3 min readEnhancewell
Continuing our Meet the Trainer series, today, we’re giving you a peek into the story of the man behind the brand— Enhancewell Fitness founder, Antoni Luke-Akagi.
If you’ve met him, you know he’s witty, fun, and a serial entrepreneur full of great ideas (See: Enhancewell Consulting, HotBoy Hot Sauce, By Enhancewell CBD products, etc.). If you’ve trained with him, you know he’s a pro at finding what ails you— and giving you tools to feel better while getting fit. So, without further ado, meet Antoni!
Hi Antoni! Thanks for joining our Enhancewell Fitness Q&A! Please tell us a little about yourself!
My name is Antoni Luke-Akagi, and I’m from Honolulu, Hawaii and have lived in NYC for more than 20 years. I’m a former musical theatre dancer/singer/actor. Traveled the world and lived in Europe for 8 years in Germany, London, Austria, and more.
What’s your trainer origin story?
I started in aerobics when I was 21. I grew up severely overweight and started to work out due to a broken heart. It became a passion and a lifetime career.
What made you start Enhancewell Fitness?
During the pandemic, our fitness studio shut down like many of the others, and the owners decided not to open up again. So, I was more concerned for our employees and members and wanted to maintain the community that we had worked so hard to serve. That’s how it all began….sort of out of necessity.
Tell us about your credentials, certifications, specialized training, and fitness educational background.
I’ve been doing this for over 30 years and am certified by numerous organizations for assessments, training, special populations, etc. We’re required to do a certain amount of learning and continuing education credits every 2-3 years, so I enjoy learning new things and seeing where the industry is going.
How many years have you been a personal trainer?
I’ve been training now for over 25 years.
How do you incorporate fun into sessions?
I love to laugh with clients and I have a bit of a snarky sarcasm to me so I try to keep it light and fresh.
How do you track progress?
I use all sorts of ways to track progress. Some people like tape measurement circumference and others like to see weight volume go up, while others like to track their body fat or weight. It all depends on the person.
What’s your favorite pre-or post-workout meal?
I tend to just have coffee before working out. I do make overnight oats and normally have them post-workout.
What does your own fitness regimen look like?
Right now, it’s sort of nonexistent, as I just had a second hip replacement about 3 months ago. So I’m still rehabilitating from that and trying to get stronger so I can go back to jogging and all the activities I enjoy.
What’s your favorite exercise, and why?
I still go back to a lateral lunge or curtsy lunge. I think it’s really important to keep those “not so usual” lateral and transverse movements fresh and agile.
What are a few must-have songs on your fitness playlist?
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Training Season by Dua Lipa
- Charli XCX
- Billie Eilish
- Chappell Roan
Those are such fun songs! Thanks for taking the time to share a bit of your story with us!
If you’d like to book a private or 2-on-1 training sessionwith Antoni, please visit our website and choose a 1, 6, or 12-session package. After paying, you’ll get a link to select Antoni as your trainer, see available time slots, schedule your session, and answer these questions about your current fitness level so he can plan your session.
If you’re ready to achieve your fitness dreams, book today, and we’ll help you make them a reality!