By Jessica Carreras
FERNDALE – Kole Wyckhuys wants his clients to drop down and give him 20.
In their living rooms, that is.
A former sergeant and fitness coordinator in the U.S. Army, Wyckhuys, now a personal trainer, is serious about getting people in shape – whether or not they're going to war.
Though physical fitness had always been a way of life for Wyckhuys, it wasn't until after graduating from Olivet College in 2000 with a degree in psychology that he made a career out of it by joining the Army.
"My entire life, I've been involved in fitness and sports," he explains. "When I started training in the military, it became my passion."
It was there that Wyckhuys worked to train soldiers to be physically fit – especially those who were overweight or had trouble getting in shape.
After spending four years in the Army, he returned home, got certified as a personal trainer by The National Personal Training Institute and began working in gyms. It also was at this time that he began testosterone treatments. Wyckhuys, though born a female, had always seen himself as a man. The transition was cut short, however, when duty called once again.
This time, instead of going back into the military, he traveled to Iraq as a civilian Morale, Welfare and Recreation technician. "I wanted to continue working with soldiers and to do something to support (those) that were over there," he says of his decision. "It was amazing; I loved working with them."
Though he began working with their mental health, Wyckhuys found that working with their physical states was both more helpful to them and more gratifying to him. Along with physical training, he also held fitness events, such as 5K runs, for the soldiers. "I could see more of a marked difference in the soldiers' demeanor," he says of the training.
While in Iraq, Wyckhuys made the decision to work with the public again as a personal trainer when he returned home. After a year overseas, he came back in December of 2006 and, last March, started KSWathletics. "I worked with the civilian population before," he says, but is quick to add that working through a gym is very different than his work now.
"The focus of the company I started is to teach people how to work out from home with little to no equipment," he explains. "I encourage going to gyms as well, but a gym membership and fees, on top of personal training, can get expensive."
Plus, he adds, people tend to be more accountable when a trainer comes to their home. "I found that when I was working in gyms, I got a lot more cancellations," he laments. "I don't know why, but it happens a lot less since I've been (coming to their homes)."
Wyckhuys currently works with about 15 clients, making trips to their homes as often as they need to help them get in shape and lead healthier lifestyles – without expensive membership fees and cumbersome equipment.
Not surprisingly, his business now is also a far cry from his work in the military. Typical clients, says Wyckhuys, are more concerned with weight loss and overall health than, say, training for combat.
Whatever their goal, he encourages everyone to exercise and eat right. "It just feels great to be in shape and be healthy," he says. "Plus, you have more energy."
Luckily for his clients, he's not the ruthless sergeant he once was. "Soldiers are more extreme athletes," he explains. "With the civilian population, things are a little less intense."
The one way Wyckhuys hasn't let go of his military discipline? "I don't like the excuse that there's not time," he says of being physically fit. "I like to show people that it can be done at home, even if they only have 30 minutes."
Yes, sir!
For more information, or to contact Wyckhuys about setting up a training session, visit http://www.kswathletics.com.
