updated June 2026
Hi, I’m Branden. I have been a fitness industry leader since 2011. My specialties are muscle building, fat loss, and injury mitigation.
I began as a top-performing personal trainer at Equinox in New York City. I was promoted three times in the four years I worked for that company.
Reaching a ceiling on growth with Equinox, I then created my own successful business during the latter half of the 2010s. During that time, I was given the accolade of “best gay trainer on Instagram for exercise demonstrations,” by five leading LGBTQ blogs. I also created an online school for physique transformation, Dreambody, and donated a four-figure sum of earnings from that program to foundations like The Trevor Project.
During the pandemic, I moved to Los Angeles. I began working as the Fitness Service Manager at Golds Gym Hollywood in 2022, and quickly became the top-selling manager in their entire portfolio of over 20 clubs. I also led my team to become the top selling team in the company. I spent two years with the company before leaving to take a year-long art sabbatical.
In 2025, in the midst of that sabbatical, I moved to Palm Springs.
And now I have returned to working for myself, once again online, as well as in Palm Springs and Los Angeles.
There are three ways we can work together. These methods may be combined at your discretion.
Option 1. In-person. Classic personal training style. I will bring my weightlifting equipment to your residence in the Palm Springs or Los Angeles areas.
Option 2. Virtually. Over a screen, in real time. Anywhere in the world, be it in your home or even at your gym. Over the screen, I will guide you through the movements and exercises designed to help you reach your goals. I will answer your questions and provide in-the-moment feedback and assessments as I would a personal training client.
Option 3. On-demand. In-depth consulting on a flexible schedule; not in real time. This is the method I’ve used a client of my coach’s. We use a training app as a portal to communicate about your workouts, which are delivered to you in an interactive way on your smartphone.
Nutrition, lifestyle, and mindset coaching is available with any of the above options.
To learn more, please email branden@brandenhayward.com. Include information on when you are looking to experience a change in your physique.
Everything I offer is for education purposes; I accept no legal responsibility for any injuries that may be sustained. I will guide you as I would guide myself.
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The below offerings were available in the past.
Personal Training + Nutrition Coaching in 2024
w/ Branden Hayward
Dissatisfied with overcrowded gyms?
Can you come to Hollywood (L.A. clients), or host me at your residence (Palm Springs)?
If yes, let’s speak.
If we haven’t met, I’m Branden. I’ve been a leader in the fitness industry since 2011. That’s my progress photo above, comparing 2018 to 2024.
I’m living proof that you’re truly capable of earning your DreamBody. It’s attainable once your fire to change eclipses your fear of change.
I help highly committed clients of all backgrounds earn their DreamBody. That is: gain muscle, lose fat, and mitigate injuries.
I can train clients to 1-2x/week.
We start with a free call, so I can understand you. I’ll give you the overview of pricing.
If we feel we could be a good fit, we’ll next meet at my studio gym for a complimentary session (or I’ll come to your residence, if in Palm Springs).
My studio gym is bells-and-whistles free, and belongs to just us.
In your complimentary session, we’ll:
+ Calculate your Golden Ratio (This refers to shoulder-to-waist ratio for men; waist-to-hip ratio for women. Non-binary folks, we can collaborate on exactly the aesthetic you want to pursue, if it’s not the classic male or female aesthetic.) I’ll overview how we can improve this muscle-to-fat ratio.
+ Perform a movement assessment, so I can begin addressing your pain + posture
+ Complete a short, challenging strength workout for your unique goals
We’ll finish by deciding whether to begin a program.
Let’s step back. Here’s a bit more on me.
In 2011 I began at Equinox Flatiron in NYC. By 2013, I was a “Tier 3+” trainer & nutrition coach; the highest designation available. I was in the top 10% of the company globally in sales.
I created my own business in 2015. I won awards from six blogs for Best Instagram Exercise Demos. I produced an online school, DreamBody, donating a four-figure portion of its earnings to The Trevor Project.
The pandemic cleaved most of my clients. Which let me fulfill my dream of moving to L.A.
From 2022-23, I became a top-producing personal training manager for a 9,000-member Hollywood gym (Gold’s Gym Hollywood). In 2023 I switched from managing to training full time, with the same company. I earned the highest designation available in the company: “Master Elite” trainer. In the subsequent year, before deciding to step away from the role, I twice earned company-wide “#1 Salesperson of the Quarter”; once for supplements, once for personal training sales. This is out of a 25-gym network.
Highly dedicated clients who train 2x/week have more strength and energy, and less pain, in six weeks.
They measurably improve their muscle-to-fat ratio, within twelve weeks.
I work best with clients who are actively goal-oriented, and are at least “8 out of 10” committed to making or sustaining progress.
You bring the effort, I’ll bring the education + empathy.
Speaking of empathy: I had my own online physique coach for 85%+ of the time between 2018 and 2025.
I was constantly challenged + rewarded as his client.
My career success in part owes to the empathy this has instilled in me.
Here’s what else you get:
My premium digital workout program. Automatically available on your smartphone. Up to 9 distinct phases. Each lasting six weeks. To be completed in a regular gym, if you choose, to complement + enhance the work we do together in-person.
Traveling? No gym access? You’re covered with an additional, on-demand program.
All the above comes at no additional cost, as long as you average at least once/weekly training.
Plus easy education and formulas to:
Perfect your calories and macronutrients (carbs, fat and protein).
De-dramatize food logging, shopping, and prep.
Lift weights more effectively and safely.
Streamline your recovery, supplements, and self-talk.
My availability includes morning, midday and evening availability throughout the week, and as needed on weekends.
Located off intersection of Ivar & Yucca Streets in Hollywood. Just above Capitol Records building. Exact address provided to clients.
Virtual tour + approach:
Initial equipment demo:
A small portion of you — the most advanced, who I love helping — may be thinking: “Branden, you seem highly qualified, but I’m concerned I may not be adequately challenged at your facility, or if you come to train me at my home. Thoughts?”
I understand your concern/curiosity. A free first session, with no obligation to continue, will allow you the opportunity to discover for yourself if I can adequately challenge + change you.
Like people, no gym is perfect. Even the best-equipped gyms will leave something to be desired in some area.
Once we acknowledge this, the question becomes: “at what point do we reach critical mass?”
I believe we have reached that point, in my studio gym, already. If you’re in Palm Springs, we can discuss what equipment you have available. I believe that less equipment, with zero competition for it, can be comparable to more equipment + more competition for it.
I have performed thousands of sessions at big-box gyms and hundreds of sessions at boutique/apartment-building gyms. What they ALL have in common is that they require you sharing your space + equipment with others. I’ve become used to modifying workouts as a regular practice, simply because machines, equipment, or space are unavailable.
But now, you + I can COMPROMISE LESS.
The bandwidth that frees up for me as your trainer when I DON’T have to play mental chess with how to take you through your workout, allows me to pour more attention into you as my client.
My studio gym — or training you in your residence — guarantees that I will never have to deviate from my plan for you.
I currently have a 5-to-1 muscle-to-fat ratio. Unless you are pressing up right against that ultra elite level, I am 100% certain that IF you follow my macronutrient guidance, I can get you leaner and/or more muscular in 12 weeks, using ONLY the equipment in my facility, if you train at least 2x/week.
For those few of you just behind me on the physique ladder, you WILL want to augment our work together, with workouts in a gym.
That’s why — regardless of your level — the option of your online training program comes INCLUDED in the cost of your monthly personal training.
Wherever you are in your journey, I’ve thought this out meticulously. I wouldn’t have poured myself into this venture unless I had total conviction that the benefits of what I’m offering, outweigh what I’m not.
But don’t take my word for it … again, come see for yourself.
At no risk, and zero cost.
More questions? See if I answered them below, in the FAQ section. If I didn’t, email me: branden@brandenhayward.com.
Ready to start? Please copy and paste the below text into a blank email, address it to branden@brandenhayward.com, fill in your answers, and send.
- How you heard about me. (Did someone refer you? Do we have mutual friends?)
- Your Instagram (if you have Instagram)
- 2-3 days/times in the next week for a 15 min exploratory phone call.
- If in Palm Springs, indication of what equipment you have available. If in Los Angeles, confirmation you understand the parking situation + have watched the virtual studio tour.
- Your goals.
- Days/times you wanna train.
FAQs
Is there designated free parking at your studio gym?
I wish! Here are your best options.
If you have time to spare:
- Street parking; first come, first served.
- Public transport; I’m 0.3 miles from the Hollywood/Vine stop of the Red subway line, and just steps from many major bus routes.
(depending on your location, you may also be able to walk or bike, but I’m not gonna assume that’s your situation)
If you have money to spare:
- There’s paid parking ($15 all day) at a lot 700 feet away. 1726 N Cahuenga Blvd.
- $6 parking located 0.3 miles away at 6269 Selma Avenue (with validation from Trader Joe’s).
- Use a car service like LYFT.
What happens if I get sick?
Do not come to train. Rest until better.
What happens if I travel?
Let’s front-load your sessions! Meaning, if you know you’re gonna be gone for 2 weeks next month, we should try to add in extra sessions in the weeks leading up to your trip. That way you won’t fall behind on your progress.
Do you have a 24 hour cancelation policy?
Yes. It is black and white. If you provide me less than 24 hours’ notice that you need to cancel or reschedule a session, that session is forfeited. For example: an 8 AM Wednesday session that is cancelled at or after 8 AM on Tuesday, is forfeited. (24 hours means 24 hours.)
This applies regardless of reason, including sickness. (Hint: I’m always happy to do a Zoom session with you instead, where we can in-depth discuss nutrition/lifestyle/mindset.)
24 hours is industry standard.
What are the amenities?
As you’ve observed if you’ve watched the demo videos, training with me is not about the amenities.
That said, barring unforeseen circumstances, I can always offer you:
A clean restroom. (Please limit to 15 minutes, for other clients or tasks I need to attend after our session.)
Ability to arrive early + warm-up, when agreed upon in advance.
How long are sessions?
50 minutes.
Do you have testimonials/proof?