Personal Training
Personal Training in Halifax
1-on-1 coaching from three specialist personal trainers at Kaos CrossFit in Bayers Lake. Strength & conditioning, Olympic Weightlifting, sports-specific, injury management, and general fitness, open to members and non-members across Halifax, Bedford, Sackville, Clayton Park, and Dartmouth. Free consultation, on-site parking, accessible facility.
Match Your Goal Meet the TrainersWhat Personal Training at Kaos Actually Is
Personal training at Kaos is 1-on-1 coaching with a specialist. A program built around your body, your schedule, your goals, and your history. No guessing, no Googling workouts, no following a feed. You walk into our personal training studio in Bayers Lake Halifax, your coach walks you through a session designed for you, and you leave with a clear next step.
Kaos hosts three personal trainers in Halifax with distinct specialties, each running their own independent training company out of the Kaos facility (similar to how Pelvico Health Centre operates inside the gym): Cardinal Performance for injury management and general PT, Primo Weightlifting for strength and Olympic lifting, and GRND Athletics & Performance for sports-specific performance. Whether you’re new to fitness, returning from injury, training for a sport, or chasing a specific lift, there’s a coach matched to your goal.
Clinical Care + Personal Training Under One Roof
Personal training that knows when to refer
Your personal training coach can hand you off to a physiotherapist, massage therapist, chiropractor, or acupuncturist without you leaving the building. Pelvico Health Centre operates its full clinic on-site at Kaos, and no other personal training facility in Halifax offers this.
If your goals involve return-to-training after injury, surgery, pregnancy, pelvic floor dysfunction, or chronic pain, your PT session can include clinical assessment when needed. Most Halifax personal trainers refer you out and lose continuity of care. We don’t.
On-site clinical services include:
- Orthopaedic and pelvic health physiotherapy
- Registered massage therapy
- Acupuncture
- Movement assessment + return-to-training screening
Learn more at pelvicohealthcentre.com
Who Personal Training Is For
Personal training is a great fit if you…
- Are new to fitness and want a guided start before joining group classes
- Are returning from injury, surgery, or a cardiac event and need movement that respects your history
- Have a specific goal: a PR, a sport, a lift, a milestone
- Are a first-responder, military, or veteran client needing return-to-duty fitness
- Want accountability and structure without the group dynamic
- Prefer to train on your own schedule rather than a class calendar
- Are an athlete prepping for a sport season: soccer, hockey, HYROX, CrossFit competition
- Are a post-partum client who needs integrated pelvic floor + strength work
Personal training may not be the fit if you…
- Thrive in community group settings, so try CrossFit, HYROX, or Olympic Weightlifting classes
- Are looking for the cheapest option, since 1-on-1 coaching costs more than group classes
- Just want to drop in and do your own thing, so try Open Gym with a Kaos membership
How Personal Training at Kaos Compares to Other Halifax Options
Halifax has plenty of personal training options. Chain gym trainers, dedicated PT studios, in-home trainers, YMCA programming. They all work for someone. Here’s the honest picture of how Kaos compares, so you can pick the right fit even if it isn’t us.
| What you get | Kaos CrossFit PT | Chain Gym Trainers (GoodLife, Anytime, Planet Fitness) | Solo PT Studios (Proedge, Nova Fitness, OneUp) | In-Home / Mobile PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Choose your specialist trainer | 3 independent specialists: Olympic lifting, sports performance, return-to-training | Assigned by availability | Single trainer per studio | Whoever you book |
| Trainer credentials | CSCS, NCCP Comp Dev, CrossFit L2, Catalyst Athletics | Varies, often entry-level certs | Usually strong (specialist focus) | Varies widely |
| Trainer business model | Each runs their own independent business | Gym employees with sales quotas | Owner-operator | Independent contractor |
| On-site clinical care integration | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Full gym access during PT | ✓ | ✓ | Studio only | ✗ (your home setup) |
| Olympic Weightlifting expertise | ✓ Deepest OW staff in Atlantic Canada | ✗ Rare | Some | ✗ Rare |
| Return-to-training after injury / postpartum | ✓ Coordinated with on-site physio | ✗ Refer out | Refer out | Refer out |
| Free first consult | ✓ | Often, with sales pitch | ✓ | Varies |
| Long-term contracts required | No contracts | Often required | Usually package-based | Pay-per-session |
Comparison reflects typical offerings as of 2026. Individual gyms and trainers may vary.
The honest summary: If you want a single trainer running your program at the gym chain you already belong to, chain gym PT works fine. If you want a sport-specific specialist (Olympic lifting, powerlifting, kettlebell), a dedicated studio like Proedge or Nova Fitness is built for that. If you can’t leave the house, mobile PT is your only option. Where Kaos fits: when you want to pick from multiple specialist trainers under one roof, want full gym access during your sessions, and want a clinical-care safety net built in for injury recovery, postpartum return, or chronic-condition training.
Match Your Goal to a Trainer
Each of our personal trainers brings a distinct specialty. Pick the one closest to your goal, or contact us and we’ll make the introduction.
JP Primeau
CSCS, NCCP Comp Dev Trained, 10+ years experience. For athletes, lifters, and serious strength clients. Specializes in Olympic Weightlifting and strength & conditioning.
Jenn LeBlanc-Smith, GRND Athletics & Performance
Strength & conditioning, athletic development, and performance-based training for youth athletes and adults. Specializes in competitive soccer and hockey players plus 1:1 PT for adults building strength and confidence.
Catherine “Rin” Taylor, Cardinal Performance
CrossFit L2, 10+ years personal training experience. Specializes in injury management and general PT. Inclusive, education-focused coaching for beginners, post-injury clients, LGBTQ+ lifters, and anyone learning to move weighted objects safely.
Meet the Personal Trainers in Halifax
Three trainers, three specialties, three direct contact paths. Click “Email” on any card to start a conversation. Each trainer handles their own intake.
John-Paul Primeau
With over 10 years of professional experience, JP has built his career helping people of all levels reach their potential, from complete beginners to competitive athletes. A Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and NCCP Comp Dev Trained Olympic Weightlifting Coach, he blends science-based training with a practical, individualized approach. Before launching his own coaching practice, JP managed one of GoodLife Fitness’ largest downtown Halifax locations, where he trained and developed personal trainers, so he doesn’t just coach clients, he’s coached the coaches. Specializes in Olympic Weightlifting and Strength & Conditioning, with a side of “everyday strength” work for clients who want to feel stronger and more capable in daily life.
Email JP →
Jenn LeBlanc-Smith
Jenn Smith is the founder and head coach of GRND Athletics & Performance, specializing in strength & conditioning, athletic development, and performance-based training for youth athletes and adults. With over 7 years of experience as a Head Trainer and Coach, Jenn has become known for her energy, leadership, and athlete-centered approach to training. As a former high-level soccer athlete, her coaching philosophy is built around resilience, movement quality, strength, speed, conditioning, and long-term athletic development.
Jenn works with athletes of all levels, including competitive soccer and hockey players throughout HRM, while offering 1:1 personal training for adults looking to become stronger, healthier, and more confident. As one of Nova Scotia’s few female strength & conditioning coaches working within youth sport, she is passionate about creating an environment where athletes feel empowered, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential.
Her training style blends functional strength, conditioning, mobility, power, and movement quality into programs that are challenging, intentional, and results-driven, while remaining accessible for all fitness levels.
Email Jenn →
Catherine “Rin” Taylor (they/them)
Catherine runs Cardinal Performance out of the Kaos facility, specializing in injury management and general personal training. They’ve been a personal trainer for over a decade, starting in Ottawa in 2015 before moving to Kjipuktuk/Halifax in 2017. Inclusive, education-focused coaching is at the core of their work, helping people return safely from injury, build strength, and lift intentionally weighted objects (barbells, kettlebells, their own bodies, and their spirits) under knowledgeable supervision. Catherine also organizes two charity fitness theatre events: The Roweokeathon and The Big Gay Oly Comp. If you’ve never lifted before, or you’re returning from injury and need a coach who respects your history, they’d love to teach you.
Email Catherine →All three personal trainers run independent training companies that operate out of the Kaos facility, similar to how Pelvico Health Centre runs its clinic on site: Cardinal Performance (Catherine), Primo Weightlifting (JP), and GRND Athletics & Performance (Jenn). Catherine is also a Kaos coach for group classes.
What Clients Say About Personal Training at Kaos
Real reviews from real Halifax clients (beginners, athletes, post-injury returnees, lifters, and parents) across CrossFit, HYROX, Olympic Weightlifting, and personal training.
What to Expect at Your First Session
Every trainer’s intake looks a little different, but the general flow:
Free Consultation
Meet your trainer. Talk through your goals, history, injuries, and schedule. No commitment.
Movement Assessment
Your trainer screens how you move so they can build a program that fits your body, not a template. Clinical referral to Pelvico available if needed.
Custom Program
Your trainer designs a program around your goals. You get the plan, the rationale, and the path forward.
Weekly Coaching
1-on-1 sessions on a schedule that works for you. Progress tracked, programming adjusted as you grow.
Pricing & Booking
Each trainer handles their own intake, scheduling, and pricing. Reach out using the email button on their card to start the conversation, and most begin with a free consultation.
- Catherine Taylor (Cardinal Performance), independent injury management & general PT company training out of Kaos. Contact Catherine directly for pricing.
- JP Primeau (Primo Weightlifting), independent strength & conditioning and Olympic Weightlifting company training out of Kaos. Contact JP directly for pricing.
- Jenn LeBlanc-Smith (GRND Athletics & Performance), independent strength & conditioning, athletic development, and sports-specific performance training company. Contact Jenn directly for pricing.
Personal training is open to members and non-members alike. You do not need a Kaos CrossFit membership to train 1-on-1 with any of our trainers.
Location & Accessibility
Where to find us
- Address: 114 Chain Lake Drive, Suite 5, Halifax NS B3S 1B1
- Neighborhood: Bayers Lake Business Park
- Distance from downtown Halifax: 20 minutes
- Distance from CFB Halifax: 15 minutes
- Distance from Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): 30 minutes
- Parking: Free on-site, large lot
- Accessibility: Ground-level entrance, wide doorways
- Phone: 902-404-5647
Areas we serve for personal training
Our personal training clients come from across Halifax Regional Municipality. Bayers Lake gives us a central, easy-access location with free parking, ideal for clients commuting from any of these neighborhoods:
Frequently Asked Questions
How is personal training different from group classes?
Personal training is 1-on-1 with a coach who builds a program around your specific goals, schedule, and physical history. You get full attention, customized programming, and a faster path to results than a group class can offer. Group classes give you community, energy, and accountability. Personal training gives you specificity, depth, and a custom plan.
Do I need to be a Kaos member to train 1-on-1?
No. Personal training is open to everyone, Kaos members and non-members alike. Many clients use 1-on-1 sessions to build a foundation before joining group classes, while others prefer to train exclusively 1-on-1. JP and Jenn also operate independent companies (Primo Weightlifting and GRND Athletics & Performance) at the Kaos facility, with their own client bases entirely separate from Kaos memberships.
Where in Halifax is your personal training studio located?
Kaos is in Bayers Lake Business Park at 114 Chain Lake Drive, Suite 5. We’re 15 minutes from downtown Halifax, 20 minutes from CFB Halifax, and 30 minutes from Halifax Stanfield International Airport. Parking is free and on-site, the entrance is ground-level and accessible, and we draw clients from Bedford, Sackville, Clayton Park, Fairview, Dartmouth, Cole Harbour, and the entire HRM.
Can I combine personal training with on-site physiotherapy or massage?
Yes. Pelvico Health Centre runs a full clinic inside the Kaos facility: orthopaedic and pelvic health physiotherapy, registered massage therapy, and acupuncture. Your personal training coach can refer you directly to Pelvico without you ever leaving the building. This is unique among Halifax personal training options, since most trainers refer clinical work out to separate clinics, which fragments care. We keep it under one roof.
Do you offer personal training for veterans, first-responders, or post-cardiac clients?
Yes. Kaos was founded by Shawn Quigley, a 22-year Canadian Armed Forces veteran who returned to fitness after a cardiac arrest, so return-to-fitness work is part of the gym’s DNA. Catherine (Cardinal Performance) specializes in injury management and post-injury programming. JP (Primo Weightlifting) can program around chronic conditions. We also work with active-duty CAF members, RCMP, paramedics, firefighters, and police looking for return-to-duty fitness, and discounts apply for serving members.
Who are the personal trainers at Kaos?
Three trainers, each running an independent training company out of the Kaos facility: Catherine “Rin” Taylor (Cardinal Performance: CrossFit L2, 10+ years experience, injury management & general PT), John-Paul Primeau (Primo Weightlifting: CSCS, NCCP Comp Dev Trained, strength & Olympic lifting specialist), and Jenn LeBlanc-Smith (GRND Athletics & Performance: strength & conditioning, athletic development, and sports-specific performance training). Catherine is also a Kaos coach for group classes.
How much does personal training in Halifax cost at Kaos?
Pricing varies by trainer since each handles their own rates and packages. Most trainers offer a free initial consultation. As a reference point, the average personal training session rate in Nova Scotia is around $68 per session, and our trainers fall within or near that range, with package and frequency discounts available. Contact the trainer directly using the email button on their card to discuss rates that match your training plan.
What kinds of clients do you work with?
Beginners returning to fitness after years off, busy parents with limited time, post-injury return-to-training cases, post-partum clients needing integrated pelvic floor + strength work, athletes preparing for sport seasons, Olympic Weightlifting clients chasing PRs, sports-specific performance athletes, veterans and first-responders, and people who simply want results without the group class environment. Across our three trainers, there’s a specialist for almost every common goal.
Are the personal trainers part of Kaos or independent?
All three personal trainers run independent training companies that operate out of the Kaos facility: Cardinal Performance (Catherine), Primo Weightlifting (JP), and GRND Athletics & Performance (Jenn). Each maintains their own client roster, pricing, scheduling, and intake. The Kaos facility is their training space, but their businesses are separate, similar to how Pelvico Health Centre operates a clinic inside the gym. Catherine also coaches Kaos group classes as a CrossFit Level 2 coach. All three trainers are vetted, credentialed, and trusted at Kaos.
Can my personal trainer help with nutrition?
Some of our trainers offer nutrition guidance as part of their programming, others focus strictly on training. Ask your trainer when you set up your free consultation, and they’ll be straightforward about what’s in scope and what isn’t.
How often should I train 1-on-1?
Most clients see best results with 1-2 personal training sessions per week, paired with 1-3 self-directed or group sessions. Your trainer will recommend a frequency based on your goals, budget, and recovery capacity. Some clients only train 1-on-1; others combine PT with group classes.
What if I want to train for a specific sport or competition?
That’s exactly where personal training shines. JP (Primo Weightlifting) specializes in Olympic Weightlifting prep and general strength & conditioning. Jenn (GRND Athletics & Performance) specializes in sports-specific performance training. Catherine (Cardinal Performance) specializes in injury management and general PT for first-time lifters and clients with movement history to work around. Tell your trainer your specific event/sport and they’ll program backwards from your timeline.
Can I switch trainers if my goals change?
Yes. The three trainers know each other and routinely refer clients when goals shift. If you start with Catherine (Cardinal Performance) for injury work and decide you want to compete in Olympic Weightlifting, they’ll introduce you to JP. If you start with JP (Primo Weightlifting) for strength and want sports-specific work next, he’ll point you to Jenn (GRND Athletics & Performance). No ego, no gatekeeping, just the right coach for the job.
Wondering how Kaos stacks up against other Halifax gyms?
Most gyms in Halifax do one thing. Kaos does five: CrossFit, HYROX, Olympic Weightlifting, personal training, and on-site clinical care under one roof, no contracts. See the Best Gym in Halifax comparison →
Start With a Free Consult
Personal training in Halifax works best when you start with a conversation. Pick the trainer closest to your goal and click “Email” on their card to set up your free consultation, and most can have you on a custom plan within a week.
Meet the Trainers Call 902-404-5647