Meet Toby Lau of Pasadena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Toby Lau.

Toby, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began my career as a personal trainer at LA Fitness and later worked at 24 Hour Fitness, followed by a local gym in San Marino. While these experiences gave me a strong foundation, I eventually realized that the heavy focus on quotas and sales took away from what mattered most to me—truly understanding and supporting my clients’ needs.

That realization led me to step away from large commercial gyms and start working independently. By doing so, I was able to build my own clientele and focus on the why behind personal training: helping people move better, feel stronger, and live healthier lives in a way that fits their individual goals and limitations.

MÜV was a brand originally created by my mentor and close friend. When she moved out of the country, I took over the business and continued to grow it with the same core values. Today, I’m proud to be serving the Pasadena area, providing personalized, thoughtful training that puts people—not numbers—first.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road. I took over the business right as the COVID-19 pandemic began, and it was one of the most challenging periods of my career. At the time, there was a lot of fear and uncertainty. People were hesitant to meet in person, and I shared those same concerns about health and safety.

For nearly two years, building consistent business was extremely difficult. I was constantly balancing the stress of keeping the business going while worrying about the risk of virus exposure for my clients and myself. There were moments of doubt, but I stayed committed because I truly believed in the value of helping people move better and stay healthy—especially during such a difficult time.

Looking back, that experience forced me to grow, adapt, and become more resilient. It shaped how I approach training today, with even more empathy, flexibility, and care for the people I serve.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
MÜV LIVE LONGER is a fitness and movement-focused training program designed specifically for mature adults who want to maintain their health, independence, and quality of life for the long term. Our mission is to help people move better, feel stronger, and stay active as they age—safely and confidently.

We specialize in training the aging population, with a strong emphasis on functional movement. Rather than focusing solely on aesthetics or intensity, we teach our clients how to become more comfortable using their bodies in everyday life—improving balance, mobility, strength, and coordination so movement feels natural and empowering.

What truly sets MÜV apart is our dedication to our clients. We don’t just listen to what our clients want—we carefully observe and assess what they need, even when they may not yet recognize it themselves. This thoughtful, individualized approach allows us to address underlying movement patterns, prevent injuries, and build long-term confidence. At its core, MÜV represents a concept we live by: moving with confidence.

We offer a range of services to meet different needs and comfort levels, including small group classes, one-on-one personal training, semi-private training, couples training, stretching services, and fascia fitness training. Every program is intentionally designed to support longevity, safety, and sustainable progress.

Brand-wise, we are most proud of the trust our clients place in us and the meaningful relationships we build along the way. MÜV is not just about exercise—it’s about helping people add years to their life, and more importantly, life to their years.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that there is no overnight success. Building a meaningful and sustainable business takes time, patience, and consistency. There were many moments along the way when progress felt slow, but those were often the moments that mattered most.

I’ve learned that winners don’t quit—and quitting guarantees failure. If I truly enjoy what I do and I’m willing to invest the time to study it, improve it, and grow through the challenges, I will always move forward. That commitment to learning and persistence has been my biggest advantage and continues to guide how I build my business today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.muv.life
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/m%C3%BCv-pasadena?osq=muv