John Chung has been full-time coach at the Starting Strength Houston gym since 2020. Prior to becoming a coach in barbell strength training, he was an avid athlete and coach for Muay Thai for 15 and 12 years, respectively. In an effort to improve his performance in the ring, he went down the Starting Strength rabbit hole and experienced many dramatic benefits in his athletic performance, injury prevention, and management. John started his SSC apprenticeship in 2020 and was brought up by Josh Wells SSC, Tony Stein SSC, JD Shipley SSC, Nick Delgadillo SSC, and Chase Lindley SSC. John also has a medical background as an EMT and in nursing, which supplements his coaching in regards to injuries and working with a varied demographic.
10 Reviews on “John Chung, SSC”
John has been my coach at Starting Strength for almost two years now. Prior to that, I had been doing the Starting Strength method on my own, which was great, but it got the point where I knew I need someone to look at and correct my form. This helped me tremendously and I was lifting more weight then I otherwise would have on my own. Furthermore, they helped me with programming for my lifts, giving my training structure and guidance. And lastly, John helped me with variations of the lifts to rehab injuries suffered from outside the gym, which sped up my recovery. I highly recommend John!
I started training with John after I hit a wall and then suffered an adductor injury. His programming was key in getting all my lifts back to up to speed and beyond the novice phase. That was almost two years ago, and my lifts are continuing to improve in both form and weight on the bar. John also makes himself very available for questions and feedback, and goes out of his way to thoroughly explain things you may have questions about, from exercise to nutrition etc.
When I first trained with John, he showed me what it truly was to have a technical personal trainer. He will ensure you are lifting with the best technique possible while pushing your limits with each rep. Great Trainer highly recommend for any experience level and goals.
Training with John has been transformative! He is incredibly dedicated, keeping me disciplined and focused on my fitness goals. John knows exactly how to push me to challenge myself while providing the right support. His personalized and varied workouts keep things interesting and effective. Highly recommend for anyone looking to stay motivated and achieve real progress!
When I first started working with Jon in 2022, I had no background in weightlifting or athletic sports. Entering this new world was intimidating, but Jon made me feel incredibly comfortable from the outset. His knowledge of the Starting Strength methodology is impressive, and he demonstrated great flexibility in teaching me the movements, ensuring I improved with every session.
Jon has an exceptional ability to explain concepts in multiple ways, ensuring that I fully understood the techniques and principles behind each lift. I was like a piece of clay, ready to be molded, and Jon skillfully guided me to discover my abilities. Under his guidance, I slowly pushed beyond my limits, expanding my capabilities in ways I never thought possible.
His coaching style is a perfect blend of fun, friendliness, and informativeness. He avoids the stereotypical “gym bro” attitude and brings an enthusiasm that makes learning enjoyable. I particularly appreciate how he tailors his approach, going as deep into the technical details as I wanted without being overwhelming. This adaptable approach also instilled great trust, especially as my husband recently joined the program and received the same level of excellent coaching.
The results speak for themselves. When I began, my heaviest lift was 55 lbs. Today, I proudly lift up to 265 lbs. This transformation has not only made me stronger in the gym but has also profoundly impacted my everyday life. I feel more capable and confident, trusting my body in ways I never did before.
The gym itself is small, which I find ideal. Each person has their own platform, creating an intimate yet inspiring environment where we can observe and learn from each other’s weightlifting journeys. Despite the gym’s bustling atmosphere, Jon manages to give everyone the attention they need. He often stays beyond the scheduled time slot to ensure each client gets the most out of their workout.
Jon’s professionalism is unwavering. He is always punctual and goes above and beyond to accommodate the needs of his clients. His ability to adjust training sessions when someone is hurt or needs recovery shows his dedication to safety and long-term progress.
In summary, Jon is a phenomenal coach who has had a tremendous impact on my strength and confidence. His personalized approach, combined with a friendly and knowledgeable demeanor, makes him an outstanding Starting Strength coach. If you’re looking for a coach who can help you unlock your potential, Jon is the person to see. Five stars, without a doubt.
I work IT so I don’t have the best lifestyle that promotes physical activity, but I’ve been working with John for the past 3 years now and made significant improvements to my overall health! I feel and look happier with my growth as I’ve regained my energy to perform my daily activities with greater strides. He works with you to meet your goals by guiding you through the foundations of effectively and efficiently performing your workouts by providing thorough/straightforward instructions and queues to align with your body type. I still dread the burnout from workouts in general, but he made the routine accommodate my lifestyle which made it easier to stay consistent with my fitness journey.
After working with John for already 8 years (and still going), I can confirm he’s one of the best trainers out there. Not only does he help me with my form, diet, and workout regimen, but he also checks on my mental and physical state whenever possible. He’ll push you like no other, but it’s all worth it once you see the results. By the end of your first session, you’ll have gained a new friend for life!
Ps. If you’re lucky he might show you some of his old breakdancing moves.
John is an excellent coach. I’ve been on his online training program for close to 3 years now and noticed a significant change in my strength and health. He is responsive and understanding when addressing concerns and explains reasoning and methodology very well. I highly recommend him as a coach to start your fitness journey.
Excellent coach. What I personally enjoy about John’s style is he allows the development of independence. He has a consistent attitude and allows you to excel. This is due to his intuitive sense of body mechanics and innate intelligence. He is always open to his individual improvement and portrays a self confidence without the ego. Good coach and person.
I’ve been working with Jon since 2019. I’ve always have been somewhat active prior to working with him, but never really committed to a coach mentoring me. He did not disappoint. He matched my enthusiasm right from the get go. I could tell right away this guy was passionate about what he coaches and it inspired me to really commit to my progress. Thanks to John, strength training is a huge part of my life. He’s also super communicative and willing to work with my ever changing goals, from strength, to weight maintenance, rehabilitation, injury management, body building, and even adjusting for the stresses of life.