Build muscle and strength with one-on-one personal training in Cambridge
Get stronger, more flexible, and move better, with a clear plan built around you.
For busy professionals who are done guessing in the gym. Beginners and experienced lifters welcome.
Know what you want from the gym, but not how to get there?
You want to get stronger, build muscle, and like what you see in the mirror. You know lifting is how you get there. What you don’t know is how to make it work for you.
Which exercises suit your body? Are you doing them right? When should you add weight, and how much? Without clear answers, you end up guessing: a new program every few weeks, exercises that never quite feel right, and numbers that barely move.
You’re putting in the time, but the results aren’t matching the effort.
Why more information hasn’t gotten you there
There’s never been more fitness advice available, and most people in the gym still aren’t progressing. The missing piece usually isn’t effort or knowledge. It’s a system.
An online program or an app gives you good exercises. But it can’t see how you move, it isn’t built around your body, and it rarely tells you how to add weight or reps over time. Classes and follow-along workouts give you energy and routine, but a different workout every time wears you out without building on last week.
Even one-on-one training can fall short. If each session is a new workout with no plan behind it, you’re paying for company, not progress. Cheap training gets expensive when it doesn’t get you anywhere.
And many people lift without ever working on flexibility. When you can’t get into the right positions, your joints take strain your muscles should handle, and some lifts stay out of reach. Piling on mobility drills doesn’t fix it either: it’s too much at once, and it doesn’t build strength.
What works is simpler: the right exercises for your body, the range of motion to do them well, and steady progress on them for months and years.
How Jake’s coaching works
Jake’s method rests on one idea: get stronger in good form, a little at a time, for as long as you train. Everything else exists to make that possible for your body.
Lift in positions that load your muscles, not your joints
Jake teaches you how to position your skeleton at each phase of a lift, so the tension goes where it belongs.
When you lift with poor positioning, your joints end up taking the load your muscles should handle. Over time, that adds up as aches, tweaks, and stalled progress.
Think of it like a car with misaligned suspension: it still drives, but the wrong parts take the wear.
When the tension goes to your muscles instead of your joints, you can train hard without constant setbacks. Fewer setbacks means you stay consistent. And consistency, over months and years, is what builds lasting strength.
Do exercises that fit your body
No two bodies are built the same, so no two programs should be. If long legs make a deep squat round your back, a heel wedge or a front-loaded squat puts you upright. If barbell bench press bothers your shoulders, dumbbells or dips build the same muscles. You’ll still train the fundamentals: squats, hinges (like deadlifts), pushes, pulls, and core work, in the versions that suit you.
Build the flexibility each lift needs
Flexibility is the foundation of movement. If you can’t sit down into a full-depth squat, you can’t squat to full depth. Jake uses active and passive flexibility work to restore the range of motion your lifts need, in the amount you need. More range of motion also means more muscle you can train.
Add weight or reps, session after session
This is what builds muscle. Picture squatting 50 pounds on day one, then working your way up to 150. Your legs will be stronger and more muscular. Jake gives every exercise a progression, a simple rule for when to add weight and when to add reps, so you always know what to do next and keep progressing safely.
When something gets in the way
If a movement bothers you, Jake adjusts it: lighter weight, a different variation, or a swap. You keep training everything else instead of stopping altogether.
What training with Jake looks like
“In my first session I literally laid on the ground after struggling to deadlift a 45 lb bar. Last week I deadlifted 315.”
- I’ve lost weight and gained muscle mass
- Posture has improved and back pain is totally gone
- I am SO much stronger (in my first session I literally laid on the ground after struggling to deadlift a 45 lb bar. Last week I deadlifted 315. Many other lifts have doubled)
Wen trained 3 times a week: once with Jake, and twice on his own with Jake’s programming. Most sessions had a squat, a hinge, a push, a pull, one or two accessories, and a shoulder flexibility drill. The goal every workout was more weight or more reps. No extreme diet, no endless cardio.
“I am feeling stronger and healthier each week.”
“I’ve been training with Jake for several months now and I’m very happy with my progress. He creates programs that are tailored to his client’s needs and I am feeling stronger and healthier each week. Outside of lifting, he is also very knowledgeable about stretching and nutrition and I love all the tips he’s shared with me. Highly recommend Jake if you’re looking for a trainer who’s personable and enjoyable to work with but also challenges you to continuously improve and reach your goals.”
“His approach is simple yet effective.”
“Jake is the best there is!! I’ve been training with him for close to a year now and I have never felt better. He really tailors his workout plans to each client and their fitness goals. His approach is simple yet effective. Could not recommend him more if you are looking for a personal trainer!”
“I no longer have pain and my shoulder is much stronger.”
“I have been training weekly with Jake since October 2024. I had no previous weight training experience and wanted to learn how to do so to get stronger. I now lift and do cardio 2-3 times each/week, and understand more about the science behind gaining strength. I also had a previous shoulder injury and had been to PT but it was still bothering me. Through various exercises he had me do, I no longer have pain and my shoulder is much stronger. I highly recommend Jake as a trainer.”
Caolan had been lifting with Jake for over a year when he tweaked his back on a deadlift. Jake reworked his training: lighter, stabilizing work while his back settled, then strength training blended with flexibility work. Now he can put his palms on the floor, and running feels normal again.
“Now it just feels normal.”
“The moment I actually started moving, it feels a lot better... the twisting and turning that, after the injury, actually really hurt... now it just feels normal.”
“It’s been worth it, this switch. Now I feel more confident in actually going back into doing some big stressful stuff with my back.”
“I lost over 20lb and I feel the strongest I’ve ever been.”
“I was looking for a trainer that would motivate me and keep me accountable to lose weight and get back on track at the gym. I worked with Jake for about 9 months and got way more than I imagined out of it. He gave me advice that was sustainable and worked for my lifestyle, got me to enjoy working out again, and now I feel so much more confident in handling my health by myself. I lost over 20lb and I feel the strongest I’ve ever been. Not only that but Jake worked with me to incorporate stretches into my workouts that healed my ankle pain after a sprain that happened last year. It’s 100% back to normal with no pain now. Thank you Jake!!”
“Goals I didn’t know I would ever achieve”
“I have been training with Jake for just over two years. Working with him produced steady improvement in my outcomes and experience. I am consistently reaching my goals. Goals I didn’t know I would ever achieve for example bench press of 200 pounds, more than 8 a pull-ups, and Dead lift, and squat over 400 pounds. Before the end, not lifted in over 20 years. Every session Jake takes the time to encourage and support me and also to give you one or two tips that changes your whole experience that day and in future workouts. He’s a genuine person who’s easy to relate to and lots of fun. I Highly recommend him as a coach.”
“Patient, doesn’t make you feel stupid, but won’t let sloppy reps slide either.”
“Been training with Jake for a few years now. Walked in as a complete beginner — didn’t know what a deadlift was and couldn’t squat to save my life. Now those lifts are part of my routine with real form, and I actually feel capable-ish in the gym. He’s a great form coach. Patient, doesn’t make you feel stupid, but won’t let sloppy reps slide either. The accountability piece is what has kept me showing up — it’s always easier to bail on yourself than on a guy who’s expecting you. Jake genuinely lives this stuff and is always reading and refining his approach.”
What you get
One-on-one coaching in Cambridge. 60-minute sessions where Jake watches every rep and gives you simple cues that change how a lift feels.
A plan built for your body. Exercises chosen to fit how you move, with a progression for each one, so you always know what to do next.
Strength and flexibility in one plan. The flexibility work your lifts need, built into your sessions instead of tacked on.
Support between sessions. Text Jake with questions anytime, including about nutrition. Want to train with Jake’s workouts on your own too? Add custom-programmed solo workouts at your own gym for $100/month.
Every plan includes texting Jake and nutrition guidance. Programming for solo days is optional. No gym membership needed to train with Jake at Dirty Water Fitness.
I know what it’s like to feel held back by your body.
I fell in love with lifting as a teenager. I read bodybuilding.com articles every day and knew a lot on paper, but I struggled to put any of it into practice on my own.
In high school and college, I struggled immensely in the gym. Twelve years of ice hockey left me feeling uneven in how I move, and Osgood-Schlatter gave me knee pain that came and went for years. A nasty low-back injury from doing power cleans shook my confidence and led me to become very cautious and overthink during my lifts. On top of those, conflicting advice from industry “experts” made me second-guess my technique at every turn.
Eventually, I decided enough was enough. Instead of looking for a way out, I took responsibility and devoted myself to fixing these issues. I read books, studied the best coaches in the world, and hired several coaches to get hands on help. I paid closer attention to how I performed each rep and found positions and cues that helped me feel the intended muscles working. I learned to adapt when something bothered me and focus on what I could still train. When I later hurt my knee, that same approach got me through it, and it gave me even more empathy for clients training around an injury.
Today, I lift pain-free, I’m stronger than ever, and can do heavy barbell lifts without fear.
Now I coach people to do the same, with a clear plan from day one instead of years of trial and error.
I have a B.S. in kinesiology from UMass Amherst, and I’m an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and NASM Stretching & Flexibility Coach. I’ve also spent thousands of dollars on books, courses, coaching, and seminars to learn the best ways to build strength, muscle, and flexibility. I’m still learning today, and I put the best things I learn and stress-test myself straight into my clients’ training.
How to get started
Fill out a short questionnaire.
Share your goals, training history, any injuries, and the times that work for you.
Hear from Jake.
He’ll review your answers and reach out within 24 hours, however you prefer, to talk through your goals and whether you’re a good fit for each other. Talking with Jake is free, and you only pay once you’ve both decided to work together.
Start with five sessions.
Every new client begins with a 5-session starter pack, used within 7 weeks.
Choose how to keep going.
After your first five sessions, pick the monthly plan or package that fits your schedule.
Why five sessions?
One session is a workout. Five show you how Jake coaches. Your first session covers the main movements, using versions chosen for your body. Over the next four, Jake fine-tunes each exercise, and you start adding weight or reps. You’ll see your training progress before you decide what comes next.
The questionnaire and conversation help you and Jake decide together whether you’re a good fit for each other.
Training options and pricing
All sessions are 60 minutes.
The 5-session starter pack
For new clients. Paid once, used within 7 weeks, and it doesn’t renew.
After your first five sessions
A monthly plan gives you the best rate and a set training schedule.
Monthly plans
| Plan | Frequency | Price | Per session |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 sessions/month | 1x/week | $480/month | $120 |
| 8 sessions/month | 2x/week | $920/month | $115 |
| 12 sessions/month | 3x/week | $1,320/month | $110 |
Plans renew each month on the date you start. Sessions are used within each billing period and don’t roll over. Need a break? Request a freeze before your next billing period begins. Cancel with 30 days’ written notice.
Packages
| Package | Price | Per session | Use within |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 sessions | $1,450 | $145 | 14 weeks |
| 15 sessions | $2,025 | $135 | 20 weeks |
Add-on: fully programmed workouts for the days you train by yourself at your own gym, $100/month. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice are charged.
FAQs
Is this right for me if I already work out?
Yes! You don’t need to be new to the gym. Coaching can help if you’re training but struggling to make progress, unsure of your technique in certain movements, or not sure what to change. If you’re an experienced lifter who’s stalled, Jake has more tools than adding weight.
What if I’m a beginner, or not flexible at all?
That’s a fine place to start. Your first session uses versions of each movement that suit you today, and flexibility is built as part of your plan. Strength and flexibility are skills you build, not traits you either have or don’t.
Can I build strength without aggravating the areas that bother me?
The aim is to find productive ways to keep training. Jake will help adapt exercises when something limits you, so you can train around it. This isn’t a promise to diagnose or treat an injury. If you need medical care, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
What happens in my first session?
You train from day one. Before your first session, Jake reviews your questionnaire, including any injuries, and talks through your history with you. Then, based on how you move, he takes you through a squat, a hinge, a push, a pull, and core work, choosing versions he expects to suit you.
Will I get the same workout as everyone else?
No. Your training is based on your goals, experience, and how you move. Jake watches how you move and adjusts your training as needed.
Will sessions only focus on corrective exercises?
No. The goal is to continually build strength and flexibility, not just keep you doing easy exercises without a path forward. Your training has two parts. First, foundational lifts that build your overall strength: squats, deadlifts, hip thrusts, pull-ups, overhead press, bench press, and rows. Second, targeted accessory exercises chosen for your body. This is where your training gets truly personal. If your quads are tight and weak, you might do kneeling leg extensions. If your upper back rounds forward, you might do extra rows to strengthen it. These exercises strengthen your weak points, which will accelerate your progress.
How is this different from following a program or watching videos?
A program or video can’t watch your reps and respond to what you’re doing. In one-on-one sessions, Jake can give you cues and adjustments based on how you move.
How much time do I need?
Each session is 60 minutes. How often you train depends on the schedule you choose: one, two, or three sessions per week. Ultimately, you build your training around the time you have available. In your questionnaire, share your availability so you and Jake can discuss what’s realistic for you.
Is once a week enough?
Yes. Plenty of Jake’s clients train with him once a week and make great progress. If you want to train more, add Jake’s programming for one or two solo days at your own gym.
When can I train?
Jake trains clients Monday to Friday: mornings and evenings on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and afternoons into evenings on Tuesday and Thursday. However, be sure to share all of your preferred times in the questionnaire.
Is nutrition included?
Yes, as guidance. Ask Jake about food as often as you like, in sessions or by text, and he’ll give you his advice.
What if I’m not sure I can afford ongoing training?
Start with the starter pack and decide from there. Jake has worked with plenty of clients who can only commit to one package of sessions for financial reasons. Even after a single package, you’ll walk away with loads of brand-new practical knowledge and skills you can apply to your own training going forward.
Do I need a gym membership?
No. Training with Jake at Dirty Water Fitness doesn’t require a membership.
How long will it take to notice progress?
It varies from person to person, but progress usually comes in stages. First, you’ll build confidence in your technique and learn to feel tension in the right muscles. Within the first few months, your body will start to look and feel better. Over the following months, you’ll notice bigger gains in strength and muscle.
Where do sessions take place?
Sessions take place at Dirty Water Fitness, 247 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA. It’s a private training studio: everyone there is training one-on-one with a trainer or taking a group class, and classes run on their own side of the gym. It’s a short walk from the Lechmere Green Line stop, and there’s street parking. Open in Google Maps
Can I work with Jake if I’m not in Cambridge?
Yes. Jake’s online coaching uses the same approach, with your sets reviewed on video. See online coaching
Where this can take you
A few months from now, you walk into the gym knowing exactly what you’re working on and why. Your lifts feel solid instead of uncertain, and the weight on the bar keeps going up. Your clothes fit differently. Carrying groceries, hiking, or a pickup game feels easy, and you leave the gym calmer than you walked in.
You haven’t found a quick fix. You’ve become someone who trains consistently, with a system you understand, and that’s what keeps the progress coming.
Tell Jake what you want to achieve, and start with five sessions to see how he coaches.