James has successfully worked with people of all backgrounds and levels; collegiate athletes, fitness enthusiasts, competitive bodybuilders, actors, CEO’s, executives, doctors, teenagers, and the elderly.

James moved from Wisconsin to Southern California in 2004, after graduating from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee with a Bachelors of Science degree in Kinesiology. Kinesiology is the study of human movement, or exercise science. In 2008, James attended California State University Northridge and earned his Masters of Science degree in Kinesiology after completing his thesis work on core muscle activation patterns using electromyography.

He has a twin brother, Matt, who also resides in California. At 14 years old, James took up martial arts. He advanced in Tae Kwon Do quickly and soon achieved black belt status. At the age of fifteen, he became the Wisconsin State Tae Kwon Do Champion, with a mere 125-pound frame. Kohler then wanted to begin working out with weights to get bigger and stronger for the martial art tournaments. After he picked up his first barbell, he knew he had found his passion.

Obsessed with working out, James wanted to learn more and more each day. He became fascinated with the sport of bodybuilding and decided not to continue on with competing in Tae Kwon Do. Instead, he continued on with his training regimen. He entered the Mr. Wisconsin contest at the age of 20 and placed third in the Super-Heavyweight line-up. He continued to compete throughout his college studies, winning the Mr. Wisconsin contest five years later.

James has been in 11 bodybuilding competitions to date and has competed at the national level. In 2005, he won the drug-tested Musclemania World show, which earned him a pro card in bodybuilding.

He is also professional with the NGA organization, after winning the overall title of “Mr. Natural California” in 2007. His success in competing has lead to several fitness modeling opportunities, check out the Photo Gallery.

James became a Certified Personal Trainer with the National Academy of Sport Medicine (NASM) at the age of 18, and now has over 10 years of personal training experience. Over the years he has guided countless persons in losing weight, gaining muscle, feeling healthier, and completely reshaping their body. In 2007, he became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Throughout his graduate coursework, James was a Teaching Associate for Strength Training at Cal State Northridge. He currently is an Instructor for UCLA Extension, teaching an online course, Advanced Concepts in Personal Training. This teaching experience has improved his ability to communicate training concepts and foster healthy lifestyle principles with his clients.

If you are dissatisfied with the results of your current training program, your training has grown stagnant and unproductive, or you just want to get started, contact James to help you attain immediate and outstanding results. He combines real world experience with his formal education to get you to where you want to be. Training locations include: Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Woodland Hills, Encino, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, West Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, and Malibu.