How many people do you take in a group environment?

If there is one coach on the floor, sessions are capped at 4 and if there are 2 coaches on the floor, sessions are capped at 6.

I noticed that the price per session is $50+tax. Is that $50/person or $50 for up to 4 people to split?

Group sessions are $50/person+tax per person regardless of group size.

Do you have any morning groups that already exist to join or do you have to come with a group already?

We actually don’t have fixed groups. Clients book on a first come first serve basis. You can join as an individual or coordinate with friends to book in the same group.

How do you time your sessions? What's your schedule?

We open at 6:15am and book on the hour. Workouts are 1-hour long. In the afternoon, we book every hour starting at 1:30pm. The last workout starts at 7:30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6:30pm on Tuesdays and 4:30pm on Fridays.

How much gym experience do I need to “fit in” with a group session?

None! We have many clients with minimal gym experience. We start teaching you exercises and cues in your Initial Assessment and continue to do so at all your future workouts.

Do I need to bring anything to write down weights, reps, etc. from my workout?

Nope. We have a folder with all your workout information. We track this info to safely and appropriately progress your workouts from week to week.

Do you only offer one style or workout or program?

No, we write workouts and programs for each client. We base our programming on your Initial Assessment, goals, current ability, interests and needs.

Can I just do 1-on-1 coaching or do I need to do a group?

No you can’t. All clients start with a couple 1-on-1 sessions but eventually all clients are moved to group workouts.

So you don't offer bootcamp-style workouts?

Nope. We offer traditional strength and conditioning with free weights, machine weights, bands and bodyweight. Each person in each group will have their own workout therefore it doesn’t matter who else is in your group.

I’m looking to improve my Olympic lifting/CrossFit/strongman, can you guys help with that?

Not really. We don’t specialize in this style of workouts and suggest you look for a different facility in the city for this type of training.

What can I expect at a “typical” training session? Walk me through a quick overview, how long it is, format, etc.

All workouts are 1-hour long. You’ll come in, get changed and jump on a piece of cardio equipment to start your general warm-up. Next, you’ll move to a couple dynamic stretches that will target tight muscles found in your Initial Assessment. After that, you’ll do custom muscle activation/isolation exercises to target weak muscles found in your assessment. Next comes the bulk of your workout which can include squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, pull downs and core exercises. Lastly, you can finish with a cool down and more stretches.

How many sessions per week does your typical client do?

We have clients train 1-3x/week at JKC and we also have clients train less often, like 1-2x/month but they’re working out on their own and come in for check-ins.

My private health insurance covers kinesiology services, can I get some of my training sessions covered under this?

Yes, all of our coaches are Certified Kinesiologists. We can provide you with receipts that you can submit for reimbursement.

My physio/chiro/RMT says I need to work on my mobility, is this something you can learn in a group training session?

Yes, we can prescribe mobility exercises based on findings/recommendations from your therapist.

Who would you say is your typical client?

Our niche market is the general population looking to improve their quality of life through fitness. Our clientele normally find themselves between 30-65 years of age and we’re almost 50/50 males/females.

Do the coaches at JKC hold any strength and conditioning certifications?

Yes, our coaches are Certified Kinesiologists with the Canadian Kinesiology Association and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists with the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

I'm worried that in a group session, I would get lost amongst the other clients. Is this something I should be worried about?

That’s understandable, but no, there is no need to worry. Our groups are small and kept small for a reason. We value quality coaching and smaller group sizes allow our coaches to keep a keen eye on you throughout your entire workout.

Do you guys offer memberships to walk in and use equipment?

Not at this time. Workouts are by appointment only.

I am not interested in weight training, just cardio. Can I just use the treadmill for my session?

No, this is not a service we offer at this time.

I noticed you have multiple trainers/coaches on your website? Does it matter who I see?

Nope. All our coaches are trained to have consistent knowledge and have the ability to coach you similarly through any exercise or any workout. Our coaches look after all our clients, meaning, regardless of who you see, you’ll still be coached through the next progression of your workout.

I want to train for a bodybuilding/bikini show. Is this something you can help me with?

No, this is not a service we offer. We suggest looking for a different facility/coach for this type of service.

Carly Wallwork

Personal Strength Training by Jon-Erik Kawamoto

I’m 30 — started at JKC Aug 2016. I moved to NL to open lululemon and we chose Jon as one of our store’s ambassadors, did one workout and have raved about it ever since! The JKC team can adapt a workout no matter what the situation — injuries, new goals, you name it! The trust and expertise can’t be matched!

Stephanie Hartery

Personal Strength Training by Jon-Erik Kawamoto

I’ve always been a gym rat, but was getting tired of the same ol’ routine. My better half was attending JKC and encouraged me to try it out. My favourite part of JKC is that is isn’t a gym – it’s a community. Jon and Thomas are awesome, and I love that every time I go I know who’s working out with me and we can socialize while working on our health. Everyone is supportive, encouraging and genuinely looks out for one another. It’s an upbeat and positive experience and I can honestly say that I look forward to each and every workout.

Nizar Ladha

Personal Strength Training by Thomas King

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.

cas dyke

Cas Dyke

Personal Strength Training by Thomas King

I started training at JKC in 2016 because I had built up a number of muscle imbalances from old injuries and activities like rock climbing which had led to some really bad posture and mobility issues. On top of that some friends had convinced me to sign up for a half-ironman. Working with Jon and Thomas was a way to pull my body back into alignment and make sure it wouldn’t fall apart during my race. The staff at JKC pride themselves on continuously advancing their knowledge, which leads to new and inventive way to address problems, old and new. I got my Dad to start training here and recommended JKC to all looking to improve their strength and fitness.

Lloyd Hussey

Personal Strength Training by Jon-Erik Kawamoto

I started at JKC in January of 2014 and I’m 67 years old. When I had my Initial Assessment, I knew – almost immediately – that Jon knew what he was doing and what he was talking about. I was overweight, out of shape, and in serious need of someone, like Jon, who could get me back on a fitness/conditioning routine that suited me, my age, my less than acceptable physical condition, my sometimes intermittent RA, and my need for a structured, consistent and yet flexible training and conditioning program that would work for me.

Fundamentally, if I made a choice at all with respect to JKC – it was to continue to come back each week. I have not been in a lot of gyms. To be honest, they used to intimidate me. What makes JKC different is their approach to each and every one of their clients. Jon and Thomas – and now Craig – tailor each training regime to the particular needs of each client. That ensures that the training regime will suit each client upon the start of training and changes as the client improves. It adjusts for any physical setbacks such as injuries and it adjusts for success. It is just that simple.

It is also the consistent encouragement that comes from Jon, Thomas and Craig. That voice that comes to you while you are in the middle of a particularly difficult set – rear-foot elevated split squats comes to mind immediately – that says “good job” or “keep it up” or “just a couple more reps.” To know, in that moment, that you are not alone and the trainer is paying attention to what you are doing. That is priceless for me.

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