The Practice
Train. Learn. Listen.
A coaching method built around how your body actually moves, learns, and recovers. Find the part of the practice you need.
The Practice
A coaching method built around how your body actually moves, learns, and recovers. Find the part of the practice you need.
Real people who decided strength was worth building — and what changed when they did.
Clients who came in with injuries, chronic pain, and doubt — and trained their way to stronger, more capable bodies.
David is amazing. He looked at my current fitness level and developed a program that is spot on. I am always encouraged to meet my goals, but never at a progression that is unrealistic. I have persistent pain and arthritis from a past injury/surgery, as well as chronic knee and hip pain. David is great at finding alternative exercises when needed — and recognizing when movement and strength are more beneficial to a particular issue. My knee and hip pain have decreased significantly since working with him. I highly recommend him to anyone, regardless of age or current fitness level.— Becky M.
I have severe scoliosis that caused me moderate to severe pain every single day for several years. I tried various trainers, physical therapists, and a plethora of other treatments, including pain meds — none of it provided lasting relief. Then one of my doctors suggested I meet with David. After a couple of months I noticed a tremendous increase in strength and flexibility, and I started having pain-free days — something I hadn't had in years. Now, every day is a pain-free day. If you're sick and tired of being in pain, ask David for help.— Vince B.
I have been working with David for several months, and as a result I am stronger, with increased endurance in both my upper and lower body. I feel great, with more energy. David is personable, professional, and results-driven. In my mind he is an industry changer, because not only does he hold the credentials to be a trainer, but he's also a Doctor of Physical Therapy — so you get an evidence-based program. I was suffering from significant knee pain with limited mobility, and I am now pain free with very little limitation.— Deborah W.
After almost three years of constant Achilles tendonitis pain — thousands of dollars on stem-cell injections, shockwave treatments, four different physical therapists, and completely stopping running — I was certain I needed surgery. I'd even found a surgeon. Then I saw David for one last opinion, and I'm so thankful I did. His methodology is completely different than anyone I'd seen, and my pain reduced within weeks. Three months later, I'm back to running. For stubborn injuries, when it feels like there's no hope, go see David for ‘one last opinion.’— Melissa W.
My highest recommendation for David, and this is why. He listens: he modifies exercises to my capabilities for the day and watches to be sure movement is helping, not harming. He's creative: as a physical therapist, he builds exercises that are fun, innovative, and productive for balance, strength, and endurance. And he's positive: I love lifting, but with Rheumatoid Arthritis my abilities fluctuate. David always points out what I can do, and helps me do more than I thought I could. I highly recommend David as a personal trainer.— Judy H.
After back surgery, I went from wondering if I'd ever train normally again to building strength and confidence I hadn't thought possible. For two years David has guided that process with expertise, patience, and a stupid amount of optimism. He has the unique ability to be encouraging, demanding, supportive, and mildly annoying all at the same time — which is probably why his clients get results. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone serious about improving their health, physique, and quality of life.— Jeremy T.
— Kaitlyn S., Patient & Pain-Management ProviderAs both a patient and a medical provider working in pain management, I can confidently say that Dr. David Skolnik, DPT is the first person I trust for rehabilitation, strength training, and injury prevention — and the person I confidently refer others to.
My journey with him started after a serious gym injury that left me with an L5–S1 disc bulge: severe pain, numbness, and burning down my right leg. I initially made progress with physical therapy and even two lumbar epidural steroid injections, but as someone who works in pain management, I knew injections weren't a long-term solution. I wanted to address the root cause and become stronger — and that's exactly what Dr. David helped me accomplish.
Instead of simply treating pain, he taught me how to move through it safely and progressively build strength, with individualized programming that adapted to every stage of my recovery, including flare-ups. He understood the anatomy, biomechanics, and healing process well enough to modify my program around major abdominal surgery and multiple other injuries, always meeting me where I was and guiding me back to full strength.
Today I'm doing things I never thought I'd do again — trap bar deadlifting over 250 pounds, pressing ~40-pound dumbbells, running far greater distances without pain. The biggest transformation hasn't just been physical strength; it's been regaining trust in my body.
There are plenty of trainers who can write a workout. Very few have the clinical knowledge and ability to adapt training around injuries, surgeries, and chronic pain the way Dr. David does. After almost five years with him, in person and online, I wouldn't trust anyone else with my rehabilitation or my training. I recommend him without hesitation to anyone looking not just to recover from pain, but to build a stronger body for life.
The secret of getting ahead is getting started. Whatever your goals are, working with a coach is a sure-fire way to accelerate the journey.
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