Empower Fitness Training

If you are looking for someone to help you reach your fitness goals and motivate you along the way, this is the place. Kari and Empower Fitness are willing to work with you to help you attain your goals. Kari is super personable, knowledgable and so much fun to work out with. She has helped me from living a sedentary lifestyle to now running half marathons! Thank you so much Kari for all you do! I now consider myself a «lifetime client»
PS: Take an Insanity class to really get your butt in gear :)

I’ve been going to Empower Fitness about once a week for the Circuit Class for over a year. Prior to starting there, I had been to a physical therapist to help strengthen my knees, without much success. I’d seen Empower Fitness in my neighborhood and did a little research about it. I liked what I saw online and decided it was worth a try.
Unlike the circuits at other gyms (like Curves), the circuit here doesn’t rely upon static motions at a machine. Instead you use multiple muscle groups simultaneously and there is variety each time you go around the circuit. The circuit is always changing from week to week, so your muscles don’t get accustomed to doing the same thing all the time. While I haven’t lost much weight, I feel much better, stronger, and my clothing size has gone down.
While on a vacation about 3 years ago, my husband and I went for a hike. The trail was somewhat steep and I had to stop frequently to catch my breath. I stopped at about the halfway point because of knee pain. My husband continued without me. Recently, we found ourselves again attempting this same hike. This time, I didn’t need nearly as many breaks, my knees felt strong, and we both made it not just to the point where he had turned around before, but a distance about twice that far! I credit Empower Fitness with this major improvement in my knees and endurance level.
I really can’t speak highly enough of Kari, the owner, or her staff, especially Emily. They are very knowledgeable about and conscientious about watching everyone in class to make sure nobody gets hurt, and motivating everyone to work as hard as they can. Everyone leaves the class sweaty!

We’ve been going here on a regular basis for some time now and I cannot rate Empower high enough.
You can really tell when someone cares about their business and clients — Kari clearly works hard to make each class count and is interested in seeing everyone get the best in their workout.
I’m someone that DOES NOT like going to the «gym» but I do enjoy going for classes in a smaller environment like this. Five stars!

I’ve waited way to long to write a review for Empower and the owner/​trainer Kari. I’m constantly looking to stay fit and active and need various activities to keep me interested. On top of keeping me interested, I need to feel comfortable and feel like I’m having fun. Well, Kari makes me feel all of those while I sweat.
I go to the Spin classes, Circuit, and the Fusion. All are exactly what I need to get a great workout. I don’t know how it’s possible to simultaneously dread and look forward to a class, but that pretty much describes Spin. Seriously, this class kicks my behind. Kari keeps me motivated but it really comes down to what you want out of it. I’ve actually contemplated long runs and 10 mile hikes up a mountain to be easier on some days.
Kari is a great positive instructor, the studio is small, so you will never get packed into a huge class. I truly feel that she wants everyone to be successful and you are never just a client or student. Individual attention is pretty much what you get. So get your butt in gear and check out a class, you won’t regret it and neither will your behind.

Kari is amazing at what she does! I recently had my 2^nd baby and she has been so supportive in getting me back in my pre-​baby shape. The circuit training classes are a real workout and always leave me feeling exhausted, energized, and strong. When I had questions about calorie intake and breastfeeding, Kari took the time to research the information and responded to me that same night. My fitness goals are to feel good about myself, feel empowered and strong, and be able to keep up with my two kids. I enjoy the workouts because they are always different, challenging, and she motivates you through every exercise to push yourself and make the most of every minute you have in the gym. Thanks Kari!

My wife had been encouraging me to get into better shape for a long time. Recently she took encouragement a step further by simply signing me up for three spin sessions @ Empower. At first I was resistant & skeptical, but there was really no way out so I reluctantly agreed to go. I’m here now to say that I attended all 3 sessions, actually looking forward to sessions two & three after my first experience. I will also be signing on for more sessions as this program really works. Kari’s facility is immaculate. Kari is also a fantastic motivator. She has an uncanny ability to make one want to push their limit, even if that entails an absurd amount of sweat. I would recommend Empower Fitness to anyone. PS Thank you Kari for filling my water bottle when I was late to class!

Ive been to several trainers in San Diego and can say that Kari by far is great! She knows how to push you hard but also knows how to slow it down if it gets to be too much. I love the differnt type of exercises we are doing. I can tell its not going to get boring.

I have been a «middle of the pack» long-​distance runner most of my life, and although I’ve always been in decently good shape, I can honestly say that I’m in the best shape of my life since I started working out with Kari. I have lost a few pounds, dropped a clothing size (which has been a little expensive … but I won’t hold that against her!), and most important to me: I have been shattering my personal records in road races from distances from 5k to the marathon over this past year. Qualifying for the Boston Marathon has been a lifelong goal, and I know that Kari’s going to help me get there! She understands my personal goals as well as my time constraints, and has put together some customized plans that have helped me maximize my limited time at the gym. Kari is really fun to work out with, and keeps you focused and working hard the whole time — without any harsh reprimanding! She’s all about support, convincing me to try things I didn’t think I could try, and helping me see myself as physically strong and powerful for the first time ever. Kari’s knowledge, training, experience, and passion comes through in everything about her work and her great care for her clients.

This is an updated review from the one I wrote on 7÷25÷2010.
Ok, so, I don’t write reviews for ANYTHING very often; I’m not a «yelper,» but I do feel compelled to honestly share my experiences with Kari of Empowered Fitness because I so much enjoy every workout!
It has been six months now since I have been working out with Kari, and I am in such great shape that it is remarkable! I never thought I would be capable of the level of physical fitness I have now – not to mention the energy and vitality I have as a result of working with Kari.
The cool thing about having Kari as a trainer is that she is uniquely tailors each session to meet your goals and incorporates a wide range of different types of methods and exercises at varying intensities. As a result, I never get bored, and each session is a fresh, new combination of exercises.
On a personal note, Kari is also very sweet and endearing. She truly does care about your success, and her authenticity and personality are motivating, supportive, and strengthening!
She also holds a Saturday morning boot camp each week at Road Runner park; but make no mistake – this isn’t a typical boot camp: Kari doesn’t have a whistle or wear camouflage: she has put together a comprehensive and FUN workout that uses your body weight for resistance, while incorporating drills and cardio to energize you for the rest of the day…
So, there you have it – sincere rave reviews for an awesome personal trainer.

Disclosure #1: Kari is a friend of mine
Disclosure #2: She’s my personal trainer, and a damn good one!
Hands down, you will not get a better personal trainer. Kari is a realist. She doesn’t expect you to live on brown rice and vegetables and then sustain yourself through 3-​hour workouts. She’s a very female friendly trainer.
Since I’ve temporarily relocated to the east coast, Kari has continued training me from afar for my wedding, providing me with workouts to target my problem areas, keeping it fresh and challenging so that I don’t get bored (I have quite the problem with boredom!). She pushes you enough to make you challenge yourself, but not so hard that you feel defeated and can’t stick with it. I love her approach and I love her exercises! They work!
If you are considering a personal trainer, I would wholeheartedly recommend Kari to you. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed! Her new training studio in El Cajon is extremely convenient off the freeway. I will be doing some in-​person sessions with her there when I’m in town in 2 weeks — CAN’T WAIT!

I am so excited to begin this process of a body change. Kari has the knowledge and encouragement that I need. She came to my house and did a body assessment, taking my measurements and had a cool body fat reader. I did my first workout with her this past Monday, and told her to push me, since I don’t tend to push myself. She was awesome! She demonstrated how to do the exercises, and was there for stability and encouragement. She works at your pace. I feel like I’m finally getting somewhere in my body fitness, and Kari has fresh ideas for me, so I won’t get bored with my workouts. Bathing suit season, here I come! I plan to be tight and toned. Thanks Kari