John Turk's Biography

ABC Channel 7 News fitness nutrition report with John Turk. Click Here to Watch John explain the calories in popular foods.

At 47 years old, I have been in the fitness industry as a Chicago personal trainer for over 20 years. I enjoy helping people and love living the lifestyle. My involvement began when I was younger and wanted to become a better wrestler and football player. Since then I have competed in several bodybuilding contests with my most notable title being the Collegiate Mr. Illinois.

I have also become a familiar face in the fitness industry as a Chicago personal trainer and have appeared on the cover of such magazines as Muscle & Fitness, Physical and Planet Muscle, as shown below.

I have a Bachelors degree from Illinois State University in Physical Education with a minor in Nutrition. I currently hold a CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) certification from the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) which helps me design personal strength training and conditioning programs for athletes looking to achieve their personal best. I have also held certifications in the NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), and ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine).

I believe it is extremely important to stay on top of the ever-changing fitness industry as a Chicago personal trainer. So I frequently attend continuing education seminars and workshops for fitness and nutrition. I have recently successfully completed certification with the AASDN (American Academy of Sports Dietitians and Nutritionists) in order to become a Nutrition Specialist. There are so many innovations happening in the personal fitness industry so I want to ensure my clients get the most current information on maximizing their training program. Here is a sample of a few of my client success stories.

The thing that I find exciting about training people is that no two individuals are the same. The challenges each client faces while attaining their fitness goals and how the trainer over comes them, is what separates a good personal trainer from an average one. My philosophy is a simple one, "If you succeed, so do I". Current awards and honors I have been given for my skills in Personal Training and Nutrition

Whether it's helping someone with no experience or teaching an elite athlete the latest Plyometric techniques; I will be there to "Motivate, Educate and Evaluate" throughout the entire training process.