"As a professional dancer, Nia and Yoga instructor,
movement is my life. Exercise is a part of my life
that keeps me physically, mentally and spiritually
fit. Kettlebell training with Firmen has been a
tremendous benefit to my physical well being. My
dancing has improved as well as my Nia and Yoga
practice. I have improved my shoulder girdle
stability, as well as stability in my hip and knee
joints. Firmen's in depth instruction has been
extremely beneficial in the learning process. He has
created a positive, fun and intense environment that
promotes individual drive as well as group support. I
look forward to my weekly sessions as a result of his
expertise." (Jan-2009)
- Rocco Ragano
"For the past 3 years Firmen has been my fitness instructor 3 days a week in
the 7:00 AM weight training class. I have never met anyone more dedicated,
creative or motivational than Firmen. He is very professional and attentive,
for example always there on time and ready to get
going, always making sure that posture and alignment are correct, and the
like. With his guidance it is always a good workout. Thank you Firmen, you are the best!" (Jan-2009)
- Else Offersen (La Jolla, CA)
"Firmen has been my personal trainer for three years.
As a result, at
age 64 I feel more fit than at any time in the
previous several
decades. He has an amazing ability to create new
workout exercises.
More importantly, he knows just how much to push,
while avoiding a
situation that could result in injury setbacks (a
significant concern
for those in my age range). In my book, Firmen's
the consummate
professional; I doubt you'll find anyone better." (Jan-2009)
- R. Bernstein
"I attend Firmen's weights class three times a week
and feel much gratitude
to him for helping me stay in good shape as I move
into my 50's. Firmen has a
unique style and provides both gentle instruction
yet challenges and
encourages me to push myself and my strength in
each exercise. He changes exercises
and uses weights in creative ways so classes are
always new and different, but
never boring. In addition, during the times I had a
small muscle injury or
sprain, Firmen suggested ways I could continue to
work out and accommodated
these injuries with suggestions of other exercises
I could complete. Firmen
also has a solid knowledge of the body, muscles and
anatomical information that
is helpful, particularly when he works with us
individually to fine-tune the
abs, or strengthen the back, for example. He also
is adept at pilates and
yoga and often integrates these practices into our
weights class." (Jan-2009)
- Barbara
"I have experienced better muscle tone throughout my
body and I've been able
to maintain a straighter posture at 60 yo. Those 2
benefits alone would
have been enough, but I must add that my reflexes
are better --- which was
definitely a pleasant surprise! This class keeps me
dancing & has given me
the confidence to try other sports like paddle-board
surfing! This class is
perfect for me!" (Jan-2009)
- OVK
"I've been working with Firmen for more than three years and,
at 65, feel I am in the best shape of my life.
He is patient, encouraging and
extremely knowledgeable, never asking more of me than my
best effort. One
of the things I most appreciate about Firmen's workouts
is their constant
variety. He never lets his routines become too
predictable. As a result,
his hour-long session goes by quickly and always leaves me
with a sense of
accomplishment." (Feb-09)
- Tom S.
"After only two weeks of Firmen's experiment, which included working with his co-workers, including yoga and fitness instructors, to see if he could
improve our postures, increase our range of motion, and to see if he could nudge us off our individual plateaus. After only week 2 of the experiment I
am standing taller and am getting a better sense of my body awareness. Firmen truly provides a fun but also very detailed and structured environment that
promotes true growth and body awareness. I look forward to his 2 times-a-week sessions and all that he has to teach us.
" (Jan-2010)
- Nikki M. Krause (Pacific Beach, CA)
"I've watched Firmen train a lot of people and I've heard nothing but positive feedback. I've personally only had four sessions with Firmen and already, I'm feeling stronger and more
grounded than I've ever felt before. This is helping me have a more powerful yoga, NIA and martial arts practice. I've also had a chronic neck/shoulder issue that
has since disappeared since working with Firmen and Kettlebells. As a bonus, I've lost 3 lbs and I haven't even changed my diet yet. Firmen is an expert in his field.
Not only is he very detailed in his instruction, he also educates you about your own body so you are empowered to use that awareness to move more fluidly and powerfully in your body.
I've started to send clients to him to help educate them about their bodies and to improve their chronic aches and pains.
" (Jan-2010)
- Kristina Velez - Massage Therapist (La Jolla, CA)
"In the past few weeks working with Firmen 2x/wk I have remembered what it feels like to really be in my body- Fantastic!
Not only that, but I have a clear sense that the possibilities for getting my body to work in an optimal way are endless.
I feel much more grounded, stronger, more empowered, and EXCITED to discover what my body is really capable of.
Firmen is extremely knowlegeable, and has a great ability to transmit his deep understanding of body mechanics to his clients.
His optimism and encouragement transmute even the most long standing body issues, or entrenched self-limiting beliefs into opportunities to watch real transformation happen.
In my opinion Firmen is the Cream of the Crop at what he does. I can't recommend him highly enough." (Jan-2010)
- Christy R. Flowers (San Diego, Ca)