Fantastic advice on healthy living from Andy with his deeply personalized fitness and nutrition coaching for the Silicon Valley tech set. His coaching has helped me become more self-aware of my eating choices AKA diet. Workouts are 20 minutes a week and I get the results I want . Highly recommended Andy for weight loss and body toning - I now have more definition and look better overall, thanks to his advice and regime. read more

It seemed no amount of effort with my physical therapy exercises could make a dent in my overall physical endurance. I panicked. I had hit a wall with physical therapy and I wondered whether it was possible to revive the level of stamina I enjoyed prior to my automobile accident. Over a year had passed since I managed to break six bones in my right foot, tearing 2 ligaments, and another bone in the left. Needless to say, I wasn't running or skateboarding anymore. I had trouble walking great distances or standing for extended periods of time. The ease with which I used to move through my yoga classes had been replaced with the constitution of a two-year old -- think wobbly legs and drooling all over myself. *** All it takes is 30 minutes a week. That's it! Sounds too good to be true? I thought so too for I'm a bit of a skeptic. *** I have managed to increase my physical strength by 30% in two months! I have never injured myself while training with him, despite the intense load on my muscles and the fact that I am performing a full body workout each and every visit. The strength I've acquired is functional. I'm back in the yoga studio with renewed vigor and even skateboarding around the city from time to time. Granted, Andy is not a physical therapist, but the style of weight training he furnishes was the next logical step in my recovery. It's quite safe and the results are mind blowing. I believe everyone can benefit from this kind of training. Andy is always reading new material and I feel fortunate to receive a free education from him during each of our encounters -- he's a teacher, yet ever the student. Andy is the man to see if you're serious about improving your overall physical health! read more

I did 3 to 6 days at the gym per week for 20 years. At times it was glorious. Only 4 months working with Andy, I can't fathom that the Gym / Cross-Fit industry exists. Nothing against people who want to spend hours each week going to the gym, but 23 minutes a week of Andy's coaching and I am steadily and noticeably stronger every week. With cardio to boot. He's a great trainer with just the right amount of intensity and concern. Not above making adjustments and always concerned about safety. If you've heard about Slow-Motion workout but haven't tried it yet, you're wasting a lot of time doing anything else. And if you believe that your time is worth money, you're probably wasting money as well. Call Andy. Get stronger. Get healthier. Get 7 hours of your life back each week. read more

I come here weekly to train with Andy. I really trust his expertise in this unique workout. Because he experiments on himself or with trusted advisers, he's consistently explaining new tips or "hacks" to stay fit and healthy either with diet or exercise- what a great resource! He's pushed my limits while adhering to what's best for my body. The results have been wonderful. I'm able to maintain lean body mass, muscle and still look like a woman! The studio is clean, good temperature, and has all the machines necessary to have a complete workout. Plus, I can fit this into my workday. I train during my lunch hour and its perfect way to get out of the office. There is no better option. Go see Andy today! read more

Andy is the man! I've learned so much about fitness and nutrition ever since starting with him. And I thought I knew a lot beforehand! He's helped improve my strength and body composition with just 20 minutes a week, showed me the proper diet to maximize my health, and goes above and beyond answering any questions I have. I wasn't even considering getting a personal trainer when I stumbled upon Optimized Fit. All I wanted was to find a more efficient exercise routine. Now I couldn't go without this workout. read more

Just completed my first workout with Andy this morning, and it'll definitely take a week to recover and be ready for the next one. This is the most intense 15 minutes of exercise I've ever experienced, on the best machinery available. Any thinking person interested in getting stronger and leaner, and who's frustrated with overtraining, injuries, lack of progress, and confusing diet, supplementation, and 'cardio' regimens should look into Doug McGuff's BodyByScience, and Andy as a local resource to put it into practice. McGuff is the fitness industry's Billy Beane, applying real science and common sense to what actually produces muscle growth and cardiovascular fitness, and exploding years of 'broscience' in the process. He's the latest and most coherent advocate of what Arthur Jones pioneered at Nautilus in the 1970s: brief, infrequent, and intense resistance exercise. These workouts are powerful medicine; you don't need much (and shouldn't be able to tolerate much, if you're doing them right, which is really only possible under effective supervision) to produce the right effect. I'd encourage anyone, young or old, bodybuilder or just plain health nut, who values their time and energy to go spend 30 minutes with Andy. read more

You need a trainer for 2 reasons. First, you need someone you're accountable to. It's an unfortunate fact that gaining strength requires you to endure pain--it's very easy to make excuses to yourself and give up early. Second, you need an expert who can pick out the right exercises for you, tweak your workout to ensure that you're making progress, and teach you the correct form. An exercise can be completely wasted if you don't have the right form. If you're going to endure the pain of weight-lifting, then you should get as much out of it as possible. I found Andy after reading Body by Science by Doug McGuff. Andy is one of the only trainers in the Bay Area offering a high intensity workout. I've been working with him for about 3 months and I've been very happy with our progress. I go in once a week for a little less than 30 minutes and we do 6-7 different exercises. The gym is very nice. It's the only gym I know of in the city that has the type of equipment recommended by Body by Science. The gym is very clean, quiet, and private. Andy and I were alone in the gym for most of my sessions. He's very careful when it comes to safety. All of our workouts use controlled movements in a clean, quiet environment. He's careful to make sure that I don't get into a position where I could hurt myself. It's a stark contrast to the workouts of some of my friends who have sustained injuries doing CrossFit workouts. read more

The beauty of learning from Andy is one can take his Lessons out of the gym and into one's everyday life. Prior to working with him, I struggled to lift five gallons of water or walk uphill. Because of Andy's gentle yet effective way of sharing knowledge I learned to move slowly and to breathe with my movements, I learned to balance and feel my strength, I learned that I can succeed with my personal challenges. Now, lifting five gallons of water fills me with joy because I know how to use my body in the proper way. I embrace walking uphill. I really love pushing myself past my most challenging point. I will be turning sixty three years old next month and I feel my time with Andy went beyond the gym and I learned valuable life lessons. read more

Andy offers something unique in that his expertise spans nutrition, fitness, and general wellness with a mind-body connection approach. This is because of his thorough education on the topics and intensive personal research that he's done, as well as experimentation with his own diet and lifestyle. This means his methods are tried and true, and he passes his experience on to clients. He has painstakingly researched to get to the bottom of the health controversies out there and has a lot of knowledge to share. This knowledge extends to his workouts as well; he's zeroed in on the most efficient and effective workout there is. I always look forward to my relatively short, high energy workouts now and never have to drag myself to the gym, thanks essentially to Andy's technique. My absolute favorite thing about what Andy does is that he ties it all together holistically. In my personal experience working with Andy, this holistic approach took our sessions from dealing with the merely physical to the psychoemotional. Andy is definitely an expert at what he does and I highly recommend him. read more

I'm only three sessions in, and I'm already hooked. Andy's muscle failure workouts deliver a tantric endorphin rush like no other workout I've experienced, leaving me energized and spacious for the rest of the day, and each set builds more than muscle--pushing past failure demands focus, determination, and mindfulness. Andy himself is a joy to work with. He's committed to well-being far beyond muscular development, and in each session I learn more about how to take better care of my body. Will report back after my 10th session with info on gains. read more

Andy has been a great partner on my journey to build strength and stay fit. I was skeptical at first that one workout a week would make a difference, but now I am a believer in his method. Scheduling is easy, early morning appointments are my favorite, and Andy measures my progress each week. I appreciate the coaching on form so that I get the most benefit without risk of injury. Totally worth it!! read more

Being a middle-aged woman, I realized I needed to start lifting weights after reading how strength training is best for preventing muscle and bone density loss among aging adults. This lead me to discover the exercise protocol called "High-Intensity Training." I became familiar with this strength training method after reading, Body by Science. The book explained how High-Intensity Training can be extremely effective at preventing muscle and bone density loss. In addition, it is extremely time efficient, with workouts only lasting 20 minutes, once a week. Luckily there was a gym in San Francisco that offered such an exercise program. I had never worked with a personal trainer before so I didn't know what to expect, but all I can say is Andy Babkes has been a godsend. He is easygoing, considerate, extremely supportive, encouraging, and always professional. On top of that, not only is Andy extremely knowledgeable for all things fitness, but he is an incredible health coach and nutritionist. It's hard to believe, but I've been working with Andy for almost 2 year now. During this time, I'm happy to report that not only do I continue to get stronger with each appointment, but I've lost weight and my health continues to improve. I wholeheartedly recommend Andy. He is an amazing fitness instructor, health coach, and nutritionist. I truly feel blessed to be working with him. read more

Andy is a great personal trainer, and the short-slow-intense workout really...works! I came to him with the goal to do an unassisted pullup (never have before). Andy designed a program that in only 20 (super intense) minutes has helped me gain strength; and even reduce the lower-back pain I've had for years. He's appropriately encouraging and calm - and the workout is great for those of us over-stressed folks who want a brief, HARD workout that shows results. He's a wealth of knowledge about a variety of health topics - strength, fitness, food/eating habits, even sleep. Little things are easy too - he's communicative; simple online scheduling, free/easy parking out front, and it's a pleasant, private gym. I'm moving, or I'd continue with him because I know he could help me to that pullup (I'm on the way, haven't reached it yet!). Bottom line: I recommend Andy / Optimized Fit highly - well worth the investment. read more

Andy is fantastic personal trainer who's knowledge of the body is vast. I have been working out with Andy for about 3 months now and I can tell a huge improvement in my strength. I will admit that I was skeptical that 20 minutes a week was actually going to give me results, but Andy has proven me wrong. As a science nerd/chiropractor myself, I really like how he can actually track your results and measure your progress in a very scientific way. If you are someone who doesn't have the time to spend hours in the gym and are looking for the most efficient way to build your strength, then Optimized Fit is your place!!! read more

Been with Andy for over a year now and, through his guidance, I've recovered from several sports injuries, feeling stronger and stronger. Through his DeSisto system training, I can now run half marathons ending in strength rather than wilting. Also, Andy's generosity in sharing his knowledge about nutrition and health alternatives is amazing and genuinely appreciated. I have more physical energy and feel lighter in spirit. Andy's willing to work with the individual at their level is wonderful. Thank you, Andy! read more

Andy is a gifted trainer with encyclopedic knowledge of fitness, health, and overall well being. I found the super slow workout to be a fantastic workout that will stress your muscles and improve fitness, with far less probability of injury than any other workout. I do think doing it once a week for 20 minutes is a plus and a minus: a plus for those with a busy lifestyle, a minus in that if you're used to staying fit this alone might not seem like enough. But work with Andy and he'll find complimentary workouts that are consistent with your fitness needs and goals. read more

Andy has helped me long distance. I am based in the Netherlands. I met Andy on trip to the US and spoke about my frustration at not being able to stay the course and keep myself on a program to loose weight,improve health and fitness. Andy took the challenge on and these last three months has kept me on the straight and narrow. I have lost 10kg (22,04pounds) and it has been easy to work with Andy and the program he has created with me to suit my lifestyle and environment. I really do highly recommend Andy and his expertise and services. He has truly been a supportive friend and helped me gain control over my struggle with weight. read more

I have been working with Andy doing the super slow weight training for almost 7 months now. I was hesitant to do this type of training because I have scoliosis pretty bad and I'm usually more comfortable doing Pilates or yoga always trying to protect my back. However, I was looking (hoping) to do something more to strengthen my body over all. Andy has a great balance of pushing me as well and helping me find the right balance for my back and body as to not "hurt" it. I have been shocked at the results in a good way. Nothing I have done has shaped my body and built muscle like this type of training. I still alternate this work with Pilates and I have also notice I have much more strength when doing Pilates and I'm able to take that training farther because of the muscle I have built. When I have missed a few weeks for scheduling reasons I am always surprised as how much I miss doing this strength training. Don't get me wrong... when you are there and pushing a crazy amount of weight your brain is screaming... run!! However, it's all over in 20 min and then you feel amazing! Andy is a calm, knowledgeable source for this training as well as nutrition. Highly recommend! read more