ron holland

Ron Holland is a SWAT Certified Personal Fitness Trainer and Owner of SWAT (Strength Wellness Athletic Training) in Tucson, Arizona.

He specializes in one on one personal fitness training, small group training, strength and conditioning, weight loss, and fitness for Seniors. He has over 20 years of fitness experience and is a much sought-after resource for health, wellness, and weight loss.

Ron's Philosophy

When I made the decision to quit my job as a Police Officer to become a Personal Trainer, I did so with only one goal in mind: to help others achieve the positive mental and physical changes that adopting a lifestyle of physical fitness and proper nutrition had brought me over the years.

I have experienced firsthand the kinds of improvements that I know can improve the lives of so many people: mental discipline, physical strength, goal-setting, self-confidence, and a comprehensive lifestyle change for the better.

Over the past twelve years, I have had the opportunity to work with thousands of fitness clients, in a variety of capacities, and have taken advantage of every opportunity to help others become more fit, more healthy, more confident, and more happy.

I emphasize functional movement, CORE strength training, variety, multifunctional movements, and a sound nutrition plan. I believe that small workout "teams" or "groups" can provide a lot of motivation, support, fun, and camaraderie.

It is my belief that workouts need to be fun, interesting, educational, and completely based upon individual goals and needs.

Ron's Goals

To open more small fitness studios that treat people like individuals; not client numbers. To make SWAT known for its outstanding training methods and innovative, cutting-edge fitness programs.

I intend to continue improving our totally client-centered facilities, where we build strong interpersonal relationships with our clients and provide a safe, private but friendly workout environment that makes everyone who walks in the door feel comfortable, important, and empowered.

ron's mission

"To empower personal training clients to make physical and lifestyle changes that enhance their personal, professional, and emotional lives by providing safe, effective physical instruction, education, and fitness motivation."

Over the years, I have come to recognize the importance of five specific qualities in eliciting positive fitness and weight loss results, and have worked hard to develop them in my professional and personal life. I aim to:

1. Assist clients in identifying and setting realistic goals,

2. Help clients identify obstacles and strategies with which to overcome them;

3. Recognize and acknowledge progress and accomplishment;

4. Motivate and encourage clients during times when frustration surfaces; and

5. Monitor and adjust my clients' fitness program as their needs, expectations, and motivation levels change.

6. Above all, I believe in my clients. I recognize that there are a lot of personal trainers out there who can work out effectively. This does not make them good trainers. I have found that only a few have mastered the art of both training and listening effectively. THIS may be the single most important quality in finding a trainer who can help get clients what they want and need.

Why Ron is a Trainer

I'm a trainer because I've never had a job as rewarding as helping others achieve the positive mental and physical changes that adopting a lifestyle of physical fitness and proper nutrition can bring. Seeing my clients reach goals that they thought were impossible is the best experience any profession can offer.

ron's experience

Certified by Coopers' Institute for Aerobic Research in Dallas, TX

Master level Certification, Coopers Institute of Aerobic Research, Dallas, TX

Personal Trainer in USAF, UAPD and Tucson for 16 years

Certified in Reebok CORE Training

Certified in Cycle Reebok Training

Fitness Trainer and Consultant for 25 years

Special training in Corporate Consulting, Weight Management, and sports-specific strength training

Trainer and mentor of over 20 Top Personal Trainers in the fitness industry

Trainer of Terri Morrison, EAS Transformation Finalist

Competitor in 14 national and international marathons

Member IDEA (International Association of Fitness Professionals)

MILITARY SERVICEACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Former USAF SWAT Master Sergeant

Served as Squad leader, Flight Chief, Chief Investigator, SWAT Commander, and Physical Fitness Instructor during 21-year military career

Managed over 700 personnel as Superintendent of Law Enforcement Operations in the largest law enforcement squadron in the U.S. Air Force.

Authored, edited and implemented a SWAT training program

Organized and coordinated a Jog-a-Thon that raised more than $1,500 for Police Museum

Coordinated and organized a 50-mile relay team for the Special Olympics

Responsible for physical conditioning programs for participants of the Security Police Olympics

Designed, authored, and implemented a conditioning program which resulted in improvements in each participant's performance, and subsequent participation in Combat Olympic Finals.

Unit nominee as one of twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Air Force

Liaison officer with the Korean National Police, Philippine military and police forces, and the English Bobbies

Provided VIP protection for USA Presidency, foreign leaders, Senators, Congressmen, Generals, and other high-profile leaders.

Recognized by US State Department for personally developing and implementing the security portion of an emergency evacuation plan of former Phillippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos and members of his entourrage

Developed a voluntary physical fitness program and weight management program for the Air Force military police, resulting in drastic improvements in fitness levels and weight loss, allowing officers to continue service in the Air Force.

Former UAPD Police Sergeant

Ron's personal experiences

As a US Air Force Master Sergeant, I was blessed to have experienced many things which, in my eyes, has led to success in my life. I was fortunate to be well-respected and well known among my colleagues, I received numerous commendations and notable recognition, and I was experienced and trusted among the hundreds of men for whom I was responsible.

Over the years, I had grown to love physical fitness and exercise, and had the opportunity to share that knowledge, passion, and motivation with many of my fellow soldiers. During my military career, I discovered running. I ran 14 marathons during that time, and was able to encourage several others to train with me. At one point, I was put in charge of a fitness program for overweight soldiers who were facing discharge if they did not meet military fitness expectations. I didn't lose a single man. I coordinated and organized a 50-mile relay team for the Special Olympics. I designed a program and trained a team for the Combat Olympic Finals and theSecurity Police Olympics. I got HOOKED on fitness training!

Following my retirement, at age 41, I easily transitioned into the life of a civilian police officer, and I was satisfied there for a number of years. As a Sergeant (and head of the U of A police department's physical fitness program,) I implemented and participated in a Bicycle Officer Patrol, which completely changed the image of the department, and the perception of the community. My involvement in fitness and its role in my life was becoming more and more clear, and although I myself enjoyed what physical fitness had done for me, it was seeing the changes in others--physically, mentally, and spiritually--which was truly rewarding and inspiring to me.

When I made the difficult decision to give up my career as a successful police sergeant in order to pursue a career in the world of fitness, people thought I was crazy, and I have to admit, I shocked even myself. I had never been a big risk-taker. Having followed and given orders most of my life, and having held positions of prestige and respect in a long military and law enforcement career, I realized the importance of rule following. So the decision to give up all that was familiar and stable, to embark on a completely new profession, was remarkable and unexpected. But I had a vision, and I believed in myself enough to take a risk. I referred to that vision every time I became discouraged, or just plain tired. After thirteen successful years in the personal training business, I have learned that in order to fully thrive and overcome obstacles in life, we must be willing to take risks. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zone, and we must visualize the rewards that we will reap as a result. The bottom line is this: We must challenge our potential before we can fully realize it. Passing this notion on to clients can be a very empowering and motivating force, and is one on which I rely heavily. I encourage clients to visualize what they want, and to try new things--different techniques, pieces of equipment, strategies, nutritional plans--taking risks from which they will reap great reward!

My commitment to helping others improve their bodies, minds, and lives, has in turn improved the quality of my life, my relationships, my health, and my general well being.

SWAT IN THE COMMUNITY: Giving to and being an active part of my community is important to me, and I am committed to providing fitness education, encouragement, and motivation to members of the Tucson community through a variety of venues, including public speaking engagements, lectures, participation in trade shows, coverage in newspaper articles, and appearance in several television news segments.

As fitness consultant/correspondent for KOLD Channel 13 news, I appeared in numerous television news segments on topics including boys and body image, strength training, form and technique, and implementing comprehensive fitness regimens. I have also been fortunate to act as consultant to and member of the Marana Correctional Institution's Physical Fitness Board, and the Sahuarita Fire Department for the 911 fitness Challenge.

Our Boot Camp Fitness program has been featured in the Arizona Daily Star and Tucson Citizen, and our marathon-training program has been covered in the Caliente! section of the local paper as well. Our Reebok CORE training was also featured in the newspaper.

SWAT has participated in annual Bridal Fairs, Women's Fairs, the Marana Chamber of Commerce Business Fair, and Marana Chamber of Commerce Health Fair, often donating services to benefit charitable organizations including local sports teams, schools, and others.