Doug Murphy's Bio & Certifications

Years of hard work, perseverance, training, and education paid off…

Life as a self-employed personal trainer has been interesting, to say the least. Training clients across the USA, from Chicago and Miami to Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Helping a rock star get in shape for a 6 month European tour. Contributing to Men's Fitness magazine, ACE Certified News, IDEA Fitness Journal, and AtoZFitness.com. Featured fitness consultant for a variety of newspaper and magazine articles, as well as TV and radio appearances. Media rep for TEAM Arthritis, an exercise program sponsored by Pfizer and the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine. Fitness modeling in Miami.

Pretty exhilarating stuff for someone who was once an overweight, unathletic child. The discovery of a barbell set in my grandfather's basement changed all that…

Background
My fitness career started in the heyday of Nautilus, leg warmers, and Duran Duran (You can probably guess the decade). Five years as a fitness instructor at various health clubs during college led to local bodybuilding competition and fitness modeling. After a brief period in the fields of finance and commercial fitness equipment sales, I returned to what I had a real passion for-helping people reach their fitness goals, and sometimes changing their lives in the process.

An early magazine cover, complete with Billy Idol hair
Olathe Life, August 1988

Training & Certifications

I'm proud to say I'm an ACE Certified Personal Trainer since 1996, Advanced Trainer member of IDEA, and ECA member. I currently hold an American Heart Association CPR/AED Healthcare Provider certification as well. I attend many seminars, classes and conferences each year in order to stay on top of the latest research and training methods. In addition, I'm presently studying toward ACSM and NSCA certification. After running two successful training businesses in Chicago and Miami, I am now based out of Washington, DC.

Experience
My clients have included dancers, models, actors, musicians, doctors, lawyers, nurses, entrepreneurs, politicians, investment brokers, housewives, priests, teachers, students, army reservists, and newspaper columnists, to name a few! I enjoy the challenge of creating effective workout routines that fit in with a person's unique lifestyle, schedule, and needs.

The most challenging and rewarding part of my work involves training people with various health problems. I have helped clients with heart disease, cancer, hypertension, HIV, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, chronic pain, post-rehab, and many other conditions. When possible, I work in conjunction with a client's doctor or physical therapist in setting up safe and effective exercise programs to help improve their quality of life.

Community Involvement
Giving back to the community is an important part of what I do. I regularly donate training sessions to silent auctions at various charity and fundraising events in Washington, DC. This enables me to help support worthwhile organizations like foodandfriends.org

To recommend an organization of charity, please contact Doug at 202-297-3092 or e-mail at dougmurphy@dougmurphy.com