Local’s Gym

Jesse Ward

Hi! Welcome to my little, crowded, colorful corner on SoundWellness.com

My name is Jesse Ward, I’m a different breed of trainer. Everyone at some point has been frustrated with their job. I was this way until about 4 months ago. I’ll explain I worked at a “big box” gym (Bally’s, Golds, 24 Hour, you know the type) amidst all their tomfoolery and chicanery (funny words for lies and deceit) this took me about 2 years to realize that the company was actually had no integrity as a whole, there was no passion for fitness and improvement at the top! Simply a quest for riches under the guise of helping people. I should have known, but I’m an idealist, a purist, not a perfectionist

So instead of just jumping ship and finding a new career like mortgage lending or car sales or something. I said to myself “Bro, you’re a helluva trainer, people like the results you help them achieve, you have a lot of fun doing it. Could you do the whole thing better?” My answer was “dude, totally.” So stepping back inside myself I went on a mission to create a business plan find a great partner, and a wonderful investor. All these things and then some happened, that’s how Local’s Gym started.

It came as an outgrowth of disgust for the big box and a love for the garage gym, the small local gym, the one your friends would come to because it was fun, and hanging out there was like hanging with the cool side of your family.

As far as my credentials, I have a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science, I’ve held 5 professional certifications, I’ve let them all lapse. They don’t really serve to grow you as a trainer, they’re just another cash cow for some corporate type, it’s crazy. I’m currently certified as a level 1 trainer in CrossFit methodology.

The more you learn about exercise the more the basics become the keys. Remember that the next time you hear about a “New and Improved” something that should help with that thing you’ve got! The person who’s advanced my training the most is Ed Elder of Integrated Manual Therapies in Shoreline. He’s a guru, helped me through a lot of painful dings and bangs and more than once put me all back together when I was “broke off”. I’ve sent dozens of clients to him over the years who come in so beat up that I can’t help them until a few things get fixed first. Try finding a trainer who will A) admit that, B) know a quality person to refer to, who is in his network of close friends and advisors.

Personally I train myself to compete in powerlifting, strongman and highland games. I am readily aware that 95% of my clientele don’t want to do/look/feel anything like what I do. I’m totally okay with that! I’ve worked over 6500 hours one on one and in groups with my clients, none of those hours I’ve counted working with guys who want to actually get as big and as strong as God will let them- why? Because I bogart all those guys to become my training partners!!!

Please come look at www.localsgym.com and see what we’re all about – you’ll find a very inviting personal atmosphere where there’s fun friendly competition centering on bringing about health and fitness through the learning of fundamental movements which make you stronger, leaner and more balanced in your fitness.

Thanks so much, all the best.
Jesse Ward