Top 6 Articles of 2013

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.

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.

Dane Woodland

Personal Strength Training by Jon-Erik Kawamoto

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.

Dave Sullivan

I’ve always struggled with both my weight and anxiety throughout my life. As a writer you live a pretty sedentary lifestyle filled with both realistic and unrealistic deadlines, so I needed something to get me off my butt and to get me moving. JK has been a godsend during this past year and a half in particular. The pandemic has been tough, but workouts with both Thomas and Jon have really helped reduce the stress and strain of a global pandemic, and added an anchor of normalcy back into my life — which has been worth its weight in gold.

JKC has created an incredibly inclusive environment that’s filled with all kinds of supportive folks from all kinds of different backgrounds. For folks like myself, being surrounded by people with such athletic ability can be intimidating in most gyms. It can actually be a deterrent, and it sometimes has been for me. But, at JKC it’s far from that — it’s inspirational. Everyone supports one another. Which is something that’s not easily found in this day and age, inside of a gym or out. Not to sound like a total cheeseball here, but it really feels like a family.

Paul Heffernan

I have never previously seen the passion and level of care that Jon and Thomas bring to everyone who works out at JKC. Their knowledge, insight and skills are extraordinary, and they work with everyone individually to ensure the best possible results. The attention to detail and to every person’s specific requirements and goals, and the incredible, constant encouragement they provide, is, in my opinion, what truly distinguishes JKC from any other program in which I’ve participated. I am extremely pleased with the progress I’ve achieved thus far, and it’s largely attributable to Jon and Thomas and the approach they take to training and working with people.

Sean Leet

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.

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