PKFIT FAM

 

Meet Peter

Peter Kraus

Founder and CEO

Hello, and welcome to the greatest part of my life; my gyms.

My name is Peter Joseph Kraus. I am the owner and founder of Peter Kraus Fitness.

First off, why the name?

For several years I operated under the name, WORTH Personal Training, but a very dear friend and mentor convinced me otherwise. Naming my gyms Peter Kraus Fitness, gave me a chance to honor the love, guidance and support of my parents and family. The people who helped most in shaping me into the person that I am today.

I am forever indebted to my parents, and this is one way in which I hope to show them my appreciation.

Over the past 17 years, I have developed a great deal of knowledge in the world of health and fitness through my education, training, life experience and travels. Starting with my degree in dietetics from Madison College and my first job in the fitness industry at Anytime Fitness.

Health and fitness have always been important parts part of my life, starting at a young age in Madison’s youth sports and camps. Never though did I imagine that wellness would become the sole driving force in my life; pushing me to constantly learn, experience, and accomplish more in my own personal journey and in my pursuit to help others grow along with me.

My career in the health and fitness industry began in 2009 with my first job as a trainer at Anytime Fitness.

My passion for the industry and for helping others became quickly apparent and I knew I had found my calling. Just a few months after starting, I was awarded management of my first club. Less than a year later, I took on a second. By years end, I was awarded Fitness Manager of the year for the number one Anytime Fitness franchise in America and my career was off an running.

In 2012 I set out to start my own training business when I moved to Chicago to pursue a modeling opportunity. I followed this new career path to Los Angeles, training individuals in home and at Hollywood’s most elite club, Equinox.

In 2014 I decided to make a move back home to Madison to open WORTH In-home Personal Training.

WORTH eventually morphed into something much bigger with national bootcamps and motivational speaking engagements. After much success and countless conversations with friends, family, and clients, I decided to change the name of the business to Peter Kraus Fitness, to better represent my long term goal and to show homage to those who helped me.

In 2019, I made a big step in my long term goal by buying my very first 24/7 full access gym facility in the beautiful up and coming area of down town Middleton.

Fast forward 5 years and we now have FIVE beautiful gyms in the Madison and surrounding area and a staff of 19 amazing individuals.

I want my gyms to be places where individuals feel truly comfortable to be themself. Places where one can feel empowered to lear, grow, and flourish.

If you have a goal in mind, I know with supreme confidence that our incredible team at PKFit will be able to help you achieve it, with unwavering support and endless encouragement.

I am truly excited to meet YOU! And I hope you choose and LOVE our gyms!

Here is a list of some of my most prized achievements; 
 
- Madison’s "Biggest Loser" Trainer 2010.
​- Wisconsin Fitness Manager of the Year 2011. 
- Top 10 Trainer in Chicago, "TimeOut" Magazine 2012.
- Celebrity Trainer, Los Angeles, CA 2013/2014
- Trainer to Watch, Equinox W Hollywood 2014.

- Three time Ironman Wisconsin Finisher
- Three top three finishes in Sprint and Olympic Distance Triathlons

- First place and perfect score at the Rhumba For Rainbow charity dance competition.

- White House Special Guest - Hunger, Health, and Nutrition Initiative 2022.

Fatima Elsheikh

Member Support Manager - Middleton

Angie Drye

Group fitness instructor.

Personal Trainer - Middleton

Sydney Dorn

Member Support Manager - Madison East

Jared Janczak, CPT

Jared is a Certified Personal Trainer with experience at Purdue University, The YMCA, and F45.

His love for fitness stems from his passion for helping others and his competitive spirit as a former college athlete.

Jared loves working with individuals looking to take the next steps in changing their lives with gained strength, mobility and agility.

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Katy Meuer

Master Trainer for Beachbody LIVE by Insanity.

Katy is our lead yoga instructor, and often fills in for group fitness. You can join her Thursdays all summer long for rooftop sunrise yoga!

Ben Aune, NASM - CPT, NASM - PBC.

I grew up running cross country and track for 13 years. I competed in an assortment of other sports like hockey and lacrosse before transitioning into weightlifting. 

My motivation for training others is simple; I get so much enjoyment from getting to help people achieve their goals. 

No matter what your goals are, I'd love to help you get there.  My training style is rooted in the basics and fundamentals, making sure you're nailing everything from the ground up. 

My message to you is to train with intent!  If you have goals for yourself, let’s take them seriously, together.

Ethan Dirksen

Member Support - Middleton

Taylor Arntsen

Member Support - Virtual Support

Maddie Anderson

Maddie grew up in Janesville, but moved moved to Georgetown, Texas in 2008. After high school, Maddie attended Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas where she played 4 years of collegiate basketball, completed two internships working as a personal trainer and class coach, and graduated with her Bachelor’s of Arts in Health Sciences. After graduation, Maddie worked at a physical therapy clinic until beginning physical therapy school at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Maddie graduated in December of 2022 with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and is now working here in Madison as a licensed physical therapist.

“I was introduced to PKFit by a coworker at my clinic and loved the change of pace with classes  from my usual routine. I’m excited to begin this journey and share my knowledge of movement and the human body through coaching and working alongside our members.”

Stop in to say hello and try a class with Maddie FREE!

Dani Muntner

Certified Personal Trainer.

Class instructor.

Health and Wellness Coach.

Daisy Dog

Daisy knows that working out can be ruff. She may be found walking around the gym to make sure you aren’t doggin’ it. Her favorite yoga pose is... you guessed it… cat/cow. “Sorry for my rude introduction in advance. I’m very sweet, but I love to say hello with a startling bark.”