James Donnelly lightening bolt

Verified 11 Reviews
location-iconOutdoor & In-Home
vaccinated COVID-19 Vaccinated

About James

I'm Don and I am a Personal Trainer and Pilates instructor from Gramercy Pilates, New York City. Previously based in North West London, U.K, my wife and I hopped across the pond in Dec 2019 for a new adventure. I am now based in Manhattan. Although British, I am no Hugh Grant, you'll have to let my personality pull you in, be prepared for lots of sarcasm and British wit, you won't be disappointed! My focus is on fun but challenging sessions, from boxing and agility sessions to pilates and TRX cables I will always keep you on your toes.


My favorite client story

One of my clients came to me straight out of rehab and watching him continually smash his targets time and time again and in doing so completely transforming his life, was incredible! I am so proud of him.

My favorite exercise

Press Up Burpee

Areas of Expertise

  • Core and Balance
  • Weight Loss
  • Boxing
  • Posture
  • TRX
  • Sports Performance Training
  • Pilates
  • Cardiovascular Conditioning

NCCA Accredited Certifications

NASM Certified Personal Trainer
NASM Certified Group Fitness Instructor

Additional Certifications

Boxercise Certification, Pre/Post-Natal, Pilates Mat 1, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Certified Spin Instructor

Who I Especially Like Working With

Beginners, Men, Pre/post-natal, Women, Youth

Training Areas Served

Don is not only my personal trainer but my friend, Don gave me the belief and confidence to push forward in my life. Without Don teaching me and pushing me even when I didn't think I could keep going, I'm not sure what I would have done!

Ali

The training sessions are good fun. Don has a very positive attitude - and that really helps to keep me motivated. He is great at suggesting a wide variety of exercises to help with what I need and adapts his exercises so that each session has the right level of challenge.

Sue

Don helped me to actually enjoy exercise! I was exercising really inefficiently before I started working with Don, but I now know how to get maximum benefit from a shorter work out. His sessions are super hard work but really fun!

Hattie

Training with Don is the full PT package: he's dedicated, organised and motivating (he's even funny!). And his approach works, I noticed real body changes in 2 weeks. He mixes up the sessions to keep you constantly on your toes and knows how to push you further than you think you can go.

Haley

Don makes my training routine exciting and varied, adapting the exercises to my specific needs, I would not hesitate in recommending him to others.

Judita

I think one of the most important things is that Don is genuinely a nice person and always goes beyond what you expect of him. He has also helped me out with a plan for home exercises so I can continue to improve outside of our sessions. I have noticed a huge difference in my upper body strength. Thanks Don!

Helen

I've been training with Don for over 8 months now and he has been incredibly attentive working closely with my physiotherapist to help fix an underlying knee and hip issue. He is encouraging, without being patronising and empathetic, whilst still being motivating. With his help I have now been able to establish a clear exercise routine for the first time in my life!

Jess

Don took time to understand my goals pushed me to do better, at the start of summer I could only do press ups on my knees but by the end of it I was able to do proper press ups!

Mariana

Don took me on at my lowest point straight from rehab. He is technical, demanding and uncompromising - exactly what I needed. With good humour, kindness and a lot of patience he pushed me through targets that I thought were unachievable in just 8 months. Then he set new ones. Forever grateful.

Simon

Brilliant. Fun, just the right kind of tough and my strength, fitness and energy levels improved really quickly, I would recommend him to anyone.q

Laura

I worked with Don for 8 months and had a great experience as each session comprised a mix of strength, cardio and core exercises. I managed to really improve my boxing technique and loved getting some boxing combos going!

Tom

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