Los Campeones Gym — Local services in Tempe

I was 257 pounds (5' 8"), had a sitting job and had a sitting home life.  Then I was told that I had the opportunity to take my children on a trip out of the country in a year's time.  I was in terrible shape.  My entire body hurt all the time.  Walking around a grocery store left me sweaty and tired.  There was no way I could go on vacation for 2 weeks and walk around all day if I couldn't manage 30 minutes.  So I stopped in Los Campeones.  There I met AJ the personal trainer and changed my life.  Los Campeones is a vegan gym so if you want to have a trainer craft a meal plan, you'll need to convert.  It IS hard at first, but paying for someone to help change your diet and being accountable to someone other than yourself is a great help. Eating vegan is flavorful and fulfilling and wonderful and delicious!  I'll admit that I really don't give a light about eating animals (as long as they're treated humanely), I'm doing this for my own selfish health reasons.  And changing your diet will be a beast those first couple of months as you adapt.  AJ was an inspiration because while I always had to pay for my sessions and meal plans (the lady has to make money to pay her own bills, right?), she always had time to answer a call or text with encouragement or advice (if she was busy, she'd get back to me).  AJ, as with all of the personal trainers at Los Campeones, is in it because of an honest desire to help people and a love of what she does.  Yes, they all want to spread the "vegan word"--the owner, Ryan (super, super nice guy!) is a body builder in all sense of the word.  He's massive, alright?  AND he's a vegan!  There is a huge vegan community of body builders out there, so don't think that you need meat to put on the pounds of muscle.  Working out here is motivational in itself, between the staff and other members.  Everyone is encouraging and wants to see you succeed.  Every time you hit a goal, big or tiny, someone is there to congratulate you... and mean it!  AJ is brilliant and I highly recommend asking for her when you're looking for someone to take care of you.  As long as you can manage yourself (yes, difficult, not going to lie) at home, go in to your workouts, eat along the guidelines (that means eat enough throughout the day, eat healthful foods, eat enough nutrients so you're not deficient in any), you'll succeed (uh, unless you have some medical reason that prevents success), and you'll have someone at Los Campeones to help guide you all along the way if you don't know how to do this.  Please know that this is not cheap.  Going to a gym and using a personal trainer is not a free ride.  I felt that I was exchanging cash up front for guidance, encouragement & accountability, instead of cash later on down the road for upkeep on a failing body.  I know I'm not that far along in my healthy living journey but my plan is to continue... with Los Campeones with me.  I can now walk for hours and not be down the next day due to aches and pains.  Trips to the grocery store are nothing; no sweating and exhaustion.  And while my ultimate goal when I started was to get fit (need endurance for my trip), not lose weight (though yes, I knew it wouldd happen), I went from 257 lbs to 194 in 3 months (2-3 days of 1 hour training sessions a week, plus a MAJOR diet change). AJ can do personal training sessions, meal planning sessions, workout planning sessions & even accompany you on grocery shopping sessions so book her now! And I can't say enough about how personable and caring and enthusiastic everyone at Los Campeones is. PLEASE give Los Campeones a try... NOW!  And THANK YOU Los Campeones,...

When I first arrived to Los Campeones Gym, I came in with the intention of purchasing an online workout and nutrition plan to help me lose weight I had gained during final exams. The gym owner Ryan Nelson, is a Vegan body builder and coach that I had been following in Vegan community posts over the past year, and I figured he could point me in the right path and I can take what I learn to the gym that I was going to at the time, (a gym way closer to my house). Well, things don't always go as you'd expect, because I basically haven't left. In 49 days I lost 13 pounds and went from 29.17% body fat down to 20.65%. No Rx prescription can do that! During a recent physical exam the nurses couldn't believe my blood pressure was normal, they usually always turn off the light and give me water after the initial reading. I'm very excited to see what my weigh-in at the end of this month will reveal. I am very thankful for Ryan because he really has taken me under his wing as a coach and has taught me about tracking macros, body building, nutrition, anatomy, proper form, and so much more. There is something really incredible in this gym, everyone here wants to get better, it's great to experience this sense of community every time I walk in, it's an amazing indescribable...

Found Ryan through his posts and efforts to raise money for charities in the vegan community. He’s a champion of many, and just an all around stellar human. He’s fostering this community at the gym - it feels like you’ve walked into your good friends home when you walk in - lots of smiles and folks greeting you. I could go on - but suffice it to say you won’t likely be disappointed. You will likely feel welcomed and safe, and inspired to be the best...