Elements of Training

Sent the trainer an email a week ago asking for a quote on training once a week and never heard back from him. There are no training fees listed on their website.
It seems strange that a trainer can claim that he will teach you to be responsible but be irresponsible himself.
Update:
I did hear from the trainer after he saw the Unilocal review.

I have never been very athletic so when I decided I wanted to get my weight together I felt I needed a trainer. But i didn’t want someone who was going to be a drill sergeant & make me hate every workout. With that said I am extremely grateful that I came across Haig. (Who I found on Unilocal by the way.) He has been nothing short of amazing. When we meet he asked about past injuries (a dislocated shoulder), what my habits were, what my goals are, etc. He is very knowledgeable, friendly & super helpful. He has helped me with any nutrition questions I have, even though that is not apart of my package. He will change things up if something is to hard or uncomfortable for my shoulder but is still challenging. I look forward to every workout. I leave the gym knowing I got a serious butt kicking work. But it’s the funniest, kindest butt kicking ever. And even though I’ve only been going to Haig for a little over a month I am already seeing results. My favorite pair of skinny jeans are fitting much better. I have no doubt that with Haig helping me I will reach my goal & beyond.

I decided to work with Haig after seeing the results my good friend had with him. I am thrilled about the results I have had with him thus far — 2 months in.
Before our first session he took the time to sit down with me and really understand what I was looking to accomplish. This allowed him to create a personalized program that is specific to both my short term and long term goals.
His approach has improved my understanding of overall health and fitness. His personalized workouts have helped me focus on and isolate specific areas, all while continuing to develop my personal training acumen. He still continues to teach me specific workouts that I had previously done incorrectly. And he has taught me personal stretches that have allowed me to increase my efficiency in the gym. His overall approach to health and wellness training have allowed me to get a bigger picture of how to be more effective in my day-​to-​day activities.
He is always available for any questions or concerns I have. I would highly recommend Elements of Training to any of my close friends… I mean, Haig is the man — period.

I learned so much from my sessions with Haig. I was looking to reach a level of fitness that I was unable to reach on my own. Haig took the time to listen to my goals and answered all my questions and concerns. He genuinely takes an interest in his clients which I think sets him apart from other trainers. We went through my whole workout routine and he corrected my form and technique. His expertise really shows by being able to fine tune even the most basic weight lifting exercises. He also put me on a diet plan according to my goals, which I still follow to this day. With all this being said only 3 – 4 weeks into implementing Haig’s workout plan I started seeing progress! I’m looking forward to going back for my follow up sessions with him to track my progress. I’d say if you’re looking to invest in yourself and your health. Haig is the way to go!

I started working out with My trainer Haig about 3 months ago. Let me start by saying, this guy is GREAT! He had a solid sit-​down with me prior to my first work out– took about 30 minutes. He wanted to understand my goal and what I am there for. He wants to focus on the right areas and make sure we get maximum results. I was very hesitant at first considering the fact that I’ve never done work with trainers before, but being 33 years of age, I needed the motivation from somewhere.
So once he figured out his focal points and did his measurements, we were off to the races. He is not too pushy, but he is definitely not a softy. Which I think are perfect traits for a trainer. I have seen MASSIVE results in the short amount of time I’ve spent with him, and excited to see more results in the upcoming months. I would definitely recommend Haig at any level of training needs.

As an avid gym goer, I thought I would be stuck at a plateau forever. No matter what i tried to change up and do, nothing seemed to make a difference in weight, body fat or muscle definition. Then I was introduced to Haig and everything changed.
Haig was able to create a workout platform that was centralized around what my specific needs and goals were. Just within the first session, I learned that I was doing some exercises incorrectly! This came to a shock to me, as I had been doing them for years. My version of the plank, for example, could be held for 45 – 60 seconds. Haig’s correct version could barely be held for 5. With his knowledge base, Haig not only shares exercises with you, but truly focuses on the fundamentals of form. Soon after, I felt like I was even making Haig proud when I would catch and correct myself!
It is the little things that many trainers overlook that sets Haig apart from the rest. His motivational and professional demeanor towards his clients makes you want to keep working out and push yourself harder than you ever imagined. From texts, calls to emails, Haig makes you feel like he is on your journey with you. There were times I would question calories and meal related topics and Haig would promptly send me articles and videos filled with valuable information. He puts you as his number one priority and you definitely feel the positive end of that. Haig realizes that his clients are extremely busy and knows how to add fitness into their lifestyle and schedule.
I have only been working with Haig for a month now, but within that minimal timeframe, I have seen my body changed dramatically. Abs that I have not seen for a few years, are now becoming visible and my body has become more defined as a whole. I would have never been able to do this without Haig and I am beyond thankful for his guidance.
To have found a trainer that portrays such qualities is definitely rare. I would not trust my fitness and health with anyone else!

Its hard enough to find a good trainer, but I have found a trainer for life in Haig. I have been training with him for about three years now and its been fun to say the least.
Over the past three years I have gotten genuine personalized coaching from Haig. He cares about every aspect of my fitness and doesn’t put any limitations on the kind of service he provides. I would recommend him to anyone that is looking for a trainer that is really passionate about their job.
Anyways, today is my favorite day… Leg day

Let’s be completely honest, there are very many choices when it comes to hiring a personal trainer. I have first hand experience with this… I have worked with many personal trainers, all «specializing» in different methods of weight loss, training, strength building, etc…
My first meeting with Haig was very different from all of my previous experiences with trainers. Most of the trainers that I worked with were more interested in selling me as many sessions as possible without the genuine concern for my goals.
Note to trainers: **clients cant stand when you introduce different packages every 10 seconds every time they decline the previous package during an initial session. DON’T MAKE ME BUY YOUR PACKAGES!**
Haig sat with me and answered all of my questions, taught me some methods that I could utilize in order to keep track of my workouts and introduced a real «lifestyle» change plan for me that I never thought I could keep. He really surpassed my expectations, and this was only my first meeting with him!
The exercises are really catered to your needs. Haig constantly asks about every aspect of your life that may affect your goals (food, social life, stress, workouts). He gives you some extra workout routines to complete on your days off, and he even makes a spreadsheet for you to fill out, which he checks before your sessions in order to make sure that you are on the right track to success!
I worked with Haig for 6 months since January 2014. I have had a very serious knee injury and am very hesitant to do anything that requires pressure on my left knee. Haig was the first trainer to help me squat!!! It didn’t just stop there, I squatted 135 lbs… after practicing with lower weights, of course… just to think that I could not do 1 simple half squat before this. This is just one example of the knowledge that this guy has about training and how to human body works.
After losing weight and changing the composition of my body, I got a new job and enrolled in a doctorate program so I had to stop my gym sessions. WHAT A BIG MISTAKE! The weight came back, I had no motivation to go to the gym, and the stress levels doubled. I start back with Haig Tuesday. I couldn’t be more excited!!! Back on the right track and (I kind of miss being able to deadlift 225lbs). If I can fit in personal training hours to my schedule with a job, internship hours, and school, anyone can!
I HANDS DOWN recommend Haig to anyone trying to reach any fitness goals, whether it is to gain or lose weight, become stronger, or just live a healthier life. He is constantly attending seminars, and tries to get his clients to attend, as well. Give him a try, he is very knowledgeable, nice, entertaining, caring, and sometimes (just sometimes) a little strict… which is a good thing when trying to thin down.
Thanks Haig, you are amazing!!!

I began working with Haig Basmadjian 2 years ago. I would describe my sessions with Haig as custom tailored to meet my specific needs.
He implements ongoing assessments and makes adjust to the program as he sees necessary. He not only coaches me through my exercises but makes sure each and every one is being done correctly and explains the rationale behind it. I would describe Haig as patient, skilled and experienced. He is dedicated to what he does and brings his passion and dedication to each and every session.
In addition to being my trainer, he has also been instrumental in providing me with nutritional support. Between my training sessions and following his nutritional plan, I have lost weight and gained muscle mass, more importantly my body looks and I feel the best I have ever felt. I realize with even more commitment on my part, my outcome would only be exponential.

A friend referred me to Haig about a year ago. After seeing her results, I scheduled a consultation (which was free btw). I walked in expecting what I had experienced from other trainers in the past– but boy was I wrong. Let me say that Haig is more than just a personal trainer. He is very educated in nutrition and knows a lot about proper body movements/​function, and what movements during exercises will leave you with injuries. I had been doing squats and lunges wrong for so many years! He has corrected my form and taught me how to manage my diet without depriving myself. The time he puts into each client truly shows in the results. I’m still training 4x a week and I don’t plan on stopping. He’s taught me how to add fitness into my lifestyle and I couldn’t be happier with my results. Plus the Burbank location is great– it is a clean and private gym in a great location. Haig is the best investment I’ve made to my health.

I’ve worked with many trainers in the past to help me rehab after a car accident, but none have come near to the results I’ve achieved while working with Haig. I started training with Haig 3 years ago and continue to see him three days a week as an ongoing investment in my health.
Haig’s personality: Happy, positive, genuine, kind, fun, trust worthy and respectful. He can’t help but care about you as a whole person and takes your progress personally.
What makes Haig different: Haig is passionate about getting results for his clients and has the experience to know what works for each body type. He stays on top of all the certifications, scientific research studies and trends. He is able to explain how/​why each exercise will benefit you and makes sure you’re working the correct muscles. He intuitively knows exactly how much I can handle, when to push and when to back off. Every session is specifically designed for what I need, no two sessions are identical.
Results: I’ve graduated from zero workouts per week to 3 strength training & 3 cardio days a week. My entire lifestyle has completely changed to incorporate better nutrition and fitness leading me to lose about 16% of my body weight. Other than weight, my posture, cardio capacity, strength, muscle tone, and flexibility have all improved drastically. I’ve had a lot of challenges along the way, but Haig tailored my nutrition plan & workouts to accommodate all sorts of allergies, injuries, and ailments. Simply put, he’s THE BEST.
Feel free to message me if you have any questions!

I started training with Haig about 6 months ago. I wasn’t fat but I wanted to look more defined. I told him how some work outs make my lower body get bulky rather than slim and that I wanted to fix it. With all my requests he knew the right work outs for my body. All of the exercises I always thought I was doing correct were actually incorrect for my body type. He’s taught me how important it is to have the right form with my exercises, and how to incorporate overall health and fitness in my daily life. He truly is an awesome trainer!

So this is how you know Haig is the real deal and this review is too…
Well first, I saved my very first review on Unilocal for this man! Which means it took a lot for me to take the time to write this and yes, he’s so worth it. But moving in from my little Unilocaling experience…
Haig and I have been working together on and off for about over two years now. The reason it’s been on and off because every time I’ve walked away from him and tried other things I realize what an idiot I am and how much Haig makes the difference in achieving longterm results and I always come crawling back and he’s always taken me back with open arms ready to get down to business.
There are so many different trainers out there that can give you results, but how many of those are true teachers of the «elements of training» that can equip you with the knowledge to sustain you for lifetime tools and have a successful lifestyle change? Haig is not all about starving you and putting you through torture just to make the pounds go down, (literally you can eat ice cream on his program!) though if you begged him he can probably do that for you, but because of his multitudes of certifications but more importantly years of studying scientifically proven biochemistry and the human body and how to safely change ones body makeup/​metabolism, his sessions are such a good investment, not detestable, and super injury safe worry free!!! This man is VERY VERY reasonable for everything you get out of him, if not a FREAKING STEAL!
The other rave I’m gonna blast about Haig is me vouching for his ridiculous character as a coach and his epic human spirit. Not only does he personally follow up on you and does his check ins like any other trainer, but he goes beyond what is asked for and seeks to ensure your whole mind, body, and spirit are all in a good place because he strongly believes that all those things are connected. He’s also just an awesome human being because he personally went and bought me these macro low carb cutting tortillas from his local grocery store because I couldn’t find them after visiting a million Ralphs! I mean who does that?!?
My point being, Haig is an overall winner because the return on investment you get from him and will give you way more than what most trainers will give you in so many aspects and I’ve had many trainers all around. So you’re probably wondering am I changed for life? Absolutely! Within a short amount of time not only did I cut my fat percentage by a third, but I honestly could have just took all that he equipped me with and continued it on my own (which by the way makes him such a clutch trainer because he teaches you to be self sustaining and not just one of those trainers you’re completely dependent on to get results) BUT, I chose to continue with Haig because you kinda don’t wanna give him up once you got him. So before I become a broken record for this guy, I’ll just close saying give him just one meeting and you won’t be disappointed. Feel free to even msg me here if you’re hesitant!
P. S. He’s a SMILEY trainer!!! Meaning there’s nothing to be afraid of and he will make your day!