HOWL Fitness - Los Angeles, California

Genie

Photo 1: January 2024
Photo 2: August 2024

Before working with Ethan, I was stuck in a cycle of sporadic, ineffective gym attempts. My fitness journey was inconsistent—a few weeks here and there, with no real progress. Everything changed when I committed to weekly personal training sessions with Ethan from January to August last year.

What sets Ethan apart is his holistic approach to fitness. He didn't just design workouts; he educated me. I learned the science behind fitness—how muscles develop, the role of nutrition, and the importance of calories and protein. More importantly, he helped me understand that true transformation isn't about temporary fixes, but about integrating a sustainable, balanced lifestyle.

Ethan's expertise shines in his adaptability. When I dealt with sprains or aches, he skillfully modified our training, ensuring I could continue progressing while safely recovering. This personalized approach kept me motivated and injury-free.

The results speak for themselves: I lost 73 pounds and reduced my body fat percentage by approximately 16%. But the real victory was that I've gained the knowledge and confidence to design my own workouts and make informed nutrition choices. Ethan didn't just help me lose weight—he empowered me to take control of my health.

What truly distinguishes Ethan is his practical wisdom. He understands that perfection is the enemy of progress. While he always explains the optimal approach, he's realistic about life's complexities. His method focuses on foundational basics that create meaningful, lasting change—whether you're a complete beginner like I was or someone with existing fitness experience.

I wholeheartedly recommend Ethan and Howl Fitness to anyone seeking more than just a workout. If you want a comprehensive approach to fitness that integrates seamlessly into your life, provides personalized attention, and helps you become the best version of yourself, this is it. This isn't about a quick fix—it's about sustainable, balanced transformation.

Also, if you’re lucky, Ethan will perform silly dances to entertain you while you’re grunting your way through a drop-set.

David Siegel

I've worked with several trainers over the years and Ethan is by far the best. He comes up with great programs targeted to my specific needs, keeps things interesting, and most importantly, he gets results. Many years of sitting at a computer wrecked my posture and I've seen huge improvements with Ethan's help.

What's most impressed me is Ethan's ability to solve issues that previous trainers and physical therapists had no idea how to solve using his fundamental understanding of anatomy and body mechanics.

Pablo Lee

I spent 5 years trying to fix my chronic back pain. I saw physical therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, and even someone with healing crystals (I was desperate). One year working with Ethan and my back is the best it's been in years.

What makes Ethan special is that he's basically a human Swiss Army knife of fitness: part trainer, part massage therapist, and part body mechanics encyclopedia. Our sessions are holistic, mixing strength training, mobility work, self-massage, and pain management exercises. Ethan's super easygoing, and somehow makes challenging workouts enjoyable.

The results speak for themselves: I'm stronger, healthier, in less pain, and can even do the Asian squat now (though I'm slightly ashamed a white person had to teach me how). But perhaps most shocking is that I, as someone who hates exercise, actually look forward to our sessions now, which is nothing short of miraculous.

Robbin Steif

I had to leave my former personal trainer because his new facility was too far from my house, but I really grieved that decision - I just loved him personally. I never believed I would find someone that I was as happy with. But life is strange, and not only do I like Ethan, I have learned what it means to work with an *outstanding* trainer. Someone who gets down on the floor, puts his hand under your back and says “OK I want to feel your back gripping my hand with each rep.” Someone who shows you the difference between number of reps vs the amount of weight you are lifting. And someone who knows the body so well that he can do a back massage that wipes out the pain you accidentally self-inflicted. #BestPersonalTrainer

Puck Markham

I have been seeing Ethan for training and bodywork since early 2023, following some serious health and mobility issues. These workouts have been slightly different than traditional strength focused sessions. Ethan is client focused, knowledgeable, a great communicator, caring and fun. He mixes things up yet is focused on progressing specific goals. He is definitely not a ‘one size fits all’ trainer. He has helped me get stronger and improve my mobility. I look forward to continuing our sessions and would highly recommend him for anyone looking for a more bespoke training experience. Howl!

Gabriel Kahana

I have had the pleasure of working with Ethan for almost two years with both massage and training. His understanding of the body is second to none. He has helped me both manage my pain with body work and help my gain muscle with training. His focus on form is diligent and he has also helped me lose weight with his nutritional advice. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to improve their health and fitness.

Colin Carter

I’m a pretty active guy that isn’t new to the gym, but there are some exercises that I've lacked confidence with. When I reached out to Ethan at HOWL Fitness, we had a chat about my normal workout routine and where I felt I could use a helping hand. From the outset, Ethan understood my specific goals—to learn and perfect barbell lifts with proper form as I venture into heavier weights. To that end, he's crafted programs that zone in on areas I'm keen to enhance.

What I appreciate about working with Ethan is his understanding of my motivations. I'm not in search of someone to merely keep me accountable; I'm committed to honing my form, expanding my range of motion, and building strength. Ethan gets that and tailors our sessions to that ethos.

His deep professional understanding of fitness, the human body, and its anatomy is evident in every training session. It's rare to find a trainer who can articulate the nuances of exercises, but Ethan excels in this.

Moreover, his knack for gauging just how much to push his trainees is remarkable. There have been instances where I've doubted my capacity to handle a particular exercise or weight, but with Ethan's motivation, I've often surpassed my own expectations.

On a personal note, Ethan's easy to converse with, making our sessions both productive and enjoyable. Above all, I trust him. There's a sense that he genuinely wants me to achieve my goals, that he’s always looking out for me, and that he knows just how hard to push.

If you're serious about your fitness journey and seek a knowledgeable, understanding, and motivating guide, there’s nobody I’d recommend more than Ethan at HOWL Fitness.

Amanda Star

Ethan is an excellent trainer and I can’t recommend Howl highly enough! His knowledge of anatomy is unparalleled, and it makes a huge difference in how my body looks and feels after working with him. He’s also been super helpful in navigating the various aches and pains that come from working out, and helping me become strong without injury.