jon-erik kawamoto, fitness trainer
Well, I did not blog or write as much this year as I did in 2012 a) because I spent most of my time writing my master’s thesis and b) because I started personal training full time (since being in school) in June. But I did reach a few really awesome milestones though. I passed the 100 published article mark (since starting in 2009), had my first article published on BodyBuilding.com and was also featured on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s official website with a popular article I wrote on Hybrid Density Training.

Let’s get to the top 6 articles of 2013 shall we!

1. Hybrid Density Training: THE BEST Fat Loss Workout You’re Not Doing – This was an outstanding achievement for me that I’m super proud about. My Hybrid Density Training routine is super hard and not for everyone. As a side note, the best and only way to lose fat is to have a calorie deficit. Along with eating sensibly, this high intensity workout will ramp up your calorie expenditure and help get that energy balance equation to shift in your favour.

2. 5 Reasons You’re Not Seeing Results in the Gym – Written by my good friend and colleague Chad Landers, from Push Private Fitness in California, this article went viral and was shared by every person on the planet (sort-of). Even Yahoo Sports picked it up and published it (here). This article should probably be read over and over, especially since most will be looking to get fit in 2014.

3. The One Movement Pattern Everybody Does Wrong – More of a video than an article, this post gives you a step-by-step how-to on the hip hinge. Being able to move through your hips and not your spine is crucial for long term back health, developing lower body and core strength and for optimal athletic performance….and everybody performs it wrong.

4. 5 Tips on Getting a Badass Physique – The title is self-explanatory. If you want to look great naked, follow these 5 tips. Trust me, they work!

5. Why the Word Cardio Doesn’t Make Much Sense – This article was my first appearance on BodyBuilding.com. It went viral and was well received. People love to hate on cardio and coming from a middle-distance-runner background, I felt I had to stand up for it.

6. Russian Revolution: Enter the Kettlebell – This was my last training feature in Reps magazine. Robert Kennedy Publishing closed their doors in the summer and this was the last published issue. In this article, I give you a little history on the kettlebell, workout options and also quote kettlebell greats such as Pavel, Dan John, Steve Cotter and Brett Jones.

Here’s wishing you an amazing end to 2013 and to an even more successful 2014.

I’m 29 and I just had my 3rd Liftiversary 🥳 at JKC. I chose to train here because of the great word on the street and the fact that at lululemon, we’re encouraged to support our local community. My day-to-day routine is very busy, and I love showing up and having to think very little about my workout. The vibes are always good, my music choice is usually accommodated, and the bys are incredibly supportive and compassionate, helping me reach my goals (even when I had a broken hand). I also get to be my weird self, and am embraced fully.

I am the oldest client at JKC at 79 years, soon to be 80. I started training at JKC July 2021. I started at JKC because two of my three sons Justin and Michael and their partners Andrea and Keir and one of my doctors recommended JKC. They all train at JKC Now my wife Linda trains at JKC too. My third son Jonathan lives in Kingston. There is a congenial community atmosphere at JKC. People are introduced to each other. There is effective personal training at JKC.

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 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.

lisa jumping onto a box

JKC was recommended to me by a fellow runner. I was experiencing injuries, and feeling weak and fragile. When I started with JKC, Jon asked me about my goals and my focus. I wanted to concentrate specifically on running, and preventing injury. Jon developed a program for me that has enabled me to focus on my form and strength and has been flexible enough to enable me to train for many different races. I have been training with JKC for six years, and during that time I have enjoyed Jon and Thomas’s expertise in a very warm and supportive atmosphere.

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