John Ward lightening bolt

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About John

I'm a NASM-certified personal trainer and a former Division 1 (Villanova) and semi-professional soccer player and Division 1 coach (U Penn). As a trainer and coach I have a combined 10 years of experience. My time as an athlete has afforded me not only an athlete's mentality and access to modalities and techniques you won't get from your average trainer, but also solid knowledge of injury recovery and working with restrictions. I specialize in functional strength, mobility/flexibility, weight loss, and muscle building. I work with everyone, but have a particular knack for helping women re-strengthen their pelvic floor after pregnancy; men and women who have had lower back pain; and those looking to take their fitness and physique to the next level. I use a combination of modalities including HIIT, Tabata, plyometrics, calisthenics, yoga-style stretching, and traditional resistance training. Ultimately, I have created my own hybrid that combines the elements of a HIIT workout with resistance training that torches calories and adds lean muscle.


My favorite client story

My favorite client story has to be from a client I've now worked with for 24 months. She's 51 and was born with severe scoliosis and has two steel rods in her back--she's a badass.
About halfway through her first 12 weeks we were stretching and she exclaimed, "I just touched my toes!"
Not knowing the significance I responded with something like, "Hey, good job" and she said. "No, I mean, for the first time EVER!" She was so thrilled and something must have gotten in my eyes right at that exact moment because they got pretty watery.
To get those achievements is everything for me.

My favorite exercise

It sounds crazy, but burpees are probably my favorite exercise. They literally work everything and can be done anywhere since they don't require any equipment.
...To be fair, it's more of a love-hate relationship.

My favorite quote

I have a few:
"Be curious, not judgemental." -Anonymous (though it was attributed to Walt Whitman, it was not in fact written by him. Still a great line to live by though)

“You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future." - Steve Jobs

"Tenacity is the most underrated quality in life. We all speak of talent, intelligence, glamour; but tenacity is the common thing for every successful person in life." - Arsene Wenger

My training philosophy

It will be challenging, but it should also be fun. Otherwise, what's the point?

My training experience

This is mostly in my bio, but I have over 15 years combined experience from my time as a D1 and semi-pro athlete, collegiate and private sports coach, and personal and group fitness coach.

Areas of Expertise

  • Core and Balance
  • Nutrition
  • Strength Training
  • Weight Loss
  • Flexibility and Mobility
  • Muscular Definition
  • Functional Training
  • Sports Performance Training
  • Cardiovascular Conditioning
  • Cross Training
  • Stress Reduction
  • Wellness

NCCA Accredited Certifications

NASM Certified Personal Trainer
NASM Certified Group Fitness Instructor

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Communication, Villanova University

Who I Especially Like Working With

Actors, Beginners, Brides-to-be, Men, Middle-aged, Models, Overweight/ Obese, Post-rehab, Runners, Student-athletes, Women

Medical Conditions Experience

ACL tear, Ankle Injury, Anxiety, Back Pain/Issues, Bad Posture, Depression, Diastasis Recti, Hamstring Issues, Knee Pain/Issues, Scoliosis, Stress

Are you a trainer?
Get new clients. Change lives.