Testimonials
For more than a decade, Arron Muhammad, Mr. TNT has been helping change and save lives through his unique, custom fitness training programs. Below are lots of comments from people of all walks of life and a few photos from many of his clients.
A gift from God
First, a brief history—I am 38 years old and I have been overweight for at least 20 years. I have also been yo-yo dieting for practically all of them.
After this last episode, I almost gave up on losing these excess pounds and inches. On July 31, 2000, I decided to attempt this one last time. I felt that if I didn’t do it NOW, I wasn’t going to do it at all. I was that frustrated.
Having read countless magazine articles about the weight loss success stories of others, I realized that strength training was one of the components missing from my previous weight loss attempts. Therefore when I, somewhat apprehensively, joined Bally’s I also decided to sign up or a personal training. I knew that I would need something (or someone) to get me there on a regular basis.
Enter Arron Muhammad
I firmly believe that your presence is a gift from God and His answer to my prayer. I have learned more from you in the past two months than I did during my 20 years of trial and error dieting. You not only know about strength training, you’re also knowledgeable about the role that cardio, correct eating patterns, fluid intake and that use of supplements play in this pursuit of physical fitness.
I never really thought of myself as strong. Nor could I see myself lifting weights. I feel so much better! (after that initial couple of weeks). I am constantly amazed at the amount of weight that I am able to lift, now. As compared to when I first started. It is obvious that personal training is more than “just a job” to you. You continually demonstrate that you are concerned about the whole person—physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Despite my lack of enthusiasm, at times, you remain persistent. You constantly encourage and remind me of the benefits that are yet to come. I am very pleased with the results that I’m seeing already. I thank God that He directed me to Bally’s on 47th St. at this particular time in my life. Thank you for your dedication, expertise, availability and demeanor. Making that commitment to work with you has been one of the best decisions I have made in my life. Delores Reed Smith
Read two more testimonies from Delores. Arron Knows Best and The Benefits of Training Part 2
Before Mr. TNT
12 Weeks with Mr. TNT
What will 6 months with Mr. TNT produce?
I met Arron through a strange set of circumstances. I was fortunate enough to be a quick guest on The Steve Harvey Show a few months ago for the hilarious “Ask Steve” segment. I was in a relationship that amplified some insecurities I had held about my body image for most of my pubescent life. In modern society, a man’s athletic build is often associated with his masculinity and general status or societal class.
My 5’10” dad didn’t weigh more than 150 lbs until he passed the age of 40. Genetics, a super effective metabolism and, most likely, my habitual over-thinking were all against me in my struggle to gain weight – that’s right, I said GAIN weight. This problem is usually met with scrutiny rather than sympathy since so many Americans struggle with obesity. Regardless, any time I saw a grown older man or looked in the mirror, at pictures of myself, or even at my shadow, I felt like I was a little 16 year-old boy instead of a man.
I am a bottomless pit - I was always eating whatever and whenever I could. I live a very active lifestyle. I practice yoga. I was working out occasionally and drinking protein shakes. Nevertheless, I couldn’t gain weight or build muscle.
Steve Harvey surprised me when my little “Ask Steve” question turned into a 6-month session with his personal trainer Arron Muhammad. Arron and I are about halfway through our 6 months. The first few weeks we spent rigorously learning proper form, body alignment, and technique in the gym. He learned what weight I was capable of lifting in various exercises and he began to tailor our workouts specifically to my body.
Consistently showing up to lift weights with Arron hasn’t been a problem at all for me, as I’m committed to the goal of getting a more athletic build – my ultimate goal is to be able to fill in a men’s medium size shirt! By far the most difficult task of this process has been meeting Arron’s nutrition guidelines. It’s hard to avoid carbs after 3pm. It’s hard to never consume alcoholic beverages. It’s hard to get enough protein every day. It’s hard to have a regular eating time 3 times a day. All of those seemingly simple tasks have proven much more difficult than waking up at 5 in the morning to go repeatedly push and pull heavy weight away from the force of gravity. But I feel good and I’ve been receiving encouraging feedback from my close friends and family.
Arron has been a brilliant trainer who doesn’t even need to raise his voice to get you to finish a set…his genuine passion for health and fitness and his personal attention radiates in such a way that you are encouraged to push yourself harder each and every day. I’m excited to continue my journey with Arron to the end of our 6-month deadline. Nick Hankins
Learning from a master
Master Trainer Arron Muhammad countless hours of six sets, 10 to 15 reps, 5 to 7 days a week, and no carbs after 1pm, is how we formed my physique. After observing his style of training, I approached him for help. I only wanted to be a bit stronger, but then I became addicted to the sweet affliction of sore muscles. Admiring his physique, I anxiously awaited my transformation so did what he told me without question and within no time I could see the fruits of my labor. I believe the first thing I noticed is the way my back began to take shape. Oh, how I loved the back day minus the dreaded chin-ups! Then my delta showed up followed by bis and tris.
However, my legs and abs where last but not least. Because of my progress Arron suggested that I train for a bodybuilding show which was right in line with my desire as well. That’s when things became truly intense. Contrary to popular belief, I can eat and my food logs proved it. Hence, my diet had to change; being a vegetarian is like an oxy moron for bodybuilding. It’s hard to balance protein intake, equivalent to your body weight without meat however, it can be done. We disagreed daily about what I should be eating or should I say what I was going to eat and eventually I just gave in and relinquished control to my trainer and was trained for success. The more I worked with Arron the stronger I became. He taught me form and technique along with the best way to get the most out of my workouts.
Training for my first competition was truly grueling on my mental and physical state. Carb and water depletion, muscle cramps, fatigue, extra supplements, high protein meals, protein shakes and bars coupled with a wick attitude made me unbearable at times. After it was all said and done, November 11, 2001 we took 2nd place in Rockford, IL. Then six weeks later December 22, we took 1st place in novice, open and overall in show at the Ironman.
It may be not be everyone's desire to body build, but certainly we all want to look our very best and that's what it's all about; being the best that you can be on a personal level. Although I am a driven individual, without Arron to guide me from start to finish, there is no way that I would have been as successful as I was and am. Therefore, I must thank Arron and his family for their support and faith in me.
Humbly yours, La'Drisssa Bonivel, CPT
More than 220lbs
Six months training; incredible decrease in waist
What will the next few months bring?
Eating to lift and live
Before I can fully express the appreciation I have for Arron Muhammad, my personal trainer for the past seven months, I must express what sparked this incredible journey for me that is still going, but presently has me enjoying being physically and mentally stronger and having the energy I had in my 20s.
My path to aging well started with my mother and grandmother gave me a great health and fitness foundation. Then, as a young adult, I was introduced to How to Eat to Live Books 1 and 2, written by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad that took my understanding of health and nutrition to new heights. As I implemented the principles I discovered in these two books, I had lots of energy, alertness and I rarely got sick. Well, something happened to me on the way to optimum health.
Before anyone could say, “Toure Muhammad looks good to be 40-years-old,” I started falling away from all that I knew to be right. I started eating lots of sugary, processed and fried foods. I fell into other bad eating habits and my weight shot up from roughly 165 pounds in my 20s to 240 pounds in my 30s.
I tried to get my health mojo back by myself. I ran up and down the lakefront in the summer, I joined a gym and lifted weights in the winter an even ran a marathon. I went on food fasts not eating for days and weeks at a time. My weight would drop and then rise again. I was determined not to weigh more than 200 pounds when I turned 40. Despite my efforts, when I started training with Arron I weighed 222 pounds at the age of 43. Since he knew I was a believer in the books, my first assignment, before even touching a weight was to re-read How to Eat to Live.
This brother has helped me get back on track and through his knowledge of how to apply How to Eat to Live, his experience in weight lifting, and his patience, no-nonsense, focused, always teaching and training manner has recalibrated my thinking and doing. I so appreciate the way he gives instruction on proper technique to both prevent injury and to maximize my time with him. And when I did slightly injure my lower back he took great care to ensure that it didn’t turn into something major and I didn’t miss any time in the gym though his counsel on what exercising I should avoid and the nutrition I needed to help my body recover. Despite the injury I moved an entire apartment, kept up my workout regimen and have not experienced even the slightest pain. And, on top of that, after six months with Arron Muhammad, finally at 44 years of age, I weigh 189!
Arron is a trainer’s trainer. Anyone who spends time with him will learn how the body processes carbs and protein; how the body works and why we start gaining weight; how the body regulates and adjusts itself based on how you allow food to communicate with it, and much more. I believe I know more than most personal trainers now and the crazy part is that it’s really not that complicated. Arron freely shares his knowledge of building muscle, losing fat, natural nutritional supplements and injury prevention. Not only I have been ears; but now I have less fat and more muscle because of it.
Toure Muhammad, June 2014
Arron is the absolute best
I have had many personal trainers in my life but none of them have made the impact in me that Aaron has. Space Aaron focused on my nutrition, training me to eat the right foods at the right time. Not only has he help me to lose nearly 50 pounds in less than six months--he has help me change my relationship with food. As he guides me in preparation for my first figure competition I am confident that the tools he has given me would be with me forever.
Sheila Butler, personal, hand written letter
I can count on both hands how many trainers I have had in my life...how many certifications I myself hold...I could tell you about all the diet pills I've ingested...about the countelss hours of cardio I've done...about all the smoothie...only eat this...only eat that diets I've done... OR I could just say that my trainer, Arron Muhammad is the absolute best.
Sheila Buter, Facebook Post, August 2015
This is the man that taught me how to workout (and how to Box) when I was 17!!! Back then, he was voted "Best Trainer in Chicago" multiple years in a row. He is 58 years old and can still kick my ass lol. My first real mentor! Brandon Carter
Read from More of Mr. TNT's Clients
More incredible, authentic testimonies from a few of Mr. TNT's clients.
Losing weight has been one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. It wasn’t just about the weight, I’ve learned so much about myself…The day my weight fell below 190 pounds, I cried. Read more. Elizabeth Anthony
“Arron is very informed and demonstrates careful thought in the planning of exercises. Each exercise has been thought through for its benefit to me as a part of a progressive program." Thomas Trabasso
“Arron teaches us things that will last a lifetime. He teaches his clients that fitness is a lifestyle—not just something we do on the days we work out.” Read their poem.
Mr. Muhammad has helped me transform myself from a 126-pound weakling into a 110-pound fat burning machine. Results are the best motivator and after only two months, my body is considerably more toned and defined and my energy level has greatly increased.
From the beginning, my physicians commented on what great shape I’m in. They were pleased to be working with a patient who is toned and strong. During the surgery, I was absolutely stable. But it’s after the surgery that I felt the huge pay-off of our months of work.
“Arron stresses the importance of nutrition, and more importantly the impact of the mind, that one can do whatever one sets one’s mind to do. I actually look forward to going to the gym now, and I never I would say that!” Gail Dennis
His skill and experience in physical training is exceptional and he is an excellent teacher and coach. In only three months, Arron has started me well along the road of weight loss and strength gain. He has a wonderful style of motivating with quiet encouragement.
Arron has helped me to lose approximately 30 pounds. I have gone from a size 10 to a size 4 and lost approximately 10% of my initial body fat. Arron’s commitment to his clients’ health and fitness is so genuine that I’ve come to view him as a personal role model.
Arron listened to what I was saying and he adjusted the workout accordingly. I was Arron is very knowledgeable about weight training and nutrition. I was imporesed that Arron has the skills and the knowledge base to adapt to my requests so quicly. Arron is very conscious of safety issues. He’s always talking about how to prevent injury and to avoid over-training my body.
I am extremely pleased with the training I have received over the past several months from personal trainer Mr. Arron Muhammad.
Approximately nine months ago I became ill and was out of work on sick leave for months recovering from a much needed surgical procedure. During this time, I realized for the first time in my life I was obese. However, as I type this letter I’ve lost 40lbs thanks to your advice and I’m no longer on blood pressure medication. Clay Perry
I attribute much of my progress to Arron’s skill as a trainer in gradually increasing the level of intensity suitable for one in his seventies, while being careful in avoiding injuries. I have come to realize that his instruction is based on a firm understanding of the physiology of the body and the interaction of the various muscle groups. He also has an extensive understanding of proper nutrition and vitamin supplements, based on his own prior business experience managing a health food store.
Mr. Muhammad has shared with me the secret to eating healthier, looking bête, and hopefully living longer. …I lost 16lbs in less than four weeks. Simon McCune