Amber King Elevates Fitness with Personal Touch in Princeville

Amber King, a personal trainer and fitness instructor based in Princeville, Illinois, has transformed her passion for fitness into a thriving career. At just 23, she began teaching group fitness classes as a means to offset her gym membership costs. Today, she operates her own personal training business and has been affiliated with the Stephens Family YMCA since 2012, demonstrating her commitment to the community and the fitness industry.

With a bachelor’s degree in economics from Illinois State University and a master’s in urban planning from the University of Illinois, King combines her academic background with her enthusiasm for physical activity. She takes pride in offering a personalized approach to training, allowing clients to choose between indoor and outdoor sessions. Her training philosophy emphasizes a blend of “friendliness, courage, movement, increased strength, mobility, and joy,” which she views as foundational elements of a fulfilling fitness journey.

Career Highlights and Personal Insights

King reflects on her journey, stating, “Movement has been foundational in my life… I’ve always found great joy in movement, strength, and connection with others.” Her commitment to fostering community extends beyond her clients; she also emphasizes the importance of self-care among fitness professionals. “My one unbreakable rule of the workplace is… we work hard, but we recover harder,” she explains.

Balancing her professional responsibilities and her role as a mother, King often transitions from training sessions to family duties, acting as “chef, chauffeur, and maid.” Despite the challenges that come with leadership, she remains dedicated to providing excellent service to her clients, even on days when maintaining enthusiasm can be difficult. She acknowledges that discipline, rather than motivation, drives her work ethic.

Among her proudest achievements is witnessing a client transition from being trained to leading her own fitness classes. “I loved having a front-row seat to seeing her confidence and competency grow,” King shares.

Daily Routine and Future Aspirations

King’s day typically begins at 6:30 a.m., or earlier if her children wake up. Her morning ritual includes a cup of coffee, a necessity for her busy lifestyle. She also maintains a dynamic exercise routine, participating in the group classes she teaches and practicing taekwondo twice a week, aiming for her black belt by the age of 50.

In her workspace, King relies on a giant dry erase board calendar to keep track of her schedule, along with colorful markers and Post-it notes featuring pictures of her children and clients. “I can’t live without my morning coffee,” she admits.

Her approach to meetings is pragmatic; she prefers to communicate through emails or texts when possible, adding a personal touch by providing refreshments during in-person gatherings. When it comes to hiring, she emphasizes the importance of conflict resolution by focusing on how candidates would manage an upset client.

King’s long-term goals reflect her commitment to personal growth and professional development. She aspires to attain a black belt in taekwondo by her 50th birthday, showcasing her dedication to both fitness and lifelong learning. Her hobbies include reading, with a recent recommendation being “My Friends” by Fredrik Backman, which she describes as enjoyable.

Amber King’s journey encapsulates the essence of a community-oriented fitness leader, blending expertise with a personal touch. Her story resonates with those looking to embark on their own fitness journeys, demonstrating that passion and discipline can indeed lead to remarkable achievements.