Testimonials

KATE: PHD CANADIAN HISTORY, COMMUNICATIONS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Simply put, Hussein is a really excellent trainer. The first words that I’d choose to describe him would be: attentive, intelligent, respectful, adaptive and cheerful. It’s been a pleasure to work with him over the past year to help heal an old hip injury and improve my overall strength so I can get out to cross-country ski and jog more. 

Mireille

Hussein is excellence personified. His wisdom, depth of knowledge and focus on form revolutionized the way I work out. Thanks to his guidance, I found a new passion for weight lifting. I give him the highest recommendation possible!

Tim – Student Rights Advocate

I had been underweight all my life and felt weak and very self-conscious about my body. I was also too embarrassed to go to the gym, because I didn’t know how to exercise or where to start. My main goal at first was to feel more comfortable with my body. Working with Hussein, I now feel strong, fit, and confident, so I definitely reached that goal

Jordie – Psychology Student

After one assessment with Hussein, I knew that I was making the right decision in choosing to train with him. Hussein has given me the tools that I need to successfully master the gym both physically and mentally. Although I am an all around confident young woman, when it came to working out in the gym I have always felt self-conscious.

Ryan Darling – Owner RD Athletics

I have had contact with Hussein since approximately 5 to 6 years when he reached out to me online. His demeanour even then online was very respectful and inquisitive and I immediately could tell I was speaking with an intelligent up and comer in the field. Over the past 2 years Hussein and I have had almost daily contact and have spent a good amount of time together in person.

DR. DANIEL – ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER, PHYSICIST & PHD

I had been working out in the gym for over two years. I was feeling fit, but I was feeling like I had plateaued and I was starting to get bored. I was interested in weight training on the four basic lifts, but I have no prior experience with weight lifting and I was worried that I might injure myself if I started doing these lifts with heavy weights without expert help.

TRILCE – AMBASSADOR

All my life I have struggled with low weight and injuries. When I moved to Canada last year and met Hussein I figured it was the right moment to start a new way of living.

Steve – Retired Engineer

I have been trained by Hussein since January 2016. The interesting aspect of our training relationship is that, while there is more than a 40 year difference in our ages, and we come from completely different backgrounds, I feel perfectly comfortable with him.

MARTIN – RETIRED LAWYER AND AN OUTDOORS FAN

I like the fact the Hussein’s assessment led him to develop a very tailored fitness program for me. He does not use a generic approach, leading to a fairly standard routine, but develops a very personalized program. The program is already helping my skiing. I seem to have fewer cramps and pains after a day of skiing than last year.

JANE – MARATHONER: MEDAL COLLECTOR

I started training with Hussein a month after running a marathon. I was fit but not functional. I appreciated how Hussein’s training took me back to the basics. I am happy to say I am stronger, fitter and more motivated that I have ever been. Hussein has an impressive depth of knowledge and can apply that knowledge in a practical application.

ANDREW – OFFICE WORKER AND MUSICIAN

Hussein first started with an assessment that taught me that I lacked a mind-body connection in performing basic movements. This resulted in these movements being performed by secondary muscles. I learned that foundational strength was a clear first step in solving this issue from the ground up.

JULIE – TEACHER

Anemia, bi-yearly severe sinus infections, very low blood pressure, no upper body or lower body strength, inability to perform cardio exercise for more than a few minutes, digestive problems – this was me a year ago. Training with Hussein changed everything! These health issues are no longer existent and I am in the best shape of my life.

DR. TONY – PHD

My biggest obstacle before starting to work with HSL Fitness was time commitment and my biggest fear was that I would inflame a past injury. The initial assessment confirmed what I already knew but was in denial about. Hussein tailored his sessions to my requirements/level and provided realizable and flexible goals.

EFFIE – YOUTH SERVICES MANAGER

As a woman my biggest fear was that the gym would be an intimidating place, especially starting out. Hussein’s training approach was empowering always making me feel strong and allowing me to aim higher. His approach is a perfect balance of support & kindness. He was able to connect with my needs and worked with me to specifically achieve my goals.

DAVID – PROFESSOR: GEOGRAPHY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

Initially, I did not feel comfortable going to a gym. The fact that I do not have friends I can go with and that I am not into the fitness fad makes me feel very incompetent at a gym. Since I do not know how to use the equipment or exercises, I am always concerned about getting injured while trying stuff at a gym.

DR. NANCY – PSYCHOLOGIST

I really liked that Hussein was not pushy, that I felt he advised me based on my needs and where I was rather than simply offering a set plan. I like that he is passionate and takes his work seriously. Hussein is very easy to trust because he explains things well and I never felt any aches or pains that seemed caused by doing something wrong or that wasn’t good for me.

LOUKA – COACH: SFG2, SFB, FMS, FSIS

It is rare to find a person as dedicated in the fitness industry as Hussein Samhat. I have the upmost respect for this man because of his continuous pursuit of excellence. He is a teacher as well as a student of strength and movement. Always smiling and radiant with positive energy, Hussein gives out as much as he absorbs.

CELINE – NURSE

Occasionally there are people in life that you will always be grateful to have met. Hussein is one of those people for me. Having tried to deal with back injury through physiotherapy and many a bottle of Robaxacet, I felt that the progress I was making was done at a glacial pace. I joined the gym to keep active and perform the stretches the physiotherapists had recommended.

PAUL – LAWYER

I have been working with Hussein for about six months and I am looking forward to the next six. I was initially distrustful of personal trainers. I thought I knew enough to make my time in the gym productive.  I definitely could not imagine how much a knowledgeable and skilled trainer like Hussein can help with direction and the results. 

Sarah Young – RMT, OS Instructor

I was impressed with his passion and dedication to learn the OS System in order to help his clients. And I’ve continued to be impressed by Hussein. He is always learning and expanding his knowledge of the body in order to serve his clients better.

RODEINA – RETAIL MANAGER

Before I started working with Hussein at HSL fitness, I used to sign up at different gyms but never find the time to actually attend, and if I did I would find an excuse not to. It was Hussein’s pleasant personality, filled with his positive energy and beautiful smile, that encouraged me to try my best.

VAUGHN – TALENTED SINGER

I was insecure about going to the gym because I am naturally a couch potato and the mere thought of going to the gym is very new to me. I had serotypes and thought I would be bullied. I would highly recommend Hussein as he helped me dissipate my insecurities about going to the gym and guided me to realize my potential.

MEGHAN – PROJECT MANAGER

Before I started working with HSL Fitness my biggest fear was using the actual weights properly especially the free weights. Also that I was going to get big shoulders (I know that sounds weird). My biggest obstacle was actually overcoming the negative voice in my head when I had to do one more rep on the pull up bar.

ADAM – ENGINEERING MANAGER AT SURVEYMONKEY

I had felt that my health and lifestyle had been on a slow decline for a long time, and I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to turn it around in an impactful way.My initial goal was to lose weight and feel more comfortable in my own skin. Working with Hussein, not only was I able to lose weight and feel more comfortable

GENEVIEVE – OT REG. (ONT); RYT 200HR; YOGA TUNE UP® LEVEL 1 TEACHER

The first time I met Hussein at a training, I was impressed by his curiosity and his humility. His curiosity pushes him to keep learning and exploring knowledge, and his humility means that he is always open to accepting another point of view, which means that as a trainer, he is able to adapt easily to an individual’s needs.

SOPHIE – ENGINEER, WIFE AND MOTHER OF 2

I was a bit intimidated going to a gym again.  It had been many years since I had gone to one regularly.  I was making a conscious move from running and yoga to more strength based training. I wanted to improve my strength, lower my body fat and be able to do deadlifts.  After about 3 months, my strength has definitely improved

ANTOINE – BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT

My biggest fear before starting with HSL was being judged. I wasn’t in the greatest shape and had never experienced personal training of any sort or planned/organized training. After a couple sessions with Hussein I then realized that I had no reason to feel that way. His intentions were pure and he was truly dedicated to help me reach my goals.

JO-ANN & RAY – RETIRED HSL AGELESS HUNTERS

We highly recommend Hussein as a personal trainer. One of our biggest fears was the fact that we are seniors. Hussein’s assessment of our fitness levels, his guidance in developing our fitness goals, his personal training skills, encouragement, support and positive attitude inspired us.

ANDREW P – URBAN PLANNER CITY OF OTTAWA

I feel that one of my biggest obstacles before I started with HSL was my very limited knowledge when it came to technique. I would go to the gym but the vast majority of the exercises that I did were done incorrectly. My initial goal was to increase my fitness to fit my active lifestyle, preparing me for the running season and better my fitness for soccer.

BRYAN – FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Working with Hussein was such a great experience. Despite playing sports and being active my whole life, I had never really gone to the gym consistently or worked on building strength. Hussein was able to pin point spots of weakness and put a workout plan together to help improve my strength and flexibility.

Abeer – MBA

I started training with Hussein…because I was getting too comfy sitting at home and wanted someone with passion for fitness to motivate me to workout. What I liked most about Hussein was that his techniques were different…He explained the method as well as gave me an idea of how my body worked, and it was amazing how ignorant I was.

KIM – PROJECT MANAGER

My biggest fear and obstacle before starting to work with Hussein was that I would fail and that it would be too expensive. I came in with an initial goal to lose 7 lbs in 6 weeks and I have lost 5 pounds so far (5 weeks in). My body does feel more toned than when I started, especially the core.