Excellence in Fitness Staff
Joe Aben, Owner
Joseph G. Aben is a graduate of the University of
Virginia, where he received a full athletic scholarship and lettered in varsity football. While at UVa, he was coached by
John Gamble - current Miami Dolphins' head strength and conditioning coach. While Joe attended prestigious DeMatha Catholic High School, he was personally coached by Frank Costello. Coach Costello was the 1975 NCAA Track and Field Coach of the Year, and the Washington Capitals' hockey conditioning coach. Joe learned many of the teaching techniques he uses today from Coach Costello. Bill MacGregor, who was recently named 2004 National High School Football Coach of the Year, also coached Joe while excelling at DeMatha as a 3 year starter.
Upon graduating from UVa, Joe was certified as a Conditioning Specialist and Fitness Instructor through John Philbin and the National Strength Professionals Association (NSPA). John Philbin, founder and president of NSPA, was also head coach for the 1984 Winter Olympic Teams. Joe was the Fitness Director at Edgewater Fitness and Aerobics in Maryland from 1996 to 1998. There he trained his own clients as well as managed the staff of fitness instructors. He is certified as a Medical Exercise Specialist with the American Academy of Health and Fitness Professionals. He has authored articles published in Your Health magazine and has also been featured in Hardgainer journal.
Joe Aben is a highly sought after fitness professional and one of the best personal trainers in the Annapolis Metropolitan area. He is currently training under Bob Whelan, former military powerlifting champion and off-season conditioning consultant to the Boston Celtics, at Whelan Strength Training (WST) in Washington, D.C.- one of the most challenging and comprehensive personal strength training programs in the world. Joe holds the WST record in the "farmers walk." He is also a moderator of Physical Culture - the forum of naturalstrength.com - dedicated to natural, hard, and progressive strength training. Joe was a featured speaker at the 6th Annual Capital City Strength Clinic and has also lectured on many other topics pertaining to health and fitness. He has trained individuals of all ages and fitness levels including adolescents, high school, college and professional athletes, businessmen and women, homemakers, and seniors. Joe has incorporated the knowledge and wisdom gained through his experiences with his many colleagues, coaches, and organizations into the unique services provided by Excellence in Fitness.
EIF owner Joe Aben founded a personal training business that provides on-site fitness instruction, in 1998. His approach to fitness - building strength and endurance by focusing on form and function - attracted dozens of clients. As demand grew, Joe found himself increasingly "booked up". He created EIF to answer growing client demand.