Fitness and wellness have been a part of my life since I was a child. I loved the confidence and strength I felt training as an athlete and the ability of my body to perform easily when needed. I swam, played softball, threw shot put/discus and played a lot of volleyball!

Unfortunately, all that changed when I was diagnosed with idiopathic AVN in 2013. Avascular Necrosis is bone tissue death due to a lack of blood supply. As an experienced personal trainer and athlete who had just had my second child, I was now faced with a debilitating condition that I had never heard of before. For months, I was unable to walk due to a bone graft in one knee and core decompression in the other. I also needed a hip replacement. Rebuilding strength and learning to walk without a limp took time, patience, and a lot of physical therapy.

We often take our health for granted until we are faced with a challenge, and I can truly relate and understand what it feels like to have a body that does not function the way you want it to.

Personal training at its best! Amazing place with trainers that are not only experienced but genuinely care about your results. Rebecca is amazing, I had barely liked working out until working with her! She makes workouts both challenging and encouraging – and as a new mom, I definitely needed both! So enjoy my time here, definitely recommend 100%. -Jennifer W.

I can’t say enough wonderful things about my trainer Rebecca. I started training again recently after years of being complacent, and I couldn’t ask for a better coach and partner in my journey back to strength and fitness. Rebecca is encouraging and tailors workouts to my goals and abilities. She keeps workouts fun, fast-paced, and challenging.  I feel stronger and more confident than I have in a long time, and it gets better every week. -Jennifer B.

Fitness has always been a constant in my life; physically, aesthetically and psychologically.  In my youth, I was insecure and lacked confidence, ultimately creating a train wreck of a young man.  I was skinny as a kid and hid the mental torment of the insecurities I created.  I wanted to be bigger, I wanted to be more muscular.  Working out did something to me, it changed me.  I felt alive and strong. I felt confident and invincible.  I began training in mixed martial arts and went to every class they offered.  I trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, boxing, and Muay Thai. I got smashed everyday, and my weight/cardio training was not working. I felt too big and sluggish, and realized that more specific programming was necessary to achieve my goals. That’s when I began to learn how to design effective exercise programs for myself and others.

I’ve had to put on weight, build muscle, lean out, condition, lose weight, etc.   I’ve been around long enough to have been thrown off the wagon, get back on it, and fall off again.  I’m putting in all the work, and doing all the research, so you don’t have to.  I welcome an opportunity to coach you, sharing my knowledge and experience, so we can all live happy and healthy lives.  If not for us, for those who love us!

Johnnie at Ignite Fitness has been doing fantastic work with my teenage son in improving his fitness and confidence. The best feedback I get is my sons big smile after each class. Highly recommend. -Stuart M

I’ve been working with Johnnie for a few months now on a hypertrophy program and it’s been great- Ignite is a clean and friendly facility where everyone has their own station- you never have to wait for a machine to open up. I especially love hitting the water bag, really fun!  -Andrew O

Such an awesome place to workout and learn!  The whole facility is in excellent shape with great equipment, and it’s never crowded!  I’m sure all the trainers are great, but Johnnie has been awesome to work with. I highly recommend Ignite to anyone looking for great training. -Chris M

I grew up in a small town on the coast of North Carolina. Health and fitness was not always my main focus and I was overweight for most of my life. While I was in college, I decided to make changes and take my health and fitness seriously. With that,  I jumped in with both feet and have never looked back. I enjoy many different forms of exercise but strength training was the first form to really capture my heart. I want to take that passion and share it with others!

I have a strong belief that training and exercise should enhance your life. It should make things better and more enjoyable. With me, you can expect to be challenged, encouraged, and empowered. Beyond the physical benefits of training, the confidence that it brings is an additional bonus that speaks volumes!

I have been working with Diane Hunter at Ignite Fitness. Diane is positive, encouraging and flexible. She creates workouts that are challenging and fun. I have seen great results in just 3 months. I highly recommend Diane & Ignite Fitness! -Katie C.

When I started working out at age 15, it was to improve my performance on the field hockey field. It quickly progressed into a passion and that’s how I decided to go into Exercise Science. When my collegiate field hockey career ended, I never stopped training to maintain my strength and athleticism.

My experience is evenly split between training adults and scholastic athletes. Whether you are looking to improve your athletic ability or general health, I will work with you to build a progressive program that is 100% tailored to your needs.

I’m a firm believer that movement is key to unlocking optimal performance, health, and happiness. My training philosophies include keeping it simple and emphasizing consistency over perfection.

I have been working with Nicki for over a year and I’m so grateful to have such an amazing trainer to teach me how to properly train and discover my strength. Nicki is incredible in all aspects. She always pushes me to meet my goals for the day whether it’s to max out on a set or simply get through the whole workout. Nicki has helped improve my endurance through various muscular and speed training exercises while also improving my confidence. She always makes sure to check in with how I am doing and never fails to put a smile on my face or make me laugh even through the hardest workouts. I’m beyond happy to have Nicki as my personal trainer. -Kaitlyn M.

I have been training with Nicki at Ignite Fitness since the end of April. My experience has been nothing short of great. Nicki is very patient, detailed, and encouraging. My knowledge is very limited when it comes to exercise, so I trust her 100% in helping develop a fitness plan to reach my goals. I highly recommend her if you’re looking for a trainer.  -Jamie L

I needed personal attention due to my learning style, and also the fact that every other group method just failed. Group classes no matter how good they are focused on individuals who could always do a lot more than I could, and were a waste of time and money. Shout out to Nicki, she knows a lot about musculoskeletal system, and with my injuries able to guide me via a personalized plan in the right direction. I feel a difference already!    -Sumit S.

My fitness journey began while seeking to improve my own well-being after having children.  As a stay-at-home mom, I began teaching group exercise classes and have been motivating and guiding clients as a group fitness instructor for 16 years, with BodyPump holding a special place in my heart!

In 2023, I left the corporate world to dedicate myself to guiding others on their unique wellness journeys. Through personalized coaching and engaging sessions, we’ll discover sustainable habits that support weight loss, improved strength, and overall well-being.

My road to fitness was paved out of necessity.  I was about 25lbs overweight in my adolescent years and was subject to teasing because of it. My dad guided my weight loss by helping me practice self-control and make better foods choices, instead of eating everything in sight. His guidance combined with regular HIIT workouts, to include sprinting and jumping rope, helped me lose the weight.  My motivation to look like the athletes I admired on TV was strong and It also lead to the appeal of weight training. After experiencing the benefits of weight training, finally being able to play the sports that I love and just feeling better about myself in general, I realized that fitness was what I wanted to do with my life.

I work with all ability levels, from beginner to athlete. I’d love the opportunity work with you and establish the appropriate routines to motivate your fitness. I realize that everyone’s story and situation is different. Together we can figure out what works for you.

I have been working with Denzel for about 8 months and he is a fantastic trainer. He pushes you to achieve your goals and creates a comfortable environment at the same time. He also stays on top of new techniques and applies them with his clients which is amazing. Ignite fitness is also a top notch facility with the best equipment out there. It is a first class gym!  -Austin M

Denzel has been our trainer for about over 5 months. My husband and I love working with him. He listens to our requests and modifies if necessary. Sometimes we may come in not wanting to start, we always leave feeling accomplished. We both notice our bodies getting stronger which was our main goal. Thanks to Denzel for making working out enjoyable. – Cassie M

I was about to turn 57 and wanted to finally get in good shape.  Denzel listened to my concerns and what my goals were and put together a program to fit my needs.  He’s so positive and encouraging and always keeps the workouts fresh, challenging and fun.  I could feel and see my progress within a few weeks.  He’s very knowledgeable about how the body works.  I always look forward to each session and it never felt like work!  I highly recommend Denzel if you’re serious about  getting stronger and feeling better.  -Kim E

Kevin recently moved to Apex from Rochester, NY after 8 years of experience training in health club and sports performance settings. He enjoys working with athletes of all ages and abilities. His calm, reassuring demeanor is appreciated by most clients, especially beginners, while his knowledge of mechanics and safe ranges of motion are great for people recovering from or working around injuries. 

I have been an athlete my whole life and have been resistance training consistently since I was fifteen. I started by teaching my mom how to workout and immediately knew that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life! After graduating from The University of Akron with a degree in Exercise Science, I began working with individuals of various sports, ages, and experience levels as a Sports Performance Coach and Personal Trainer. I recently moved to North Carolina from Ohio and am very excited to help more people become the best version of themselves! 

“I love coaching and inspiring others to become the strongest, healthiest, most confident version of themselves. I’m a firm believer to focus on your internal health, mindset, and the functionality of your joints first and foremost, and everything else will follow! Life is all about balance and becoming 1% better each and every day! Whether you’re new to exercising, need to be pushed to your full potential, or you’re an athlete wanting to be faster & stronger for your sport, I would love working with you and helping you reach your goals!”

 

View this profile on Instagram

 

Leah – Fitness Coach (@leahthetrainer) • Instagram photos and videos

If you are thinking of getting into or getting back into fitness as an adult – you are a force to be reckoned with. I am a mom to four kids. After having #3 & #4 (twins), I was overwhelmed, didn’t feel like myself, and just felt – stuck. Growing up I was an avid soccer player all the way through college, but life had caught up with me. Thinking about fitness felt like a different lifetime. I remember starting again and trying different workout avenues, but I knew I wanted something more tailored to me, and I needed the support. I ended up searching out my own personal trainer and haven’t looked back since. I fell hard for the training process, the challenges, and seeing the wins along the way. Along with coaching others towards their own goals, I continue to compete in powerlifting.

I am passionate about helping people through their own fitness. Fitness should be personal, achievable, and enjoyable. Maybe you want that energy back, maybe its weight loss or muscle gain, maybe you dream of competing again in some way, maybe you feel stuck and aren’t sure where to begin. No matter your story, I am here to support you through it all.

I believe most fitness options on the market are great for people who are already very fit, but not properly formatted for those who are new to fitness, returning from an injury, have poor flexibility, or just getting back into shape. This leads to unnecessary pain, stress, and burnout. While soreness can be expected, your workout should not leave you debilitated for the rest of the day (or week). It should provide an adequate stimulus for change, using exercises and equipment appropriate for your ability, specifically targeting your weaknesses and gradually progressing as you gain fitness. You should feel a sense of accomplishment the end of a workout, not weak or inadequate. This does not mean easy, you will still be challenged.

I am fully committed to helping you reach YOUR goals, not mine. If your goal is improved health and well-being, I’m not going to put you on a scale each week (but if your only goal is to lose 10 pounds this month, you can count on it). If you’re a vegetarian, I won’t try to persuade you to eat paleo. In fact, I don’t encourage any specific diet for anybody. The truth is – most diet and exercise programs can work for anybody. The key is that you must enjoy it, believe in it, and be consistent. The most important factor in achieving your goal is consistency, and the fastest way to become inconsistent is to do workouts you don’t like, don’t understand, and that are geared towards results you didn’t want in the first place. Everyone has different reasons to exercise, and my job is to create a plan that works best for you.

I had painful and weak back issues for more than 10 years. I was visiting my chiropractor at least 6-8 times in a month before starting my training with Frank. I only work with him twice a week for 30 minutes each. It’s been about 6 months since I am training with him and I haven’t had any chiropractic services in last 3 months. They work with whatever the client’s goal is – be it weight loss, maintenance or any specific issues like mine. The gym is always very clean. I would highly recommend this place. It’s life changing for me and I feel stronger than ever before!!!  Payal P.

I have been training with Frank for a while now and am finally at a point where I look forward to the next session at the end of every workout. Frank is patient, great listener and always ensures your needs are met while simultaneously pushing you to go that extra mile with customizing workouts in a way you enjoy them.I was nervous to get back into gym scene after rough few years where physical fitness had not been a priority but Frank took everything into account to ease me back into a healthy regimen, overall I have nothing but positive experiences so far with Ignite Fitness.Highly recommend giving this place a go!  Sowmya K.

I have been training with Frank for the last 9 years and during that time I feel like I have gotten an incredible value from his deep knowledge I have recovered from over five knee surgeries thanks to his help in not just general fitness but dealing with orthopedic weaknesses that would have hampered me greatly had it not been for Frank’s health. Also his style is very low-key and he’s not a “Ra-Ra” trainer that can be annoying if that’s not your style. He’s a perfect fit for a curmudgeon like me. Also I have trained with Alexis who is much more vocal and upbeat. Both of them along with their other trainers seem to be quite a notch above the “globogyms”. Ignite Fitness is not just a weightlifting gym both Alexis and Frank are certified yoga instructors and have numerous modalities for training, whether you are a high performance athlete or a desk jockey looking for improvements in your quality of life, Ignite Fitness is the best gym in the area in my opinion.   Mark H.

I’ve worked out with trainers for years.  Frank has been the best experience out of all of them.  I recently learned that I had degenerative disc disease and thought I had to limit my exercise routine.  Not only has working out with Frank helped me manage my pain (almost none), it has also restored my joy for and commitment to a regular strength training routine. Very happy I found Ignite.  Catherine C.