , flexibility and the most important , nutrition!"
Chelsey H.
"I've been training with Rane for almost two years now. He's been such a wonderful trainer and friend throughout my training process. I began with Rane in October of 2015 with goals of losing weight and becoming stronger. Through weekly personal training sessions, group boot camps, workout routines, and personal meal plans he has exceeded my expectations with my goals! Rane does a wonderful job of listening to you when your body is hurting and plans the workouts accordingly. He understands the ebbs and flows of the training process is different for each individual and is there encouraging you through it all. In the last few months Rane has been pushing me to work with heavy weights and I couldn't be happier with how my body is changing for the better. I can't wait to see what the next year holds for my health! "
Matt S.
"The first time I seeked Rane's assistance with my fitness needs was in 2015 when I needed someone to help me get passed the plateau I reached training on my own. I have since been back to him on and off and I have been working with him weekly since early 2020 until now.
Aside from him being a great guy personally, he really listened to my needs, challenges, and issues relating to my physical fitness and health. He always tailored training to meet my needs or to address the issue at hand.
Rane always monitors and listens to your facial and non-verbal cues to see if an exercise is causing you discomfort due to potential improper form or sensitivity. He aims to adjust and correct your form to prevent potential damage and prevent pain.
Rane always let you know where you should expect to feel tension during a particular routine and seeks feedback from you to see if an adjustment is needed.
He monitors your nutrition intake and puts you in check if you don't meet or go above your daily macros and will send you a friendly msg to remind you of your goal.
In addition to being a great personal trainer, he is a great guy with great personality and fun to be around. I highly recommend this guy and wouldn't hesitate to always go back to him. He has greatly helped me through some difficult challenges I've had this past year which lead to a great improvement in my physical fitness."
Marilyn D.
"Rane is an awesome trainer! He's been training me for several years and at 68, I'm in the best shape of my life. He also knows a lot about healthy nutrition and helped me to lose over 35 pounds and then keep it off for 3 plus years. He's knowledgeable, experienced, friendly and a great trainer for people of all ages."
Lai Yan.
"I have been training with Rane since last year and I am so glad that I found a trainer who is not only effective in helping me meet my fitness goals but honestly takes the time to listen and focus on me as an individual. He first evaluated my fitness level, listened to my fitness goals and then carefully developed a customized fitness plan for me. I never get bored in any of the sessions that I have with Rane because he switches up the workouts each time! I have trained with personal trainers at Sports and Health and Golds Gym and Rane is simply the best and most effective when it comes to meeting my fitness goals. Thank you Rane!"