NORTHWEST BARBELL
Learn. Lift. Longevity.
Cailin BÂ Â (busy mom with a home gym)
I have always been into health and fitness and grew up dancing and playing sports. In recent years I got busy and was looking to get serious about training and establishing a solid foundation from a personal trainer. I started working with Jesse when I was 7 months postpartum. I had completed pelvic floor physio and was cleared to begin lifting heavy weights and continue strengthening my core. My goals were: build my core back up, lose weight, get stronger and enjoy working out. It was really important to me that the training would become apart of my weekly routine and lifestyle, despite being a busy mom.
I had a wonderful experience with Jesse as my personal trainer. He listened to my goals and was encouraging and very supportive throughout the entire process. He is professional, experienced, and passionate about training correctly and safely. I always felt comfortable during our sessions and trusted his teaching and feedback. He was able to come directly to my home and was flexible with helping to create a workout plan that was realistic and achievable for me. I had no idea how fun lifting could be! It has been a couple of years now and the addition of another baby, but I am still working out, getting stronger and loving it. :) I would recommend Jesse in a heartbeat. He is inspiring and without him at my starting point as my coach, I would not be the confident, strong person I am today.
Rylan MÂ Â (18-year-old-athlete)
Jesse was my coach for three years. When I first started with him, I had absolutely no lifting experience at all, and I started to get stronger and learn the basics of training. At first I did not know any of the proper technique, and I was not able to lift very much. Jesse started me off lifting appropriate weights and learning the technique first, then when I was able to, we added weight. Now I can safely squat and deadlift over 400 pounds, and bench press over 230 pounds. Thanks to Jesse's training, I have a strong foundation for my strength training future and will keep lifting for a long long time! I would definitely recommend Jesse as a trainer to anyone, whether you are just starting out, or looking to improve even more. He brings a great attitude every day, and always pumps up everyone around him.
Andrew FÂ Â (teacher & hunter)
I have trained under Jesse's coaching for the past five years. Jesse is the hardest working, most knowledgeable coach I know. His passion for strength training and fitness has inspired not only myself but countless students. Jesse created an incredible program called Bearspaw Barbell for high school students where students train, become inspired, set goals, grow in confidence while pushing themselves to keep improving. When I began lifting with Jesse I was only able to bench 145, deadlift 225, and squat 225. At the end of my time I was able to bench 215, deadlift 465, squat 375. He constantly encouraged me and always provided easy to implement feedback on things I could do to improve. I would highly recommend him to anyone. He is one of the most passionate trainers and teachers I know!
Rebecca HÂ Â (powerlifter & preparing for surgery)
Jesse and I have been working together for less than a year. When we started, I asked if he would help with honing in on my powerlifting techniques. I was also preparing for hand surgery so he put together exercises I could continue while in a cast and not lose too many strength gains. He was a witness to my PR’s that I never imagined I could attain at that time. I was stuck at a deadlift of 165lbs and with his help I was able to turn that DL into 225lbs and my bench press went from 95lbs to 125lbs within a couple of sessions! Jesse brings an innate expertise for you to reach your potential, more than you think you can. He has a vast knowledge of exercises to refer to depending on your strengths and his demeanour is steadfast and encouraging. If you are looking for a PT I highly recommend Jesse as he will help you on your fitness journey and is inspiring to watch him practise what he preaches. Great guy to work with, highly recommend!
Michael SÂ Â (baseball parent)
Our family has known Jesse for six years. His commitment, integrity, and genuine concern for his athletes as people first then athletes is very refreshing. The teen years can be very challenging and we attribute Jesse and his program as an essential tool that is assisting us as parents.Â
Our son has increased confidence to go along with his improved strength and rarely wants to skip a session at the gym because of the positive environment. We would very much recommend Jesse to anyone looking for a coach, mentor and/or physical trainer.
Johnny BÂ Â (busy dad & home gym owner)
I worked with Jesse over a 6 month period. I had done some occasional, casual workouts at the gym before (dumbbells, machines at the gym, a little bench press) but I wasn’t consistently working out and was still very much an amateur. I also had no prior training experience. After hearing that barbell exercises were useful because they worked multiple muscles at once, I bought a squat cage online and quickly realized I needed some training to learn how to lift properly. I wanted to be able to get comfortable on my own with challenging barbell weights.
Jesse came to my home gym several times and was very thorough. He answered all my (many) questions and had a good eye for when my form was off and why that was. He would take videos of me lifting and gave me good homework activities and resources to further my knowledge. His experience as a high school strength coach and competitive lifter himself equip him to know how to help. Jesse was very patient and humble and I did not feel judged at all. I now feel confident in my ability to safely lift challenging barbell weights and would highly recommend Jesse to anyone looking to get into strength training.
Trevor ZÂ Â (busy dad & home gym owner)
Jesse has coached and trained my son and daughter for five years and strength coached me for two years. During this time I have seen his positive influence on my kids' physical fitness and made significant progress myself. I had stagnated in my resistance training and wanted to make gains in strength and conditioning. Jesse worked with me to improve my technique, help with selecting home gym equipment, and provided workout plans tuned for me and my fitness goals. Since starting with Jesse I have made significant gains. My kids regularly train with Jesse at the BCS gym. This is an excellent facility with a wide range of top-quality equipment and some fun strongman equipment not normally found in most gyms. I am continually impressed by Jesse's knowledge, energy, and positive attitude. I really enjoy our training sessions and would recommend him to anyone looking for a top-notch trainer.
Luke d  (17-year-old-powerlifter)
Jesse has been coaching me for the past 5 years. My goals have been to get stronger and to always be improving my technique. When Jesse started coaching me, my squat one-rep max was 135lbs and now it is 400lbs. Which is only 10lbs away from the APU provincial record in my age and weight class. Without Jesse’s coaching, I would be nowhere near where I am at today. Not only has Jesse been an amazing coach, but he has also been a friend I can rely on to help motivate me to stick to my goals and has made me a better man from it. Jesse knows barbell training like the back of his hand, he will most certainly be a brilliant coach for whoever chooses him. I highly recommend Jesse to anyone who is looking to get stronger or go through body recomposition!
Erin FÂ Â (competed in powerlifting world championships)
I have known Jesse for seven years. He has been intentional in encouraging me as a female lifter and has sought out knowledge and information on women in powerlifting to assist me. When I first started lifting, I attended a group seminar by Jesse on barbell training where he provided a solid foundation for my lifting career and overall fitness. He provides critical and constructive feedback for technique to keep the athlete safe and to further improve strength. Jesse brings a wealth of knowledge on lifting and general strength to his coaching and is very passionate to impart this knowledge to others.
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As a result of his coaching style, Jesse instills confidence, a sense of belonging and community, discipline, and a foundation of strength that can be beneficial to many areas of fitness.
I have seen gains in my own strength while working with Jesse, my bench press went from 105lbs to 165lbs, my squat went from 132lbs to 253lbs, my deadlift of 170lbs to 325lbs and I qualified for Worlds! Jesse had a large impact on this improvement from his expertise, coaching, and encouragement. I would without-a-doubt recommend Jesse as a personal trainer and coach for anyone interested in improving strength and overall fitness!
Matthew MÂ Â (busy dad & home gym owner)
Jesse has been working with me since December 2017. When I first came to Jesse three years ago I was experiencing back and shoulder pain while doing simple things like lifting boxes over my head or wrestling with my three little sons. I had tried other methods of fitness but didn’t see the results I wanted. I knew nothing about barbell training when I approached Jesse but knew it was what I needed. Jesse taught me proper form, set me up with a plan, coached, and encouraged me. In June 2019 I deadlifted double my body weight. Now, I am much stronger. The simple things have become easy and I don’t worry about injury anymore. I have recommended Jesse to others and I will continue to do so.
Buhle AÂ Â (postpartum, mom of 3)
Jesse’s knowledge, expertise, and passion for fitness have helped me in achieving my personal weight loss goals. As a postpartum mum who had gained a tremendous amount of weight after my second pregnancy, I was the heaviest I’ve ever been and struggling. Never having done any weight training Jesse’s advice really helped me and gave me the confidence to reach my weight loss goal. The best part is Jesse taught me something I never knew I could do. He gave me a roadmap training plan I could actually follow. He was always available and really good at checking in! I would recommend Jesse to anyone looking to seriously train.
Elizabeth CÂ Â (beginner over 50)
As a "woman of a certain age", I suffered deep feelings of trepidation before undertaking a fitness routine or even darkening a gym door, much less consulting a trainer. And then along came Jesse! Jesse has been my coach, chief encourager, and designer of a fitness plan perfect for my goals. He developed a program for increasing my bone and overall strength, which is a major concern at this age and stage. He is knowledgeable, explains everything clearly and as a result, I eagerly anticipate my workouts. This may be an overused phrase these days, but it is most apt to say that Jesse's input has been life-changing.
Tamer EÂ Â (busy dad with aggressive goals)
I had the pleasure of working with Jesse as my personal trainer since October of 2019. I had very aggressive goals for Jesse to help me with that mainly focused on burning fat and building muscles. With the help of Jesse, I was able to burn 60 lbs of fat and build 15 lbs of lean muscle. Jesse's approach and encouragement helped me regain focus and self confidence. I recommend Jesse because he is well rounded and can help anyone attain their physical conditioning no matter how aggressive their goals are.
Nicholas SÂ Â (university student - business major)
Jesse coached me for one year and I personally have known him for five. He taught me discipline and didn't let me take shortcuts, which I believe is the biggest thing when it comes to training. He pushed me to do my best, set goals and also taught me to enjoy myself when lifting. He is great at giving easy to follow instructions and he won't give up on you. His knowledge and experience of athletics and especially barbell training is extensive and he used it to further my strength and many others that trained under him. I would recommend Jesse in a heartbeat, he is a great guy who is committed to strength, health, and wellness.
Kevin A  (post-heart attack, working professional)
Jesse I and I have worked together for many years, but I asked Jesse to be my personal trainer about 2 months ago. After a major heart attack, I wanted to be able to safely progressively lose weight and build strength. Jesse helped me build a personalized plan to accomplish those goals using the equipment I had at home and worked in line with the recommendations from my Dr. As an active and certified teacher, Jesse's natural teaching style means that his desire is for me to learn the "why" as he is teaching the "how", leading to increased commitment to reach my goals. Thanks, Jesse.
Yuli GÂ Â (nurse who shed 20lbs of body fat)
I was having some issues trying to get off the weight I had gained in uni (freshman 20). I decided to seek some help even though I've always been in sports and was active. Jesse was very attentive to what my concerns and goals was. He was very clear to me what goals was realistic and what wasn't healthy in what I wanted. We then made a plan and worked together once a week for about almost half a year since it was 20lbs of fat to lose. I did however lose the weight a little earlier and I changed my goals to bulking up. He's so fun to work with! You'll never get bored of the workout he has. He's so knowledgeable about how the human body works, nutrition, and metolbolism. Even if you have an injury you can still workout with him, he tweeks the movement so it's safe but still effective. He always keeps you on track. I've been able to keep the weight off since then. 100% recommend Jesse!
Scott & Tammy A (husband and wife looking to jump-start their training)
It has been a pleasure to work with Jesse as he is very knowledgeable about weight lifting and fitness. Jesse has a friendly approach to explaining the benefits and techniques of his craft and makes it fun working through the challenges. I would recommend Jesse to others as he has been so committed to helping me reach my goals in fitness and lifestyle changes.
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Jesse was the perfect solution for my husband and I who had fallen into a rut with our fitness routines. He reinvigorated our passion for working out and pushed us to try new exercises. Jesse has helped us try a new path of weight lifting and we feel stronger and committed to this new regime.
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Morgan T (family man &Â firefighter)
As a paid on call firefighter I called on Jesse to help me build a plan in order to achieve my goals in completing the firefighter fitness challenge. Working during the pandemic from home with very limited equipment, Jesse was able to build a specific plan based not only on what I had available but also specifically on what I needed to accomplish for firefighting. I found his vast knowledge and creativity second to none. He was able to build me a complex plan and explain it to me in a way that I easily understood and achieve. As a result, I improved in every aspect of the fitness challenge, shaved over 3 minutes off my overall time and finished at the top of my class. I couldn't recommend Jesse and Northwest barbell more enthusiastically! If you are looking to achieve a specific fitness goal or just looking to get in shape and feel better, Jesse is your coach!
Kevin S (family man, business owner & serious hunter)
I trained with Jesse for almost a year preparing for a 10-day back-country hiking trip. All I can say is Jesse knew exactly what my goals were and surpassed them greatly! I’ve never felt so strong and fit! If you’re looking for a change in your health, strength, body composition, then get ahold of Jesse! You will succeed!
Ethan K (Calgary's 2022 Independent High School Athlete of the Year)
I have had the great privilege of training with Jesse for the last 2 years of my high school life. My goals going into training were to put on muscle and become a better overall athlete. During the time I’ve trained with him, I have put on 20 pounds of muscle and seen an increase in my overall strength and athleticism to levels I never thought I would get to. Jesse was extremely helpful in teaching me how to lift and explaining how everything worked, he is a very personable coach and is extremely knowledgeable about all things lifting and strength. I am very grateful for the last years of knowing Jesse and I would highly recommend him because of his character and dedication to strength and his students.
Danait B (young lady looking to learn to lift)
Jesse has coached me since the beginning of 2019, and it has been a life-changing experience. When I initially came to Jesse, my goals were to understand the fundamentals of weightlifting properly. In doing so, I gradually improved my techniques for different exercises such as bench press and deadlift. When being coached by Jesse, his levels of expertise, proficiency, and professionalism are very advanced, allowing for more developments and improvements to be evident amongst myself. In addition, Jesse approaches personal goals and aspirations constructively, forming a positive relationship between Jesse and his clients. Jesse has placed endless hours, days, and years into coaching me; as a result, weightlifting is a gift I truly value and will continue in the future. I highly recommend Northwest Barbell to anyone looking for an elite private coach who will help you achieve your goals and completely transform you.
Jonas F (athletic teenager looking to optimize his training)
I have known Jesse for around 5 years of my Jr high and high school career. Initially, my goals when I started were to simply stay active and to gain some muscle, but training with him has gained me so much more than that. Thank you Jesse for introducing me and so many others into lifting. His coaching has had a major impact on my life and I have no idea the type of person I would be today without your guidance. Jesse’s level of expertise and the experience of overall is superior than any other gym or private trainer. His plans and workouts are extremely personal and effective. I remember I had a knee injury and Jesse walked me through a prehab plan to regain strength and mobility to areas around my knee. Without his coaching, I wouldn’t have recovered as fast as I did. Even outside the gym, Jesse have been a significant role model on how to live actively and is are a person I can turn to with any question. Jesse has taught me the value of hard work, consistency and discipline throughout the years. Thank you for helping me believe in myself. You have shaped a big part of who I am today and who I will be in the future. I would 100% recommend anyone to come and train with Jesse. It will change your life.
Lemuel E (Soccer athlete to take his game to the next level)
The last three years I’ve trained with Jesse showed great improvements in my ability as an athlete. Starting out I simply wanted to find ways to improve my game on the football pitch but through his training, I developed a love for strength that took me far beyond my original expectations. From being a little kid who plays soccer he’s helped me grow to be able to surpass my limits countless times and accomplish amazing feats. He is a great coach who is always improving in order to better help those he coaches improve as well. He’s really the best coach out there.
Sora N (teenage girl determined to be strong and feel amazing inside and out)
If it wasn't for Jesse, I would not be into lifting weights today. He has impacted my life in and out of the gym, and many others, in more ways other than just weightlifting. Jesse is the person who introduced me to weightlifting in 2017. I knew nothing about lifting weights and he was with me every step of the way. Whether that was coaching me on my technique, giving nutritional tips, or just being a role model of an active lifestyle. Not only did he helped me reach my goals physically through muscle gain and enhanced sports performance but he also encouraged my mental growth, pushing past mental barriers to lift weights I didn't believe I could do. Jesse is different from any other coach because he doesn't just tell you to do an exercise to and how to do it, he thoroughly explains the benefits to it, which muscle it targets using science, data and research to back it up. His passion not only for weightlifting, but eagerness to see you accomplish and set new goals is what sets him apart from others. I 100% recommend Jesse to anyone interested in weightlifting regardless of age, gender, and/or range of experience/athleticism.
Josh H (family man, working professional, home gym owner)
I have been working with Jesse as a virtual client for a year, starting in January 2023. I started from being mostly sedentary, though I had experience lifting years ago. My goals were to fight of aging and maintain my vitality. Since working with Jesse, I have increased my bench to 255 lbs, squat to 340 lbs and my deadlift to 405 lbs. I have been more consistent with training than I have ever been, and so much of that is because of Jesse's incredible coaching talent.
Jesse has an enormous amount of passion for lifting and helping people reach their goals. And his excitement and energy helped motivate me to stay consistent and enjoy lifting. He always helps to remind me to celebrate my accomplishments, and is quick to respond to any questions I have. His experience working with a variety of clients shines through in his ability to focus on the important factors to help me reach my goal. On top of all that, he jumps into the arena and trains hard himself.
I feel very fortunate to have him on my team, and would recommend him to anyone looking to build a strong fitness habit. He's a great coach and friend, and has a wealth of knowledge to help anyone succeed.
Krista d (working mom of three looking to start barbell training)
I began training with Jesse in June 2023 with very little previous experience in lifting weights. Jesse was excellent at teaching the basics in a way that was easy to understand, yet placed high emphasis on proper technique and safety. As I started wanting to achieve some personal goals, Jesse was very supportive and worked to ensure I could obtain them, giving lots of feedback, and encouragement along the way. He helped me to achieve PR’s on squat, bench, and deadlift for the first time and meet my goal of being able to do consecutive full push-ups for the first time in my life.
In the (nearly) 18 months I’ve been training with Jesse, I have seen big physical changes in myself, and the impact strength training has had on my life has been huge. I feel strong, have so much more energy, clarity (no brain fog), great sleep, better nutrition, and it has been great for my mental health. Jesse has helped me gain confidence, allowing me to believe that I can do more than I think, and inspired me to try new things I never would have done before. I feel the best I’ve ever felt, and genuinely enjoy the workouts he creates. This has become a lifestyle for me that I foresee keeping for years to come.
Jesse is extremely knowledgeable and passionate at his craft. He excels as a coach, is patient, and willing to listen and answer any questions. I also appreciate his ability to push and challenge me, yet always in a very positive way. I have had a wonderful experience having Jesse as a coach. I completely trust him and know that he wants the best for his clients, and would highly recommend him to anyone looking to strength train.