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    Dara Schafer Personal Training

    4.9 (64 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Services - Dara Schafer Personal Training

    Personal training

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    Katrina K.

    Weight loss wizard indeed. I started my weight loss journey at the beginning of the year. I educated myself and was having success, and then my progress seemed to slow. I was still having success but I realized I didn't know enough to know what to adjust. I would switch my workouts frequently and adjust my calories and macros on a whim. A coworker of mine was working with Dara and I couldn't help but notice and admire her AMAZING results. Wow the girl was shrinking daily! And starting to look really ripped! I had to know more.... I had a consult call with Dara and I knew immediately that she knew her stuff. And she was going to help me be accountable. The plan takes a while to get used to. I was told to track all my meals in advance, which made zero sense to me originally. How would I know what I was going to eat a day in advance? Thanks to Dara this is now second nature to me, and it has made all the difference for my nutrition. Staying on track is easy! Her workouts are great! Challenging, effective and not too long. I have done three full body workouts a week with great results. Dara knows when to shake things up, when to add in cardio and is always available when I need to modify something. The best part about Dara is that she is a real person. She will challenge you and push you to explore why you think/feel/behave in certain ways but she also understands that weight loss is really HARD and that you are not going to be perfect every single day. If you are ready to really commit to something that will work and is sustainable, you've found your girl.

    Left photo (before, 2/3/2020) - Right photo (down 26 lbs, 5/29/2020)
    Laura R.

    "It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle." I HATED when people said this to me. I couldn't picture myself as someone who would ever prefer a salad over a burger and I'm definitely not someone who minds spending a whole day on the couch. And I had failed so many times before, what was the point of even trying? But with 70+ lbs to lose (a number that often paralyzed me) something had to change, so I decided to reach out for help, both to guide me and to keep me accountable. That's when I found Dara on Yelp. I started working with Dara about 4 months ago to work on weight loss (exercise and nutrition). Best decision I ever made. I knew she would be a good fit from the first consult call where she asked me not only about my weight loss history, but also about the emotions surrounding that history as well as my stress and wellness habits. It felt very holistic from the get go. Since then, I've lost ~25 lbs and counting. Unlike past experiences (and I tried everything - Weight Watchers, Beachbody, just personal training, just meal tracking), working with Dara has given me the tools to enjoy exercise, to enjoy the food I'm eating (both burgers AND salads!) but still be working towards my goals, and to avoid any sense of depriving myself or missing out. I've even started meditating! I love the macros approach to nutrition because I feel full, I can have lots of variety, I can enjoy the foods I love, and I feel like I know exactly what it will take to succeed. Dara has helped me find a balance and build habits that I feel like I can maintain. In the past, I would focus on either fitness or nutrition and I would have a good run but then go back to old habits. Working with Dara keeps me accountable and motivated because 1) she really cares, 2) I actually enjoy everything I'm eating, 3) the workouts are varied and 4) the results are there! She's accessible by text and will send me recipe ideas that she knows I will like, grocery shopping tips, how to have a balanced approach to dining out or to a weekend away with friends, and even tips on how to handle my stress in healthy ways. Everything you need to succeed long term. At the beginning of working together, one uptick on the scale felt devastating. She's also taught me to not put all my attention on that number. I've dropped a clothing size, I've noticed tone in my muscles, I feel stronger, and these are all wins that we celebrate. This is a huge change from anything I've done in the past and a healthier way of thinking. In a way, my mindset is the biggest thing Dara has helped me change--and the most powerful. During quarantine, we've continued our workout sessions virtually and frankly it's helped me keep my sense of routine and my sanity. I purchased just a few pieces of equipment and I still feel challenged even though I'm working out from home! If you're scared to start, if you've had bad past experiences with trainers who don't seem focused on your results, if you're OVER diets that force you to avoid foods you love or living your life, or if you just need some accountability from someone who truly cares about you and your goals, I highly recommend you work with Dara. Your body and your mind will thank you!

    Esmeralda R.

    I found Dara through Yelp and I'm so happy that I did. I signed up for the 12-Week Online Program because it suited my lifestyle better. Within the first phone calls, I knew she'd be a great fit for me. From the beginning she mentioned what I had been doing wrong and showed me what I needed to do to better my health and fitness regimen. I was eating 1200 calories a day, with a low protein and high carb diet. She helped me calculate my macros, which was scary at first because I had never eaten so much protein, but it became a habit after. She also gave me an AMAZING workout routine to compliment the diet. It was awesome at first because I was super motivated, but then, something even more amazing happened to me about 5 weeks into the program. I was in the kitchen at work and there were boxes of donuts. Normally I eat 2 or so because the temptation is too intense. But for once, I just looked at them, walked away, and went about my day. Something I NEVER thought I'd be able to do. I even look forward to my macro-friendly meals! I normally ate properly during the week and then went crazy on the weekends, eating whatever I wanted. After Dara, I'm on track about 95% (I'm not perfect) but I'm also A LOT more disciplined than I was before a huge game changer for me. I struggled with my workouts a lot because of my hectic work schedule, but she helped me strategize so we could make it work. I got a little discouraged so I did a before and after photo and realized it was working! The biggest thing I have gained so far on my journey with Dara is my confidence. I hated my body when I met her, and now that we're about 7 weeks in, I love it again. I dress up more now because of it. I feel more comfortable in my own skin and it's all thanks to her. I truly can't wait to see where I am after week 12. I also think that after we complete our program, that I can keep this up on my own. Thank you so much Dara! You've changed someone who didn't think they'd ever get their life together.

    Danielle B.

    I decided to work with Dara after seeing two good friends have amazing results with her. I gained about 11lbs during the last 2 Covid years and had completely fallen out of my workout routine and picked up some crappy eating habits. I've been working with Dara for about 13 weeks now and I have to say I feel great. I suffer with bad bouts of anxiety and panic attacks and Dara has encouraged me every step of the way whether It's having the courage to use a machine at the gym or confusion on food logging. Some thing specific that has made me so happy during this process is my energy has improved so much, and on top of that I've lost 7lbs and 9.5 inches throughout my body. My jeans feel/look better and the best part is the shift in my mood and confidence! I plan on working with Dara a few more months, I'm learning so much about what my body actually needs and I love being back into a routine (never been my strong suit haha). I would highly recommend working with Dara. She is professional, kind, knowledgeable and realistic.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Dara Schafer Personal Training

    Review Highlights - Dara Schafer Personal Training

    She is kind and compassionate, but she is also honest about what needs to be done to meet weight loss goals.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    Jasson Finney

    Jasson Finney

    5.0
    (14 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Personal Trainers are like real estate agents... Only the top 1% ever really MAKE IT BIG. My boss…read more(a film producer who's addicted to fitness like me) actually CONVINCED Hollywood trainer Jasson Finney to move to NYC because of the lack of miracle workers in this town. Jasson (who's also an actor/stuntman in over 30 movies and TV shows) has worked with Hollywood A-Listers George Clooney, Halle Berry, Penelope Cruz, Tori Spelling and Paul Walker (R.I.P) to name a few. His rates are very reasonable given his status ($150 an hour) and my boss just started his signature "8 Week Red Carpet Body Program" and won't stop talking about how amazing he is. At first it was hard to believe that his average client loses 4 dress sizes in 8 weeks, but now after seeing my boss... I'm totally blown away. UPDATE: 4/18/14 OMG! My boss just bought me a session for my birthday and Jasson spent an entire hour with me asking how exactly I want to permanently change my shape, what my current eating habits are, then laying out a specific cardio/eating/training strategy to get rid of my saddlebags, etc. After that, we worked out for 75 minutes doing exercises I have never, ever seen before let alone done before, and all with tiny 2.5 pound weights, bands, balls. Holy Cow, I can't even MOVE my body today! I have never felt like this before. I hope he can start teaching classes somewhere because as a personal assistant, the $150 hour price tag is too much for me but I am thinking about getting a second job to at least see this man once a week. Totally jealous now of my boss. I want more!

    Are you looking for an easy workout? Something quick and painless? Then keep scrolling! Jasson…read moremakes you work harder than you ever have before. He will push you to your limits, but he will never give you more than you can handle. And to your surprise, you will be amazed by what you can handle! He is tough, but he is kind. He genuinely wants to see you succeed. He encourages you and makes you believe you can do anything. And he celebrates even your tiniest milestones. An hour with Jasson is filled with great conversation and good humor. He not only shows interest in what's going on in your life, he sincerely cares. He doesn't just listen when you talk, he actually remembers all the details. Jasson will becomes more than your trainer, he will become your friend. Even on days, when you're dreading your workout, you will always end up enjoying it and leaving in a better mood. I have been working out with Jasson for 7 months and I've never felt more confident. I am in the best shape of my life and I am constantly being complimented by my friends and family on my very visible progress. I don't just look better, I feel better! I am so so grateful I found Jasson here on Yelp!

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    Jasson Finney has worked with Hollywood's A-Listers and is now taking clients in New York City.

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    Jasson Finney has worked with Hollywood's A-Listers and is now taking clients in New York City.
    LIT Independent Training Gym

    LIT Independent Training Gym

    5.0
    (3 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    I recently started working out here with my trainer who found this place on Yelp a year and a half…read moreago. Very well equipped gym where you can train every muscle group you need. I really enjoy that it is private and there are no crowds (I really enjoy working out in silence). I had the chance to meet Ben, the owner. I very cool guy and a real encyclopedia of fitness. I also like its working hours. I can visit it either before going or after finishing work. Would definitely recommend to all my friends, who need a good place to work-out...and to the lazy ones, hahaha.

    I pretty much live at this place! Or, at least twice a week anyways. I wish I lived at this place…read morebecause then my body would look amazing. This is a private training gym that is used exclusively by trainers. The space is newly renovated, very open, bright and sunny. All the equipment is fairly new, and the owner really does a good job of keeping things running well. I suppose part of why I have such a great experience here is that my trainer, Andrei Moreno, is completely amazing. But that said, I'm so used to seeing all the other trainers there as well, and they're all really nice people. If you are looking for a good personal training experience, you could contact the owner at this place and he trains people himself, or he may be able to refer you to someone. If you currently have a trainer and are working out somewhere that isn't such a nice place, you might send your trainer this way and start using this gym!

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    Dara Schafer Personal Training - healthtrainers - Updated June 2026

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