Personal Training — Toronto
Advanced Training — Simplified.
Science-backed Powerbuilding for busy professionals in Toronto. Structured programs. Every rep tracked. Progress you can see.
Client Statistics
What is Powerbuilding?
My version of Powerbuilding draws from Aristotle’s Golden Mean — the best approach lies between two extremes. Competitive powerlifting and bodybuilding each push one dimension to its limit. The research and protocols developed at those extremes hold real, practical knowledge.
I take the usable lessons from both and apply them to the middle — where most people actually train. Programming that builds real strength without sacrificing how you look and move. Informed by the extremes, built for the middle.
See Your Progress.
Not Just Feel It.
Every session logged. Every rep tracked. Your training data — strength gains, volume trends, key metrics — drives every programming decision. A client-facing dashboard is on the way.
Squat Progression — 12 Weeks
Built for Busy Professionals
Fits Your Schedule
One convenient Toronto location plus in-home options. Sessions designed for people who have 45–60 minutes, not 3 hours.
Structured, Not Random
Your program follows periodized cycles backed by research. You’ll never wonder “what should I do today?”
Start Where You Are
Whether you’ve never touched a barbell or you’re chasing a new PR, the program meets you at your level and takes you as far as you want to go.
Results that speak for themselves.
Training with John has singlehandedly kept me going to the gym. I’ve been constantly dealing with absurdly busy schedules and fatigue for years, which has made staying motivated to work out extremely hard. John has been one of the most down to earth, no nonsense trainers I’ve had the pleasure of working with and it’s made chiseling out some time for the gym a pleasure and not a chore. Also, as a former Powerlifter, I was shocked by how much I’ve learned by working with him - with every session being a chance to pick up some new tricks and pieces of knowledge despite the fact that I’m already relatively experienced. Without John’s help, I’d certainly not be making the progress I’m making let alone keeping my motivation up. Can’t recommend training with John enough, especially if you struggle to make the gym a priority amongst a hectic schedule.
Working with John is everything I wanted from a training experience - dedicated 1-on-1 attention with someone willing to work with people at different stages of their fitness journey. Whether you’re a high-performing athlete looking to reach their peak performance or someone just like me, a person that has been overwhelmed by the ‘big gym’ experience that left me feeling lost, embarrassed and defeated. My experience has been amazing, and this is entirely attributed to my trainer John ‘The Giant’ Richmond. In addition to being very knowledgeable and experienced in bodybuilding, he has all the patience, humour and attitude to build up your confidence and muscles. It’s very telling how much I enjoy working out under John’s guidance, as I now look forward to my workout sessions! Me! The one who made up any excuse to justify not going to a gym. I recommend that anyone looking for a highly specialized, community-driven training experience should reach out to John.
I’ve struggled with weight loss my entire life and had a love-hate relationship with exercise, primarily due to my lack of confidence and knowledge. That all changed when I started training with John! From day one, John’s approach was transformative. He not only taught me the ins and outs of the gym but also instilled a sense of confidence I never had before. His patience and expertise made every session enjoyable and effortless. I’m thrilled to share that I’ve lost nearly 30 lbs! I feel stronger than ever, and thanks to John, I genuinely love working out. Each session is something I look forward to, as he knows exactly how to start at my level and gradually push me to achieve more. If you’re looking for a personal trainer who can truly make a difference in your fitness journey, I highly recommend John. I’ve never loved the gym more, and I’m excited about my progress.
Our average client trains with us for over a year. In an industry where most people quit after 3 months, my clients stay.
John Richmond
Certified personal trainer and strength coach with 15+ years of study in powerlifting, bodybuilding, and exercise science. Canfitpro and Precision Nutrition certified. I found strength training at a point when I needed structure and discipline in my life — the process shaped more than just my physique.
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ATHLETICA Studio is coming.
Training software built by a working coach. Program design, session tracking, data visualization — and the tools to onboard every client with your training fundamentals.
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