About Us

We are happy to be able to work with such great people. Our goal is to make each one of client's feel and look their very best.
These testimonials are just a small sampling of some of the postive things our clients have to say about training with Essential Movement.

At age 35 I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and, because of the drugs prescribed for my disease, contracted Osteoporosis in my spine and hips at the age of 38. I have been an athlete my entire life and wanted to try to remain active if at all possible. I had tried working with several personal trainers in California but really did not see any significant changes in my body. My arthritis interfered with many of my workouts and my trainers didn’t really know how to structure a workout around my arthritis or adjust exercises if I was having a painful day. I was beginning to lose hope. When my family and I moved to Naperville one year ago, I wasn’t optimistic about finding a trainer to help me, but knew I had to try something to get my strength back and, hopefully, increase my bone density.

All of that changed after I met Michael Retterer. I have worked with Mike for the past six months. He has taught me strength training is not just about how much weight one can lift but using the whole body or the “core” as Mike often puts it, to strengthen individual muscle groups. His positive attitude and sense of humor has helped me get though the more difficult workouts when my joints are swollen and tender. Mike’s creativity and knowledge as a personal trainer helped me continue to train without injuring myself and often times feeling much better after the session is done. In addition, I am a Nurse Practitioner, and in many ways Mike’s knowledge base in the areas of nutrition and human physiology is broader and more practical than what I learned in graduate school.

In terms of tangible results, I am stronger now than I have ever been in my life. My body is more toned than it was when I was cycling 150 mile a week. I also recently had a bone scan, and I no longer have Osteoporosis in any part of my body.

As a mother of three small children, I cannot begin to express my thanks and gratitude toward mike for helping me achieve such a monumental accomplishment in such a short time.

                                                                                                                                                        Laurie W., R.N., A.N.P. — Age 40

I have complete confidence in Mike’s ability to train me for a healthier, leaner physique. He has a very in depth understanding of the human body. My workouts have completely changed for the better since working with Mike. His innovative strategy for exercise is motivating and fun. The only problem with working with Mike is that you will never want to use any another personal trainer again.

                                                                                                                                                         Jonna H. — Age 35

I have been training with Mike Retterer for almost six months. I have worked with other trainers in the past and have made more progress, both in terms of strength, muscle size, and fat loss, in the six months with Mike than in two years with other trainers. Mike has shown me how to exercise properly, and is constantly challenging me with new workouts that are personalized to my fitness level and goals. Mike also has a broad knowledge of nutrition which has helped me focus on what I should be eating (and not eating) to make my training more effective.

On top of being an excellent trainer, Mike has been willing to accommodate my very busy (and sometimes unpredictable) work schedule. He has adjusted the time of my training appointments, and has even worked with me on the weekends. Mike Also provides individualized workouts on the days that I do not work with him.

What I think differentiates Mike from other trainers is the personal interest he takes in his clients – he truly wants his clients to lead a healthy, active life, and has the knowledge, enthusiasm, and energy to help achieve that goal. I enthusiastically recommend Mike to anyone seeking a personal trainer.

                                                                                                                                                         Mike W. — Age 40

I started working with Mike a little over 10 months ago and I couldn’t even begin to tell you about all of the noticeable differences in my body. I have always enjoyed working out but I was never quit getting the results that I thought I could by just doing cardiovascular workouts and weight training on my own. I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong or why I wasn’t losing any weight. Thus, I decided to “splurge” and work with a trainer. Since then, I have worked with other trainers, but I never achieved the results that I have with Mike. I was motivated to start working with him from actually viewing his other clients before and after pictures as well as hearing great things from his own colleagues. Now, for the first time, people are asking me what I do to stay so thin? I can easily say that working with Mike has been one of my best decisions and I will continue to work with him for as long as I am living in the area.

                                                                                                                                                         Adina M.— Age 22

"Mike Retterer is a terrific personal trainer." His knowledge of the human body and nutrition and his approach toward educating his clients is the very best. I have worked with a few trainers over the years, but with Mike, I found the one that works for me! His combination of strength training, core excersises and yoga make for fun and challenging sessions.
                                                                                                                                                         Jennifer I. — Age 32