Bios

Julie

In January 2009 I had my first session with a personal trainer, he really put me through my paces and made me realize just how out of shape I was and how much work I had ahead of me. For me, the most important part of having a trainer is the accountability. If I didn't have someone giving me  new/interesting workouts and encouraging me every step of the way I may have given up (like I had many times before).

I was introduced to kettlebells through my trainer. I was a little skeptical of them at first, they look like a cannonball with a handle and I wasn't sure what to do with it. I quickly learned just a few of the many, many exercises possible and was definitely convinced that they work. After using kettlebells for over a year I'm in the best shape of my life. I'm strong, I feel fit, and I've lost more than 60lbs! When used properly kettlebells give you an awesome fat-burning workout that targets your entire body. It is definitely a cardio workout but because you're also using a weight for resistance you are actually building muscle while you're burning fat and your metabolism will increase significantly.

Kettlebells and exercise have really changed my life, I feel like there are so many more opportunities open to me now. I commute on a bike as much as possible, I recently tried rock climbing, I go for long hikes - when I was heavier and inactive these things wouldn't have seemed possible to me. Now I want to help others and motivate them to reach their fitness potential. I have been certified as a Kettlebell Instructor through Agatsu and as a Nutrition & Wellness Specialist through Can-Fit Pro. I am currently studying for my  Personal Training certification.

If you're ready to make a change and need someone that will motivate you along the way then contact me. I've been there, I know what it takes.


Steve

I have much the same story as Julie does. In January 2009, she dragged me, somewhat reluctantly, to the gym along with her for company. I knew I was overweight, but I never really appreciated how bad I let myself get. I told myself that at 6'3", I was allowed to carry extra weight -- that was normal. I certainly didn't consider myself someone who needed (or wanted) to go to the gym. But go to the gym, I did, at the time, perhaps only to make Julie happy :)  It was definitely a benefit to have her to get me out of bed for those early morning sessions with our personal trainer on days when I couldn't bear to emerge from my warm cocoon of blankets.

Learning how to effectively use a kettlebell for losing fat and building muscle has significantly changed my life in many, many ways. In the first 15 months of my kettlebell training, I lost close to 120 lbs; 100 of those in under 12. I am more fit now than I have ever been in my life, and I am certainly the strongest I've ever been. For the previous 10 years, I'd never been able to shop at anything but a "Big & Tall" men's clothing store. Now I can claim that I've finished a half marathon, and can run a respectable time in a 5k too.

Julie and I decided that it would be a good idea to have more than one kettlebell instructor around, so in January 2012, I earned my Agatsu Kettlebell Cerfication as well. Don't let the name fool you, Julie Mac Fitness is for guys too.