personal_trainerIt goes without saying that a well thought out customized training program sits near the top of the list for being successful in your endeavours to looking good naked. Based on your training history, current health and fitness status, previous and/or current injuries and obviously your goals, a trainer or strength coach will design you a personalized program. Having said that, the trainer shouldn’t give you exercises that:

  • a) you couldn’t do,
  • b) add to current areas of pain,
  • c) put you in at-risk positions, and
  • d) take you further away from your goals.

However, there is more to it than what exercises to do in the gym.
 

The Personal in Personal Training

 
There are other pieces to the puzzle that are also inherently important when working toward your goals with your health and physique. The phase personal training implies one-on-one training; however, the meaning goes much deeper than that. The personal in personal training more so reflects what you bring to the table.

Improving your current state of health, wellbeing, strength level, energy level and happiness with your naked body takes time, effort and dedication to see results. It also takes a great team. Every time I get a new client, we form what I like to call the dynamic duo.

I can provide the guidance, motivation and awesome programming, but you need to have to these qualities to ensure your road to success isn’t so bumpy.

Here are my top 5 ingredients for success:

1. Drive /drīv/ – To push propel or press onward forcibly – reaching your health and fitness goals requires constant drive and a push in the right direction. A lack of drive can leave you sitting in the dust.

2. Intensity /inˈtensitē/ – Exceptionally great concentration, power, or force – a lack of intensity in the gym will slow your progress toward looking good naked. Leaning over the stepper or lifting too light won’t be enough stimulus to force your body to adapt. The intensity doesn’t have to be over red-line, but you need to feel slightly uncomfortable. Programming recovery sessions and getting 7 to 8-hours of uninterrupted sleep a night are just as important as training at a high intensity, so make sure you have balance.

3. Effort /ˈefərt/ – A vigorous or determined attempt – this is similar to training intensity. Your effort should force your body to change and adapt to the training stimulus. It doesn’t matter what level you’re at or if you have old injuries. Strive for that training effect in every workout. Bring the effort and notice your body change.

4. Discipline /ˈdisəplin/ – Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behaviour, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement – your new pattern of behaviour might be drastically different from the life you’re used to living. Focus on changing one habit at a time so it’s not so daunting. You’ll also be more successful.

5. Consistency /kənˈsistənsē/ – Conformity in the application of something – probably my number one must for progress. Consistent training, consistent nutritional habits, and consistent lifestyle choices will lead to change. Starting and stoping your workout program or eating well for one afternoon and poorly for the next day will not add up to success.

All of my most successful clients have brought qualities 1 though 5. If one’s missing, I’m afraid to say the results haven’t been as pronounced. When signing up with a trainer, coach or class, make sure you’re carrying your end of the deal for maximal results.

Thanks for reading. My intention wasn’t to scare you, but to make you realize, us as trainers, don’t have a magic wand (although that would be very cool!).

-JK

I had signed up for other gyms in the past and never went or rarely went. Something always got in the way or I was just too tired and lacked motivation to go. This way I’ve made a commitment to Jon or Thomas and I try very hard to keep my sessions once I’ve booked in. JKC is different from other gyms that I’ve tried in the past because no one is there to be “seen”. We are all there to get a good workout in and go on with our lives. And it’s a small gym so you get to know everyone and it’s like a big family. When I joined JKC, I couldn’t do a chin up with an elastic band, but I’ve slowly worked up to 10 free hanging chin ups. That was big because I hate chin ups.

Astrid Billfalk-Kelly

Personal Strength Training by Thomas King

I wanted to add strength training to my cardio, but have always felt gyms to be a bit intimidating, and was worried I would hurt myself without some supervision and help. JKC was highly recommended by several work colleagues. Thomas and Jon are both fantastic, making sure that everyone gets a highly personalized work out in a very supportive environment. The attention to detail and professionalism are second to none. The groups are very small, but very supportive and make the workouts even more fun. Since getting pregnant (36 weeks as I write this) I’m so happy that they continue to help me get stronger while always being safe.

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.

log overhead press

I had tried JKC based on the recommendation of a parent of one of my students. I originally started by attending Saturday drop in classes. I was hooked. I decided to join full time when I I had taken a year off from teaching and it was the best thing I have done for myself.

First and foremost the trainers at JKC are extremely knowledgeable. I feel like they are as dedicated to my success as I am. The workouts are tailored to me, my skills and my goals. This is important. Jon and Thomas truly want the best for their clients no matter what level of fitness they are starting from. I also like being able to book a session at a time that suits my schedule. This also helps keep me accountable. Once the session is booked I am not likely to cancel!

I had spent a fair bit of time in gyms in my teens and twenties but I turned away from the gym to focus on activities that I enjoyed more. What keeps me at JKC is that I do really enjoy it. I always feel that I’ve accomplished something when I leave at the end of my workout. The environment is really positive and focused on challenging yourself whatever your level of comfort and fitness. I’ve also seen results that I’m really happy with; having someone who really knows what they’re talking about to guide your workouts makes them way more effective and focused than just “going to the gym”.

Shortly after I started at JKC, I sustained a fairly major injury that took me off my feet for several months. When I started to get back to activity, it was very difficult. Jon and Thomas worked hard to tailor my workouts to my goals and what I could do. With their help, I’ve been steadily building back strength and function.

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