Elissa Hyman is a fitness consultant, personal trainer and private gym owner with 25 years of professional experience. For the past 14 years she has owned and operated Elissa's Personal Best, a private facility on the upper east side of New York. In addition to her extensive experience, Elissa's credentials include a Masters Degree from Columbia University in Exercise Physiology and various certifications including Aerobic Instructor, Personal Trainer,Pre and Post Natal, and Pilates Mat Instructor. Elissa's client base is both men and women, 13 to 85, athletes, brides, corporate executives, dancers, new mothers, Upper East Side divas and everyone who wants to feel and look their best. Her workouts incorporate a broad spectrum including (but not limited to) Aerobic Circuit Training, Boot Camp, Pilates Mat, Plyometrics and Traditional Strength Training. House calls are welcome!
Amazing Personal Trainer
by S0200
Elissa's workouts are always fun. She tailors each
workout to my individual needs and goals. She
listens and cares about my fitness goals and even
plays the music that I like, which motivates me during our workouts and makes me look forward to our next session. I always leave smiling, Elissa is the best!
I am extremely pleased with my results., Thank you
Elissa.
Pros: Many
Cons: None
Posted 10/31/09
100% Motivation!
by UES1970
Elissa is full of life and energy. Eliisa's Personal Best (EPB) is the place to be if you want something personal and catered to your specific workout needs. She'll help you determine achievable goals and will make sure you reach them. TOTALLY recommended!!!!
Posted 10/31/09
Best Gym on the UES
by ariez164
I have been working out with Elissa for over two years and I can not say enough great things about her. Elissa's gym is spotless and private. She customizes routines based on her client's needs and I do not think I have done the same routine twice. Elissa keeps me motivated to stay healthy!
Pros: Clean and Professional
Cons: None
Posted 10/29/09
Building is awful
by Me234
Never worked out here but if the basement is as full of cahckroeches (this review won't let me spell the actual word) as my apartment is, I can't imagine anyone would want to workout here.
In fact, I have been working out for 15 years, and I'm scared of the basement where the gym is.
Philip Mamos is the landlord.
Pros: None
Cons: Tons
Posted 08/17/09
best personal trainer!
by kibs
i have been working out with Elissa for a while now to get in shape for my wedding. she is a fantastic trainer with tons of experience. not only does she make me feel comfortable but she has really motivated me to get in better shape! her gym doesn't have that big uncomfortable feel to it and for once i finally feel comfortable working out. Thank you!!
Posted 03/24/08
Best Training Diva on the UES!
by StephanieGbride2be
I've been training with Elissa for the about 5 months now. The reason I had started was so that I could tone up for my wedding. She toned me up and now after my wedding I have continued her routines and have continued our sessions. Elissa has structured routines which changed each session and are fun as well as challenging. I saw results a week after beginning and keep seeing my body change after each session. She knows what she's doing and she's worth every penny!!
Update 10/16/2009:
My wedding came and went and I was in the best shape of my life. I'm now 9 months pregnant (2 years later), due to give birth Nov. 8th 2009. Elissa is prenatal certified and has been training me through the entire pregnancy. My friends and family can't get over how great I look. Even with the extra 30 pounds I'm carrying, which is pretty much all around my mid-section, I still feel strong and energized. I thought by now I'd be super tired and lethargic, but with Elissa's routines and lots of walking I'm still as energized as ever. 3 more weeks to go and I'm still doing the routines and feeling great!
Pros: prenatal certified
Posted 01/19/08
Best Personal Trainer
by sbp1021
Elissa is an incredible trainer!
I?ve been with her for almost two years now and have seen great changes in my appearance. She is professional and personable at the same time and is always accommodating to varying schedules. Elissa fine-tunes each workout to fit clients wants and needs. Her ?boot camp? sessions are amazing and she personalizes them to work out my target areas. I am happy to be a member of ?team best.? Thanks Elissa for all that you do!
Pros: individualized work outs, small gym, never crowded
Cons: non
Posted 01/16/08
Great Trainer!!
by jnr99
I love Elissa!! She has a great setup with a great variety of equipment. She keeps you moving and is constantly changing the routine. She is a great motivator and time flies when you are with her!! I love the fact that she is very accomodating to my work schedule and has found time in her schedule to train with me. The gym is clean and there is a shower so you dont have to leave all sweaty. Elissa is very down to earth, knows what she is doing and produces results! She is so much fun to talk to as well. Definitely get on board with Elissa--you will be fit, healthy and happy!!
Pros: Lots of equipement, value, clean space, great trainer
Cons: non
Posted 02/07/07
long time member
by mcl3
I have been a member of the gym since it opened. And, I have been a personal training client of the owner, Elissa, for several years. The gym consists of several rooms so that training and work-out sessions are not crowded. There is seldom a wait for equipment, mainly because Elissa and the other trainers coordinate schedules. The other trainers and members are friendly, considerate, and serious about working out. Elissa is an extremely skilled trainer, with extensive experience in the field. Her work-outs are creative, challenging and varied. She puts her heart and soul into her work and it shows.
Posted 08/28/05
User review by soon
by soon
Elissa is one of the best, most knowledgeable and professional trainers I have come into
contact with during my years of exercising. No wonder, Elissa has a masters in applied
physiology from Columbia University. Elissa has a great smile and is in amazing shape, she certainly practices what she preaches. Elissa is truly an inspiration.
Because Elissa is so warm and friendly, I always look forward to my next workout. The workouts are very diversified, Elissa plans out the sessions to vary from day to day.
I am never bored. My workout results haver been amazing, the inches are melting
away. She also trains my husband. I would highly recommend Elissa to clients of all
ages, from beginners to advanced, male or female.
Posted 08/26/05
as a trainer...
by benefitmir
I am a successful personal trainer and was so fortunate to have stumbled into Elissa's gym 3 years ago! she doesn't actually have 'staff'- she is a one woman show!! I have found Elissa's to be a wonderful place to train my clients for many reasons- not the least of which is that we are all working for each other in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere. I love being a 'partner' of sorts. I love that all the equipment I need is available, and though the gym is small the space is remarkably utilized and there is plenty of floor space for stretching and classes. And to make matters MORE appealing- the price is right! This is what Elissa loves to do- so the price reflects her love for her art.
Pros: love of fitness!, friendly vibes!, great 'staff'!!!
Posted 12/28/04
Can't quit this place!
by scorpione11764
First let me start by saying that I am not a staff member!! I have been a member of Elissa's Personal Best since 2002 and find it down to earth no frills for those who are SERIOUS about a good workout or personal training session. I receive compliments all the time for being fit and I owe it all to Elissa personally because she has been my personal trainer for the past 2 years and a great inspiration to stay fit!! I would reccomend this gym to those who want a more private workout which bigger gyms can't offer. I love this place and wouldn't go anywhere else! Its clean, good trainers, sufficient workout space and equipment, what else do you need in a gym??
Posted 11/15/04
Good Gym, Good Price
by shirleygirl
Elissa's gym is a clean, modern exercise room at a very reasonable price. It is this combination of size and price that drew me to it and that is what keeps me a member after six months. The equipment is top notch and there are few members to compete with. I have never gone this long with a club and that says it all.
Pros: Price, Equipment, Size
Posted 08/18/02
Excellent
by beverlyo
I find that Elissa's perfectly matches my requirements for a great, personal gym. Not only are the facilities "top-notch", but the staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. I feel like I can truly realize my personal training goals in an atmosphere that fosters excellence and awareness in fitness. Thanks Elissa!
Posted 08/18/02
best workout in town
by reneedee
I have been a member of many health clubs and have had my share of personal trainers,but in my experience Elissa is the most professional and knowledgeable of all the trainers I have had. Her gym is clean,well equipped,and of couse by appt. only.Her emphasis is on getting in shape and staying that way.If you are serious about working out and not just looking for a juice bar and conversation,then this is the place for you.
Pros: goals discussed, personal programs
Posted 08/16/02
Best Little Gym in Town
by temp1965
Ellissa's is a gym with an intimate setting. It is stocked with all the modern equipment you would want. Since one-on-one training is the main focus, hours are reserved. However, for a general monthly user like myself, I have never experienced any problems with using the facility at any time and accessing any of the equipment. Matteroffact, much of the time, I am there with only a couple others making the experience most pleasurable and not intimidating at all. The monthly cost is downright cheap for Manhattan and the trainers are all top notch, especially the owner Ellissa, who still takes on clients of her own. This is the first club that has allowed me to feel comfortable enough working out to actually stick with it. A+
Pros: Professional, Inexpensive, Non-intimidating
Cons: None I have found
Posted 08/14/02