Ashley Bird

Name: Ashley Bird, Co-Owner of The BarBelles

Specialty: Transformations (Body re-comp), contest prep, powerlifting (online and in-gym coaching)

Certifications: BSc., CPT, PN1, NCCP

Home Gym, city and province: Beyond Obstacles, Crossfit Hatchet and Snap Fitness, Huntsville, ON

Training style: A mix between powerlifting and bodybuilding

Why did you become a personal trainer?

I would consider myself a coach more than a trainer in all honesty. I was a varsity athlete and I carried that “team” mentality into my career. I was always interested in what the body could achieve when pushed to its limits and I wanted to help people find their strength. I got really into training after rehabbing from a pretty serious back injury. I had a coach that helped me see that there were no limitations, just obstacles, and they could all be overcome, you just had to put in the work. I knew I had a real passion for health and fitness and I wanted to help others overcome their obstacles too.

What do you think is the reason your clients gravitated to you?

I try to take a “no gimmick”, science based but practical approach to training and nutrition as much as possible. I find many of my clients come to me after they’ve tried every short term fix there is, and they’re finally ready to get real, put in the work and take the time to achieve their goals. I am very straight forward in my coaching style. There is no magic when it comes to this game, just smart programming, hard work and consistency. My clients are also extremely committed and I’ve been able to showcase amazing results because of that.

Greatest client success story.

This is an easy one. Her name is Jenn and she’s been with me now for almost two years. She started in our 6 week group strength program and she was very hard on herself, didn’t have much confidence and she second guessed everything I asked her to do. Although skeptical, she decided to trust me. She has since lost 95lbs and is competing in her third powerlifting meet this march, now two weight classes below where she started but stronger than ever. I have a lot of amazing clients with great success stories but this one is close to me because how much she’s changed on the inside. Sure, she looks amazing and can deadlift almost 300lbs but she loves herself again, and that’s what makes me most proud. I can’t take full credit though. I have a great business partner that I learn from daily and The BarBelles are a team, we all help each other succeed.

Why do you think you can rep EFX Sports like a boss? What do you love about the brand?

I’m a huge advocate of research based nutrition and supplement protocols and I would consider myself an ambassador for natural fitness. I don’t believe in the “do what it takes, at all costs” mentality because then we’re crossing over into a danger zone and that’s not what fitness should be about. Fitness should be about self improvement, dedication to your goal, achieving balance in your life and enjoying every second of it. I think EFX really represents all of that with their mission. Sure, this lifestyle requires some sacrifice, but anything you’re going to be proud of will. We can’t rely on supplements to do the work for us, but we can use them to push us just that much further. EFX puts out a quality product that I’m happy to represent and recommend. 

Why should YOU be Canada’s Top trainer?

I’ve been a personal trainer for 9 years now. I knew I had a passion for it as soon as I took my first course in college. I, along with my business partner, decided to go all in and do this full time 4 years ago and I haven’t looked back. It was the best decision I could have made for my career because I GET to go to work every day and do something I love. I put everything I have into my clients, I volunteer my time to coach athletes on weekends, I answer questions at all hours, I stay up late writing programs and I wouldn’t change any of it. I don’t do this for the money, but I’m lucky I was able to make it my living. My clients’ success drives me to learn more, work harder and be better every day. I want to be the best at what I do and I know this opportunity will open more doors for me and allow me to help more people achieve their fitness goals.

What is your favorite EFX product and why?

I have to go with the Kre-Alkalyn EFX. Creatine is one of the few supplements out there with a ton of research to back its efficacy. It’s a product I use and recommend to most of my clients, especially those training for shows. I’m a fan of the Kre-Alkalyn because its PH adjusted and doesn’t cause any digestive upset or bloating. It’s an easy to use product with massive benefits.