jon-erik kawamoto, personal trainer
Well, it would be a lie if I said that this week was anything shy of spectacular.

I had my debut article on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s official website, titled Hybrid Density Training (HDT): The Best Fat Loss Workout You’re NOT Doing. It was a hit and received 10,000 LIKES!

HDT is a high intensity training program I created for those looking to burn as many calories as possible, which combines high-intensity interval training (sprints) and circuit training.

I want to make it clear though, that exercise should be your 2nd line of defence when wanting to shed fat.

My friend and fellow colleague, Mark Young, said it best for the Lean Bodies Consulting Facebook page:

Exercise can serve as an adjunct to diet, but never as a replacement. Don’t put your stock in magic exercise plans that promise fat loss. If your diet isn’t in place you’re pretty much just wasting your time.
Mark Young, Lean Bodies Consulting

So with that in mind, here’s my HDT article:

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Very little is considered new or radical in the fitness industry these days. Most of the training and programming parameters such as progressive overload, specificity of training and the principle of reversibility have stood the test of time. Training concepts may come and go, but we always seem to fall back on what works best or what proves to be better.

Putting a HIT on Aerobic Exercise

 
A prime example is long slow distance training or aerobic exercise. Once believed as the go-to training method for fat loss, low intensity training has since been bumped from the top spot and replaced with high intensity training, also known as high-intensity interval training (HIT) or burst training. Commonly associated with cyclical-type exercises, like running and cycling [1], HIT incorporates hard and easy periods of high and low intensity efforts.

Continue reading HERE.

Hybrid Density Training: The Best Fat Loss Workout You're NOT Doing

Kathryn Sparrow

Nutritional Coaching by Julia Howard

From my initial consult with Julia, she was professional and knowledgeable as both a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and athlete. She was interested in my nutrition and fitness goals and the development of a plan that would set me up for success.

Julia designed weekly meal plans that were complete with recipes and shopping lists. The food choices were nutritious, easy to prepare, and ensured that I felt well nourished and energized throughout my training and non-training days. Not only do I feel leaner and more fit, but I have more energy and I feel much more in tune with my body and food choices. Julia really helped me put everything in place so I can continue this process going forward- I cannot thank her enough!

The people and the training set JKC apart from other gyms or programs I’ve tried in the past. Truly Jon and Thomas meet you where are and help you get to where you want to be. There are no expectations and never any judgement. You can go there having the worst day and you always leave feeling better. Truly JKC has given me a level of strength and confidence I would not have had otherwise ❤️.

I came to JKC through recommendations from my peers from lululemon. As a current ambassador, I’ve been introduced to legacy ambassadors, like Jon, and I knew a bunch of other people from the store were working out here so I wanted to give it a go. I often dread lower body workouts so I started coming here to do legs. I’ve had such great progress that I now come twice a week— and, I no longer hate leg day!

I’ve never experienced this sort of hybrid between group workouts and personalized service. Many group strength training services offer a sort of one-size-fits-all workout for the general population, which has never been of interest to me, because I want my workout tailored to my needs! I LOVE that you can be in a group setting while doing your own personal program; I love the camaraderie and community at JKC, and, I’ve seen incredible results thus far! Jon is always so attuned to what I need.

I saw an article in Men’s Journal that quoted Jon in about 2018 while traveling and was impressed that someone in St. John’s made that international magazine.  Jon spoke about an exercise called the Farmer’s Walk and I started working that into my routine at the YMCA. I tore that article out of the magazine and kept it, meaning to make contact, but got busy. Then I had lunch with an old friend Bruce Dyke. I hadn’t seen Bruce for a while and I remarked that he looked super healthy and fit. He told me about his, and his son Cas’, experience at JKC and then I remembered the Men’s Journal article! No coincidences!

The experience is unique on many levels – great people, camaraderie, passion, purpose, and dedication. Jon and Thomas are attentive, precise and understanding.  Their teaching has unlocked a new perspective for me with what our bodies are capable of. I still appreciate the YMCA, wonderful place, but I can’t imagine working out without Jon and Thomas now.

I chose JKC originally to help prevent rowing injuries. I’m a rower and we won the St. John’s Regatta in 2019 but I rowed through a rib stress fracture and missed significant time in the boat during the racing season. Training at JKC consistently since the pandemic helped me stay injury free this year and made me the strongest I’ve ever felt, which helped me help my team win the 2021 St. John’s Regatta! Jon adds variety and mixes the exercises up well so that the workout goes by quickly and strength is gained. The gym is very personable and I like the eclectic mix of people that are there. JKC is much more intimate and personal than other gyms.

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