Where to begin, where to begin?? Not only is that my current question of how to begin this review, but it's also the question I've asked myself over and over again when I've tried (for the millionth time) to get in shape over the years. Time and time again I would find a gym, join, love it, get bored, go less, start to hate it, waste money, then end up quitting and going back to the lifestyle of pizza and beer I was accustom. I realized my lack of guidance and understanding what to do to get the results I was looking for was leaving me frustrated in the dark. I knew I needed a REAL change. Deciding it was finally time to REALLY invest in some fitness guidance, personal training was the way to go. After making that decision, I knew I wanted to make sure that the trainer I was handing my hard earned dollars would had MY best interest, and not their own. Then I found Kirk! Not only does he put YOU first, he legit cares about your success and wants you to succeed. I loved that he listened to my goals (no matter how vein they might have been) and with no judgement made it his mission to help me get there. I learn something new every class and when the results started rolling in, I was addicted to seeing more! Now after about 23 weeks (where I see him once a week along with following his daily workout guides he provides for the rest of the week) I've lost over 20lbs and 12% body fat! I've never been able to see my abs and these puppies are coming out of hibernation sooner than I could have ever imagined. His nutrition plan is full of real food you can EASILY make and buy at the grocery store anyway. What makes his nutrition plan different than others is he explains WHY he wants you to eat what he suggests, vs just telling you to eat it. Teach a man to fish, right? Knowledge is power! So listen, if you're tired of being a member to every gym in the metro area and fail because you have no guidance of what to do when you're actually there - give Kirk a shoutout. It's more affordable than you think, even though you really can't put a price on the feeling you get in the morning when you can see your progress in the mirror. He's a rockstar and as an added bonus you will forever be able to say you're friends with a reality TV star. read more

Kirk is awesome! And I don't mean just as a guy, but primarily as a trainer. I had seen him train people at my building for some time and it seemed they always were happy with the results. Due to my crazy schedule, it took me a while to schedule my first session with him (3 years later!) but it was definitely worth it. While I had originally thought to do individual sessions, on my first session I tried a group session. Omg,it was so intense (in a good way) that I was glad I had tried a group session. It felt like in a group I had maybe a millisecond opportunity to not fall on the ground. By the end of that session my arms were so sore that I could hardly lift them to even drive myself home-and I had been working out for a while by that point. I decided to continue with him right away. Not only are the activities different almost each time, but also the duration, the challenge level is always different. I never had the chance to feel like I am getting comfortable with a certain exercise. What's more, Kirk provides you with an exercise and nutrition regimen. I was able to follow that for a 3 month period and while it was so hard at first I was able to lose 25lbs. In addition, I was able to notice my biceps getting stronger and more visible. I have and continue to have access to other gyms and personal trainers like LA fitness. My honest opinion is that one hour with the best of them doesn't even come close to 15minutes with Kirk. So if you are serious about working out, getting your body in shape through hard work and certain "bad" food choice sacrifices I would definitely recommend. As a bonus you will get to work with a caring charismatic guy that will never lose his upbeat energy no matter how mean you are to him :) read more

I have been working with Kirk since July 2016, and it is absolutely the best decision and investment I ever could have made. I was less than a year away from my 50th birthday and decided it was time to take back my fitness. I had a good amount of weight to lose, a back injury 3 years ago, and some lofty goals, and I knew that I needed help and support. I echo what many, many other people have said: you do not go it alone when you choose to work with Kirk. Kirk not only gets you on track in the beginning, he stays with you every single step of the way. I work out with Kirk twice a week at the gym and four times a week on my own on a plan that he created that fits my specific needs and schedule, in addition to a great nutrition plan. I walk away from every workout thinking "I can't believe I just did that!" He has a lot of faith in your possibility and genuinely wants you to succeed. The most amazing part, to me, however, which feels above and beyond what I ever would have expected from a trainer, is that I check in every week with my food, exercise and a general overview of how the week went, and he goes through every single thing I send him and responds thoughtfully with feedback, encouragement, and accountability when I need it. I am losing weight, running again after 20 years, and my back is a non-issue. Kirk is kind hearted, down to earth, professional, caring and inspiring, to boot! Choosing Kirk as a trainer has truly been life changing. read more

I had the chance to work with Kirk over the summer during my peak season of training for Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) and a marathon I was expecting to do. Kirk put together a program for me that was very simple yet effective. He also made the nutrition piece very simple as well. He was full of knowledge and willing to answer any questions I had. He kept me accountable each week by following-up and asking how my workouts went. He would even tell me which workouts to prioritize over others when I knew that I would not have the time to do all of them according to plan. This was super helpful in trying to plan my time and workout schedule. I am 23 years old and was in pretty good shape prior to training with him, but after our time had finished I was in the best shape I have ever been in. My body felt great! I liked the way I looked in the mirror and was super pleased with my performance gains as well. The gains, performance, and lifestyle habits I created when working with him have continued and I am still in great shape today. He creates a lifestyle for you! I highly recommend Kirk as a trainer to anyone. It doesn't matter if you are looking to be a top athlete, want to get in the best shape of your life, or just implement some healthier choices into your life. Kirk will MAKE IT HAPPEN! read more

I was introduced to Kirk DeWindt Personal Training by attending a group training session at the gym. From there I signed up for his online training program where I was given a 4-week workout and eating plan. Kirk tailored these plans specifically for me; taking into account my likes, dislikes, and how many times I would workout per week. Kirk checked in with me throughout the week to see if I needed help with anything or had any questions. Each Sunday when I reported my food and workout log to him he would email back with encouragement and motivating feedback. That accountability piece was key for me. In that first month I lost a good 10lb. After signing on for another online training month with him, I am currently down a total of 15lb! Food has been my biggest struggle. Kirk's food plans aren't full of shakes and bars like many of the other diets out there require you to eat in order to lose weight...you can eat REAL FOOD and feel full! That has been one of my biggest takeaways; knowing a good portion size and having a variety of GOOD foods to eat in order to continue to maintain and lose weight. I have also went in for a 1:1 personal training session with Kirk which left me sore for days! He definitely pushed me beyond what I thought was possible! Can't wait to return!! read more

I would highly recommend training with Kirk! Kirk is enthusiastic, and will fully match whatever effort and commitment you bring to your training. I have trained with him online for three different races over the past two years, for half marathons in 2017 and 2019 and currently for a marathon. I PR'd by over 8 minutes in my second time training for a half marathon with him, which was a goal I never thought I would accomplish!  Whenever I get a training plan from him, it always makes me equally nervous and excited, which I think it the perfect place to be for growth. Kirk asks a lot of questions about your goals, and creates plans that are very personalized to what you're aiming to accomplish.  Kirk is very communicative, and regularly checks in and is very responsive whenever I reach out with questions or need help with strategizing a workout. When I was injured, he was able to modify my plan so that I could continue to make progress towards my fitness goals. Kirk's check-ins are equal parts encouraging and holding me accountable to the training plan, which I love!  Working with Kirk has helped me make WAY more fitness progress than I could have on my own, and I would highly recommend working with him to achieve whatever fitness goals you have! read more

I have been working with Kirk for approximately four months in a small group training format once per week; every workout is different which keeps it interesting and he has a great group of clients who I have enjoyed meeting and training with. He also provides a schedule of workouts to do on my own and nutrition advice if needed. Kirk is very real, has a great attitude, is very engaged with his clients, makes himself accessible to clients outside the gym, and wants to help each of us reach our personal goals. He is serious about fitness but doesn't take himself too seriously! He has definitely pushed me to try new exercises and I have been surprised by what I have been able to do with his encouragement and guidance in a short time. Developing upper body strength has always been a big challenge for me but within weeks of starting to work with Kirk, I began to lift heavier weights than I had ever been previously able to do. If you don't want to work hard and be pushed to be your best, he may not be the right trainer for you as he doesn't go easy; if you do want to reach new fitness goals and have a partner to help you see it through, get in touch with him! read more

When I first sought Kirk's services I was overweight, depressed, addicted to junk food & soda, and completely sedentary. Kirk has helped me overcome my bad eating habits, start eating healthy food consistently, and lose 40 pounds! He provides challenging workouts that I actually look forward to doing and that have resulted in an overall toned look to my body that I never even got close to seeing with any other type of exercise program. He encouraged me to begin running and has offered endless support/advice along the way. Now running and racing is part of who I am because of him. He also offers wisdom for maintaining fitness during injury. He holds me accountable on all fronts and knows when to be tough and push me to limits I never knew I could possibly reach, and it's always done with his signature kindness. (Also, as an added bonus, he's easy & fun to chat with, and his client base is filled to the brim with kind, encouraging, fun humans.) All in all, he has singlehandedly transformed my life, my body, and my mind. Give him a call and see yourself become the boss fitness human you were always meant to be. read more

Spring is a time for graduations & yesterday I "graduated"! In September I began working with Kirk DeWindt on getting healthier & stronger. Yesterday was my last session with this awesome trainer & everything I'm saying is not because I'm getting anything in return, rather it's truly from my heart. I walked into my initial consultation ready to make the changes, ready to do the work, ready to use my time & money to make a permanent change. What I left with was just what I wanted & more, a complete change in my mind & body. Kirk gave me the tools, encouragement & accountability to help me build my platform, but ultimately I had to do the work & I did. Now, like any graduate, I need to take what I've learned & apply it each & every day for long term health & strength. I'm thankful that Kirk is using his gifts & talents to help those of us who need help in this area. I would like to think that if he handed out grades he'd give me an "A". Thanks Kirk for always challenging me to lift more weight, push to the point of failure & encouraging me every step of the way. read more

I initially reached out to Kirk through Instagram, because I follow his Spartan Racing. I reached out to him not expecting a response, and got a response within the hour. I have been working with Kirk through online training for about 5 months now and have been completely impressed with the day to day training. Kirk incorporates both speed and running, and strength training. He is highly knowledgeable and passionate about what he does. He's always quick to respond to any questions I may have and to modify workouts when needed. He has tailored all of my workouts so that I can do them at home on my time, with the equipment that I have. I have worked with a handful of trainers over the last 10 years, and Kirk is the first one to actually give a damn about my goals and help me find a way reach them (thru lots of hard work). 2019 I'm hoping to hit some big goals, and do lots of Spartan Racing with the help and training of Kirk. I would highly recommend Kirk to anyone that has big dreams and lofty goals. He's the guy to help you reach them. read more

I thought about working with a trainer for many years. And finally acting on it was one of the best decisions I made in 2016. I knew what I wanted in a trainer and I found it with Kirk. Most importantly, I needed inspiration and accountability. Kirk is a dedicated athlete and his commitment to a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle is infectious. He makes you want to be better and he takes the time in your initial meetings to understand what "better" means to you. He will hold you to that and kindly take you beyond what you thought was possible. Kirk also respectfully commands accountability. Once a week, I report on my workout schedule and nutrition plan. He promptly reviews all of it and provides both positive and constructive feedback. I have only worked with Kirk for 9 weeks but the results have far surpassed my expectations. I feel stronger and look better than I did when I was in my 20s. And the best part is I am genuinely excited every time I go to the gym. I am grateful for all of his guidance and inspiration. read more

I would highly recommend Kirk and his personal training. He is very motivated in helping his clients reach their goals in the gym and he ensures that it is a realistic approach. When I first started training, Kirk and I had a consultation where he really got to know me, my workout history, and my current diet. I had hit a plateau in my workout goals and Kirk was able to help me push past that and really exceeded my expectations. He really pushes everybody to be their best in and out of the gym and is great at holding you accountable with weekly check-ins. Not only is Kirk great as a trainer, he is simply a great person who really cares about you and your lifestyle. You can easily tell that he wants you to be happy and healthy while having a plan that is maintainable... none of these fad or extreme diets like other trainers are recommending. Another plus of Kirk's training was the fact that I met some really wonderful people in my morning group training sessions, I always looked forward to seeing everybody at my workouts! read more

My fitness story started less than a year ago when I completed the Insanity Max 30 and T25 Beachbody programs to lose weight. After 4 months, I lost 10 lbs but soon reached a workout plateau. I realized I needed a different approach if I wanted to make my commitment to fitness a long-term lifestyle. I approached Kirk about his online training program via email sharing my success story but also my desire to stay active. When he responded, his enthusiasm about helping me made a great impression and I didn't think twice before signing up with him. Four months later, I couldn't be any happier! Kirk has been there for me since day 1 as my fitness coach but more importantly, as my favorite cheerleader. I owe to him having discovered my passion for running as well as confidence in improving strength, core and high interval training workouts. I still remain as motivated to do my best as when I first started. I 100% recommend Kirk and can't wait to see what awaits as we continue working together! read more

I've worked with Kirk for almost 3 months now as an online running coach. I reached out to Kirk, based on his running background, in order to work on my speed during the winter months, and he has completely exceeded all expectations! Even with Kirk being an online coach, he has provided detailed daily running and strength training workouts (that vary by type and speed based on my abilities), he has reached out to me each week to see how progress went that week and to answer any questions I may have, and he has been 100% responsive to quick questions, or just accomplishments I have had from a workout, through text message. Throughout the 3 months of working together I have increased my speed (knocking over a minute off of my 5k time) and have noticeably increased my strength! This training has gone so well that I am extending the coaching beyond the winter months to see what benefits can be gained by having Kirk coach me as I train for a summer marathon! read more

I love Kirk's knowledge, support, and enthusiasm! I am using his remote training and it is the best info and support that I have ever seen in remote coaching. The plans are clear, specific, and achievable. They are delivered via email and tailored to me and my goals. When life has jumped in front of my training plans, Kirk is able to move training plans around, make adjustments, and offer suggestions on priorities. The magic of working with Kirk comes after that. His support, enthusiasm, and butt-kicking (when needed) are all top notch. He cares, and that comes through. I have benefited from his encouragement and support many times to keep me on track. I highly recommend Kirk for training - his remote is the best I have used, I can only imagine how good his in person training would be. If you are looking for remote programming and training, look no further. If you have the chance to get in the gym with him, I would highly recommend it! read more

Kirk is my first and only personal trainer. I was skeptical of trainers at first because I didn't like the idea of having someone tell me how to workout as I had been in sports my whole life and felt I knew what I was doing. I decided I needed a little more guidance on gaining muscle in the right places while losing my extra fat in others so I was referred to Kirk! I was hooked immediately! He never yells at you or makes you feel insecure, he makes working out fun and genuinely cares about your health and your life. He challenges you based on your goals and supports you in achieving them. He is always throwing in new exercises, machines, circuits and even outdoor work so in the 3+ years I have been training with him I've never been bored! Since working with Kirk I have gained muscle and people have actually noticed and complimented me. I also feel stronger and have gained a new friend in the meantime! read more

I was referred to Kirk by a friend who had been training with him for years. I was looking to loose weight for my wedding, and also get back into shape for our honeymoon where we would be going on a rock climbing adventure in Thailand. I usually hate going to the gym, lifting weights and running, but Kirk is amazing! His workouts are always so different week to week, and every week I am so sore( meaning I worked new muscles every time). After a couple of months I could not believe the results! I am in the best shape of my life, and can workout way longer than ever before in my life. The best part is I truly look forward to going to the gym, which before Kirk was something I would never had said, but with Kirk the workouts are so effective and fun. I was going to only go for the months leading up to my wedding, but now I am hooked and can't imagine not getting the kind of workout Kirk provides! read more

I've worked with Kirk for a few months now. He is Awesome to work with. He is always positive but tells ya what you need to hear(doesn't always sugar coat it!). He lets me text or email him and answers very quickly. I have had questions while working out and he sends back the response in time for me to adjust my workout right then! I have gotten faster, stronger, and lost weight while working with Kirk! I also have been pretty injury free while working harder and putting in more miles then I ever have! I highly recommend home if you are looking to get into shape and or do a race of any kind! I am signed up for a spartan Ultra which I was terrified for and now I can not wait to get it on. I have moved from open to age group so I can try and compete with the confidence that Kirk has helped me with. read more

Since I've started with KDPT my fitness, and most significantly, my running has improved INCREDIBLY. With a ton of life changes happening and a job change, I was losing motivation to get to the gym and I needed a change. Something to train for. My goal was to train for the MN Spartan race, and within my first year I've run around 10 different obstacle course races, winning most of them for my age group (still blows my mind!). The plans are so detailed and easy to follow, I couldn't have done it without them. Kirk is so motivating & awesome to work with! Not only does he challenge and inspire me every single week, but I've found my passion for fitness again, and a new love for running and am able to motivate and push MYSELF with every workout, which is exactly what I needed! read more