Jon-Erik Kawamoto
Certified Kinesiologist, Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Managing Director, Founder
We know you don’t want to spend all day in the gym. But, you don’t have to quit your day job to realize the many benefits of strength training. Our experienced personal trainers provide programs for busy people who are looking for an efficient workout routine to fit into their jam-packed schedules.
New clients must undergo a 1-on-1 initial assessment prior to starting training.
Personal training, in a group environment. Group sizes can range from 1 to 5 clients per group.
Receive 1-on-1 coaching, review technique, learn new exercises and be pushed to new bests.
Inactive adults experience a 3% to 8% loss of muscle mass every 10 years, accompanied by an increase in fat accumulation and a decrease in resting metabolic rate.
Not only do these losses impact the way we look and how we feel but, they also impact our level of functional independence as we get older.
By incorporating 2 to 3 sessions of strength training per week into your life, you’ll see benefits such as:
Only 2 in 10 adults meet the daily recommended levels of physical activity each day. (Public Health Agency of Canada).
Adults aged 18-64 should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week in addition to muscle and bone strengthening activities (i.e., strength training!) using major muscle groups, at least 2 days per week. (CSEP Guidelines, 2019).
Since, it’s unlikely that those of us with desk jobs will be quitting those jobs any time soon, we need to become more comfortable incorporating strength training into our lives in order to stay healthy.
Whether you’re an elite athlete or have minimal gym experience, age 35 or 65, we can help you get comfortable, safe and efficient in the gym.
Our staff are credible, highly experienced Strength and Conditioning Specialists backed by the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). We’re also Certified Kinesiologists with the Newfoundland and Labrador Kinesiology Association (NLKA) and the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance (CKA).
We’re passionate about strength training for our own health and we’ve been featured in publications such as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, and Oxygen Magazine providing expert advice on strength training.
By learning compound movements that use all your major muscle groups such as squats, deadlifts, pull downs, and rows, you’ll get stronger, healthier, and more resilient to what life throws at you.
Certified Kinesiologist, Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Managing Director, Founder
Certified Kinesiologist, Strength & Conditioning Specialist
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 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 had always wanted to start lifting weights and get stronger, but didn’t know where to start. I was looking not just for a gym, but for training on proper technique to prevent injury and a program designed for my specific goals. I also wanted a fun and supportive atmosphere to keep me coming back. JKC delivered on all of this and more.
Jon and Thomas have a wealth of knowledge that help their clients get the most out of their time in the gym. Programs are continuously modified to keep the workouts challenging. Even through everyone’s program is unique, you always have the coaches and other clients cheering you on and pushing you to achieve new bests.
I recently turned 40, and I have been training at JKC since the summer of 2020. My partner Michael had already been training at JKC, so it came highly recommended. We had set up a home gym at the start of the pandemic, but needed to mix it up after the first lockdown. JKC differs from other gyms because of the personalized workouts. Jon, Thomas and Craig are great at challenging me to do more than I would on my own.
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.