If you're in Woodside and looking for a private personal trainer, you've probably already ruled out the obvious options. The big-box gym down the hill. The app with the generic 12-week plan. The trainer who posts inspirational quotes and calls it a methodology.
Fair. Most of what's being sold as personal training isn't coaching — it's supervision with a playlist. I'm Mike Dorricott, and I run Training Space out of a private studio on Industrial Rd in San Carlos, about 15 minutes from Woodside via 84 or 280. If you want someone to count your reps and tell you you're doing great, I'm the wrong fit. If you want to actually get stronger over the next two years, keep reading.
What Coaching Actually Looks Like
The word 'coaching' gets used loosely. Here's what I mean by it: we build a program around what you're actually trying to do, what your schedule actually allows, and what your body is actually ready for — not what a template says week four should look like.
For most Woodside clients, that means compound strength work: deadlifts, split squats, weighted carries, pressing variations. Not because those are trendy, but because they're the most efficient way to build durability and add real weight to the bar over time. Three to four sessions a week, structured around progressive overload. The standard is simple: beat your last session. Not a chart, not a peer comparison — just whatever you did last time.
Strength is a skill. The nervous system adaptations that make you meaningfully stronger take months of consistent, well-structured practice. Most adults under-train this because they assume effort is the variable that matters. It's not. Practice is.
Who I Work With in Woodside
Woodside tends to attract a specific kind of person: someone who has done hard things before, has opinions about how they want to train, and is skeptical of being handed a generic plan. That's fine — I prefer clients with opinions.
A big portion of the people I work with are over 40, often coming off a stretch of inconsistency or a program that stopped working. Some are former athletes. Some are executives who tried Crossfit and liked the intensity but not the randomness. Some are newer to structured lifting and want to get it right from the start rather than spend two years fixing bad patterns.
If you're a Woodside resident who plays golf, rides horses, hikes the trails up here, or just wants to stay strong and functional into your 50s and 60s — that's exactly the kind of goal I build programs around. I also work with masters athletes who are still competing and want coaching that respects that, not a watered-down version of what younger athletes do.
The Drive to San Carlos Is Worth It
I hear the commute concern. San Carlos isn't Woodside. But the studio on Industrial Rd is a quick shot east on 84 or down 280, easy off 101. No parking lot circling, no waiting for a squat rack, no one supersetting next to you with no concept of shared space.
The private setup matters for coaching. When we're pulling heavy deadlifts or dialing in a split squat pattern, I need to be able to watch your movement without gym noise and distraction. The sessions are focused because the space is focused.
Most clients come in two to three times a week. Some start with once a week and add frequency as it fits their schedule. There's no right answer — the best training frequency is the one you'll actually sustain.
The 12-Week: What It Is and Isn't
The entry point for new clients is the 12-week. I want to be direct about what that means: it's not a sales pitch with a free session attached. It's a real conversation about your training history, what you want, and whether working together makes sense.
We'll talk about what you've tried, what's worked, what hasn't. We'll look at your schedule, your goals, and whether the structure I use is actually a fit for how you want to train. If it's not, I'll tell you that. The goal of that first conversation is honest information, not a close.
If it does make sense, we build the 12 weeks together, with the expectation that you'll leave with a clear picture of what consistent strength training looks like for you specifically — not a template with your name on it.
FAQ
How far is your studio from Woodside? About 12-15 minutes depending on traffic. The studio is on Industrial Rd in San Carlos, right off 101 — easy access via 84 east or 280 south to 101.
I'm over 40 and haven't lifted consistently in years. Is this still a fit? Yes, and honestly this is a common starting point. We assess where you are, build in appropriate volume and load progressions, and focus on consistency. Post-40 strength training is one of the most valuable things you can invest in — the timeline just needs to be realistic.
What does a typical session look like? Depends on where you are in the program, but expect compound movements as the foundation — deadlifts, squats, carries, rows, presses — programmed with specific sets, reps, and target loads. No random circuit work. No guessing what you're doing when you show up.
How do I know if the 12-week is right for me? Book the consult and find out. There's no commitment beyond showing up and having an honest conversation. If it's not the right fit, you'll know by the end of it — and so will I.