Testimonials

TESTIMONIALS

I was obsessed with weight loss and was feeling defeated after working out for two years. Ian continued to encourage and prompt me and was able to get me back to self confidence, realizing that food was not the problem, but how I felt about it was. Ian has an innate ability to train the most difficult of us, putting himself in your place using lots of intuition.

S. H.

Your contribution to my success was not limited to “putting me through my paces” but included constant variety, nutritional recommendations, and most importantly, supporting my emotional needs. You always listen and adjust what you offer based on where I am and what I need. I feel so fortunate to belong to the lucky group of people whom you’ve worked with.

M. F.

MOVEMENT

Working with you the past few months has made such a difference for my health. I feel stronger and more confident, and I have not had a single migraine since you helped me learn how to adjust my posture. Thanks for all of your good work!

A. G.

At first I was skeptical of the value of working with a personal trainer. Working with Ian for a couple of weeks completely changed my mind. He helped me develop a personalized workout that achieves my goals, but also provided a great deal of information on body mechanics, nutrition and healthy habits. Ian is very positive and a great motivator. I look forward to our sessions and don't hesitate to recommend him to anyone looking for a healthier lifestyle.

D. B.

This week not only did I play and practice the piano every single day but I played serious, hard, and very competitive tennis when I decided I wanted to. I decided. The pains I had developed in my shoulder, arm, elbow and hand over the decades of misuse did not. This newly rediscovered freedom is magical, liberating and I have you to thank. So, thank you for giving me the tools with which to fix myself: the exercises and motivation, which allow me to be back in my body and enjoy it.

G. J.

Me too. My hips, knees and other leg parts are definitely on the road to less pain, more flexibility. The exercises you showed me, and the proper way to do them, are making a significant difference in the way I feel and, therefore, in the way I live. Your patience, humor and kindness are appreciated lots. You're a prince and you have my maximum recommendation.

J. J.

Let me start by saying in my world the 4 food groups are Beer, Pizza, Pasta, and Bread. When I first went to Cascade athletic, I did so because I thought that at 32 years old, I was not in great shape and since I was already on High Blood pressure meds I should do something. I should stop and explain something. I was not 100% sure about Ian the first time I met him. We started working out and I thought since I was paying the man I should try out what he was saying. I hate to admit it, but he was right. I started eating more, making better food choices and I started losing weight.

R. D.

Here's a very special one!

June 12, 2006

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Tom and I would like to introduce you to Ian Rubin, my Personal Trainer for the past year. I met Ian through my membership at Cascade Athletic Clubs.

I have been a T-10 complete paraplegic for about 3 years now. Due to my special needs, finding a trainer that can work with me can be a challenge. The best thing I like about Ian is his "whole picture" view of where I am currently and where I need to be in the future. I appreciate his enthusiastic approach to the challenge of working with my disability. He is motivating without being pushy or demanding. He listens and welcomes my feedback and will adjust my routine to whatever I request at the moment.

Ian has taught me about core strength and stability, a difference than my other trainers that tended to focus only on strength training. I can sit up straighter, and reach higher than before I started working with him. He thinks of creative ways to challenge my reflexes, and continually varies my routine and challenges me to work harder. He has significantly helped me work on my lats and abs, so that I can use those muscles to their full capacity to ease the burden on my shoulders to propel my wheelchair. With his "whole picture" view, he is the only trainer of the three I've had that has helped me to develop muscles that counterbalance the ones I am constantly using. I would highly recommend Ian to others in similar situations as myself. I feel he has helped me considerably with my goals to stay strong and mobile.

T.H.

I am thrilled to be working with Ian. For the first time in my life there is some hope for better posture. I have had people tell me to stand up straight since before I entered kindergarten. Now in my late 60s, working with Ian has given me the tools to develop the muscles and the ability to know just what my body should be trying to do. He is very encouraging and is an excellent teacher. The obvious depth of his understanding of the human body allows him to creatively adapt what he is teaching to fit the struggles of his trainees. What a delight.

G.H.

Ian Rubin spent two months working with me to help increase my overall fitness levels with an eye towards improving my running. My previous experiences with trainers have all been less than satisfactory, with the trainer spending more time socializing with other gym members than working with me as a client. It was a pleasant surprise to find in Ian, not only somebody who focused his attention on my particular needs, but also somebody who made an enormous effort to make the work out sessions varied and interesting. His attention to form and movement are outstanding, and his focus on personal fitness being as much what you eat and do with the rest of your life as the actual work out has been an eye opener.

D.D.

Dear Ian,

Just a note to thank you for what you have been doing for me. I really appreciate the way you have been able to assess my weak posture habits and come up with specific exercises to build the muscles I need to sit and stand in a better way. I am amazed at how quickly this has helped relieve aches and pains in my back. A real test of the progress happened the end of last week. I spent Thursday and Friday building a retaining wall on my daughter's property. That amounted to lifting, carrying and setting several hundred 25 pound concrete blocks. To be sure, I was pretty tired Friday evening. But I was able to sleep restfully, and there was no backache when I went to get up the next morning! It may take my head a while to remember to keep doing what you have been teaching, but clearly the results are very evident in my back. Thank you.

Yours truly,

D. H.

FOOD 4 THOUGHT HEALING MEALS

An evening that's both fun and educational. It was a pleasure to see someone bringing the concept of nourishment for the body and soul to their approach to food. As someone with a professional culinary background, and with a spouse who is a nutritional professional, I appreciated the breadth of Ian's knowledge and talents.

B.C.

Dear Ian:

We enjoyed your Healing Meal evening lots. We learned, we laughed and

we thought of issues regarding food, cooking, eating, sharing, and

body image differently. The hardest part was not talking when we

first sat with our bowls but being there with the food, silently.

Thanks again.

Regards always,

J.G.

We did have a great time at your place cooking and enjoying the meal. It was great to meet some new people, learn some cooking tips, and eat healthy, good tasting food together. It was nice to be focused on the whole process from start to finish. I think anyone who likes to cook and eat and is focused on their overall health would enjoy the experience of Healing Meals evenings.

T.C.

TOP OF PAGE | E-MAIL IAN. Ian Rubin MA CPT LWMC is a Wellness Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant and an avid home chef in Portland, Oregon. His practice serves groups, individuals and families who want to improve their relationships with food, fitness and their bodies. Feel free to call him with any of your health and wellness questions at 503-260-0473.