Joe is very knowledgeable and cares about preparing your body before, during, and after competition. There were personal differences in training and style but at the end of the day, Joe knows his shit. I am very appreciative for the impact he had on my life and I wouldn't be where I am at now without the base of knowledge he instilled in him. Truly, i never lifted a weight before stepping in the gym with him and while we had our differences, I do not think they had anything to do with his training and I think if youre in the san diego area and thinking of training for a show, I would recommend seeing Joe or one of the other amazing trainers at World Gym. Thanks for taking the time to read this review. Also, Joes website and blog is actually pretty freaking informative. Take a second to actually read the articles and not just look at the before and after pics *which speak for themselves* This is an amendment ot my previous review. I stand by my statement that expectations of me were a bit unrealistic and he does tend to play favorites. He did drop me and my friend from training for reasons that I still dont honestly understand, and he did send me some hurtful and unprofessional messages afterward. It felt like a bad breakup and I didnt know where things went wrong. But just like with all bad breakups, once the smoke cleared and I calmed down, I was able to look back and appreciate what I gained from the relationship- a solid skill base in weight lifting and knowledge on competition prep. read more

I have been training with Coach Joe since the very start of my bikini journey. I have prepped for 3 shows, going on 4, with him! He makes prep easy by providing all the tools and information you need and always outlines a game plan. He goes above and beyond with frequent assessments and check ins to ensure that each individual is on the right track for their body type! Nothing is ever cookie cutter with Next Level. Everything is always custom and tailored to my needs. Joe's knowledge is unbeatable. He never fails to answer every question I have. Because of his guidance, we have been able to completely transform my body, health, and confidence and continue to do so! read more

See all

I was a client of NLPT June-October 2011, and I was part of the Bikini Team for competition prep. Joe is knowledgable, passionate, and unlike many coaches out there, he takes the time to educate his clients. He doesn't just tell you what to do and bark orders, but rather he explains the reasoning behind things and I love that! He empowers you and encourages you to be aware and active in your own health. He promotes healthy weight loss, and most importantly, healthy competition prep. He doesn't starve you. He doesn't slave drive you on cardio. You don't eat sticks and berries and get by on 700 cals per day with no carbs. You eat. REAL food. He doesnt believe in excessive cardio and has old school philosophies on lifting...and they WORK. Joe is the real deal, and with so many coaches who take no mind to the havok they are causing to their clients metabolisms, Joe stands out like a beacon in the night. read more

Ive trained with Joe for 2 competitions, all of which I placed among top 3. Ive tried other trainers and plans but no one was ever as supportive or realistic as Joe. Joe worked with me and started a plan where I was currently at. He eased into a structured meal plan and always asked me 'are you ready for more structure?' he let me go at my own pace while guiding me in the right direction. Meal plans were designed using information i provided about quantity and preferences of foods and he was always open to changing things up if i needed a change of pace. I always was SO appreciative of this, Ive had coaches put my on cookie cutter meals of eating the same disgusting stuff day after day, but this was NOT part of joe's plan. My meals were interesting, flavorful and filling and I continues to see results. Joe is a library of knowledge, he knows his trade. He works extremely hard to get bikini competitors in the know about everything he's doing and why he's doing it. His questionnaires made my plans so specific to me and made it so he was able to monitor my health and all around well-being to make sure I was getting everything i needed during prep. He provided well rounded plans that worked with me and allowed me to see results without ever feeling hungry, tired, over worked. His online plans did require a little extra effort on my part, readings are provided to give clear direction about how he works and provides an outline that gives you an idea of what is expected as both a client and a competitor. I have fully transformed with Next Level Personal Training, my training, diet and health have changed thanks to Joe and all of his hard work and support. read more

Credit card number was stolen. Started out okay. I was expecting a condescending attitude from Joe from day one, but I was ready to swallow my pride a bit to get results. It became clear after a couple of check-ins that you can never do anything right enough for this trainer. Then the payment issues began. Suddenly my visa debit card which had worked with no problems on his site for the initial payment had an "invalid number". I updated with an Amex and 2 hours after paying him Amex called and cancelled the card, stating that my credit card details were stolen and this transaction was the source. The card was used in Chile and Ecuador. Since Joe was still providing services I thought he mustn't be involved - a couple of weeks later I check my email after leaving the gym and discover an email from him. Paragraph 1 states that my payment was disputed and reversed. (I guess Amex automatically reversed the charge for NLPT unbeknownst to me) Paragraph 2 states that he's suddenly come to the conclusion that my lifts are so poor he's terminating my service agreement immediately. Keep in mind I'd just had a biweekly review with Joe where he stated my form was improving, and I'd also just hired a personal trainer to do a form check in person at his request - he didn't bother to ask for a video review after that because apparently he doesn't have time. When I asked why he didn't mention this during my previous biweekly he blamed me for not having "enough of a weight lifting background" when I signed up. I thought the point of hiring a coach was to learn and improve? Btw I hold two personal training certifications, I just have problems with my lower body lifts which I brought to his attention during the signup process. Despite all this he has no interest in improving his services or figuring out why my visa debit card suddenly didn't work, (despite my bank showing a pending authorization from his site, indicating that the number was indeed correct) or why my Amex number was stolen from his site at all. Joe couldn't even manage to be cordial in his responses to me - hire him if you want a condescending and combative coach that diminishes your concerns and then blames you for his inefficiency. read more

Initially I was excited about doing the competition prep online coaching with this company, but I quickly found out it was a big mistake. Joe Lenihan makes you feel like your questions and concerns are stupid and he is very demeaning in his responses. Whenever he sends you an email, he tells you to write an email with "CONSOLIDATED list of questions" and when you do, he only replies with excerpts from the documents you are required to read...basically telling you that if you read the documents he told you in the first place, you wouldn't waste his time asking him these questions. I told Joe that I did indeed read all the required documents (get ready to read A LOT - it's like going back to school), but I couldn't remember everything and my questions were personal to me and the required reading was general. He completely ignored that email from me. You also have to complete a lengthy application, so he can customize your plan, which I thought was good, but when I told him that I currently eat 5 small meals every 3 hours and wanted to stay on that plan he agreed. Then he sends me a meal plan that has me eating 3 small meals every 4 hours! Basically, starving me! I told him that wasn't what we agreed upon and he told me it was and then cited more reading excerpts. It was only when I forwarded his original email to me agreeing that he would keep me on 5 small meals every 3 hours that he finally accepted his error, but quickly after admitting he was wrong he decided to drop me as a client for no reason. Don't waste your money with this company. I should've read the last yelp reviews before hiring him. Read the other bad yelp review on Joe too - you've been forewarned! If you're a beginner and you need personal coaching then Joe is NOT for you! Hire a coach who has first-hand experience of competing and being on stage and someone who is patience with beginners and is truly there to coach, not make you read a bunch of articles and blogs to find your answers. I know better now and hired an awesome coach that holds an IFBB Pro card and actively competes in figure competitions. I am super excited (and more confident) about competing in my first bikini competition at the end of the year. read more

I started training for my first Competition with Joe in Spring of 2014. My show was a year later, May 2015. I've never felt so good in my life. I didn't know it was humanly possible to feel so incredible. He tells you what supplements to take, works with you for your meal plan, and teaches you how to do each exercise. He made training fun and funny! I was never hungry or starving. I was well fed and never cut water. He knows the right way to train and he taught me so much. I placed 6th in my first competition. I will definitely train with him again. You need to trust him and trust the science behind the sport. I kept thinking I was eating too much and was concerned when he wanted me to eat extra carbs close to my show date, but carb cycling really worked for me. Training for a fitness competition is hard work, make it a little easier with a great coach! Happy Lifting! :) read more

I started of with Next Level in June of 2011. I had been to the gym but was still unsure about weightlifting, form, and nutrition. I started off at 128 pounds and 24% body fat, and went to 118 at 12% body fat, nationally qualifying at my first competition. I have always been pretty slender and was very worried about messing with my physique before I had started a family. Before I started with Joe, I had heard many horror stories about coaches blowing girls metabolisms, doing cardio 2 to 3 times a day, eating nothing but egg whites, bell peppers, and chicken. I knew that some people with a little more body fat might survive this type of training (not without some long term damage). But, I surely would not. Joe set up a meal plan with 150+ carbs because he knew that I handled them well. I actually started seeing growth in my little muscles! His training is based on a lot of old school body lifting techniques. I was able to lift heavy and see results, pretty quickly actually. I can honestly say prep was enjoyable, the entire time. This is not a coach for you if you need someone to hold your hand. He is really smart so when he writes you a plan he assumes that you are going to be fully accountable and he will expect you to do the work, 110%. He stays in contact with you constantly, so the communication lines are always open. If they are any reasons that something isn't working for you, aka time constraint, chicken makes you barf, you feel bloated...he fixes them before they even become an issue. If you are being lazy or are expecting changed that aren't in your best interest (aka supplements that are bad, etc)...expect a no nonsense approach. It has been one year since I have trained prep with Joe. I am 4 pounds above my competition weight, and am pregnant with my first child. I am so grateful not to only have had a coach that first cares about my health, and then my competition goals. But more so, for a coach that has taught me how to eat and how to train, long term. (Not for just 8 weeks of my life). I look forward to my next prep with Joe in the future. P.S. Hes really funny too. Score! read more

When you're in the fitness industry, you want to find someone that'll listen to your questions and concerns and actually CARE about what you're going through.. Joe will seem like a very awesome guy when you first start talking to him. But letting you know now NO adjustments or discussions will be made with Joe. If you ask him a question or tell him how your emotions have been due to the diet or meal plan, he'll copy and paste things from his manual he gives you then he'll talk down to you and make you feel stupid for asking him questions. Then when you have questions or concerns, he'll refer you back to the manual and say DID YOU NOT READ THE WHOLE THING? Don't waste your time on this company. And once you email him and he responds back to you negatively, make sure to screen shot it right away because he'll block you right after :) Thanks joe for showing me how a coach shouldn't operate! If any of you girls have questions and want to see if he actually adjusts your meals to your likings, feel free to shoot me a message and we can make comparisons. read more

I've worked with Joe for over a year now and I've been competing for over three. I've been into fitness since forever and I always ate right and trained hard, but it wasn't until Joe that my body really transformed. Joe assesses every aspect of your regimen so that he can best evaluate what it is that your body needs to reach your goals. He evaluates everything from training to nutrition to supplementation to sleeping to digestion and everything in between. Absolutely nothing gets left out so that Joe can provide you the best and most effective methods tailored for your own physique to progress. Being this involved and thorough with your athletes with each and every program and revision requires a lot of work as a coach and there is NO other coach in the industry that invests this much time and effort into each athlete. Everything is specific to your own body and your own goals, so once he knows how your body works; it's time for his magic. I used to roll my eyes when I heard girls saying they switched to a better coach and are eating all this food and doing little to no cardio and don't have to eat tilapia and asparagus for weeks on end before shows or ever think about double sessions at the gym, blah blah. Well.... IT IS POSSIBLE. Joe will customize everything to make sure you are progressing, that you are healthy and happy with all of your programs, and be right by your side for any questions of concerns. He is truly a remarkable coach. Joe's knowledge and experience in coaching is unmatchable. He works with the utmost professionalism; he is genuine, kind, and patient. His dedication to his athletes is unbeatable. There is nothing he will not do for his athletes so long as they put in the work, he WILL get you the results you want. read more

Next Level Personal Training - Trainers Near Me - San Diego, California

See all

These guys rock!! They will get you in shape in no time at all. With the right diet, motivation, anything is possible! I started coming here about 6 months ago and I have been felt better and been more happy, thanks so much! read more

I honestly I have no idea where to begin this review. There were so many aspects of my relationship with Joe from Next Level Personal Training that were so wrong and extremely unprofessional. Ladies and gents, the following are why I would NEVER recommend you train or have any affiliation with this company: -Joe plays favorites. I found this out after I stopped training with him. He was charging some girls between $300-$500/month and others (his favorites) only $100/month for the same exact nutritional guidance and workout regime. Unfortunately, I was one of the girls paying on the higher end. I was furious when I found this out. -Joe actually stole pictures from my facebook page and now uses them on his fan page and website. I have not trained with Joe for months now. He abruptly ended my training in a very unprofessional manner and for unprofessional reasons. He then blocked me from both his personal and business facebook page sites. After this transpired, it was brought to my attention that he copied all my progress pictures from my personal facebook page (before he blocked me) and proceeded to post them on all his sites!! If you go on his web page and look at his 'Belles of Steel Team' there I am!!!!!!!!!! The gaul! He is actually attempting to use my pictures for professional gain, and trying to take credit for my results when I have been training with some one else for months now! Not to mention just the simple fact that he stole pictures of me in both a bikini and shorts and a sports bra. I almost feel sexually exploited. -Joe will not allow you to have a personal life without his involvement. He will facebook stalk your page, commenting on all of your status updates and photos...and some of the comments he left on mine were just so rude. I have spoken to other girls he has trained and they said the same exact thing: "it's almost creepy how he spy's on us through our FB page..." -He dropped my business and training partner A MONTH BEFORE HER FIRST COMPETITION. Why? Well, there are so many outlandish reasons he gave.....one being because she was asking to many questions and was questioning whether she would be competition ready in one month. So she was obviously having doubts because of her results. In addition, I think it's quite normal for a girl to be scared beyond belief before her FIRST competition at whether she will be fully prepared or not. He took this personally and dropped her. -He lacks professionalism. He gossips worse than any girl I know. You have to keep your guard up around Joe and his 'favorites.' They love to turn around and bash you when your back is turned. He did this to my training partner and I during our training and after he dropped us. Luckily we had girls on the other side that informed us of this. Just a shame. -Your trainer should probably be in good shape. This should have been a red flag for me when researching Joe. Like Jamie Eason states, every trainer should practice what they preach. Joe clearly does not. -Food logs. Joe swears by them. But there is no way he actually looks and critiques them. He just makes sure you've hit your macros, but doesn't care how. When I showed my new trainer my food logs, she was floored at what Joe was allowing me to eat. She couldn't believe it. His nutritional guidance was terrible. In fact the only 'guidance' he provided was numbers. He never looked at exactly what I was eating to reach those numbers. I honestly could keep going, but I think I've given you all plenty of useful information to make a well informed and educated decision about whether or not you should train with Next Level. -We now train with a WBFF Pro and she managed to correct so many aspects of our diet and training, and gave us better results in the one month we trained with her than in the 3 months we trained with Joe. read more

I started training with Coach Cherish at Next Level in November 2016 to prep for my first bikini competition at age (then) 46. It was a perfect match right from the beginning and we hit the ground running. Cherish is a brilliant programmer and has from Day 1 given me a training program that's allowed me to progress from "everyday fitness" to "show-ready" in 11 months. She changes my workouts every 6-8 weeks to keep me progressing, and I've gotten results I've never thought possible. As far as diet is concerned, her meal plans are varied, interesting, and based on whole, real foods. I love them! I've never, ever felt hungry while training with Cherish, and more likely, like I'm getting too much food. I trust her in every way. She dialled me in perfectly for show day... never any carb, sodium, or water depletion, and I looked & felt amazing when I stepped on stage. I placed 2nd in Master's and 4th in Open in an International level competition at age 47... these results are nothing short of phenomenal! Coach Cherish has what it takes, and I can't wait to see what we can bring next season. read more