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Former addictions counsellor takes a holistic approach to fitness

This What’s Up Wednesday features personal fitness trainer Ken Feakins

Many fitness trainers are reluctant to accept clients who are unaccountable for their poor physical health and lack the motivation to get in shape but those are exactly the kind of clients Ken Feakins is looking for.

“I am trying to gear myself towards people who are not motivated on their own and need help getting moving,” said Feakins. “A couple of my clients are simply people who want to move but can’t seem to hold themselves accountable so, I knock on their door and we go for walks and things like that to get them moving in the right direction.”

Feakins knows a thing or two about helping people move in the right direction.

“For 10 years I worked as an addictions counsellor for a youth treatment centre,” he said. “I was a case worker at Portage Elora, a youth treatment centre for 14 to 18-year-old, at-risk youth.”

Bad habits and poor choices are often the reasons many people are out of shape and Feakins sees many parallels between his previous work and his role as a personal fitness trainer.

“It’s about getting people moving in a healthy direction,” he said. “You have a set of goals and we need to lay out a path in order for you to reach those goals. It’s all ultimately about improving your life whichever way you are looking at it.”

Feakins was born in Toronto in 1978.

“We moved to Belwood when I was about two so, I don’t really remember much about living in Toronto,” he said. “We were in Belwood then Fergus and that is where I spent most of my childhood until I was about 20 and moved out west for a while.”

He moved to Guelph 15 years ago where he and his spouse have built a young family of their own.

“Sandy and I have been together for 10 years,” he said. “There are five kids all together between the two of us. Three boys and two girls.”

After a decade as a case worker, Feakins was ready for a change.

“I found this transition is a good one,” he said. “The youth addiction field can be quite heavy but I knew I wanted to continue helping people improve their lives. This was top of the list because it was always something I tried to implement with the kids. Make sure you’re keeping your body healthy too, not just stopping drinking or using.”

He got his personal trainer certification through the University of Guelph and CanFit Pro and got a job with a fitness centre.

“I was pretty lucky to get a job right away and I work at the university fitness centre as a trainer as well,” he said. “I’ve worked with young athletes, with baseball players, hockey players, lacrosse players, rugby players and I have certifications from COREFX Conditioning Specialists.”

When he launched Ken Feakins Personal Training in March he focused on an older and, in some cases, more challenging demographic.

“I work mainly with people who are between 30 and 50 who aren’t in as good as shape as they would like to be,” he said. “I am also starting to move into even older folks – people with mobility issues and unlocking things such as tight hips, tight backs and things like that.”

He does classes with small groups and pairs as well as outdoor bootcamps during the summer but prefers working one on one with a client.

“It is easier to hit people’s individual goals when you are working with an individual but I do work with couples,” he said. “Often times people find it easier to come in when they have somebody they are accountable to other than their trainer.”

He continues to broaden his health and fitness expertise.

“I’m in the process of becoming a nutrition coach as well because the pair of nutrition and fitness can’t be separated,” said Feakins. “In general, my whole approach is on overall holistic health. I am more interested in people’s health overall than just getting you bigger muscles. I listen to my clients’ goals and that is how I put my programs together. There is no template.”

Feakins is presently renting gym space from the Fitness Junction freelance studio on Norfolk Street but he hopes his brand of health and fitness training will resonate with more people and provide the resources he needs to grow the business.

“Ultimately, I would love to have my own facility,” said Feakins. “A big bright facility where people can come and train and be comfortable. A place that is based around improving your life. Eating healthy. Acting healthy and helping other people.”


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Troy Bridgeman

About the Author: Troy Bridgeman

Troy Bridgeman is a multi-media journalist that has lived and worked in the Guelph community his whole life. He has covered news and events in the city for more than two decades.
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