Scott Takenaga

scott@crossfitseattle.com
206-550-5111

- CrossFit Trainer Certified: Level II
- CrossFit Gymnastics Certified
- CrossFit Nutrition Certified
- Graduate - Ashmead College - Fitness Trainer Program Feb 2004
- National Strength and Conditioning Association - Certified Personal
  Trainer (NSCA-CPT)
- Jumpstretch Flexband Certified
- USAW Club Coach
- Teaching CrossFit since July 2004

Interests: snowboarding and mountain biking

Looking for a life change and a more rewarding career, I enrolled in the fitness trainer program at Ashmead College. I learned a lot – anatomy, kinesiology, exercise science and nutrition — and graduated at the top of my class. I now needed a place to apply my skills, but I also wanted to work with someone who was a good teacher. I knew I wouldn’t find that in the commercial gym industry.

Then I heard about CrossFit. Dave Werner, CrossFit Seattle’s head trainer, turned out to be the teacher I was looking for. Back then, there were only six CrossFit affiliates in the country. Dave's was the first. I began training with Dave, and have been here ever since. At first, I trained a couple of my friends. Before long, two clients turned into 8, and then into 15. Now I train hundreds of people each week. My goal is to help people, and people really respond to that.

A Real Student of the Craft

I’ve studied under two world-class Olympic weightlifting coaches, a former University of Washington coach, and a competitive Kettlebell coach, as well as gymnastic and powerlifting coaches. But my clients offer me great lessons, too. I learn something new from everyone I train.

Outside of working hours, I’m always studying something new. Dave calls me “a real student of the craft.” In my classes, and with personal training clients, I’m giving you everything I have. At some point, you’re going to catch up, so I need to keep learning. I keep the mood light in my classes—but not the weights. I’ll teach you how to do the exercises, encourage you to push yourself, and show you how to do it safely.

It’s not for everybody. If you’re not willing to work hard, you’re not going to get results. But what we do—and it’s much more than just CrossFit—is the quickest way to get in shape. To me, what’s most rewarding is helping someone transform themselves, to have someone say, “CrossFit changed my life.”