Coaching. Connection. Community.

At JKConditioning, you’ll find a supportive, nonjudgmental gym atmosphere. You’ll get a “Hi” when you arrive and a “Bye” when you leave – there are no strangers here.

Whether you’re new-to-fitness or fitness has been part of your routine for awhile, you can trust our expert coaches with your health and fitness goals. We’re educated, credible, and experienced.

Staff & Coaches

Jon-Erik Kawamoto

Certified Kinesiologist, Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Managing Director, Founder

Jon-Erik Kawamoto, MSc, CK, CSCS, is a Certified Kinesiologist (Newfoundland and Labrador Kinesiology Association), Strength and Conditioning Specialist (National Strength…

Thomas King

Certified Kinesiologist, Strength & Conditioning Specialist

Thomas King, MSc, CK, CSCS, has worked as a personal trainer in St. John’s since graduating from Memorial University with…

Our Manifesto

At JKC, we believe that talking about our goals is important to help us bring a clear vision into reality.

A manifesto, or a statement of intentions, reminds us to strive to be better everyday. Our manifesto is symbolized by the image of the dragon.

The dragon represents triumph over adversity, renewed fire within, and transformation through self-knowledge.

Not only do we build physical strength in the gym but the physical practice also builds strength of character. We can use this strength to help us create a vision for our lives and develop perseverance to achieve it.

As part of our community, we want to help you be better everyday. You’ll see the dragon image throughout our gym space as a reminder of why we’re all here.

Our Mission

Our mission is to help people become their strongest, fittest selves through expert coaching in a nonjudgmental, supportive gym environment.

How We Work

Most fitness professionals promise “6 pack abs in 6 weeks,” or a similar message. We don’t do before and afters because there is no “after.” There is only continuous improvement. Also, our group training creates a community. When you join JKC, you are joining something bigger than yourself.

Custom Workouts in a Group Environment

Get the best of both worlds: a custom plan tailored to your needs and current ability along with the support from the JKC fitness community.

We Offer Flexible Scheduling

No locked-in days or times here. Train when’s convenient for you so you don’t have to miss workouts.

Pay As You Go

Enjoy a different fitness experience. Pay for training on your terms with no long-term membership fees. Out of town? No worries. Only pay when you workout.

After my children were born, I was completely out of shape. I had been active before my first pregnancy in 2008. I saw a post on social media about a charity event that was hosted at the gym. It prompted me to check out the JKC website. I was immediately impressed by the professional content and decided to give it a try. The professionally crafted and uniquely tailored work outs, as well as the sense of accountability and commitment that they foster. I have not missed a workout since joining – contrary to other experiences I have had when purchasing gym memberships. The flexibility of booking and rescheduling workouts, made easy by an online app, also contributed to my success in meeting my fitness goals.

I enjoy every session, working out with Jon, Thomas and Craig, as well as the “JKC Community”. Anytime someone achieves a personal best, I enjoy the celebration and support everyone gives each other. For me, I fondly remember achieving personal bests on bench press, chin ups and the sled push, in particular.

I am turning 67 next month and I started my journey with JKC in 2018. Seven years ago I experienced significant foot pain which had a negative impact on my day to day activities. I learned that issues in other parts of the body need to be addressed to achieve a positive result. My doctor (Dr. Jessica Wade) suggested, along with some other therapies, that I could  benefit from the conditioning JKC had to offer. I previously had not trained in any gym. I observed how many gyms operated and had a sense that JKC would be more my style: training in a small group setting, having such personal attention, and a program meeting my specific needs is fantastic! I love the atmosphere at the gym. Everyone is accepted and you feel supported and comfortable.

I was looking for something to augment my 20+ year yoga practice with a focus on strength conditioning. I am friend’s with Jon’s sister in-law and over the years always heard great things about JKC, especially with respect to the top quality trainers they have and programs they run. After talking to Jon about my goals, and hearing his thoughts on a training plan, I knew that this was going to be an awesome experience … and it sure has been. JKC stands out from other gyms because of the attention to detail, the high quality of the staff and the facilities. Also, the amazing people that train there. And no one posing and taking selfies. I’m 41 years old and I started in Dec 2021.

I started at JKC in January of 2014 and I’m 67 years old. When I had my Initial Assessment, I knew – almost immediately – that Jon knew what he was doing and what he was talking about. I was overweight, out of shape, and in serious need of someone, like Jon, who could get me back on a fitness/conditioning routine that suited me, my age, my less than acceptable physical condition, my sometimes intermittent RA, and my need for a structured, consistent and yet flexible training and conditioning program that would work for me.

Fundamentally, if I made a choice at all with respect to JKC – it was to continue to come back each week. I have not been in a lot of gyms. To be honest, they used to intimidate me. What makes JKC different is their approach to each and every one of their clients. Jon and Thomas – and now Craig – tailor each training regime to the particular needs of each client. That ensures that the training regime will suit each client upon the start of training and changes as the client improves. It adjusts for any physical setbacks such as injuries and it adjusts for success. It is just that simple.

It is also the consistent encouragement that comes from Jon, Thomas and Craig. That voice that comes to you while you are in the middle of a particularly difficult set – rear-foot elevated split squats comes to mind immediately – that says “good job” or “keep it up” or “just a couple more reps.” To know, in that moment, that you are not alone and the trainer is paying attention to what you are doing. That is priceless for me.

I chose JKC because I row/coach teams in the St. John’s Regatta and was looking to add strength training to our program. My wife is also running friends with Julia, so I got to meet Jon a few times and heard lots of good things. I like JKC over other gyms because of the level coaching I receive and the gym atmosphere. The energy in the gym helps me through the tough workouts.

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