Strengthening body and mind
for over 25 years.
"In January 1991, when I met Ray Sommers, I weighed 325lbs. By October 1991, after eight and a half months with Ray, I was eating a lot of healthy food, exercising six times a week, and weighed under 220lbs. Through exercise and nutritional education, Ray Sommers helped change my life. He is honest, punctual and professional. He designed my gym, located, purchased and assembled my equipment and always lent an ear to whatever troubles were causing me stress that day. The four years I spent with Ray gave me the solid foundation for the way I take care of myself today."
Tom Arnold (actor)
Exerpt from Esquire Magazine April "92"
"I am under the watchful and mercifully uncritical eye of Tom's personal trainer, Ray Sommers, whose body, like the door of the new Saturn, looks incapable of being dented. We're doing an upper-musculature workout in Tom's gym, while Ray barks out each stroke as if he were counting lashes. While Tom talks about what its like to be sober, I'm doing something with these pulley things. If I let go of them at the wrong time, I won't have to drive home."
Michael Angeli
Regarding Ray's Way Nutrition Plan
Ray, Just had to let you know that I'm still digesting all the incredible information. This is just one tight, well thought through (no surprise), and useful set of information. Nothing less than amazing. Cannot thank you enough for sending it along...I could have read 10 books and not gotten the information as clearly as you wrote it. Putting together my shopping list in the am and then I'll head off to Berkeley Bowl (my very favorite place to shop). I appreciate what a great start this is. Loved reading your story too. What a journey -- so glad that you added that -- it really explains why you are doing this and even how the recommendations are put together as they are. Just had to let you know that I think this is great! Thanks,
Kris
"At 35 years of age, my first physical in ten years revealed that I was headed for serious trouble if I did not change my lifestyle and begin taking cholesterol and blood pressure lowering meds immediately. My wife introduced me to Ray, and I decided to see how much I could improved my health by following his program without the use of meds. I began working out with Ray twice a week for 45 minutes, and following the
Greg Falkner
"Rays workout is the best fitness program I've ever used. He combines a wide variety of techniques making the workouts interesting and challenging."
Hal Struck (Senior V.P. Pardee Homes)
"I lost 7.2% body fat (18 pounds) in 10 weeks. If you follow Ray's program, REALLY follow his program, you will see amazing results. I was skeptical when I first saw his website, but I'm a true believer now."
Steve V. (Client of the month August 2004) & (Client of the year 2004) with his Body Composition statistics:
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5 . 17 . 04 - Total body weight - 208lbs. Body fat - 17.9%. Fat weight - 37.2lbs. Lean weight - 170.7lbs.
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7 . 29 . 04 - Total body weight - 190lbs. Body fat - 10.7%. Fat weight - 20.3lbs. Lean weight - 169.7lbs.
A year ago, I decided to make a change in my life. I was traveling 40 weeks a year for work; after 3 years, I had successfully gained 20 pounds! My first goal was to be able to finish the Carlsbad half marathon last January - I made it. My legs were aching, my breathing was difficult, and my feet were almost numb from the pain. But I made it in 2:37. I made my next important choice in May 2005. I needed to train better, diet better, and work out with a professional. I started with Ray Sommers; after 3 months on his program, I had lost 13 pounds and felt great. My body fat was reduced by 10%. The change in my body encouraged me to run more. I had more strength and stamina, and my endurance increased dramatically. This year I ran the half Marathon in Carlsbad again. The difference was incredible. I was able to shave off more than 30 minutes from last year's time: 2:03 ! And I felt great! I felt like I could have run a whole marathon! Maybe next year . . .
Marisa S.
"At 48 years of age, I found myself at 32 percent body fat, a cholesterol level of 225, borderline high blood pressure, and what little self-esteem I had was dwindling fast. I had hired several Personal Trainers over the years but never got the results I wanted, I always sustained injuries and had to discontinue my training.
It was such an incredible relief for me to have found Ray. He is very caring and extremely knowledgeable in the field of fitness and nutrition. It is refreshing to have found someone who actually knows what they are talking about and who is willing to share that good solid information with their clients. In only four months with Ray, my body fat is at 21%, my cholesterol is 153, my blood pressure is 106 / 56, and I wear clothing in size 2-4. What more could a girl ask for????? KUDOS to you Ray, you have done what all the other trainers have failed to do.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
Thanks for believing in me.
V.F
"I've trained with Ray Sommers for over six years. I have found him to be very knowledgeable, honest and caring. Due to his expertise the quality of my life and overall health have improved substantially. He is a true professional who is not just certified but is also very qualified. A true credit to his profession Ray walks his talk and sets the standard for other trainers."
John S. NC
"I had been working out with a trainer at my gym for six months and was making very little progress. I met Ray in October of 1995 and after speaking with him decided to give his program a try. In 2 1/2 months I've lost 15 pounds, and went from a size 8 to a size 5. I found him to be very knowledgeable, motivating, and passionate about his work."
Christine M.
"My wife and I have been training with Ray for six months now. We have found him to be extremely knowledgeable, friendly and professional. We have noticed significant improvements in our body shape, muscle tone, and overall well being. He incorporates nutrition as well, which we find very helpful. I would recommend his expertise to anyone."
Dr. Bruce H.
I don't know where you're at in life and with your fitness program, but I wanted to put in some praise for the trainer who originally helped me achieve my "Dream Body Challenge" in January 2005 within 5 months. When my Candida came back I packed on 14 lbs due to not being able to digest food, etc. I just went back to Ray and the pounds are flying off. Ray has just revised his program and its super simple. He's helped me give up sugar for REAL. I have no sugar cravings and this eating program has helped me get rid of the Candida faster and get my energy back. So, if you or anyone you know is open to a really good trainer, Ray is a good man to meet with to see if his program is a fit. He's a former "Hollywood trainer to the Stars" and now just helps regular people look like the stars. As far as trainers I've worked with, none of them delivered on the ideal of "reshaping" my body. Ray does this. The adage that "You get what you pay for" stands true with Ray. He's worth every penny. Ray is a consummate expert. He does precision work and takes all the guesswork out of getting the body of your dreams. I cannot say enough good about this man.
Virginia
Though I was motivated to lose weight and build muscle to help stabilize and promote healing of the painful plantar fasciitis I was suffering, my daily activities and workouts with a previous trainer had often sidelined me with days of debilitating pain in my feet.
Fortunately, my foot specialist referred me to Ray Sommers. Ray offers a refreshing departure from every training experience I've had previously. He is focused, and so knowledgeable in multiple training modalities that he has created a continually evolving workout, always targeted to my problem areas without aggravating my symptoms. Though I've battled through several work and family crises and an often chaotic schedule since I began training with Ray, the workouts are an island of calm where I am amazed at my effort in response to the challenges and encouragement he gives me. I'm happy to be able to tackle increasingly challenging workouts, and to start seeing increased tone and definition where previously there was only "tapioca"!
Stephanie C.
San Marcos
BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTO'S
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Before (212lbs) For health reasons his physician recommended that he start exercising and lose 30lbs.
After 5 months of training (178lbs.). Rich never missed any of his 5:30am workouts. His dedication and hard work produced outstanding results. He exceed his original weight loss goal.
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Day 1 After 4.5 months
Bodyfat 29.8% Bodyfat 17%
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Day 1 Age: 54
Height: 6' 1" Weight: 238lbs |
After 60 days Age: 54
Height: 6' 1" Weight: 218lbs |
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Before Age: 46
Height: 6' 1" Weight: 147 |
After Age: 46 Height: 6' 1" Weight: *160 |
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Day 1 After 120 days
Bodyfat: 13.0% Bodyfat: 10.4%
Pictured (above and below) are two clients who wanted to look their best for their wedding day.
These are the results after 4 months.
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Before After 4 months
Bodyfat: 27.8% Bodyfat: 20.8%
