Jennifer McGilvray Bonner lightening bolt

Verified 7 Reviews
location-iconOutdoor & In-Home

About Jennifer

I offer Virtual training and In-home training. You can also come to my home gym.


I understand the power of feeling good in your own skin. It can make a dramatic difference in your everyday life, and in your relationships with friends, family and at work. I want to help my clients achieve that same feeling through positive coaching and motivation. I love to incorporate strategic exercises such as circuit and strength training, plyometrics, flexibility challenges and joint stabilization techniques to achieve long lasting results. I will start with customizing an exercise program tailored to your unique goals and challenges, and educate you on making positive choices that you can use beyond the gym floor. We will be in this fitness journey together! And I promise you will have fun, laugh and see a difference physically and mentally. It all starts with just one step!


My training experience

Background and Specialties/Certifications
I started my career in health and fitness a little later in life after deciding to take a huge leap to become a certified personal trainer. I was working in corporate marketing and I wasn’t happy. My happy place was the gym and I felt renewed and energized after a good workout. I was working with an amazing personal training at Chicago Athletic Clubs and she said “why don’t you get certified and become a personal trainer - you’d be great at it.” I knew I wanted to teach my clients how beneficial taking care of your body is to your daily life. Two years later I was working as a trainer at the same gym!

I’m a 2001 Indiana University graduate and I have a master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University in Chicago. I started my reporting career in Evansville, Indiana and then moved to WISH-TV in Indianapolis. I later moved back to Chicago to work in marketing and public relations.

NASM Certified Personal Trainer
NASM Certified Pre/Post Natal and Women’s Health Specialist
Wellcoaches Health and Wellness Certified Coach (in progress)
Strength Training
Nutrition Guidance
Behavior Change
Fitness Assessments
Functional Movements

Areas of Expertise

  • Strength Training
  • Weight Loss
  • Flexibility and Mobility
  • Muscular Definition
  • Functional Training
  • Dance

NCCA Accredited Certifications

NASM Certified Personal Trainer

Additional Certifications

NASM Women's Fitness Specialist, Prenatal/Postnatal, Wellcoaches Health & Wellness Coach

Education

BA in Communications, MS in Journalism

Who I Especially Like Working With

Beginners, Brides-to-be, Middle-aged, Peri/Post-menopausal, Pre/post-natal, Seniors, Women

Medical Conditions Experience

ACL tear, Ankle Injury, Anxiety, Asthma, Back Pain/Issues, Bone/Joint Injury, Brain Trauma, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Hip Pain/Issues, Joint Pain, Knee Pain/Issues, Lower Body Pain/Issues, Plantar fasciitis, Pregnancy, Shoulder Issues, Stress, Tennis Elbow

Jennifer has been my personal trainer since 2017, when I was very intimidated by the weight floor. From the beginning, Jennifer has been upbeat and supportive. She taught me proper form, challenged me, and has been helping me reach my fitness goals. I now approach the weight floor with more confidence in what to do and how to maintain proper form, and her great attitude makes me actually look forward to seeing her.

Zina K.

I began working out with Jennifer about 9 months ago with the goal of becoming stronger and expanding my workout routines. Since then, she has constantly surprised and challenged me with new exercises— and has helped me work to perfect my form— which is something that I have consistently struggled with in the past. Not only does she tailor each session to my particular quirks and needs, she varies the circuits enough to keep me interested. She’s super knowledgeable about training—but also has such a positive and personable energy that continues to motivate and encourage me to be stronger than I’ve ever been!

Gianna S.

I started training with Jennifer while I was pregnant with my second child, and have been working with her for two years now. My goal at the time was to safely stay in shape through the pregnancy, and build strength. Jennifer not only helped meet my goals, but I actually love going to the gym now. She challenges me but is always supportive, encouraging, and fun. As a busy working parent it's hard to find time to exercise, but she has been great about developing full-body workouts that are adaptable based on how much time I have. The knowledge and experience that she brings have helped me to maximize my fitness routine and push myself harder, while feeling safe that I'm using good technique. Before I started training with her I was a little intimidated by weight training. I love that I can walk into the gym feeling confident and strong now, and I have noticed a huge difference in my upper body strength. I can honestly say that the decision to work with a trainer was a great investment in myself, and I can't imagine a better trainer than Jennifer.

Jeannine S.

Jennifer has been my personal trainer for over two years and I have never felt stronger! A crowded weight room used to feel intimidating to me but because of my sessions with Jennifer, I have gained a ton of confidence and knowledge around weight training. Her positivity and ability to motivate is something I look forward to weekly and would not be where I am today without it!

Kelly G.

Exactly what I was looking for! Jennifer has truly been a God send! I let myself get out of shape in a bad way over the past 5 years and Jennifer has been helping get me back on track! She pushes me harder than I could/would ever push myself and always keeps the workouts interesting so I never get bored! She’s also helped with my nutrition goals and I’m starting to feel better than I have in years! Highly recommended her to ANYONE!! You will not be disappointed!!

Tiffany D.

Jennifer is great! I've been working with her for about a month virtually and she's been awesome! She challenges me way more than I would on my own, but is also encouraging and positive throughout each session. As someone new to working out regularly, that's definitely what I've needed. Really happy with her as my trainer, would definitely recommend!

Rachel H.

Great Virtual Training. I was initially skeptical of virtual training but it has been great so far! Jennifer is very motivating and makes each session something fun to look forward to! I definitely feel like I'm getting a good burn each session.

Erin E.

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