We've written a lot on this blog about how to vet trainers, what certifications to look for, and what questions to ask. It's only fair to turn that lens on ourselves. This is who you're actually working with when you walk into our Midtown Manhattan studio.
Who we are
BUF Personal Training is a team of 10 trainers working out of our private studio at 347 W 36th St. Within that team, four of us hold specialized senior fitness credentials — the NASM and ACE senior fitness specialty certifications — and those four lead BUF Over 50, the side of the studio dedicated entirely to adults 50 and older. The rest of the team trains a broad range of clients, which keeps the studio's collective experience wide; the senior specialists keep it deep where it matters most for you.
That structure is deliberate. Training a 65-year-old well isn't a scaled-down version of training a 30-year-old — it's its own discipline, with its own progressions, its own pacing, and its own understanding of what a body with five or six decades of life behind it responds to. We wanted people who had made that their specialty, not their side interest.
The experience that actually matters
Since 2017, we've trained clients across their 50s, 60s, and 70s — day in, day out. That matters more than any single credential, because experience is what tells a trainer the difference between "challenging" and "too much" for the person in front of them. It's how we know that the first month is about building trust as much as strength. It's why nothing you bring through the door — decades away from exercise, nerves about starting, a body that's changed — surprises anyone on this team. Whatever your starting point is, we've started someone there before.
What we believe: the balanced approach
If you read this blog regularly, you've seen our philosophy in pieces. Here it is in one place. We don't believe in training one quality at a time — we build every client's program around four things at once:
- Strength — the foundation. The squat, hinge, push, pull, and carry patterns that keep everyday life easy, from subway stairs to grocery bags.
- Balance — a trainable skill, not a fixed trait. Progressive, supported practice that builds steadiness and confidence on your feet.
- Posture — the strength and mobility work that lets you stand tall naturally, instead of remembering to.
- Overall well-being — the point of all of it. More energy, more confidence, more ease doing the things you love, and a standing appointment that gets you moving consistently. We measure success in how your week feels, not just what happens in the studio.
Every program weaves all four together, weighted to what your body needs most right now. Someone rebuilding confidence after time away gets more balance and mobility early; someone chasing stamina for travel gets more strength and carries. The mix shifts as you progress — that's the coaching.
What the senior fitness specialty actually means
We've told readers before that this credential is worth looking for in any trainer you hire, so here's what it means in practice. Beyond a standard personal training certification, the senior fitness specialty covers how to assess and program for older adults specifically — appropriate progressions, modifications for common age-related considerations, and when something belongs with your doctor rather than your trainer. It's the difference between a trainer who can work with you and one who's prepared for you. Our full guide to choosing a senior fitness trainer covers how to vet this in anyone — including us.
How we work
Everything happens in a private, appointment-only studio — no crowds, no audience, nobody but you and your coach. Sessions are one-on-one or partner training, and we match you with the trainer whose experience best fits your goals. Pricing is plain and per-session on the rates page — under $100, no contracts, no memberships. We also offer dedicated mobility sessions and virtual training when getting to Midtown doesn't work.
It starts with a free consultation — a conversation, not a workout — and if you're curious exactly how that goes, we've written up what to expect at your first session, start to finish.
Come meet us
Photos and credentials for the team are on the trainers page, and the studio's full story is on the about page. But honestly, the best way to know whether we're the right fit is the same advice we give about any studio: come see it, meet the person who'd be coaching you, and trust how it feels.
Book a free consultation — no pressure, no commitment, and no version of "out of shape" that will surprise us.
Ready to get started?
Senior personal training in Midtown Manhattan, all sessions under $100, no contracts.