
BOSU Mobility Workout for Runners
The January/February 2022 issue of Canadian Running was just released and in it, you’ll find my latest contribution to the…
The January/February 2022 issue of Canadian Running was just released and in it, you’ll find my latest contribution to the…
Hey everyone. Thought I would take some time now to recap my weekend competing in “Newfoundland and Labrador’s Strongest Man/Woman”.…
Hi everyone, I’m pleased to share with you my first regular contribution to Triathlon Magazine Canada! Here is my first…
The May/June 2021 issue of Canadian Running was just released and in it, you’ll find my latest contribution to the…
By Thomas King, MSc, CK, CSCS Given the situation in the world right now, there is a good chance that…
By Thomas King, MSc, CK, CSCS Since the beginning of the pandemic, the craze of working out from the comfort…
By Julia Howard, MPH, RHN If you’re looking for a chunky vegan soup that eats like a meal, check out…
By Jon-Erik Kawamoto, MSc, CSCS, CEP Hey runners! Check out my most recent article with Canadian Running magazine called the…
By Thomas King, MSc, CSCS, CEP If there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s get a bigger butt.…
By Julia Howard, MPH, RHN Partridgeberries! How lucky are Newfoundlanders to have these ruby red gems practically at our doorsteps?…
By Julia Howard MPH, RHN, Run Coach Me: I wish I could eat more plant-based. Also me: I hate tofu.…
By Julia Howard MPH, RHN, Run Coach With the closure of gyms and rec centres, many of us are looking…
I’m 35 and I started at JKC in November of 2019. I was coming off the win of the Royal St. John’s Regatta in 2019, and our crew was chomping at the bit to be stronger and faster for 2020. The reputation of JKC leached into our group and away we went! Unfortunately the regatta was cancelled due to COVID-19, but I just loved JKC so much I stuck around. JKC is different from other gyms because the level of experience the team has is unparalleled. Jon, Thomas and Craig all mesh well together and mentor me in a way that I know they love what they do and are genuinely excited to guide me towards my goals (and beyond). I really enjoy the atmosphere, the sense of community and all the positive vibes that I experience in every session. There’s never a time I don’t want to go because I’m motivated by the team’s coaching style and I get results.
I joined JKC because I wanted to better care for my physical health, but didn’t really know how, or where, to begin. Seeking help from a trainer seemed like a wise choice, and I had heard great things about the staff at JKC. Anyone who knows me knows that I hate exercising. So, I’ve only ever tried sticking with a gym routine twice in my life. Each experience consisted of me wandering around, not knowing what to do, and settling for an elliptical machine or something else that seemed comfortable and non-threatening. Each session was the same, and I felt like I was wasting my time.
Each session at JKC, however, is specifically crafted for me. I don’t have to think about what to do, because I’m told what to do. I don’t have to worry about how to do things properly, because I’m shown (sometimes multiple times!) how to accomplish each task. I don’t have to be concerned about slipping into a comfortable routine, because Jon and Thomas won’t let that happen.
I’m 34 and started at JKC in 2015. My wife joined while I was working away in 2015 and started making amazing progress while also completing exercises I’d never perform on my own. I felt I was missing out so I signed up. JKC helps in establishing goals while also having clear direction of what to do, and how, in each session. They also measure your progress which is another means of motivation! At other gyms I wouldn’t have a clear plan and would just use whatever equipment was free, it was hard to see any results. Between setting some personal bests and making good friends its hard to identify a favorite memory. One that does come to mind was when I hit my target goal/PB in both bench and squats in the same session, big day.
JKC was recommended to me by my good friend Casidhe Dyke. Cas had been training with JKC for a while, and both he and his father had seen great results from the personal training that Jon and Thomas were giving them. I was and still am primarily a triathlete and I’ve always struggled with injuries. I was talking to Cas about incorporating more strength training in my program to try and prevent injuries going forward and Cas suggested that I give JKC a try. I reached out to Jon not long after, and the rest is history! After working with Jon and Thomas for a few months, I was getting stronger, faster, and most importantly, I was staying injury-free. I ended up being able to train the whole season without significant injury and posted a personal best at Ironman Copenhagen in 2018. A big part of that was due to the strength training and coaching I received at JKC.
Before starting at JK Conditioning I had attempted strength training multiple times through various local gyms and at home. Each time I would end up frustrated and injured. A little over two years ago, I contacted Jon and shared my goal with him to complete my first Ironman and remain injury free in the process. Jon, Thomas and Angie have worked with me weekly and I feel stronger but most importantly I have remained injury free for 2 years, 2 months and 6 hours….. but who’s counting. HaHa. The atmosphere at JKC is welcoming for any age and ability. While Jon, Angie and Thomas are serious about GAINZ, I’ve never once found myself not laughing while working out. Thanks for helping me to continue in this crazy sport where strength training is often neglected but is the key to remaining injury free!!