Debra D. Williams
At Capacity

Debra D. Williams

  • Training Style Coach
  • Years Experience 5-10 years
  • Location Philadelphia, PA United States

SPECIALIZES IN

Aerobics, Bicycling, Bodybuilding/Body sculpting, Functional training, Group exercise techniques, Older adults, Kettlebells, Strength & Endurance Training

Certifications

Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, CPR

About Me

My journey into fitness and wellness began in 2001. After receiving news from my doctor that I had HYPERTENSION (high blood pressure) that needed to be controlled with medication, I knew that I had to make healthy lifestyle changes. Not only did I have hypertension, I was OVERWEIGHT, had HIGH CHOLESTEROL and a family history of STROKE and DIABETES. Instead of medication, I got permission from my doctor to choose an IMPROVED DIET, INCREASE my PHYSICAL ACTIVITY and perform WEIGHT TRAINING. This approach had positive results. I have maintained a 50-pound weight loss, have better heart and blood health, and have improved my overall fitness level. My new lifestyle motivated me to get fitness certifications and become a personal trainer. I wanted to give the gift of fitness to others by leading fitness classes and meeting with clients one-on-one. I had a personal trainer when I started my fitness journey and it was the best investment I've ever made. I support any effort or initiative that aims to increase public knowledge and awareness of the importance and value of leading a healthy lifestyle. In addition to my personal training certification with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), I am also a certified Spinning® instructor and have a group exercise certification with the Aerobics & Fitness Assoc. of America (AFAA). When not meeting with personal training clients, I lead Spinning® classes, a Total Body Conditioning (TBC) class and Group Circuit Training classes in Philadelphia where I live and work full-time at The University of Pennsylvania. I am also an alum of UPenn where I earned my B.A., M.A. and Ed.D. In my spare time, I like hanging out with family, going to local flea markets, going grocery shopping (yes...I like grocery shopping!), cooking from recipes or creating my own healthy meals, going to the movies, attending plays, concerts, and going to museums. I also like to sometimes just do nothing and watch mindless TV. I also like to read but finding time to do so is challenging.

My Training Philosophy

My training philosophy is "when the student is ready the teacher will appear." In other words, my philosophy and style are based on the belief that clients who are READY to make a lifestyle change and choose health and fitness as a priority have a better chance of success in attaining their fitness goals. The "teacher" is the personal trainer." You can't start an exercise program for someone else. Well, you can but in the end, I believe that if it's not what YOU want to do for yourself, you may have a hard time staying committed to the work needed to reach your goal.

How I Can Help You

I can help clients lose weight, gain strength and endurance and gain flexibility. I can also help clients make exercising fun by mixing up their fitness routines and setting benchmark goals.

My Specialties

My specialties include: 1. strength training 2. instruction that focuses on making a mind/body connection when executing any exercise move 3. functional fitness exercises that simulate real life movements 4. body weight exercises 5. Spinning instructor 6. Group fitness instructor 7. Group circuit/interval class instructor

Education

  • Univ of Penn, Ed.D., 2010
  • Univ. of Penn, M.A., 1997
  • Univ. of Penn, B.A., 1993