Just having turned 40 years old and weight trained and body builded for 25 years of my life, I was looking for a different way to train and boy did I find it with Donnie. Not only do I get a phenomenal workout, but I am also learning ground skills, stand up and most importantly how to train smarter.
When I first started training I was always trying to muscle my opponent but now I understand that there is much more than that. Technique is so important and Donnie has proven this to me time and time again.
Now my 8 and 13 year old boys are training with him and they absolutely love it. They are getting in better shape, learning discipline, developing defensive skills and having a good time with all of it!! If you're looking for a Pro fighter to take you to the next level, looking to just get in shape or have your children learn discipline and do something more than play video games, don't hesitate to give Donnie a call. Also, it is affordable.
-Dr. Mike Hurley
I have trained at a few various gyms in the Pittsburgh area, not one of them even compares to PTT. Not only do you receive pro-level training from a former professional fighter, you train with THE BEST fighters in the Pittsburgh area. Going to PTT you become part of a great family, the guys have zero egos, they even pulled me aside to help me when they barely knew me and I didn't even have to ask for it. Donnie really knows his stuff unlike some of these other gyms that think they know MMA. On top of all that Don is one of the nicest guys I have met in my entire life, I couldn't be around for the summer and he kept in contact with me. If you want to get your money's worth, give team PTT and Donnie a long hard look.
-Justin Rizzo
I give Coach D. and PTT my highest endorsement. I have trained in the Martial Arts all my life as well as High School Wrestling and Boxing in College. When I started with Donnie I had to re-learn everything and melt it into one smooth style (PTT way). Coach D was willing to work with me at my pace and my busy schedule. Now eight years later he still works very closely with my training and the training my men. Donnie, Thank you for the seeds you planted in me all these many years.
-Frank Murphy,
Head Combative Instructor for the PA State Police;
Owner of RomansXIII Consulting; Owner
Senior Instructor of Romans13 Combatives.
I trained with Donnie for about 4 years. I had zero experience coming in and he turned me into a great mixed martial artist. Because of him I have amassed a perfect 8-0 record finishing all my opponents and capturing 3
titles!
Donnie is the best coach in PA. He understands the entire game and will help to make you a complete mixed martial artist.
Donnie is always evolving. He's always learning new techniques and teaching them to his students and he always finds way to tweak these techniques to make them even more effective.
I guess to sum it up, if you wanna be a great fighter or you just wanna train to get into shape Team PTT is the way to go!
-Mark Cherico
I sought to find the best MMA fighter and trainer in the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who could teach me how to better my fight skills. After months of research and wasted time with other trainers and schools, I stumbled
upon Don Kaecher of Personal Training Tactics.
There are many reputable teachers in the Pittsburgh area but Don immediately stuck out to me as a perfect fit, not only because of his cage tested MMA skills but because of his coaching style, leadership, diligence and patience. He is flexible and worked around my unconventional schedule of working nightclub security around the Pittsburgh area and he applied real world solutions as well as teaching me a curriculum for MMA.
Almost thirteen years later, I look back and realize how choosing Don to train me in all areas of Mixed Martial Arts was one of the best decisions I have ever made. After moving across the country to Las Vegas, Nevada, I've had many opportunities to learn from and train with some of the best coaches and fighters in all areas of MMA. I can confidently say that Don Kaecher is in the upper echelon of the sport, earning him the respect and approval of many of the top names in MMA. He taught me all of the necessary skills to reach my personal dreams, while still remaining patient, dedicated, and a true professional.
Don is also very focused on finding each individual student's path to their own personal success and goals. He is not only a true warrior, who fought on some legendary fight cards long before the UFC became "mainstream" or
trainer who helped create the local Pittsburgh MMA community, but he IS Pittsburgh Mixed Martial Arts.
Whether your dreams are to one day maybe fight in the UFC or you just want to get in shape and learn some self defense, Don Kaecher will help you. He is a true professional at what he does.
I am currently achieving my goals, and I owe it all to Don Kaecher who helped get me to where I am today. PTT will always be a part of me and I am dedicated to help others grow with PTT.
-Joseph Sullivan
MMA Referee & Judge with ISKA& KICK of Nevada
Veteran TuffNUff Referee & Judge
Certified Grappling Referee
Don is an awesome coach, that's not even up for debate.
One thing I want to point out is that it doesn't matter if you are an aspiring fighter or if you are just trying get into better shape and have no interest in competing at all. You're not only welcomed by Don but you are part of the team. There are no ego's, and he doesn't only spend time with his fighters...
In short, when Don says "Team PTT" he means it, and so do the rest of the guys. I'm proud to know them. I'm proud to be a part of Team PTT.
Thanks guys.
-CJ Szelestey
My name is Matt and I have known and trained with Don for the past 2 years. I am 35 years old and have been around martial arts most of my life. I have a black belt in Kenpo karate and have trained in various styles over the years. I also have a side job with the PA athletic commission as an MMA inspector so I have been exposed to many mma schools and trainers. I can honestly say that Don is by far the best instructor in any martial art I have
ever studied. First and foremost his knowledge is second to none. However what I find most impressive is Don's ability to teach and convey concepts to his students. He has an awesome ability to communicate and teach MMA, grappling and striking. He is down to earth and honestly wants his students to excel...he does not hold back knowledge. I really appreciate the fact that Don does not have any ego....despite being the most talented mixed martial artist in the tri-state area. I have never seen him throttle students to make himself look good. He truly cares about his students and I just wish I could have found a trainer like Don when I was 20 years old. I have 4 small children so I don't have as much time as I would like to train. Quite simply Don and PTT are the best
around...not to mention that he is one of the nicest and most humble guys I have met. Thanks for what you do Don.
-Matt Fierle
During my time training with Donnie I saw my skills as a striker, grappler, and all around fighter increase monumentally. Donnie served as both my coach on the mat and a mentor off of it. The environment that was
created at PTT was one where anyone was welcome and everyone could succeed. While training at PTT I had 4 amateur MMA fights and my record is 4-0 with a title belt. I was able to find success at PTT because I was with the best team in the area and the best coach in the area. I would recommend PTT to anyone in the Pittsburgh area, regardless of skill level or desire to fight or just train. I can not say enough good things about Personal Training Tactics and all of Team PTT.
-Aaron Dorondo
I am in my 50's and trained with Donny for seven years until my job prevented me from continuing. He is professional in all aspects and the most patient person I have ever met! I learned more about defending myself than I had ever learned in my past Tae Kwon Do training years, and in just a few months under Don Kaecher's tutelage. He truly is a champion, and will make you feel confident in yourself and your ability to survive the tough
streets.
-Ray Ghilani
Coach D is without a doubt the best coach around. In only a few short months at PTT my skills have grown exponentially. Coach D is not only the best MMA coach, but one of the best people I have ever met. Coach D's training tactics have translated into producing the best team in the area, and I am proud to be a part of Team PTT. Outside of his training methods, Coach D is an incredible role model for all fighters and young men. Since I have come to PTT, I have not only become a better fighter, but I have become a better person. Honestly, one of the best decision thats I have made in my entire life was coming to team PTT.
-Travis Dougherty
Coach D is by far the best coach in the area. Also, he is one of the most genuine and humble people I have ever come across. He sets a great example for all of his students to follow. Coach D has helped me grow & mature, not only as a fighter, but also as a person. I made a great decision when I chose to start training at Personal Training Tactics and learn from Mr. Donnie Kaecher. Thank you for everything.
-Sumesh Jagtani
I am the owner and operator of Uniontown Fight Club and have trained several times with Don and I could go on for hours but to put it short and sweet, I have never met a man more willing to help someone and is full of top notch knowledge ! He will teach you more in one session that you brain will ever digest. I go to several other gyms and classes and all of his have been absolutely a great learning experience! He makes you keep wanting to come
back!
-Bill Bosley
Coach Don Kaecher is not only just an outstanding coach but also a great role model and family man. I've had hundreds of coaches in my life but the one who will always stand out will be coach D. The amount of respect and
admiration I have for you coach could not be put in words. The first time I trained with team PTT coach told me "I will take you as far as you want to go in this sport". Im honored to be apart of team PTT and have you as my coach. I cannot thank you enough for always believing in me and making me better fighter but more importantly a better person. I don't think i will ever stop learning from you but most importantly i would like to say thank you for always going the extra mile and putting your family and team first over yourself. Having trained with you for about a year now I have realized, myself and the team do not thank you enough for your tremendous effort and devotion to making team PTT the best in the area. Thank you coach D.
Ryan Connolly
Far and away the best fight team in the area. Don Kaecher has forgotten more about the fight game than most people learn in a lifetime. Great for all ages and skill level.
-Dave Gabig
I trained at Personal Training Tactics from 2005-2010. You get to train directly with the best fighters in the Pittsburgh area! Coach D is a professional fighter, but he takes the time to drill and train with the class. He has the experience needed to take you are far as you are willing to go with your training.
This class is for people of all levels. Everything is taught in a safe, effective manner. Information is not withheld from newer students based on some ranking system. Everyone learns together! Attention to detail is important. Moves are broken down into steps that anyone can learn. Then fine-tuned to the individual so they can be used even more effectively. Details are often the difference between getting the submission and missing an attempt.
Come try a class for yourself.
-Kevin Wichevich
My two oldest sons started training with Don Kaecher and PTT when they were 15 and 16 years old. That was 6 and a half years ago. From the first I was impressed with his humility and reserve. It was reminiscent of the combat veterans I had become acquainted with in the service.
His expertise is obvious by his fighting accomplishments, i.e., fights won/lost (MMA), championships (Golden Gloves, Jujitsu). However, there are many great athletes that are unable to coach or teach. Having some teaching
experience myself, I noticed immediately that he knew how to teach and inspire. My sons made almost as much progress in boxing in the first month with Don than they had made in the previous two years with another trainer. Don trained and cornered my second son to a Golden Gloves sub-novice division championship his first year in Golden Gloves.
I like the influence that Don Kaecher has on my sons' characters. He is an excellent role model and an absolute virtuoso at motivating them to higher levels of performance. My youngest son (14yrs old) started training with Don a couple of years ago when his older brothers' training slot opened up due to their overseas studies. He was a newcomer to junior wrestling and getting his butt kicked on a regular basis. Thanks to Don's coaching and
instruction outside of regular team practices my son has advanced quickly. He is still getting beat by boys with 5 and 6 years of wrestling experience, but not for much longer. He is catching up fast, and I wouldn't describe him as a gifted athlete. He is also progressing in jujitsu and more importantly in Self-Confidence. It is my hope that Don will be in his corner when he makes his debut into Golden Gloves this coming spring.
In short my boys are better men, not only better fighters because of Don.
-John Casamassa
Coach Donny is easily one of the best in the game today. He comes with a great deal of knowledge and experience about the sport, and his team has always had a tight-knit, family atmosphere to it. What he does better than virtually anyone else out there is that he is able to tailor his fighters to their own style. Many coaches are only able to teach their fighters the things that they are good at themselves. Donny is not like that. If striking comes naturally to you, then Donny will help you find a way to use it to its full potential. If you are a wrestler, Donny will help you find ways to set up your take downs. If you are a ground fighter, Donny will help you look for different ways of setting up the submissions that you are best at.
Donny's team is always in great shape in the cage as well. He has a history of producing champions. With a great team, knowing that you will be in great shape, and knowing that you will receive well-rounded training, working with Coach Donny is a very easy choice.
-John Krukar
I have trained Martial arts for a long time and I will tell you one thing, Don Kaecher is a top level coach. I think he understands the game of MMA like no other! He can tell you and help you get your fight game to the next level, pro or amateur. As a person i think he is a great man, father and friend and I am glad that I can say that he has help me become the fighter that I am today. thank you coach D.
-Khama Worthy