Phone: 416.629.9891
Email: Michael@OptimalMovement.com

Testimonials

“Fitness is more than looking buff and lifting weights. It's about maintaining flexibility and avoiding injury. Michael's training program integrates exercises that enhance movement, improve strength and boosts well-being.

John Turley-Ewart, PhD

 

"I cannot think of anyone I could recommend more highly as a trainer than Michael.  He is not only very professional, reliable and patient, but he is extremely conscientious.  Having suffered numerous ski accidents and undergone many orthopedic operations, I am thrilled to have found a trainer who cares more about repatterning movements and function than about pumping muscles. In the last couple of years that I have trained with Michael, I have been able to ski and play tennis with fewer incidents of back, neck and knee problems for which I'm hugely grateful!"

Melanie Munk

 

"For the last 6 years, I have worked with Michael on a consistent basis three times per week.  Michael has regularly proven to be timely (even at 6am in the morning), professional and caring. His attention to my personal needs rather than following a prescribed routine has been very reassuring and helpful. 

I’m also impressed with how Michael’s knowledge and professional expertise continue to grow. He continually adds value to his clients’ health through his ongoing course-work and training.

While I have always been active, at 60, I now feel stronger and more flexible than I have been in the last 20 years. Thank you Michael for keeping me focused.”   

Jim Fitzgibbon , President, Worldwide Hotel Operations, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

 

"What I love about Michael is his vast repertoire of interesting and effective exercises. From fixing whatever ails you to attaining your fitness goals, Michael's keen eye and supportive advice will get you there. All the while, you'll be learning about your body and enjoying yourself, too."

Carol Weinbaum, VP Operations, WJ Properties

“… I unequivocally recommend Michael to any person who wishes to restore and enhance their physical function and performance… He has an unerring ability to take the verbal, visual and physical information provided to him to accurately assess an individual’s strengths and restrictions. He tailors each of his training sessions to an appropriate balance between restoration of functionality and performance enhancement. Of the many individuals I have worked with over the years I place unreserved trust in Michael's professional abilities and good judgment. He has resolved my serious chronic sports injuries and avoided the repetitive injuries that so often occur in conventional training. I consider myself fortunate to have his assistance.”

Andrew Burns, Lawyer

“In my ongoing work with Michael, I learned just how vital it is to attend to things in priority order. To start, I had a head cold, and so we first needed to look to important Cranial Sacral work before we could begin my 3-D movement program. Once Michael literally helped me to “dry out”, we systematically addressed my problem areas and imbalances and we began a comprehensive repatterning program. The result is I’m walking and breathing better, my posture is enhanced, and I am able to give my best on the squash court.”

Vera Held, President, VNH Communications

“Michael is a true professional. His dedication to our training sessions makes them very effective. He understands how my body performs and is able to put together workouts that get results without injury. His knowledge base is deep, but his thirst for continued learning is impressive. I enjoy his passion for training. My goals become his goals and he prepares each and every session to match my needs. He is always accessible to answer all my questions and concerns. His nature is refreshing. I strongly recommend Michael Gatbonton as a dedicated, responsible and punctual trainer.”

Peter Armenio, retired RBC Senior Executive

"My goal in working with Michael was to develop an exercise program I could easily do at home that would provide muscle strengthening without the frequent injuries I was getting from my own workout strategies … Re-patterning the way I moved, maximized the effectiveness of my workouts and prevented injuries. Michael was very attentive to detail and insisted on proper technique to get the best results. I'm convinced of the value of a personal coach for fitness from what I experienced.”

Carolyn Barber, Registered Dietitian/Certified Nutritional Practitioner

“Working with Michael helped me heal my body and re-pattern my physical movements into healthier ones. My exercise capabilities are limited by certain physical restraints relating to frequent migraines and Michael was always conscious of my posture and position, ensuring I was in the correct form and reminding me to check myself. He patiently worked with me in a professional and fun way, as I slowly built up my abilities to do strength training. Michael was consistent, reliable, professional and pleasant to be training with. Thanks for being so motivational, Michael.”

Tracy Cooper, Homemaker

“I have known Michael for at least two years and continue to train with him on an ongoing basis. Michael also trains with my wife and has trained with two of my teenage sons. I am a typical middle-aged male with a moderately active lifestyle and some back issues. Michael continues to craft programs that are sensitive to my health and fitness with the long-term objective of maintaining, if not improving my health and fitness. Michael is helping me attain my goals and does so in a knowledgeable and friendly manner. He is efficient and reliable. I do not hesitate to recommend him to anyone who needs an understanding, patient and professional trainer.”

Nigel Schuster, Property Manager

“I work out with Michael once a week, doing exercises that focus on correct movement and are designed to address my personal physical challenges. I have an easily aggravated disc in my lower back and metal in my right ankle as a result of a very bad dislocation and fracture a number of years ago. Working with Michael is never boring and always fun. Michael presents a way of thinking about and analyzing the body that is new for me. When new exercises (or old ones, I have forgotten) are included, I struggle to consider my body from a new perspective as I evaluate his ideas and try to carry out the exercises he has selected. I enjoy the intellectual challenge of thinking differently about how my body works and also the focus that is required to properly execute some of the movements.”

Maureen Williamson, Professor

“I feel confident in recommending Michael Gatbonton to my Alexander Technique students. He is a well informed and experienced teacher who is constantly searching out the most current, safe and sustainable approach to good physical health.”

Monica Gray, Alexander Technique

 

“I am a 68-year old woman and I have worked with Michael for more than five years. Recently, I trained with Michael for a long-distance, seven-day walk of the last portion of El Camino de Santiago. To be part of the group, I needed to be able to walk six hours per day and cover 25 km per day. I increased my sessions with Michael to two times per week, and under his supervision, I added cardio and endurance training that would respect my back condition. I completed the walk and earned the Camino Certificate. Thank you, Michael. Without your guidance and care, I would not aspire to challenge myself in the ways that I do."

Miriam Rogers

“Michael became my student in 2002. When I met him, he was a personal trainer with various distinguished qualifications who was still searching and curious. He wanted to help his clients make better progress in their training, avoid injury and meet their goals.

He followed that first course, an introduction to Bartenieff Fundamentals of Movement with studies in anatomy. Subsequent courses in assessment of muscle range of motion, functional patterns and in myofascial work gave him new skills for working with clients. He later completed his 3-D Workout™ instructor certification at two levels. He appears in my 3-D Workout™ DVD, vol. II as an exercise model. These experiences expanded his repertoire of training movements and renewed his understanding of how to safely and progressively train a client.

Michael studies hard and asks compelling questions. He recognizes the larger picture in a complex client and does not limit them to conventional solutions. He has a vision for a type of training that produces healthy, lifelong fitness in programs that clients can always use.

Michael is a fine therapist/trainer who contributes generously to his clients and watches out for them, often having to step in and protect them from themselves. He is devoted to his family and also works at taking care of himself—an essential part of helping others do the same.”

Dr. Dianne L. Woodruff Creator of The 3-D Workout™
www.3dworkout.com

 

 

Phone: 416.629.9891
Email: Michael@OptimalMovement.com

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