Paoli, PA, USA
Hi, I'm Ross! I started bodybuilding when I was 12 years old under the guidance of my older brother and it quickly became one of my life's greatest passions. I have experience training under every fitness philosophy you can name (bodybuidling, powerlifting, crossfit, boxing, kickboxing, yoga, HIIT) and have distilled my 18 years of experience into the top movements that provide maximal result with minimal joint impact in a way that keeps training exciting and prevents boredom and "couch relapse.
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35 customer reviews
Terrence Macaleer
When I contracted with Ross Johnson at GodBod Fitness I thought I was getting was a premier personal trainer but, as it turns out, I got that and a whole lot more.  I was looking for weight management and strength conditioning. Ross created a custom exercise plan to address my specific strength building needs and the results were swift and noticeable. He made it seem easy despite the rigors of the work out. I had no idea he was also so well versed in nutrition. Ross had me initiate the My Fitness Pal App to record/manage my daily food intake and my weight. His advice on nutrition was every bit as helpful as his exercise plan for me. After one short month I have more energy, more strength, and a drastically reduce appetite, and, I lost 21.7 pounds in just one month. I can't wait for next month. More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Terry!
Terrence Macaleer
When I contracted with Ross Johnson at GodBod Fitness I thought I was getting was a premier personal trainer but, as it turns out, I got that and a whole lot more.  I was looking for weight management and strength conditioning. Ross created a custom exercise plan to address my specific strength building needs and the results were swift and noticeable. He made it seem easy despite the rigors of the work out. I had no idea he was also so well versed in nutrition. Ross had me initiate the My Fitness Pal App to record/manage my daily food intake and my weight. His advice on nutrition was every bit as helpful as his exercise plan for me. After one short month I have more energy, more strength, and a drastically reduce appetite, and, I lost 21.7 pounds in just one month. I can't wait for next month. More...
Ally joelson
Ross is the BEST. He really took the time to understand my goals and has been very impactful on my life and health. Highly recommend. For real he is great and has been crucial in helping me get my healthy life back on track! More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Ally!
Stephen Secamiglio
Personal Trainers
It was great working with Ross, he is very personable and knowledgeable !
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Stephen!
Tracy Simpson
Personal Trainers
Ross is amazing and motivating. He keeps me on track and I look forward to working out with him every week.
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Tracy!
Lindsay wright
Ross is very knowledgeable and professional. He responded to my inquiry right away. The first session was extremely detailed out with a meal plan, overview of how each training session will go and setting realistic goals.
Definitely recommend if you are looking for a personal trainer !!!!
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Thanks Lindsay!
Scott
Ross is fun to work out with and he keeps the sessions different and interesting. Highly recommend.
Andrea
Ross is a friendly, knowledgeable and supportive trainer. I’d recommend him to just about anyone.
Alicia
Ross is the best! Up until 6 months ago, I had never worked with a personal trainer before so you could say I was a little intimidated. Now I look forward to our workouts. Ross provides a comfortable atmosphere and is supportive and encouraging. I'm consistently surpassing goals and that's all due to Ross' program. I can't recommend Ross enough! More...
Rosana Sincavage.
Personal Trainers
Amazing work out!!!! I highly recommend it
Sean
Ross gets me excited to get in shape! It’s fun and educational! Money well spent!
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Sean!
Martin
Ross is an exceptional personal trainer. He's thorough, patient, clear, and very approachable. He will craft a program tailored to your needs and help you achieve your goals in a realistic and doable timeframe. I've really enjoyed working with him and look forward to continuing to work together more into the future. More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Martin!
Carly
My experience with Ross continues to be awesome! He challenges me and pushes me to do my best. Lifting is new to me and I leave feeling more confident, energetic and motivated every time. Getting in shape and stronger isn't easy and Ross is someone you can trust to be there, every step of the way. He really knows what he is doing. Definetly worth your time and money. More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Carly!
Ed gieske
Personal Trainers
5 Start review! Ross does a great job listening to your personal needs and adapting the training to fit. He also has a ton of knowledge with anatomy and dietary needs. Great workouts and I can't wait for the next one. More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Ed!
Krishna
Ross is a great trainer—he is fully aware of what your fitness needs and goals are, and is able to cater your training with that in mind. If you’re looking for an added push, working with Ross will help you reach your fitness goals in 2023! More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Krishna!
Mae Caringal
Personal Trainers
I'm not motivated when it comes to fitness but that changed when I met Ross. His passion for fitness and living a healthy lifestyle is infectious. He's quick to respond to any questions I have and makes exercising fun. More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Mae!
Todd craig
I have been with Ross for two years. He is not a trainer that cares about the money but about building that relationship and trust to see results I was looking for. I believe in this industry you need to see results and your trainer has to have a plan for your growth and Ross has given me this experience. More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Todd!
Kathleen Zacrep
Ross is such a great trainer! He’s very motivating, knows what he’s doing and really focuses on you as a client. I can’t recommend enough. I’ve worked with other trainers in the past but Ross really takes the cake, 10/10 recommend. More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Kathleen!
Kathy
Personal Trainers
Ross is Awesome !!! He listened well to my needs. He is motivating and made me feel very comfortable. His work out plan so far is perfect for me in the areas I want to improve. I look forward to what is yet to come ! I am confident he will make sure I succeed !!! More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Kathy!
Rienn
Ross the BOSS! I was never one who enjoyed working out but I would try and try and had good thoughts and intentions but could never stick to it. Because of a wedding I was in I decided to try working with a personal trainer and found Ross. He changed my outlook on working out, I enjoyed the 1:1 training and felt it was personalized for me and my specific goals, he made me accountable but also didn’t make me feel bad if I didn’t meet my goals for the week. He is always positive and encouraging, i feel like I can take on the world every time I leave my workout More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Rienn!
Ruby
Personal Trainers
I cannot say enough about how great a trainer Ross is , we moved here from NY & needed to find a new trainer. I have had many trainers over the years & all were professional body builders but I dreaded those sessions because none of them seemed concerned about accommodating the varying needs of their clients.
Ross actually listens & modifies when necessary. I was miserably out of shape thanks to Covid & Ross understood that I needed to start slow especially due to the persistent exercise induced nausea I’ve battled my entire life. He was very patient about my constant need to slow down & worked with me to try & understand why it kept happening. We eventually got a handle on it & that alone alleviated a lot of anxiety I’ve always had pre-workout.
I HIGHLY recommend Ross whether you’re a newbie or a lifelong gym rat
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Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Ruby!
Lisa Hannum
Personal Trainers
I’m a woman in my 50s determined to get back to where I feel I should be physically. As I explained my physical situation (past injuries, etc), Ross listened intently. He made sure he was clear on what I wanted to accomplish and how quickly I hoped we could do it. When it came to working out, he kept the atmosphere fun, but focused. He used a lot of positive reinforcement, but didn’t hesitate to coach where improvement was needed. I feel fortunate to have found him. More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Lisa!
Anna
After some time off from training, I decided to jump back on the horse and booked a consultation with Ross. It’s always nerve wracking getting back into the swing of things after time off, and he made me feel comfortable and like I’ve totally got this!
There’s a lot of focus on feeling great and pushing yourself, and above all else it’s FUN, which definitely makes me want to come back each week. We get a great workout in in 45 minutes, fitting perfectly into my busy schedule.
Ross is encouraging and easy to work with, and helps me realize my goals while allowing me to work at a pace that I feel comfortable with. Plus the boxing portion at the end makes cardio enjoyable and I leave feeling like a total warrior!
I’m so excited to keep working and pushing myself and highly recommend booking with GodBod today to feel great (and a little sore) tomorrow!
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Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Anna!
Rachael
Working with him is easy going. I like how his drive shows when working with him one on one. I just started with him recently and I’m happy with how everything is going
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Rachael!
Yolanda
GodBod Fitness is a wonderful facility that focuses on strength, agility, flexibility and personal progress. I am so happy to be a client of Ross Johnson’s. He is a wonderful personal trainer who is patient and committed to seeing the best in you and getting the best out of you. More...
Mallory
Personal Trainers
I've never lifted weights before I met Ross. Ross has a lot of patience. He explains everything and pushes you without being overbearing. I recommend him to anyone looking to have fun and get in shape! More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Mallory
Mike Flatley
My experience with Ross has been nothing less than incredible. During my session, Ross showed me a variety of workouts that I have never seen before, and they certainly were challenging! Ross was able to modify certain exercises to accommodate my various injuries as well. The intensity and quality I felt during this one hour workout was comparable to me spending two hours in the gym on my own. I was impressed by the high quality and wide range of equipment in his private gym. I would recommend Ross to anyone that is looking to get motivated to start working out or needs to mix up their current gym routine. I will definitely be coming back from another session with Ross! More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Mike!
Erika M
Ross is great! Super informative and creates workouts that really get your muscles pumping! Super easy to work with, highly reliable! 10/10
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Erika!
Maddie
I had a fantastic experience with Ross and GodBod fitness! His equipment is top quality and our session was incredibly challenging but in the best way that left me feeling accomplished (and sore lol). Ross is the BEST! He made the workout so enjoyable and I can't wait to go back for another session! More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Maddie!
Molly
Ross was incredibly patient and knowledgeable. He explains and demonstrates mechanics in such a succinct and helpful way. I was able to do deadlifts for the first time in my life without my lower back aching for days following . The workout went by relatively easily and quickly but I was so sore the next day! A talented and easy-going guy. Well worth your money. Go get your GodBod! More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Molly!
Greg Williams
Personal Trainers
Ross is awesome. He demonstrates a tremendous amount of patience in working with people who don’t necessarily like to workout. He makes it tolerable for me. He’s the best. More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Greg!
Lora
Personal Trainers
I have been working with Ross twice a week for the past month and I would highly recommend him !! He has tailored my work out program for strength training, and cardio.
He is truly motivating , knowledgeable and excellent at giving me instructions for correct positioning with maximum benefit. He looked at my goals and tailored his work outs to fit my needs .
Great personality , high skill level and I look forward to our sessions !! You won’t be disappointed -Godbod will totally help you achieve your fitness goals !
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Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Lora! Your hard work and dedication is truly inspiring:)
Michelle Barbera
Personal Trainers
Ross was amazing!! Looking forward to working with him on a weekly basis!
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Michelle! It's an honor and a privilege to work with you:)
Andrew
Ross took my injuries into account and developed routines I could handle without adding stress to my knees and back. He altered exercises as needed during the workout to accommodate me. Really enthusiastic and motivating guy! More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Andrew! Your patience/perseverance with injury is truly amazing. It's an absolute pleasure to work with you!
Emily G.
Ross is so encouraging and really helped me see my potential during our session! If there was something I struggled with he'd quickly make adjustments tailored to my needs, abilities and fitness goals. He makes you put in the work but doesn't push you over your edge to the point of injury (like trainers I've had in the past). You can tell he wants you to feel great physically and mentally which is really important to me. More...
Reply from GodBod Fitness LLC
Thanks Emily! Your hard work and dedication are an inspiration for me and I can't wait to see you crush your goals:)
How do you help your clients achieve their fitness goals?
I help my clients achieve their fitness goals by meeting them where they're at. I understand fitness isn't fun for everyone so I start slow and increase the intensity when I know my client is ready. If we get hooked on the mental benefits of exercise (more energy, better mood, reduced anxiety/depression, improved self-esteem) the physical are sure to follow. That's the winning mentality I preach to all my clients to keep them motivated even when the scale isn’t going down as quickly as they’d like.
What’s the secret to getting the body of your dreams?
Establishing a routine that you can realistically stick to the rest of your life because getting a great physique takes a long time, it needs to be a lifestyle not just a program. We have gotten addicted to immediate gratification and that’s why crash dieting or extreme forms of fitness like CrossFit have become alluring to people looking to get in shape FAST. When they don’t see the immediate results they were promised, or they eventually burnout from an extreme diet/fitness program, it becomes an excuse to quit altogether. This is why the solution must reside somewhere in the middle. You can eat whatever you want as long as you stay within your target calories for the day. Exercise will be at a pace you can handle so that you’re motivated to keep coming back. Fitness is a marathon not a sprint. If we are realistic about the process, take it one day at a time, the results will follow.
What do you love most about your job?
What I love most about my job is the look on a clients face after they hit their goal. The type of confidence one gets from achieving their dream physique/restoring their health is like nothing else in life. I love reminding them of the early days and how far they’ve come. I know the confidence gained from making that transformation will translate into every other pursuit in their life and it gives me tremendous pride knowing that.
What inspired you to start your own business?
After a long bout on the couch during the pandemic I found myself stuck in a career I hated, suffering from severe insecurity and anxiety. I coped by overindulging in food and alcohol while watching way too much Netflix. Sound familiar? Luckily I knew that the only way to feel better was to get moving. Drawing on my years of training in a variety of fitness disciplines, I developed a workout that brought me back to health and confidence. I distilled my 18 years of fitness training experience into the top movements that provide maximal result with minimal impact. If I was able to make the transformation, I knew I could do the same for others who feel stuck and unmotivated.
Why should our clients choose you?
Clients should choose me because I have been in their shoes before and can empathize with their struggle. It’s great that some trainers have been in shape their whole life, but if you’ve never been out of shape how can you relate to things such as food addiction, lethargy, depression, anxiety, lack of motivation, fear of physical activity. I understand the mindset of a beginner and am able to coach people not just physically but psychologically as well (the psychology of breaking bad habits and forming new ones, how to look at food differently, preaching the mental over physical benefits of exercise). Any person can find a great workout routine for free online, it’s the psychological coaching that separates the good coaches from the great.
Can you provide your services online or remotely? If so, please add details.
Yes, I’ve actually had tremendous success with coaching clients virtually. If anything it’s better because you never have an excuse to miss class! Wherever you are at any given time, all you need is a smartphone or laptop and you’re good to go! I will send you a word document which spells out exactly what you need to eat, how many steps to walk per day, and how we will meet 3x per week for a bodyweight workout (I also have an optional equipment list with links to products on Amazon. The equipment is optional but it gives us a lot more options in terms of exercise selection if you do decide to purchase these items.).
What changes have you made to keep your customers safe from Covid-19?
All sessions are held in a private studio that only my clients have access to. All equipment used during a session is wiped clean and the entire studio is sanitized before closing up for the night. There is a garage door that can be opened to allow for maximal outdoor airflow and sun exposure.
Personal Training
Muscle Gain
Fat Loss
Increased Stamina