Kate's Story

Founded in 2018, Petrella’s Powerlifting & Personal Training became it’s own label.

After working her full time laboratory position for agriculture and agri-food Canada (AAFC) Kate worked evenings at the commercial gym Snap Fitness Lacombe in Alberta for eight months as front desk management serving customers and assisting trainers when required. However, it became quite evident that Kate’s fitness passion was too strong for “just the desk.” She was always on her feet cleaning or chatting with members - she knew that gym floor inside and out and was eager to do something more.

Encouragement came from the gym owner, the facility manager, the trainers at Snap Fitness and the trainers she knew back home in Ontario at STG Strength and Power.

Every time she would get to “talk fitness” with a member her eyes would light up and her smile would be flashing. Her manager noticed this radiant passion of hers and offered her a position as a Personal Trainer on the Snap Fitness crew if she returned the following year with her certification, first aid & CPR, and insurance. This was more than enough to make Kate’s heart skip a beat. Then, her laboratory supervisor replied, “YES PLEASE!” when she asked if it would be okay to return to work at AAFC in Fall. These two incredible positions seemed like they were just being handed to her; she thought she dreamt it all. But it was real. It was happening. So she did her research and found a reputable certification to get her foot through the door to the fitness world.

She returned home to Ontario that summer and alongside her university courses she took on-line modules, textbook readings and participated in in-class courses training to become the “Personal Training Specialist,” PTS. She passed her two theoretical exams and practical exams (and all of her university exams) with flying colours. She became certified mid-August 2018 just in time to fly back to Alberta for her next work term in the laboratory.

The journey was just beginning - literally and figuratively. On the 4-hour plane ‘journey’ KLP Fitness was branded and the logo was designed by Kate herself - many sketches lead to the perfect logo which was touched up with help from a friend and visual artist, Dana Bushey.

After being oriented with the new Snap Fitness facility location Kate began training real clients! These were old friends as well as new-comers, ranging in ages from 16-65+. Wearing the bright red Snap Fitness T-shirt with “PERSONAL TRAINER” imprinted on the back was an achievement and a complete honour for Kate. It is an opportunity she never imagined would have come true.

Now, many KLP Fitness business cards, shirts, hats, & sweaters are floating around both Alberta and Ontario as Kate’s dream and experiences continue to grow.

Kate is now officially hired as a Personal Trainer at Brant County’s premiere private athletic facility, STG Strength and Power, where she started her powerlifting career. She will begin training clients when she returns home to Ontario in September 2019. With over 100 pieces of some of the rarest and most effective evidence-based equipment (Nautilus, MEDX, Pendulum, Westside Barbell - to name a few) Kate’s clients will none-the-less experience some of the best workouts they have ever had.

And with that, I, Katie Petrella, would like to personally thank those who encouraged me and supported my decision to become a personal trainer - you know who you are - where I can effectively spread my on-going knowledge about human health and my passion to pursue a healthy active lifestyle with anyone who is willing to take on the challenge with me by their side encouraging them in return.

- Kate