Strength & Performance
Progressive resistance training built around your body, your goals, and your life.

St. Louis · Life Time Fitness
St. Louis's premier personal training and wellness coaching experience. Built for people who are serious about lasting results.
About John
Before he ever designed a training program, John spent years in emergency services, responding to crises, making high-pressure decisions, and learning what it means to show up when it counts. Today he brings that same precision to clients at Life Time Fitness who are done with quick fixes and ready to build something that lasts.
Read John's story →Three Pillars
Progressive resistance training built around your body, your goals, and your life.
Real food, real strategy. No gimmicks, no starvation. Just a sustainable system that works.
Rooted in the Krishnamacharya lineage. Breath, movement, and recovery that compounds over time.
Client Voices
"Why did I wait so long to start working with John? After starting a GLP-1 medication I knew I needed to add strength training, but I also knew I needed guidance, both for staying accountable to my goals and for learning how to properly use the equipment. I chose John because he plays pickleball and has gray hair, which made him feel approachable and relatable. What I got though has been far beyond what I expected. Our sessions include weight training, nutrition coaching, balance work, and flexibility training through Dynamic Stretch. We have even worked on pain management, which has made a huge difference in how I feel day to day. Working with John has exceeded my original goals. I only wish I had started sooner."
"I came to John with one goal in mind: to compete in a natural bodybuilding competition. At 54, this seemed like a pipe dream. John made that dream become a reality. Not only did I compete, I won my division. Throughout the process, John guided me with precision, patience, and a never-ending willingness to answer every question I threw at him. He taught me the importance of integrating the mind with the breath to form the body I wanted. When I tore my quad just a couple of months prior to my show, he gave me the fortitude and the mindset to keep pushing. His expertise in body mechanics, stretching, yoga, diet, and nutrition let me recover completely and continue toward my ultimate goal. With his continued guidance I feel like there is nothing I cannot do."
"When I first started at the gym, I felt intimidated as a beginner, especially working with a male fitness trainer. John effortlessly eased all of my anxieties. His warm and optimistic nature transformed the gym into a welcoming environment, and his constant encouragement enabled me to believe in myself. He takes the time to explain the science and kinetics behind every movement, answers all of my questions without judgment, and consistently believes in my ability to get stronger. Now I'm able to hit weights on my own days and feel more confident and empowered in what I'm doing for my body. John is truly a gem of a person."
"I love working with John. The difference he has made in my overall well-being is incredible. He has a natural talent for creating a comfortable and relaxed environment, which put me at ease from the very beginning. With his guidance I've felt so much relief from the tension that used to build up in my muscles, shoulders, and back. John truly understands how to address specific problem areas and has helped me achieve a level of relaxation and comfort I didn't think was possible."
"Working with John is such a unique experience. His energy and approach are unparalleled. With all of the pickleball and working out I do, I have a lot of stiffness and pain in my lower back and shoulder. His stretching techniques are incredible. Add in his breathing techniques, holistic knowledge, and concentration, and I leave in such a grounded and peaceful state with no pain or stiffness. I truly find myself transformed into a complete Zen state."
"I started working out with John two months ago, doing PT sessions twice a week. John has a deep knowledge for all of the equipment and muscles for focused results. He is easy to work with, funny, and will push you to your limit. He incorporates nutrition and supplementation advice for well rounded results. Highly recommend working out with John."
"John helps me perform to the best of my ability in the sport of Show Jumping. His experience in dynamic stretch and yoga has improved my mobility and suppleness in the saddle. He is quick to identify and remedy imbalances in movement, while improving symptoms of my chronic orthopedic conditions. His positive and motivational attitude inspires me to give 110% to every workout. Every athlete needs a secret weapon, and John is mine."
"I absolutely love my Friday training sessions with John. He is not only a great motivator but also a fantastic fitness instructor. He has made my goals seem completely attainable and inspired me to challenge myself and persevere through mental blocks. His process and training sessions are exceptional. Every session feels different and ambitious, whether we progressed with weight, reps, or controlled movement. Whether John is training a brand-new client or mentoring fitness colleagues like me, his heartfelt and self-evident sense of caring is apparent."
"John Larson is my personal trainer; educating me, encouraging me, boosting me up, cheering me on, and pushing me to be better and tougher. There is no one better equipped to be by my side, to be on my team crafting my transformation. Through thick and thin, with more laughter than tears, we are nearing 200 training hours together. John remains my motivating exercise partner, my informative trainer, and my excellent choice in becoming a stronger me."
"For months, I worked out in the same gym in which John Larson trains his clients. Irrespective of age or gender, I always noticed his clients were in great shape. When I had the opportunity to choose a personal trainer for myself, John was my exclusive and only choice. A little under 3 weeks in, I'm doing free weight and machine work I've never done before. The few things I'm familiar with, I'm finally learning the correct techniques that keep my body safe and give me the best results. When your wife of 20 years randomly says, 'whoa, look at your back. I've never noticed your back before,' there's no better evidence for success."
"I just took my first yoga class with John. I went in thinking it would be like the yoga classes I've taken in the past, but it was so much more. As we did the patterned breathing and poses, John explained why we were doing them and what specific benefits we would gain. Sometimes the explanation went down to the cellular level, which as a nurse I loved, discussing cortisol and lactic acid and their effects on the body. Other times he used everyday comparisons, like the relaxing of fascia being like pulling a wrinkled sheet from the dryer and having it smooth. To know why you are doing something and what effect it will have adds such enrichment to John's classes."
"I've been in John's spin classes for the better part of a year and have also worked with him on some strength training. John is clearly a wealth of knowledge, and his approach to fitness and well being is easy to understand, adaptable, and would serve well both as a building block for someone beginning their wellness journey or for a more experienced athlete looking to take their training to the next level. He has imparted a ton of great lessons in the short time I've known him, leading to improvements in breath control, flexibility, mental toughness, and overall endurance. Hard work is the reward."
"John has been my personal trainer for two years. He has been a terrific trainer and great to work with. He is very knowledgeable in all aspects of workouts as well as nutrition and body chemistry. I highly recommend John for all aspects of training."
"I have been participating in John's barre and stretch class for nearly a year now, and have seen great improvements in my balance, flexibility, and even my pickleball skills. I recently was playing pickleball and found myself falling to the floor. With stability, balance, and floor work from John's class, I was able to drop, roll, and get back to my feet almost in one fluid move. John presents his classes in a very upbeat but low-key manner. Everyone is welcome and you advance at your own pace. Part meditation, yoga, deep breathing, mindfulness, and some fun dance moves, you get it all."
"I have utilized John's vast knowledge of diet, breathing exercises, and all-around information to help me get stronger through my cancer rehabilitation. He put me on a diet of protein, vitamins, and minerals which has given me strength. Since I am on oxygen 24/7, I have to breathe in a specific way and he has given me the information I need to get through walking and many things you do in daily life. Thank you, John."
"Very encouraging person. Inspires confidence and is full of enthusiasm. John has a strong perception of what working your muscles is all about, accompanied by useful nutrition facts and other tips."
"I began personal training with John two weeks ago. John is helping me navigate a few overuse injuries that have plagued me, while maintaining my overall fitness. His advanced knowledge of how our bodies work is extremely helpful. John actively listens to what I have to say about the way my body feels during and after my training sessions, making adjustments in my workout without sacrificing my goals. In these short two weeks I already see and feel my body changing in a positive way. John is so personable, he makes the workouts fun. You won't regret having John as your personal trainer."
"I have been training with John twice a week since April 2023. I started off the year with a vague goal of getting stronger but didn't have a concrete plan. Working with John has made all the difference. He helped me focus and build a program that allowed me to do more than I ever thought I could. I am stronger, fitter, and I love it. I have surpassed my original goal and I am setting new ones. One of the best parts of training with John is he makes you feel comfortable in the gym and gives you the confidence to reach farther than you might otherwise."
"I started training with John about a year and a half ago. I used to think personal trainers were for movie stars and people who made their living through having a body made of chiseled granite. I made more progress training with John than I had over the course of several years lifting on my own, with just one session a week and other workouts done on my own using what I had learned. With someone like John in your corner, you've got a true expert on your side. He'll help you figure out a plan that works for you, correct your form, and encourage you every step of the way, with just enough tough love that you don't forget you're in the gym."
"Awesome trainer. John is a very skilled trainer and works hard with clients to meet their potential. He gets to know his clients, challenges them, and best of all makes the training process really fun. I'm so thankful I can work with him. I can't recommend him any higher."
"John has been an invaluable support system on my journey to recovery after undergoing major kidney surgery. He tailored a personalized fitness program that addressed my post-surgery limitations and inspired confidence in my ability to overcome challenges. What truly sets John apart is his holistic approach to fitness. Beyond the physical workouts, he took the time to understand the mental and emotional toll the surgery had on me. This unique blend of empathy and expertise created a safe environment, allowing me to regain my physical strength and rebuild my self-esteem and resilience. I am now in a place where I feel physically stronger and mentally rejuvenated."
"John Larson is a transformational figure in my life. As a semi-regular motorcycle crasher, I have had my share of structural damage. John's tutelage has allowed me to skip my last 2 cortisone shot treatments. I have been a gym rat for over 40 years and I have found that no previous trainer has had the depth of knowledge or the knack for its usage like John. John's cadence and pace are beyond compare."
Supplements
Not all supplements are created equal. These are.
The supplement industry is flooded with products that overpromise and underdeliver. I have seen it firsthand. That is why I exclusively recommend Life Time's LTH supplement line to every client I work with, and use them personally.
Here is what separates LTH from everything else on the market:
Every batch of raw materials that arrives at the manufacturing facility is quarantined and tested before it ever enters the production floor. Each ingredient is verified for identity, purity, strength, and composition, confirming it matches exactly what the label says.
All LTH products are both internally and independently third-party tested for quality, potency, and purity. Every single batch is confirmed with a Certificate of Analysis, and Life Time partners with NSF, one of the most rigorous independent testing organizations in the industry, for third-party verification.
Storage and transport are regulated for temperature and humidity from the moment the product is manufactured to the moment it reaches your hands. You are getting it fresh, protected, and exactly as formulated.
No artificial colors. No artificial flavors. No synthetic sweeteners. No seed oils. No shortcuts.
LTH was built because Life Time's own founder paid for third-party testing of the multivitamin he was personally taking, and the results were alarming. He built LTH from the ground up so that no one who trusted the label would ever be misled again.
This is the standard I hold my clients to. Train hard. Recover right. Fuel with supplements you can actually trust.
Your Referral Perks
The MCE App
The dedicated client performance app. Track every workout, log progress, follow your nutrition framework, and stay accountable between sessions. Built for the people serious about lasting results.
Open the MCE AppSimple. Structured. Built for real life. Drop your email and I'll send it directly to you.
Common Questions
John Larson is a Certified Personal Trainer, Yoga Therapist, Nutrition Coach, and Strength & Conditioning specialist based in St. Louis, Missouri at Life Time Fitness. Before coaching, he spent years in emergency services as a Firefighter II / EMT and FEMA Hazmat Operator.
Strength training, physique development, yoga therapy, nutrition coaching, mobility, and lifestyle coaching for adults who want lasting results, not quick fixes.
John trains clients in person at Life Time Fitness in St. Louis, Missouri.
Personal training is progressive resistance work focused on strength, body composition, and performance. Yoga therapy, rooted in the Krishnamacharya lineage, is individualized, therapeutic work that improves mobility, reduces pain, and supports recovery.
Book a free consultation through the contact page or email johnlarsonmc@gmail.com.