Jef is the perfect, genuine person to be running a fitness "business". Yep, I'm that guy, in his 40's, that knows he needs to do more than just "watch what he eats", but there I was, acting lazy for half a year. I reached out to Jef towards the end of 2019 to right my ship, so to speak. He outlined a number of options for me, nutritionally to physically, even ones that I could do from my apartment. Once you're in with the Shogun "family", it's truly inspirational to be able to share your experiences with others engaged in similar situations online to gain encouragement, as well as finding out cool meals you may have thought you couldn't be eating, or new exercises to mix up your routine with. I'm now closing in on 7 weeks working with Jef and I'm down close to 10lbs, eating MUCH healthier, and the drive to prep my meals and track my eating satiates my internal OCD. :-) I recently had one of my best performances at a softball tournament, and my speed on the base paths (although still a work in progress), was my best yet. When I beat out a grounder to short for the 1st time in years, I knew Jef's training was a major contributor behind that. Jef regularly checks in with me to see how I'm doing, if there's anything he can do to help out, as well as for inspiration. Shogun is definitely a family you want to be a part of! read more

I've been working with Jef and Shogun fitness for an online coaching plan and it's been awesome! I have lost 17 lbs so far and feel more athletic, better, faster, stronger. The online coaching program is great. Jef is super approachable, friendly, always available and gives great information! I know that I can always shoot him a text with ANY question and he will get back to me really fast or setup a time for a call to discuss more in depth. He's always here for me, super supportive, and motivational for my goals. Likewise, he set me up at the beginning with a game plan that included macros, knowledge, a workout plan, and a great recipe book. He's also great about adapting our plans to fit into what I love: tennis and Orangetheory and was able to help me find a great running plan app to improve in that area as well. My running pace went from a 8:30 min mile to a 7:15 min mile and distance went from 3 to 4.5 miles. Likewise, I feel like my tennis game has improved from my ability to physically compete harder and longer. His online coaching plan also comes with access to the Dojo, which is a great private Facebook group, that has great information, motivation, recipes, and much more from other clients. I also love the Youtube videos that he produces. They are mini information digests for recipes, tips, and motivation. I also occasionally popped into his group fitness classes. I normally play tennis and do Orangetheory classes for my workouts, but I LOVE coming to his classes to mix it up. They have awesome themes (Kestrel run, Ninja, etc) and are tough. He is great with displaying great form, correcting form, and giving alternatives for injuries. I occasionally have issues with my shoulder and he explained to me how to alter the exercise and change my form to make the movement better and not hurt my shoulder. The ONLY reason I don't do the group fitness plan is due to my work being far away; however, I make the time every few weeks because I love them. If you need ANY fitness help then Jef is your man. Being part of his online coaching and fitness classes has been amazing and I definitely recommend the online coaching or his in person group classes. He's a great guy that's friendly, excited, motivational, and will take what he knows and will help you get to your goals. I look forward to continue working with him. :) read more

I started training with Jef about a year ago and I had almost no experience working out. I was even a little skeptical about the whole endeavor: I mean, working out twice a week, in a gym, with weights and bands and jumping on boxes and who knows what? I wasn't sure it was for me. Within the first month of training I found strength I didn't know I could have. His philosophy and practice of total body fitness focuses on the body as a complete connected unit, so that everything is engaged when doing an activity. I feel strong all over in a way I never have before. For example, when we started I was fine doing 20 or so pushups but hardly press any weight on the bench, and had very little overall stability in movement. I'm proud to say that, while I'm not a bench-pressing beast, I can now press about 120 with plenty of control and power. However, it's my overall energy and stamina that has improved the most, as well as my mental well-being. These workouts make tired days energized evenings, grumpy times fun times, and moments of self doubt moments of personal triumph. It's transformative. Yes, the physical and mental benefits are amazing, but it's the incredible energy and positivity of Jef Nelson and everyone else working out as part of the Shogun Fitness team that keeps me coming back. read more

I have been working out with Jef for the last three months and couldn't be happier with him as my trainer! His positive attitude coupled with his attention to me, my progress, form and needs is beyond anything I've ever experienced with my past personal trainers (in-home and gyms). Jef has shown me how to properly engage all muscles during work-out, stretches and just day-to-day activities in order to prevent injury and maximize training. I leave each session sweaty, shaky, stronger and happy! He makes every work-out challenging and fun and his cheery, positive attitude is contagious. That alone makes all the difference! read more

Jef Nelson is amazing! My partner and I had spent the entire holiday season eating and drinking basically anything we wanted and not sticking to our gym routine. We had become bored with our workouts and that contributed to our lack of motivation. The problem was that we were getting married in April in Mexico and we both were not happy with our doughy bodies. I have quite a lot of friends that have trained with Jef and their results were amazing. It was time to contact him. We only had four months till the wedding! Time to get our butts in gear. Jef put together a 4 day a week routine for us that was customized to my partners restrictions because of a bum knee along with a macro plan for the both of us. We hit the gym and diet plan hard. Whenever we had questions we were able to just shoot Jef a text and he was quick to reply. He also checked in on us to make sure we were getting the results we wanted. Needless to say, we hit our goal. We looked great and our wedding outfits fit us perfectly. If you are on the fence about training with Jef, get off the fence and get into his gym. He is attentive and makes you feel comfortable. His energy is infectious and inspiring. Thank you Jef for supporting us and giving us the tools to reach our goals. read more

I recently completed an online "bootcamp" with Jef Nelson of Shogun Fitness. I was ready for something different when this opportunity came across my radar. I'm normally a self starter when it comes to fitness, so I wasn't sure how the online thing would work for me, and if I'm being honest, I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. I've been a runner for many years, so this was a bit out of my comfort zone. Well, I absolutely loved it!. I loved that a group of people, from all over the country, "gathered" together and committed to working out and starting the new year out healthy. The videos were easy to follow and Jef's words of encouragement kept me in the game. My new "tribe" shared recipes, photos, meme's and words of motivation to keep me in the game the entire month. I was able to do the workouts when my schedule allowed, and I never had a single issue with technology. I saw results quickly, and it gave me the jump start to head into Spring. My running game was the biggest surprise. I felt stronger on my distance runs, and faster on my speed work. Thanks, Jef, for sharing your passion for getting healthy in a format that was easy for me to access. Your enthusiasm for helping folks catch the fitness bug is contagious. read more

Jef Nelson is my secret weapon. I have been fortunate to train with him for the last 6 months to develop and improve my gymnastic skills, specifically muscle-ups and hand stands. He is a diligent student of athletic motion, a patient coach that can explain the motivation for each part of your training program, and a unerring font of support whenever you hit a roadblock or achieve a major milestone. I came to Jef with good baseline strength but little instinct for gymnastic movements, and his programming gave me the drills, techniques, and strength I need to both accomplish my specific goals and become a better all-around athlete. I'm looking forward to seeing how my fitness journey continues with Jef. I'm sure I'll come up with something weird to train, and Jef will once again launch himself into trainer "geek mode" to figure out how to teach and train the movement, ultimately coming up with a streamlined plan to get me where I need to go. (Seriously, the level of research Jef does is insane.) The amount of energy and knowledge that Jef brings to his training is everything you could want in a coach. read more

Jef has been an exceptional Fitness Coach. I'm a pretty big guy (over 300) so this kind of training is difficult for me sometimes. Jef did a great job of spending time with me and making sure our workouts are safe and effective. Jef has an energy that is hard to match and an infectious enthusiasm for his work. I have been working with him for coming up on a year and I am in some of the best shape of my life. I am stronger, I feel great, my eating habits are evening out. I wholeheartedly endorse Shogun Fitness as the best fitness experience I've ever had. read more

I have much respect for Jef. I appreciate his enthusiasm and encouragement style. He has a very detailed and effective approach to movement with a creative animated way of explaining it. He is a great model of his message, in appearance and demonstration; as well as professional, consistently prepared, punctual and pumped up! After two months of working out with Jef, I have muscle tone like I have never seen before in my arms and back especially. I have new habits in how I approach movement in all daily physical tasks, from vacuuming to walking the dog. I truly feel stronger. Like moving that couch a couple weeks ago was surprising less difficult than I remembered! He is not just a personal trainer. This is lifestyle coaching. I found the access to him for support and tailored small team workouts unique and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. As a semi-recent transplant to the PNW, I am grateful for Jef's proactive effort towards building a community of active people doing fun activities. It is great having the opportunity to meet people who are also striving to practice active, fit lifestyles. read more

Working with Shogun Fitness has been a total delight. Jef approaches each mini-class setting (2-4 people, max) with energy and positivity, and I genuinely looked forward to each session -- a curious reality given how little I enjoyed fitness or working out. Jef begins with teaching the basics, but he also ensures the basics are constantly reinforced, which was very helpful for a newbie like me. The gym that we worked out at was clean and accommodating and had a really great atmosphere. Jef also provides extra (but necessary) nutritional support via diet advice, meals, supplement recommendations, and always-on counseling. The cost did give me pause at first, but I can honestly say it's worth every penny, a bargain in fact now that I've seen legit results. I'm proud of the camaraderie and support network formed, and I look forward to working with Shogun in the future. read more

Jef is a powerhouse of a trainer. I have had several trainers throughout my life, and they tend to have one of two flaws. Either, they are appropriately "rah-rah" and enthusiastic, but they lack a thorough physiological knowledge of diet and/or fitness issues, or vice-versa. Jef lacks neither. He is smart as they come; a veritable renaissance man even. But his positive attitude is also infectious. He makes one want to work out and improve. Speaking as someone who is borderline geriatric, I can also say Jef does an excellent job in tailoring workouts to where your body (and in some instances mind) are at. He also is a very warm, welcoming and supportive individual all around. Key traits for a trainer. read more

I've been training with Jef since Jan 2'nd 2013. With his help, I've literally shed about 65 lbs and gotten tremendously stronger! Strong enough to not just successfully complete the Oct 5'th Seattle Tough Mudder, but also strong enough to successfully complete all the obstacles including Funky monkey and Everest. Jef is one hell of an inspiration and quite the motivator, add that to his knowledge of good form during exercises and nutrition -- and you get one of the best trainers out there. read more

If you're looking for the best personal trainer in Seattle, look no further! I went on Yelp looking for a trainer to help pull me out of my rut. I was fairly healthy to begin with but was bored with my normal routine and not getting the results I wanted on my own. I decided to give Jef a try because he had the top ratings on Yelp, and now I know why he does! Our first meeting was a consultation. Jef was very professional and what I loved most was that he really listened. He asked questions about my lifestyle, what I like and don't like for a workout, and what I was looking to get out of a personal trainer. Also, I loved that he was realistic about what it would take to get the results I wanted. Some trainers, I feel, try to play down how much discipline you need to have in order to get results and I always feel skeptical of this because I know that if you want to change how you look, you have to change your routine! He didn't sugar coat that it was going to take hard work, but that I would eventually get to a point where I was 'over the hump' and could maintain the results and incorporate his routine into my every day life. I have been working with Jef for around 2 months now and am LOVING where i am at! Jef is ALWAYS on time or early for our appointments. His workouts are simple, quick (50 minutes) and effective. Also, he makes sure to check in on a regular basis via text or e-mail to see how I'm doing and keep me motivated. Whenever I have questions about the meal plan or a workout, he usually responds literally in minutes. He is also one of the most positive, supportive people you will meet. The key for me was having a meal plan that I could incorporate into my work lifestyle, which basically has me eating out in restaurants 85% of the time. Jef set me up with a meal plan and supplements (Advocare) that allowed me to do just this. And speaking of Advocare...Jef does represent this company and incorporates their products into his workout plan. But another great thing about Jef is I never once felt like he was trying to sell me something or be pushy about using their products. He would make suggestions based on things I needed and I have loved all of the supplements and products that he has recommended. Bottom line, Jef Nelson knows what he is doing and is exactly what I was looking to have in a personal trainer. If you're looking to lose weight, tone up or just change your routine, he is your man! read more

THIS GUY IS GREAT! Jef will get you so EXCITED about what your doing because he honestly cares about you and making your life AMAZING! First of all I never really liked working out. I had always tried to stay in shape, getting the occasional trainer then quitting after a few months. taking a few yoga classes, running but never could stick with it... Jef makes all the workouts fun, and he explains things in a way that makes me want to do them right. My plan was to workout with Jef, get into shape and then head out into the fitness world with the knowledge he has given me.... Yes, after 6 months I could do that, but I enjoy working out with Jef, and he helps you get amazing results. I recommend Jef to anyone who wants to learn how to create a sustainable work-out/Nutrition plan & have a lot of fun getting there. read more

You can't find Jef's enthusiasm and energy anywhere else. I started at Jef's towards the tail end of a badly sprained ankle that still doesn't feel 100% right a year later. Jef paid extra attention to form and making sure every move I did felt solid, making adjustments when necessary. Even with all the adjustments, I still felt like I got a great workout at the end of the day. Because of the small-group environment, I always felt extra motivated once I was at the gym. The people I worked out with truly felt like family, and we all pushed each other to be more productive and have more fun. It also pushed me to keep up a consistent workout schedule and show up for class when I signed up for it. Overall I got great fitness results being part of Jef's classes - his workouts are an ideal combination of strength and high intensity cardio. I love trying out new techniques and equipment at the gym - Jef is great about making sure you have perfect form so to prevent injuries. I would recommend Jef's programs to anyone looking to get a jumpstart on a regular exercise program, or if you're looking to keep up a consistent schedule! read more

My story is simple: I summited Mt. Rainier. I credit that feat to Jef and Shogun Fitness. Jef taught me concepts that I will carry with me forever, including how to use my body, fuel my workouts, and monitor my nutrition to reach my goals. His 90-day program was outrageously good---working with him and the other shogun superheroes is a combination of expertise and positive peer support that gets results. Climbing Rainier was the hardest thing that I have done both mentally and physically. Thanks to Jef and Shogun Fitness, I achieved my goal. read more

I did a poor job of communicating a personal issue I had shortly after signing up with Jeff of Shogun. That said, I paid in advance and got exactly one review session and 2 workouts for $1,100. I also purchased supplements from a line he reps that can be bought anywhere. Do not pay in advance. Do NOT pay in advance. One last thing, a surprise of sorts. During my 2 workouts I was surprised at how much video and pictures Jeff took during the sessions. Kind of strange. read more

First thing first, JEF ROCKS! I started Jef's 90 day program because I wanted to get my fitness back on track. I had experience working out in the past and had a very active lifestyle that always kept me in decent shape, but life happens, and I stoped working out pretty much all together. I tried getting back into routine on my own but felt like I didn't know where to start! After aimlessly walking around the gym for too long guessing what machine to sit on next I found Jef's 90 day program. Jef's excitement for health and fitness is infectious to say the least. He really lit the fire under me to not only get my workout routine back on track but to really look at my fitness lifestyle more holistically, from nutrition to exercise to my mental attitude. The workouts left me wiped but feeing great and were something I looked forward to every week. He pays very close attention to everyone he works with and genuinely cares about everyones success. I can't say enough good things about Jef and the program he created. Stay clipped in warriors! read more

I was 213 lbs when I started training with Jef 6 months ago - I had little control over my diet and almost a non-existent exercise regimen. Fast forward 6 months - I am 176 lbs, in what I'd like to think "great shape", full of energy throughout the day. I am following a healthy lifestyle - eating nutritious and delicious meals and working out regularly. And the man behind it - Jef Nelson. I have crash dieted before and even succeeded for a short period but gained all of that weight back equally fast. If you want to be healthy and STAY healthy, what you need is a lifestyle change. And that is exactly what you get when you signup with Jef. Jef is highly motivating, fun and most importantly, drives for result - everything that I was looking for in a personal trainer. read more

These last few years have been a journey that had begun crushing me physically. Dislocated shoulder, Tri-ligament strain in my foot, 2 torn medial meniscus, shoulder impingement, and to top it off, I sustained a multiple, grade-3 thigh and patella tissue contusion injury this winter. I was 285lbs thanks to suppressing my grief in copious amounts of food and sweets. When I could walk again, I had lost touch with my body. Fortunately my path crossed with Shogun Fitness. Jef is an attentive, knowledgeable, engaging, positive and motivated trainer. He brakes down everything to its simplest point. How you eat, what you ingest, how much/little you move and why, how you should be moving and what you need to do to move how you should. (Hint: alcohol is a naughty boy) It's hard, it makes sense and the difference is noticeable. His small workout sessions cultivate relationships amongst trainees and lead to fun and focused intensity each session. The effort he puts into each trainee inspires you to reciprocate. I'm down 30+lbs and in increasingly better shape with real hopes of playing some "old man soccer" this season and dancing again over winter! read more

It was my first time working out with a trainer and I was a bit apprehensive because I hadn't been working out and didn't know what to expect. The first thing I loved about this place is the location. It is situated right on Lake Union and you can see boats from inside. The energy of the place felt great and Jeff Nelson, my trainer, immediately welcomed me and made me feel at ease. We started with a very casual, non-threatening assessment of what I was looking to achieve physically and what my current activity/nutrition entailed. Jeff explained that his goal was to find out what I liked and cater his training around those activities rather than forcing me to do exercises/activities that I hated. He wants his training sessions to be centered around having fun and getting results; I liked that. I also appreciated that Jeff asked how I was doing regularly and let me rest when needed. His energy was great and very motivating without seeming like a drill sergeant. I could definitely feel that I had pushed myself more than I would have if I were working out alone and knew my results would reflect that. Having a trainer is definitely the quickest way to getting results especially if you are someone who isn't committed to a consistent workout regimen and or wants immediate results. The other thing I really enjoyed about working out there is the ambience. It is a smaller location without a ton of machines that people are fighting over. Good energy and vibe, excellent trainers, great location. All around I give Shogun Fitness and Jeff Nelsen 5 stars! read more

Jef is very special and unique personal trainer: he creates a training program that fits YOUR needs. I am not a "fitness buff." I'm 56 years old, and over the past 15 years, I've gone to gyms for a few months at a time, signed up with the house trainers - young men and women with "certifications" in working with older people, and I've always hated it - I've left, not refreshed and invigorated, but exhausted, with aches and pains the next day. So, I was leery when I signed up with Jef. And, I have to tell you - the workouts are strenuous, but they're not taxing - I can leave the morning session, shower, go on about my day without pain, and even more importantly - wake up in the morning pain-free, and actually with more energy and mobility than the day before. This is a long way of saying that Jef Nelson / Shogun Fitness is the place and the way to train. I know he works with competitive athletes too, but I am impressed that he really treats every client as an individual with their own needs and capacities. read more

A friend recommended Jef several times, raving about his abilities every time I mentioned how out of condition I was due to a back injury (and being 47). My friend had been a fisherman and had been burned over 40% of his body and started working with Jef after having spent nearly two years in bed, both his arms were covered in skin grafts which shrink if not stretched, he had done no physical activity since his accident and still ate like an athlete. Both he and his wife worked with Jef and both raved about him. I met Jef by accident while having weekend breakfast with my daughter when my friend and Jef joined us. I was immediately impressed by his knowledge of anatomy and the mechanics of movement; he asked about my back injury (multiple fractured vertebrae) and my past and seemed quite confident that he could help with my training, confident enough that I had the confidence to agree to work with him. Jef has a great sense of humor, is very personable and is enthusiastic about getting people in shape, whatever shape THEY want to be in rather than his preconceived ideas. His guidance on reaching my fitness goals has inspired me to shift my goals upward, his knowledge about strength and cardio training are amazing and his ability to inspire gives me a reason to show up each week. He shows you slight changes in your progress from the beginning with small weight and rep increases, mastered movements, body fat measurements, etc demonstrating clearly your weekly progress and giving you the enthusiasm to work at it. His understanding of nutrition is excellent and he inspires such faith that I agreed to follow his exact recommendations for at least the first month. Right out of the gate I had more energy, felt better and could both see and feel the difference. I had run an adventure travel business in Latin America; kayaking and scuba diving every day, Climbed 40 of the highest peaks of Europe, walked across much of Africa and traveled the world carrying my gear and 40lbs of camera gear on my back. Over the last 8 years my adventures consisted of desk work & raising a child. I was so out of shape that I managed to fracture two of my vertebrae when I did something that wouldn't have given me a second thought 8 years ago, then the injury led to even less activity as the doctors advised fusion of the vertebrae. Working with Jef I went from having a bottle of Vicodin in my desk to being nearly pain free and enthused about getting back in shape. If you want to change your condition, get in shape, increase strength, decrease weight, feel and look better, then give Jef a call and commit to a period of time, give him a month or two and you will be impressed with the results. Personally I would never have imagined that a personal trainer could make such a difference, the guidance, knowledge and accountability all work together to maximize results while minimizing frustration and disappointment. This is the first time I have been inspired enough to make an on-line recommendation. read more

Jef is an amazing personal trainer! He's a person who cares and takes the time to understand each of his clients needs and designs entire programs around the results you are seeking. Jef cares just as much about you the other hours in the week as he does while working with you.... this means that he will invest a ton of time to make sure that the plan and program fit with your lifestyle, goals, and any limitations or weak areas that need addressing. From simple nutrition plans, to more complex programs, Jef addresses the entire needs of his clients and their results show over and over again. As a fitness trainer a lot of his work is understanding how and why muscles work and sometimes don't work, the best combination of food and supplementation for each of his clients needs, and is able to explain his methodology in a manner that is consistent with each of his clients level of understanding. This all means that if you are looking for results for yourself or a loved one, a coach, personal trainer, professional who does the job... there is no need to look any further. You found the BEST PERSONAL TRAINER in Seattle! read more

Jef Nelson is an incredible fitness coach, nutrition guide, & overall trainer. I joined Shogun Fitness to train for a grueling 28 mile outrigger canoe paddling race from Newport Beach to Catalina Island this Summer. Throughout his training process, I appreciated his in-depth knowledge of health/fitness, his patience/positivity, and his commitment to achieving your ultimate fitness goals. With his help, my crew and I placed 4th place out of 75 crews and we made podium! He challenged me and changed my mindset on fitness and I got the results I wanted. Jef showed me that improving your health/fitness is achievable. Even after training, he still continues to reach out to you to encourage his trainees to compete in marathons & races, which is above and beyond what a trainer needs to do. I ran my first obstacle course race with him and his other trainees and I had a BLAST. If you want a fun, friendly, and positive trainer, he's the guy for you! read more

Shogun Fitness - Jeff, myself & fellow Shogun Fitness trainees completing the Warrior Dash. - Trainers Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I have found so much value from working with Jef. I started his online workout program about 2 years ago, and have done it a few times through. His workout program combined with his high quality nutrition has been wonderful! But what really sets Jef apart from other personal trainers is his ability to verbalize and articulate his methodology in a way that is unparalleled. He is a motivational force! When you become a client of Jef's, you become part of his tribe. He does a great job of staying in contact through social media, texting and in person. He is magnetic and efficient. If you're contemplating which personal trainer in Seattle to workout with, check out his Facebook or Instagram pages. He does a great job of conveying his personality through his posts. AND he's also got a free online group- The Dojo, so you can get to have ongoing support and stretch. He is positive, fun, well dressed, and super fit! Jef is awesome! I'm so glad I'm one of his clients! read more

I've been working out with Jef for 2 1/2 months now and he has completely transformed my core strength. 2 years ago I suffered a severe back injury and herniated my L5 and was out of commission for several months. I saw an acupuncturist, chiropractor, massage therapist and physical therapist...nothing worked! I was still suffering from discomfort until I started working out with him. On our initial consultation he spent an hour and half asking questions about what I wanted in a trainer and he explained what his philosophy was and how he could help. Now that my pain is almost completely gone we are now working towards putting on some lean muscle and putting on LB's! I'll continue to be working out with Jef as he's an incredible trainer AND coach. Thanks Jef! read more

Wow, I FEEL GREAT. Thanks Jeff. Training with Jeff has by far made the most improvement for my fitness and correcting my back pain issues in the shortest amount of time compared to anything thus far I've tried. My goals working with Jeff were to be able to get back to competitive cycling. It ends up that he's given me the encouragement and tools to now correct my weakest link of fitness, my back. This was the best money I spent this year. I plan to train with Jeff again. I've trained under coaches who have sent man and women to the Olympics and yet I can say this was one of the most extremely fun and effective learning experiences. read more

Was looking for a kick start to get back to my old self. Jef created a great workout and nutrition plan for me to follow for 12 weeks. Following the program and having Jef keep me accountable and motivated was just what I was looking for. The first week alone I dropped 7lbs of fat and noticed an increase in strength. If you are looking for someone that can help you achieve maximum results and keep pushing you to your goals, there is no one better than Jef and the staff at Shogun Fitness! read more

I was training with a trainer who I LOVED at 24 hour fitness who ended up leaving Seattle last summer, much to my horror since he was really an amazing trainer and I felt like I was making real progress with my fitness. By the time he left I was training with a group of two other women and we were a bit panicked about what to do. We asked him for a recommendation for another trainer and even though there were a few at 24 Hour that he thought were pretty good, none were available during the time slot I needed. (In general, don't waste your time or cash with 24 Hour trainers. They're not paid enough so the good ones often but not always end up leaving.) So at the last minute he said that he'd talked with his friend Jef, also a trainer, who he HIGHLY recommended and in fact had been somewhat of a mentor for him. Jef would give us the same rate that we were paying at 24 hour fitness and was only a short distance from 24 Hour downtown. SOLD! It took me a few weeks to get used to Jef's style since he's very different from my last trainer. Now that I've been with him for a few months though I must say I'm very impressed and happy that we found such a great trainer and an amazing studio space. Jef listens to all of our needs (we still have a group of 3 women) and tailors our workouts so we all feel challenged. Each workout is different, which I really appreciate since you won't feel bored, and I almost always feel sore for a day or two afterwards. Jef really knows about fitness and understands what can make you strong and what's just a waste of time, as well as what could injure you which is a key part of the whole equation. Also ladies, Jef is not a creepy weirdo! I know I'm funny about male trainers sometimes since some of them are more into socializing than giving you a real workout, but Jef is super respectful and talks all the time about how adorable his wife is- a good guy for sure. The studio is in a great location, just behind China Harbor on Lake Union. You don't have to battle for space and equipment like you do at 24 Hour Fitness, and the equipment is generally well maintained and current (such as TRX, kettlebells, Bosu balls, medicine balls, etc.). Parking isn't much of a hassle- there's usally plenty of space. Outside the studio window you see the boats on Lake Union which is a great view while you work out. Also since the studio is small, you can often request your own music which is a plus in my book. Overall I'd say this is a great spot if you're looking for personal training. Jef is a great trainer with a lot of knowledge about fitness and nutrition. Highly recommended! read more

I am a very active individual. Try to workout 4-5 days a week and play organized sports. I am typically driven to workout solo and tend to create my own workout plans. Additionally, I stay healthy by having a well balanced diet and try to cut out bad foods. My partner had been referred to Jef and he wanted to commit to working out with him for a 90 day plan. I was hesitant at first, but did it to support my partner for him to reach his goals. Little did I know what I was in for. Jef constantly challenged me and made my workouts fun again. He gave me awesome tips around my eating habits to help me get a body I never thought I could. Mostly, Jef was encouraging, understanding, and strives for nothing but excellence. There is no quitting with him, and you don't want to. I would highly recommend Jef Nelson to anyone trying to reach or maintain their fitness and health goals. He is a one stop shop to all things fitness. I am now a Shogun Superhero for life! read more

Incredible! Jef truly is a master trainer! Not only are his workouts effective and exciting, he also takes time to coach on nutrition. He's always on time, always excited to train and always has new exercises to keep it interesting! read more

I'm SO glad I found Jef! Before I started with Shogun Fitness I had never seen a trainer, was not active at all, and was looking to jump start a fitness routine for just about the thousandth time in my life (but nothing else stuck!). I was optimistically hoping to get on track and lose a few pounds. Lucky for me, it worked! Within the first week, I learned many of the fundamental movements we still use in our gym sessions months later. Within the first month, I found myself feeling stronger and healthier. Within the first 90 days, I had lost 20lbs, many inches from all over, and my blood pressure corrected by a LOT, doing little more than showing up to our group training sessions and following some easy nutrition guidelines. Jef has a really positive and motivating attitude, takes a scientific approach to fitness that resonates with me, keeps me accountable, helps me correct my wobbly lunges, makes great t-shirts, AND has an endless supply of puns! As a bonus, all the other folks I have met in the group training classes have been awesome and it's always a good time in the gym. Recommend Shogun Fitness especially to other folks in my situation looking for help getting started with a lifestyle change. Just renewed for my third 90-day cycle of group training, and still loving it. read more

Jef is the best. I truly believe this. He has made Shogun Fitness a real community of people dedicated to lifting each other up as we work on individual goals. I can't overstate how many tough work days have transitioned into energetic evenings the second I stepped into the gym to work with Jef. My husband and I say "we'll feel better after we see Jef" not just "after we work out" but specifically after we've been in the atmosphere Jef has cultivated. Jef is a wonderful person who brings his A-game every single time -- his integrity, energy, positivity and professionalism all while delivering genuinely enjoyable, if butt-kicking, training session. As an artist, I spend untold hours in a seated position holding a palette in one hand and using my painting arm very repetitively. I was starting to feel my body age and exhaust quickly after four years of 60-80 hour work weeks. I was getting occupational pains and not sleeping well. After one month with Shogun I felt my core start to support my body in everything I did. Fast forward 6 months and I had flown through winter without the usual seasonal dog-tiredness but instead felt a well of strength and energy I hadn't felt in years. In addition to that I had in Jef a new supporter in my life who truly believed I could accomplish my goals, from thriving as an artist to achieving the elusive pull up. read more

Jef is an unbelievable trainer. I trust him completely to not only guide my workout, but to ensure my safety while pushing me to be a better, stronger person. I have worked with him for about 9 months, and after struggling with a very problematic back for decades, I finally feel in control of the problem. His anatomical understanding mixed with his expertise in training has given me the tools to build strength where I need it. I'm also amazed that, though I've worked with him on a 1:1 basis and in group settings, he's always able to apply a workout to whomever is in his class. He knows our goals, our weaknesses, and our strengths, and makes sure we walk out of the gym feeling like our best selves. I can't recommend him enough. read more

I recently moved to Seattle and needed some help completing recovery from foot surgery. Jef asked me to come in for an evaluation workout. First we established my goals and the building blocks needed to achieve them. Over our 2.5 months together, Jef's consistent positive energy and focus helped motivate me to improve. I found I had great energy through the day and all week. I came to each workout wanting to show that I was prepared to take advantage of our time together. I'll work out on my own for a few months. Then I'm going to team up with Jef to find another performance breakthrough! read more

Jeff is great! If you haven't meet him, then you're in for a treat. He's fun to talk to & makes your workout as fun as it can be, considering how much he's going to kick your butt! And his new facility is really top notch. If you're looking for a trainer to help you with your workout...look no more! Jeff's style of training really helps engage both your interest and your muscles. read more

I can't believe the transformation!!! Jef and I met in May of 2019 and set a goal of losing 48 pounds in 2 years. That is simply 2 pounds per month. I am 8 months in and already down 24 pounds! Learning what foods to eat and how to moderate foods that are less healthy has been fantastic. I always knew what was "bad". Jef doesn't shame you like other nutrition related experts. He gets to know you and what your needs are. Fueling your muscles is just as important as building them. In addition to the food counselling, he also is your trainer. I opted to 1 in person session with the rest remote. The in person session was fantastic... It gave me the form required to do the exercises properly. After that initial session everything was done online, on calls, or via text messaging. The accountability was the greatest value of working with Jef. Once you have paid you are kind of pot committed to meeting your goals and Jef is there along the entire road to meeting them. I sure look forward to the next 16 months. I need to lose 1.5 pounds on average per month to meet my 2 year goal. TIME TO GET CLIPPED IN! read more

Jef has an amazing talent in knowing how each individual body works. The way he expalins the proper technique in his business sounds like he is a doctor. He is quite the professional and takes his business very seriously. I have also been taking the Advocare supplements his friend Mike has been selling me and have lost 55lbs now in 7 months. WOW .For a outstanding personal trainer give Jef a call and get fit. read more

I met Jef when he was first starting out as a trainer. I was one of his first clients. I learned early on how lucky I was to have found him: Jef is an absolutely amazing trainer. I continue to consult with him many years later. He stays on top of the latest research and is a well of information. One of the key things about Jef is that he's holistic in his approach to training. Just going to the gym a couple of times a week isn't going to get you healthy or fit. It's about all the other things you do as well, in the rest of your life, that will be your true indication of health. Jef has been instrumental in me living a healthy life for years now. Again, I'm so lucky he's been part of my "team." People say that I have a high level of energy, which is true. Jef can match my enthusiasm. We inspire each other to do our best and keep pushing, keep trying, keep learning, keep choosing. If you're thinking about getting a personal trainer, even for just a session or two, I would strongly recommend Jef. He's honest, hard working, enthusiastic, talented, and will inspire you, too. read more