I joined the Academy by Trainer Jo a month ago to lose body fat and gain muscle over the summer. At the first encounter with Trainer Jo, he completed a thorough assessment of my body composition, diet, and personal habits. Based on the assessment result, he discussed specific individualized plans to meet my personal goals. What I really liked about his advice was that he did not force me to stick to plain, uninteresting diet (e.g. chicken breast only without any salt). Instead, he gave me flexibility in diet, allowing me to choose any kind of meat protein (beef, chicken, fish, etc) with salt as long as it does not contain too much fat. For example, I like Sashimi with soy sauce and this was allowed in his workout/diet regimen. Furthermore, during this initial consultation the trainer demonstrated great understanding of human anatomy and physiology (I study medicine), and I found it very reassuring. In terms of his exercise program, although it is individualized based on the current health condition of each client, it is quite tough. He really pushes his clients to their limits, but I personally found his program very effective. To be honest, the first week or two of his program was especially challenging for me. However, once I survived this period, my body adapted quickly (with healthy diet) and I could see myself change every week. For instance, I started with 26% body fat and it was down to 19% last week (- 7% over 3 weeks). My weight was about 68 kg and now it's 62.5 kg even though my muscle mass/weight has increased. What I really like about his approach/attitude towards his clients is, he really tries to instill healthy habits in his clients so that they can continue to be healthy even without him. I feel that he passionately educates his clients the importance of daily exercise and how to exercise effectively at various settings (e.g. home, park) when facilities are not available. The only con I can think of is probably the size of the gym. The gym is not that huge in size (compared with gym franchises) because it is a private gym. At certain time of the day the gym can be crowded, although it was not such a big issue for completing my workout routine. I still have a few more weeks to go before I go back to school. So far, I must say that it has been quite satisfying to see myself transform every week. I feel good about how I look now, and more importantly I feel healthy. Based on my personal experience, I would like to highly recommend his gym to anyone interested in body shaping and staying healthy. read more

I had been participated this gym for 12 weeks and perfectly achieved goal that I wanted with full of support from trainers. I was suffering from obesity, indigestion CFS (Chronic fatigue syndrome) and eating disorders before I joined the sessions, due to the gaining weight in the short period time. I felt anxious and depressed whenever my clothes got smaller and smaller. And I found their tons of "before and after-picture" online and even contacted people who are in the pictures through the facebook page of the gym before I I joined. I had a doubt on them but I needed someone to drag me out of that life. and then I met trainer Jo and other trainers and my life had been completely changed from A to Z. I have not changed only by appearance also my life style and the way I treat my self. Now I make the most of me myself in terms of health and I completely don't have any of the symptoms that I used to have and plus I have lost 53 lbs!! Although the gym isn't big and spacious, it's very nice and clean. Sometimes, I worked out without shoes when I forgot to bring one. All trainer's are very experienced, knowledgable and highly customer focused. You can see the profile of the trainers to inform what are they expertise what certificates they have achieved and so on. They provided me nutrition direction based on what I eat and supported me not to give up. Trainer Jo took a walk with me and other clients to the park mostly everyday for our work in. Also They offered me a professional photoshoot at the end of my session. It was wonderful experience of my life and I can proudly recommend to the people who need high quality training services(rehab, losing weights and gaining weights, nutrition consultation, life style coaching) read more

I have known trainer Jo for about eight years, first as a master of martial arts, then as a top ranked trainer for one of Goodlife's top performing locations, and now as an independent gym owner and trainer. I came to him with a specific set of needs based on my professional background and he was able to form a highly customized routine which he coached me through with great enthusiasm and resolve. Working in finance, stress managment was probably a much greater function of sculpting my own body than the end of being physically fit. He is the kind of person that understands that in order to wake up and remain motivated every day despite the many challenges life throws at you, you need to build a very solid vision of what you are trying to achieve. It was very refreshing to work with someone that appreciated my background and worked collaboratively rather than telling me what my ideal form should be. He understands that there are different body types and physiques and that we do not all need to look the same. Being an established performance bodybuilder, he understands how to bring out certain muscle groups, work on your posture, and generally speaking put your best foot forward based on who you are and where you're coming from. The gym have an active Korean population so whether you wish to coach in English or in that language you'll have no problems. Having recently read Swarzenegger's biography, I'm reminded how the boutique gym community enables a sense of belonging in which you can feel supported to work towards your goals. I highly recommend anyone looking for a really unique place to build themselves up check out what's on offer at The Academy. read more

I have been with Jo Academy for about 9 months. Their 12 weeks transformations really work for people who are dedicated and follow their instruction to the T. But unfortunately, I was not able to keep up with the intense workout. But you might ask why am I still here after 9 months. It is all due to trainer Patrick Park. He is one of the most amazing trainer, despite my lack of motivation sometime due to work or not following the food regiment completely, he never gives up on me. He also provide pointers on how I can get a better sleep, how I should manage my energy. His dedication and the way he makes you feel he really cares about your health ,made me wanted to stay until I reach my body goal. Progress might seem slow at first, but when I compare where I was 9 months ago, there was actually a huge difference. People around me who have not seen me in a couple of months, always complement about how I gotten slimmer but more muscular, or how I seem taller, as I have been now standing straight thanks to Patrick's assistance in helping me fix my postures. I truly believe, a little more discipline and dedication on my part will get me to where I am in the next twelve weeks and even if I reach my goal, I will most probably stay with Patrick at least once a week to make sure I keep the fat away and keep my body in good shape. You know how the saying goes, when you are young, you give up your health for money, and when you get older you give up your money for health. Lets hope I am not one of them. Cheers, I believe for the dedicated people who want results, Patrick can definitely get you there. read more

About two years ago I decided to invest in my health and well-being. I checked with people and surfed internet about my health fitness. I joined couple of health clubs but not getting the proper results. After searching over the internet I came to know about personal training support offered by Trainer`s Jo Academy. After meeting Patrick of Trainer`s Jo Academy my life changed. Patrick has been working with me big time! I've been training with Patrick for almost 1 year now, and believe he is one of the most experienced & committed trainers around. I started training three days a week, as part of a personal session, really enjoyed the variety & challenge he put into the sessions. Patrick is focused on helping me achieve my goals and makes every session challenging (& somehow fun). My fitness has increased noticeably and I've seen improvements in my ability to complete more sit ups / core exercises, lift progressively heavier weights & generally push myself harder throughout each session. I find I actually look forward to my workouts. Importantly: * He ensures that my technique is always correct to avoid any injuries. * He is extremely reliable & punctual - always set up & ready to start training ahead of time, with an exercise routine planned. I thoroughly enjoy working out with Patrick, and would recommend Patrick of Trainer`s Jo Academy to anyone looking to improve their fitness. read more

I gained a lot of weight after High school and it really took a toll on my physical and mental health. The thought of working out on my own was really daunting. For a long time I felt as though I had no idea where to start. When you walk into the gym, you might feel a little underwhelmed but let me tell you, it is so much more than what meets the eye. I have had the pleasure of being trained by Brian for a month and Patrick for a week. Both trainers (and I'm sure all) are extremely knowledgeable in what works and what doesn't. They definitely know what they are doing. Going into this, I was afraid that my trainer might be scary and mean. I am a long time sufferer of anxiety and anxiety attacks. As a person, I am incredibly timid and shy. Very easily intimidated. But I've been so pleasantly surprised at my experience with Brian. He is very kind and supportive of your needs. The trainers really care about your mental health and really encourage you to take care of it. My weight plateaud for a while and I was very discouraged. But trainer Brian continued to reassure and encourage me. The workouts themselves are challenging, but they're not boring (which is fantastic). Personally I absolutely hate doing cardio, and thank God I haven't had to do any boring cardio! The Academy has really given me the motivation and knowledge to continue with my fitness journey. read more

Trainer jo what can say about him. Take it as he is my guidance angle. One day I just pass by his gym and saw the poster of trainer jo workout and result of his clients. In my mind I was thinking is all not so true. Then I walked away. On the way back I stop by again to read more about his add, while I was reading I spotted a woman in the gym working out . So I started talking to her . She introduced her self to me as Patrisha . She told me everything about her past and after min I got motivated by her. And went to speak to trainer jo. When I went in the first day for consulting he explained me everything about the training program and how is it goin to work out and we work out a little training session and I decided to join his academy. Wow what to say . I have no regrets to join him and take him as my trainer. Every day he motivates me and all my stress and my pain started to go away just after couple days of training and I am feeling that I can achieve my goal and live a healthy and better life. And always dream of having a perfect and fit body . I am currently still working out with jo. He is just amazing. Thank you jo for guiding me into the right path . All I can say he is the best. And thanx to Patrisha for having talk to me about jo academy. I feel very energetic and nice . read more

"I had a lot of doubt when i arrive at the Academy, the gym was smaller than what i expected, the before/after photos looked hard to believe, etc. Even with all those doubts, we all have to put our trust somewhere, so after the consultation with Trainer Jo, my girlfriend and i signed up for the 12 week program. The beginning was hard because so many things must be changed, sacrificed like the way we eat or the time we go to bed, but the results don't come in a blink of an eye so we have to continue trusting Trainer Jo and Trainer Patrick. After a month, we start seeing real results, but most important, motivating results. The staff always knows how to motivate us when things get hard. After 12 week of hard work, we look fitter, not only that we also lead a healthier lifestyle. The academy will be my recommendation for you, if you have the will to get fitter, but lack of motivations or commitments or you want to lead a healthier lifestyle." This was my review after my first 12 weeks program but now we are on our 3rd subscription still with Trainer Patrick because we are satisfy with the gym services but also the good results we are getting. The Academy is still my recommendations for anyone who wants to lead a healthier lifestyle but don't know how or where to start :D read more

I was apprehensive about signing up with Trainer Jo's The Academy at first. I was never somebody who enjoyed working out or who would commit to a steady routine, but after meeting Trainer Patrick for an initial fitness assessment I knew I was ready to commit. Trainer Patrick has completely earned my trust over the last couple months. My initial fitness with trainer Patrick was very in-depth and he was extremely knowledgable in all aspects with fitness. Since then, he has helped me build strength and balance. Training with him twice a week made a huge difference in my performance. He ensures I am doing the moves correctly and reinforces how it will benefit me, along with promoting a healthy eating regime. I see muscle groups building. I am so happy with my progress. Most importantly, I am always motivated because the workouts are always challenging and full of variety. I am in better shape than I have ever been. I have lost weight, gained muscle and increased my endurance. I have also been able to improve my balance. Trainer Patrick is excellent at providing a full body workout. The knowledge and nutritional tips I have learned from him are invaluable!! Ask for Patrick!! He will give you the best fitness to help meet your fitness needs. read more

I'm just finishing off my 6th week of training with Trainer Patrick and it's going very well! I've always wanted to train with a personal trainer but never had the courage to take action in the desire. Honestly, the major factor of my decision to train at The Academy was the before and after photos haha and the feeling of hope rushed in! The people around me and I are already seeing changes in me, not just physically but psychological as well! I feel as the sessions go on, I'm learning a lot about myself. So although I have to drive about 1.5 hours (sometimes 2) to get to the Academy, I never drag myself, I'm always pumped and look forward to experience what my next session will bring me. Trainer Patrick always greets me with his warm smile. His optimistic vibe definitely influences me. I appreciate his time and effort he puts into my workout routines and meal recommendations! He is never hesitant to answer all my questions. Everyone in the Academy is extremely rich in knowledge, continuing to develop professionally, and truly has a passion for their job. I'm thrilled to see my final results after all my sessions are complete! So if you have always wanted to try personal training, The Academy is a great place to start! No excuses! :) read more

I last trained with Trainer Jo back in 2007- 14 years ago!! With him, I surpassed all of my expectations at the time and lost 16 pounds and gained so much strength and lean muscle. At that time, I was running on the treadmill (I was never a runner) and lifting weights with his guidance on using proper form. I was very happy with my results at that time. Now I've had the opportunity to train with him again and I am very excited to see what kind of results I can accomplish again 14 years later!! He is still very thorough, kind and great at guiding proper nutrition, quality rest and learning proper exercises that can tone and create a fit body-- without needing to suffer! I've already gained an excitement at creating new results again and living a healthier more balanced lifestyle which in turn will create a more confident new me! Trainer Jo is also a wonderful coach that instills confidence and the belief that you can obtain any goal that you set your mind and heart to. I'm so looking forward to this new journey again with him and I already have the confidence that new amazing results will be reached at the young age of 42!!! I know he will be a catalyst in helping me stay young and strong!! Cindy =-) read more

I have been trying to lose weight for so long. Started own workout with 247 pounds and 2 years later I was at 228 pounds and hit a plateau there. Not matter whatever I did, i could not loose weight. I joined Trainer Jo's Academy and started training under Trainer Daniel. He taught me to lose my weight effectively and also trained me to shift my workout concentration from weight loss to strength training. Under Trainer Daniel's direction and with the help of his extensive knowledge about workout, just 3 months later, I was able to lose 27 pounds of fats and simultaneously gained 15 pounds of lean muscles. Additionally, I was also able to properly tone my body into a better shape. Also, he helped me a lot with my diet program. Also, workout with Trainer Jo is very motivational and his knowledge and tips and tricks for workout are very helpful. I am very glad to have joined Trainer Jo's Academy and very contented with my results. Here I learned that its not all about abs and packs, its about being stronger overall. 10 Chin-ups in a row was my biggest achievement considering my body weight! I would strongly recommend Trainer Jo's Academy to anyone struggling with their fitness goals. read more

I have been struggling with my weight loss in the past. No matter what I do, I was unable to achieve my desired results. I saw Trainer Jo's academy advertisement banners at various places. I thought I should give it a try. Then I joined trainer Jo's Academy with 12-week body transformation program. I started my training with full faith and after completing the program my life totally changed, I was totally a different person. Now, I feel strong, healthy, stress-free and confident. Trainer Jo's fitness expertise and vast knowledge helped me transform into a person that I always dreamed of. I started with 26% body fat and now I am at 16% body fat. Not only, I reached my goal of 45kgs but also managed to push it to 44 Kgs. Most importantly being a vegetarian, it was hard for me to gain muscles however, trainer Jo helped me in my diet plan also. I feel so fortunate that I joined Trainer Jo's Academy. It's been 5 months now and I am still with trainer Jo's academy and pushing my fitness to max level. I would definitely recommend trainer Jo's academy to anyone who are serious about their body fitness. It is totally worth. read more

I went into this place completely randomly when I was sick and tired of my busy schedule and not making time to exercise. They didnt provide me with a quote right away online but after I had paid $100 for an assessment. Then they provided me with different options. I chose the cheapest one because A) I didnt believe I would actually show up and B) Im a student who doesnt have a lot of money to spare. I have been working with Daniel now for 5 weeks and I must say that he is extremely pleasant to work with. He pushes me to my limits and is always correcting my form to make sure that I am not at risk of injuring myself. He provides immediate feedback on how to improve. Daniel is ALWAYS on time and is ALWAYS prepared for our sessions which are qualities I extremely appreciate in a trainer. Lastly, he does his best to work around my crazy schedule and sleepless nights which is not easy!! The Academy is small but it definitely has a big heart and the trainers are pleasant. They have a trainer which can fit your needs and goals ... just make sure you keep your goals realistic and have patience in the process! read more

I have been working out with Trainer Patrick for about one year. He is an excellent coach and truly cares about my goals and I am very satisfied with my progress (lost about 15 lbs and have way more energy). I have referred others to Trainer Patrick and they are also pleased as The Academy offers a good echosytem to improve yourself. My advice to anyone thinking about joining The Academy are simple - and something that Trainer Patrick reminds me at every session: 1) Be honest about your goals with your trainer and yourself (do you want a total body transformation OR just want to lose 10 lbs and maintain that?), 2) Trust the process and trust your trainer (definitely ask questions, be humble, listen and learn) 3) You need to put in the effort by i. eating healthier, ii. completing your work outs, iii. getting good quality sleep, iv. and drinking lots of water. I generally see those who make the best progress are the ones that follow the advice above which is what the Trainers focus on. If you follow the above and put in the effort, you are in very good hands with The Academy and with Trainer Patrick. read more

I am very happy to have made the decision to join the Trainer Jo fitness academy. In the program Jo not only provided me with the important knowledge for my nutrition but was also very motivating in regards with the workouts. I have not only been able to change how I look at what I put in my body and become more aware of my choices but have also been hitting new levels of max workout volumes during each of my sessions. I especially liked the weekly assessments with Trainer Jo, where we went over what I did right and what I did wrong, essentially putting me back on track if there were any setbacks! These were very valuable learning moments where I learned to identify good habits and separate them from my old bad habits. Slowly I've seen a major lifestyle change from when I started, I look fitter and have more energy than before. The training and nutrition protocols were very simple and easy to follow. I really enjoyed working with Jo and highly recommend him as a trainer. He is excellent at what he does. It's certainly been a great transformative experience for me! read more

Trainer Jo Academy is a place really give out a wealth of knowledge one training and helps you to change your lifestyle habit. I had been work with Trainer Patrick for the past 3 months. He really gives me on the nutritional advice and gives me guidance on how to live a healthy lifestyle. He really takes care of the clients need. He will try to work out the busy schedule which like I had. Before I start the training, I have to wait for my Family doctor recommendation before I start with Trainer Jo Academy. They are seriously on my body health issue before I start the training with the academy. I have lost more weight and body fat, and the trainer P helps me to work correctly to helping me to gain muscles from the different part of my body. I strongly recommend for those people serious want to lose weight or lose body fat, or gain muscles and having a healthy lifestyle for the future. Never the less, you have to be truly committed to the training. 5***** to Trainer Jo Academy. They serious takes you before start to training you and helps you changed!!! read more

5 stars out of 5. Excellent! Trainer Jo's workout routine is easy to understand, learn, and improve over short period of time. Workout place is excellent, well organized, and program will get you motivated fast especially for beginners. Unlike other gyms, every trainers and trainees are highly motivated to achieve their own personal goals and the workout environment is great. So you will not find a single person fooling around the gym nor complaining that its too hard or tired. All the staffs are very friendly and trust me they know what they are doing. =) Also, the trainer Jo knows a lot about nutrition, diet, health, and you name it. Once you are motivated to learn and follow his program, he will put same amount of efforts to make improvements even greater. Trainer Jo will also help you correct your body postures and workout forms in order to live healthy and most importantly prevent your from getting injuries unlike other cross fit programs. I recommend this place to all ages and levels since it will get you where you want quicker than any others. read more

I have been a periodic client of Sang Il Jo since 2004. When I read the negative reviews here I couldn't believe we're talking about the same person. Sang Il has an impressive list of hard-earned credentials. His knowledge of this field in respect of training, diet and the reaction of our bodily processes to strategic programming, which he designs, is very remarkable. Sang Il works with his clients to set achievable goals, he designs programs to achieve them, and if the client does the work, the goals are achieved as planned. He has many before/after testimonials from grateful clients to validate these achievements. He is extraordinarily disciplined and he imparts that sense of discipline to his clients. His studio is not a big fancy establishment, but it has everything needed, of very high quality, for people who are serious about their fitness to become very fit. I have no hesitation whatsoever recommending Sang Il Jo and his Academy to anyone who thinks they need a well-designed, efficient path to improved fitness and body shape. read more