JOHN DICKSON
When I was 14 years old I started working out with a cobbled together set of plastic covered weights in my bedroom. I had to get my mother to spot me with the heavier weights. By this time I was hooked on fitness. I was a skinny 9th grade boy that was tired of being weak. I had done martial arts but had no confidence at all. By the time I was a senior in high school I was lifting 5 days a week, was on the wrestling team, and had put on over 40 lbs. I was still only 155lbs. In college I joined the powerlifting team and gained another 30 lbs by the time I graduated.
In 1983, I became the manager of the original Orange Ave Gym. While I was the manager I made extra money by teaching new members how to properly lift weights and setting up workout routines for people. At this time in Orlando the term personal trainer wasn’t even a thing. As the personal training industry took hold so did I! In 1986 I left Orange Ave Gym and started going to different gyms to train clients.
From 1979 until 1986 I competed in powerlifting competitions all over the Southeast -winning the 1985 State Championship in 198 lb division. In 1985 I also started competing in bodybuilding competitions - winning the lightweight division in my first competition the 1986 Mr. Orlando. I competed and placed in many competitions since, which led me to win the overall 1989 Mr. Orlando and winning the lightweight division in the 1990 Southeastern Bodybuilding Championship. In 1996 I won the lightweight division of the Jr Florida Bodybuilding Championship. During this time I was still involved in powerlifting but as a coach not as a competitor.
Since then, I opened my own personal training studio on Virginia Drive in 1994 and have been in my location on Mills Avenue since 2000. I have focused my time and energy on helping every client
meet their health and fitness goals. It’s a passion that’s ingrained in me.
GETTING FIT IS A MARATHON,
NOT A SPRINT!
PRICING
$520-8 sessions
GOLD (60 MIN)
$70 per session
SILVER (30 MIN)
$320-8 sessions
$45 per session
*Contact me for customized
2 person sessions.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Personal Trainer | National Association for Fitness Certification (NAFC)
Master Rating in Fitness Assessment | National Association for Fitness Certification (NAFC)
Expert Rating in Weight Training | National Association for Fitness Certification (NAFC)
Certified Fitness Instructor | National Health Club Association (NHCA)
Certified Spinning® Instructor | Johnny G Spinning® Education
Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science | Tenessee Technical University
Certified Personal Trainer
National Association for Fitness Certification (NAFC)
Master Rating in Fitness Assessment
National Association for Fitness Certification (NAFC)
Expert Rating in Weight Training
National Association for Fitness Certification (NAFC)
Certified Fitness Instructor
National Health Club Association (NHCA)
Certified Spinning® Instructor
Johnny G Spinning® Education
Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science
Tenessee Technical University
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
PASSION
As my Mom always tells the story, my passion for working out started when I came home from school at the age of 14 and told her a kid had teased me about being skinny! Now some many years later, health and fitness, is still as important as when I started. Even more so because I’ve made it my life’s work.
I LOVE my job. I believe that my 12 years as a competitive powerlifter and coach allowed me to develop the skills necessary to motivate and inspire people to achieve their goals.
In 1986, I entered my first bodybuilding competition. Training for over 10 contests further sharpened my technical skills and knowledge about shaping, building, and toning muscles. This experience instilled in me the compassion to identify how to support my clients because I’ve had to do it myself.Trust me, being a “fitness trainer” doesn’t insulate you from pain, sacrifice, or dieting.
I experience the same challenges that many of you will. But I promise you this — I’ll be there for you each and every workout. By that, I mean I’ll be there on time, ready to motivate you, and give you the benefit of my knowledge and experience.
I’ll do it with a smile on my face and I’ll make it fun because, to me, keeping it fun for you is just as important as what exercises we do. And if you do your part — show up on time, work hard, follow my diet and cardio advice — you can achieve the results you want!