The stereotype of a fitness trainer is a mix of high-octane energy, questionable science, and a touch of narcissism. AJ Schaefer, a Certified Personal Trainer working with Grand Marais Barbell, shatters those stereotypes in the first meeting.
AJ graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA. After graduation, he became a trainer at the YMCA in LeMars, IA, where he received his certification through the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). He went on to an Anytime Fitness gym in South Carolina, where he developed his technique.
“I like helping people one-on-one,” AJ said. “It’s the coolest thing in the world to see clients achieve their goals,” he added.
In the glossy world of fitness training, there is often a ‘hustle’ driven culture that demands perfection. The no-pain-no-gain philosophy often leads to “fitness dropouts.” Statistics show that the vast majority of people who start a training regimen will stop within the first few months. People rarely stop for a single reason; it is usually a “compounding interest” of friction points.
“Your body likes being where it is at,” AJ said. So when a person begins fitness training, the body almost fights back, with stiffness, soreness, and even boredom. When people don’t see visible physical changes (weight loss or muscle definition) in the first 30 days, the brain’s reward system stops firing.
Training alone can feel isolating. Without a workout partner, supportive trainer like AJ Schaefer, or the community at Grand Marais Barbell, it can be difficult to stay motivated. At Grand Marais Barbell, AJ demonstrates that a positive, supportive environment is more effective than relying solely on adrenaline.
AJ says that too many people wait for the perfect time to start a lifestyle change to improve their fitness. AJ encourages you to start now, where you’re at. Identify your goals, maybe weight loss, maybe strength to run a 5K, maybe increased flexibility. “Start where you’re at,” he said.
AJ believes people want to get fit and healthy, feel better overall, and get the mental health benefits of knowing they achieved goals that others might not have thought possible. “It’s a pretty magical thing to do,” he said.
Depending on your goals, achieving better fitness can sometimes start with a simple lifestyle change. “People can make it so complicated,” AJ said. “A personal trainer makes it simpler.”
The people working out at Grand Marais Barbell aren’t necessarily trying to become competitive bodybuilders; they are trying to stay mobile enough to shovel snow, hike the Pincushion Mountain trails, or keep working their jobs without throwing out their back.
Since opening in the Cedar Grove Business Park in March of last year, Grand Marais Barbell has become a workout cornerstone for locals and visitors to the North Shore. It features 24/7 access, a cardio loft with Lake Superior views, and a warehouse-style lifting floor that prioritizes “focused training over ego.”
AJ specializes in one-on-one and small group training. He meets with clients to listen to not just their goals, but the obstacles (work schedules, physical limitations, or previous injuries) that prevent them from reaching them.
AJ and his wife, Linden, a graduate of Cook County High School, returned to Cook County last summer. In addition to his training practice, you’ll run into him at his other job at Joynes Ben Franklin in downtown Grand Marais.
Instead of the “hustle” and “ego” stereotype of trainers, AJ represents functional decency.
To get the most out of your fitness training, he says a quality trainer offers three things: Accountability, Safety, and Convenience.
If you’re interested in learning more about personal or group training, you may reach AJ at (515) 451-8959 or email him at ajschaefer77@gmail.com.
