Rooted in Annapolis.

Committed to Your Health.

Our Story

For more than 22 years, we've had the privilege of helping our neighbors throughout Anne Arundel County become stronger, healthier, and more confident.

Excellence In Fitness wasn't built overnight. It was built one relationship at a time.

The story began in 1994 when Joe Aben attended his first advanced strength training certification in Dallas, Texas. That experience—and years of learning from physical therapists while rehabbing football injuries at the University of Virginia—shaped a belief that still guides EIF today: strength training should be precise, personalized, and built on science, not trends.

  • After college, Joe worked as a Fitness Director, earned multiple advanced certifications, and was mentored by some of the industry's most respected leaders. Although he loved helping people, he quickly realized the traditional gym model wasn't designed to give clients the individualized attention they deserved.

    So he left.

    Armed with little more than experience, passion, and a vision for something better, Joe started a one-man personal training business, traveling from client to client throughout Anne Arundel County.

    While Joe was coaching, Erin was quietly building the foundation for what would become Excellence In Fitness.

    With a Master's degree in Social Work, Erin understood something equally as important as exercise science: lasting change begins with relationships, accountability, and understanding human behavior. She began designing systems, researching equipment, and even storing strength machines in their townhouse garage—believing that one day they'd open a studio of their own.

    That dream became reality in 2004.

    The first Excellence In Fitness studio opened in a modest 1,500-square-foot facility in Arnold, Maryland. Within months the studio was growing faster than anyone expected. As more clients discovered the personalized experience Joe and Erin envisioned, the team expanded, eventually leading to the opening of the Annapolis studio in 2008 and the Millersville studio in 2013. Both locations were completely renovated in 2023 to continue providing an exceptional client experience.

    Along the way, something even more meaningful was built.

    The Body of Excellence™ Program evolved from decades of coaching thousands of real people—not from fitness fads or social media trends. Every new coach now completes the in-house BX Training Academy so every client receives the same thoughtful, personalized experience that Joe and Erin imagined from the very beginning.

    More than two decades later, Excellence In Fitness has become one of Anne Arundel County's most trusted private personal training studios. The greatest achievement isn't the awards—although the community has honored EIF with numerous "Best Of" recognitions over the years.

    It's the people.

    The grandparents who can play with their grandchildren again.

    The adults who reversed years of inactivity.

    The clients who discovered confidence they didn't know they still had.

    When you become part of Excellence In Fitness, you're joining a community that believes lasting strength changes more than your body—it changes your life.

The Best Part of Our Story Is You

Every person who walks through our doors becomes part of the Excellence In Fitness family.

Watching our clients become stronger, healthier, and more confident has always been the reason we do what we do.

These are just a few of their stories.

  • “EIF gives great, personalized workouts from trainers that care. The results were easy to see from my Navy fitness test. Before EIF I did 44 push-ups and 60 sit-ups. After two months at EIF, I did 76 push-ups and 80 sit-ups, achieving a personal best and much higher overall score."

    —Blake S.

  • "As a yoga practitioner for the past 10 years I have been flexible and enjoyed a variety of asanas and breathing techniques. After developing arthritis in my knees, my practice became more limited and I was losing muscle mass. Since I became a client, I have developed muscle mass and greatly improved my strength. I also find that all the Professional Fitness Coaches focus on my goals, adapt training routines to fit my physical limitations and always challenge me to continue improving."”

    —Richard B.

  • “In one word: professionalism. The Team listens to your personal goals, understand limitations and customize your program accordingly. I couldn’t be happier. The facilities are exceptionally clean, welcoming and yet make no mistake about it; there is a job to be done!”

    —Allyson S.

  • "I’ve gained muscle, lost weight, and considerably lowered my body fat. My energy levels are off the charts and it’s been very easy to accommodate the timing, no more excuses to skip the gym."

    —Randy W.

  • “It’s been worth every penny. I searched out a program with fixed appointments to hold me accountable and keep me motivated. I looked at many options and chose EIF based on their reputation and individualized process. Not only do the trainers keep me pushing as hard as I can but they are knowledgeable and helpful on every subject from form, to diet, to helping with injuries and preventing them. I’ve gained muscle, lost weight, and considerably lowered my body fat. My energy levels are off the charts…highly recommended!” Randy W. “I am certain that EIF played a huge role in my recovery! I am ready to move forward to continue to get stronger, and to feel better in all aspects of my life. The transformation has been so overwhelming and amazing that my husband and youngest daughter now work out with EIF!! I am grateful and blessed!

    —Dr. Pauline P.

  • “Individualized training. Knowledgeable, expert, and professional staff who are personable and focused on my conditioning. Clean environment and the equipment is always operable. The layout is designed to move me through each training session with as little rest as possible in a fashion that provides me the greatest impact for my time invested."

    —Bob G.

  • “I love everything! The friendly trainers that greet you everyday. The fact that my workouts are planned by the time I walk in the door. The fact that the trainers track everything from weights per machine to even seat height. The trainers’ knowledge of anatomy and body mechanics. And the ability to adjust workouts to avoid sore knees or other injuries.”

    —Andrea L.

  • “I have been truly amazed at what the trainers can do to both build my 65 year old body’s bone density as well as sculpt my aging muscles, I have been lifting weights on my own without much impact on physicality. Not only do they coach you through the workout, they offer their healthy eating advice, depending on whether you want to gain strength and muscle or lose bodyfat. I love these guys.”

    —Kathleen D.

  • “Personalized attention. The trainers really listen to and understand my fitness goals which have changed since I started my EIF journey. Losing 20 lbs in 3 months and moving towards getting back in shape has made me focus on getting fit, proper nutrition and participating in activities that I have not done in 15 years. These guys motivate and push you towards that next level.”

    —Chris R.

  • “I don’t think it would be an understatement to call my truly excellent time at EIF a life-changing experience. I now exercise 6 times a week, have completely altered my diet, and have seen positive changes in all aspects of my life. I doubt I could have been as successful without the help of your amazing trainers. I haven’t felt like a “client” at EIF, but part of a team! And I learned a tremendous amount about topics like nutrition, body movement, strength building, and exercise safety. I feel confident about maintaining my own fitness program and setting new goals for myself. Thank you!"

    —Paul K.