“[Chris] challenged me, but gradually” —Jessika, Queen Anne
I’d worked with other trainers, mainly to address weight and strength issues, but they were never a very good fit for me. I would see short-lived results, and felt like I constantly yo-yoed back and forth. Being a professional ballerina, I must maintain a lean figure, and also be healthy and strong.
The first thing Chris asked me to do was to set goals for myself, and while to some those goals might have seemed unrealistic, Chris never viewed them that way. She challenged me, but gradually–never giving me more than I could handle. Most importantly, she has been so supportive, positive and motivating. I feel that she believes in me and that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. I have gained so much more than just strength and lost more than just pounds; I have gained self-confidence and a positive body image, and lost poor eating habits and negative self-talk that have plagued me for years. I always look forward to the days I get to work out with Chris: what a blessing she has been in my life!
“I went from barely being able to jog to finishing two sprint triathlons” —Lisa, Queen Anne
Since the age of 4, I have battled with my weight. At 28, I decided I was determined to not begin my 30s with the same struggles I had with weight and nutrition in my 20s. I was too embarrassed to join a gym because I felt you needed to be “fit” and look a certain way. After a few months I was able to lose 25 pounds, and I knew that I needed to add more to my workout.
Being introduced to Chris, and having her essentially retrain my body and mind, has been by far the most difficult and rewarding experience of my life. In the past 24 months I have lost an additional 48 pounds and have begun to see the rewards of physical fitness. I went from barely
being able to jog for a minute to finishing two sprint triathlons. My next goal is to run the Seattle Half Marathon, with an ultimate goal of a complete marathon. The success of crossing the finish line will be a rewarding experience–but it’s nothing in comparison to the lifelong lessons that
I will continue to follow.
“You feel like you are getting healthier, not just stronger” —Greg, Mt. Baker
My wife, Val, introduced me to Chris–as a Valentine’s Day gift. Though I had been a runner for over a decade, we had moved away from my running partner and my willpower had evaporated. Having worked with Chris herself, Val knew that Chris could provide me with the motivation that I needed to get back into the exercise game and to stay healthy
Working with Chris is not like any training that I have had before. We do our workouts outside in the fresh air. When Chris arrives for a workout, she often brings a different set of workout gear. Sometimes it will be a medicine ball for building strength, sometimes a jump rope for a cardio workout, sometimes a kettle ball for full-body squats. Occasionally, we will leave for a run and then do sit-ups, pullups and pushups in the middle of the run. When you work out with Chris, you feel like you are getting healthier, not just stronger or faster.
Chris is always upbeat, always pushes me harder than I would work out on my own, but never makes me feel as though I have failed. And after a workout, you feel great for the rest of the day.
“I never would have been able to do this on my own” —Mark, Madison Park
Since working out with Chris my endurance, flexibility and strength are remarkably better. I never would have been able to do this on my own. I have never found the combination of expertise and motivation that Chris brings to the job.
When we began, I had great problems with my shoulders, having gone through rotator cuff surgery. Chris designed a program for me that worked incredibly well. I’m back at all my activities now and continue to enjoy working with her.
“Chris has been my tireless cheerleader” —Myra, Leschi
I found Chris Kirchoff on the Internet looking for a soccer trainer for my 12-year-old daughter. Chris ended up providing exceptional counseling and guidance as well as physical training for my daughter. Along the way I was inspired to exercise with Chris, and have been working out with her twice a week for two years.
Besides for having fun, my two years of training have transformed my overall outlook and physical energy level. I’m fit, sleeping better, in a better mood, and enjoying life more. Through it all Chris has been my tireless cheerleader, as well as a skillful advisor about getting fit after 50 without injury and minimal trauma. She’s the best!
“Chris has designed a program that maximizes our sessions” —Scott, Madison Park
“Chris understands the time constraints I am under, and has designed a program that maximizes our sessions. Her high-energy workouts and enthusiasm are very motivating; working with her has improved my flexibility, strength, and stamina. I highly recommend her to anyone who is willing to make the commitment to being fit.”
“I am in the best shape of my life, and the kickoff was boot camp” —Tamra, West Seattle
Starting boot camp with Chris was truly a life-changing experience. I have always been somewhat active, but did mostly yoga and lots of walking. Boot camp took me took me to a completely different level. Now I love running and lifting weights, am not afraid of the body conditioning classes at my gym, and have even taken up kickboxing! In fact, this past July I finished my first half marathon. And all this at the age of 38! I am in the best shape of my life and the kickoff was boot camp. I want to emphasize, however, that I firmly believe that not just any boot camp would have made such an impact. It was Chris, specifically, that really helped me see myself in a different light.
Chris helped me understand that not only was fitness and my health a priority but that this was a lifestyle choice. I’ve discovered that incorporating active routines into my everyday life was just not as difficult as I’d made it seem. This June before my father’s birthday my parents and my brother rode bikes on Alki and I ran three miles. …My girlfriends and I now do laps at the Capitol Hill stairs before we go out to dinner. We feel better and we’ve realized it wasn’t as hard as we thought it would be. These are changes that I’ve made because of the impact Chris has made on me.
“Without Chris, I would not have achieved my fitness goals” —Diana, Ballard
I felt intimidated by the large fitness centers in my area and felt that they did not cater to people my age or that it was not personalized for my specific needs.
When I met Chris, I knew that I had made a very wise decision. From the beginning she determined the best plan for me to reach my fitness goal. My plan has allowed me to lose weight, increase my balance, physical strength and cardio. I feel better, look better and have more confidence. Without Chris I would not have achieved my fitness goals.
“She made getting up at 5 a.m. in the summer worth every minute” —Scottie, Ballard
I began working out with Chris more than three years ago, after my first son was born. I had a C-section and had not worked out the entire pregnancy, in addition to not being in my best shape going into the pregnancy. Chris got me back into shape, with patience and perseverance.
One year after my C-section, I ran a half marathon faster than I had before I had my son. I have enjoyed personal training, small group training, and boot camp with Chris–she made getting up at 5 a.m. in the summer worth every minute. I felt GREAT! Going into my second pregnancy I was fit. I have just had my second baby, and my workouts with Chris are back on my calendar.