ISSA Spotlight Trainer

Spotlight Trainer of the Month
Joe Virga

Prior to becoming a personal trainer, I worked as a trader on Wall Street for 11 years. At one point, I just didn’t want to deal with all the stress anymore and decided that it was time to live out my true calling. At the time, as a stress relief, I joined CKO Kickboxing. I immediately fell in love with the workout. I had trained myself for the past 10 years and always -since I was a little boy and my dad would tell me about all the old time body builders – had a love for fitness. I still remember, as a child, my dad would take me to the gym with him, and I would just sit and watch. I also remember our frequent trips to the health food store, which at the time was not as popular as such stores are today. So, it was my father’s interest in health and fitness that initially captured my attention.

Shortly after rediscovering and renewing my passion for fitness, I was laid off due to downsizing at Wall Street. I was determined to never work for someone else again. I wanted to have my own business and was sure that it was going to be in the fitness industry. So, the first thing that I did after being laid off was to get certified as a personal fitness trainer. After reviewing all the certifications, I felt that ISSA was the right fit for me. I completed the course and obtained my certification, and then the search began for a location for my fitness career.

The thing is, boredom and fatigue toward the same gym routine runs deep in American society. Many people can quickly lose motivation to keep up in the gym, lifting weights and using cardio equipment.

At CKO Kickboxing, however, the workout is addicting – you just want more – not to mention effective. When I first took my wife, Trisha (also a lifelong fitness buff), to CKO, she also fell in love with the workout – we both saw immediate results and increased energy. Fitness kickboxing is an amazing way to get and stay in great shape. The energy and intensity of the classes is unmatched in the fitness industry.

I became determined to own the first CKO Kickboxing franchise in company history. The owner of the franchise, Joe Andreula, and I became close friends shortly after I joined CKO as a member. His experience in this industry shows with all his success and hard work - his company has changed many lives, and I wanted to change lives as well. On Wall Street, you don’t have that chance; at CKO, I get it every day.

So, Trisha and I decided to open our own branch right in my hometown of Brooklyn, NY. We wanted to give everyday people, like ourselves, a chance to enjoy fitness again and experience rapid results. At first, we tried to open a facility in California, but our search for a location came up empty. It just didn’t feel right. We also took our search to North Carolina -again coming up empty. On a cold January day in 2008, however, a real estate agent emailed me about a great location in Brooklyn. I said it was worth a look, and as soon as I got here, I knew I had found my gym.

At this same exact time, Trisha and I were getting ready to get married -we signed the franchise agreement the night after our wedding and began training for the franchise the day we stepped off the plane from our honeymoon.

Trisha and I instruct and run the business, so it’s very challenging for both of us, but we are truly blessed to have such an amazing business where we are changing peoples’ lives for the better. I’m grateful everyday for this opportunity, and if I can give any advice for someone who has a passion for fitness, it’s to “follow your dreams and never listen to anyone else.” If you love something, go for it, and it will work. I’m thankful to my wife, who supports me everyday and stands at my side with love. This wouldn’t be possible without her or my family – mom, dad, brother, and sister – who have given me their vote of confidence my whole life.

I am proud to represent ISSA and also give thanks to CKO Kickboxing, who have made this opportunity enjoyable since my first day as a member of the gym in 2006.

Joseph Virga
CKO KICKBOXING
562 COURT ST
BROOKLYN, NY 11231
(718) 222-1822

JOEV@CLUBKOGYMS.COM

http://www.club-ko.com/ny_brooklyn.html