Meet some of the top trainers in the Greater Houston area.
It’s a new year, right? But 2020 is far from being a distant memory, particularly for many of us who have packed on some extra pounds during the pandemic. Some call it the Quarantine 15, like the Freshman 15 weight gain. That’s 15 pounds of stressful eating and living during a pandemic lockdown. No worries. We’ve rounded up some of Houston’s favorite fitness pros: Fitness trainers and instructors who inspire, motivate and push their clients to get fit, stay fit and have fun, especially during these stressful times.
Patrina Mosca
Age: 43
Studio/Gym: Infinity Fitness Solutions, 311 S. Houston Ave., Suite E, Humble, 832-656-4493, patrinamosca.com Specialty: Fitness training, nutrition, certified in weight loss and massage therapy
• Mosca has overcome family tragedy, drug abuse and alcoholism to become a noted certified fitness trainer, nutritionist and figure competitor. She met her husband, Fausto Mosca, while running at Memorial Park, and they have been married 11 years. They share a love of fitness and have completed the Houston marathon and half-marathon together the past six years. She is also the author of “The Sexy Body Blueprint” ($19.99).
William Allan Kritsonis
Age: 75
Studio/Gym: 24 Hour Fitness Copperfield, 15542 FM 529, 281-550-3066, 24hourfitness.com/gyms/houston-tx/copperfieldsport
Specialty: Yoga
• At 75 years old, Kritsonis may be one of the most seasoned teachers in Houston. He teaches a gentle yoga for all ages and even includes baby boomers. He stresses yoga for mind, body, spirit and makes certain you’re breathing like you should. Kristonis is a Yoga Alliance certified teacher and member of the National Association of Certified Yoga Teachers.
Jon and Kat Jeffrey
Studio/Gym: Dark Wolf Fitness in League City and outdoor camps in Clear Lake, 469-879-4312, darkwolffitness.com
Ages: 40, 43
Specialty: Fitness and strength training, nutrition, weight loss, mindset
• Jon and Kat met and fell in love 15 years ago while working as fitness trainers at 24 Hour Fitness. Today, they own and operate Dark Wolf Fitness in their League City garage and also do outdoor fitness camps in Clear Lake. “We both have 20 years each of training, and our passion runs really high,” said Jon Jeffrey, former fitness educator at 24 Hour Fitness and Equinox. “It’s satisfying when you know you’ve helped someone lose 80 pounds or with a hip issue or get off diabetic medicine and helping them live a better life.”
Chris Courtright
Age: 39
Studio/Gym: Misfit Strength and Conditioning, 5302 Cornish, 832-418-2751, misfitstrength.com Specialty: Strength training, conditioning and mobility
• “Fitness was always something I did for therapy. Then it became part of my sport, playing college football, and it transitioned into me helping other people,” he said.
Iliana Romero
Age: 48
Studio/Gym: Life Time Athletic Cypress, 9922 Fry, 832-745-4100, lifetime.life Specialty: Studio manager, cycle, barre, Strike, strength and cardio resistance
• Romero manages a team of 30 fitness pros and nominated her entire staff for the Chronicle’s top fitness pros list. “My team’s ability to serve a wide variety of members in studio is what I believe makes our program so successful,” she said. “We are all worth fighting for the best version of ourselves. But first we have to give ourselves permission to embrace all aspects of who we are so that we know how to progress and grow.”
Lauren Lacanlale
Age: 26
Studio/Gym: Define River Oaks, 2515 Morse, 713-523-5800, riveroaks.definebody.com Specialty: Indoor cycling, strength training, toning
• Lacanlale thought dance was her destiny after majoring in it at Texas A&M University. But she soon discovered fitness teaching and fell in love with it. “I love helping people reach their goals and feel better from the inside out,” she said.
Travis Johnson
Age: 38
Studio/Gym: Kinetix Fitness Center, 4799 Lexington, Missouri City, 832-661-6324, fitfor18.com Specialty: Fitness and nutrition consultant
• Johnson dropped out of nursing school to become a fitness trainer after realizing he could make a greater impact on people’s lives. “I didn’t like to see sick people and wanted to be more proactive in helping them become healthier,” he said. His clients range from teens to his oldest, who is 85. Johnson recently had a client who “trusted the process” and lost 60 pounds during the pandemic.