My name is Tom Ketter and I was born and raised in Denver Colorado. Ever since I was little I have always been involved in sports and athletic activities. I started with martial arts when I was 5 years old as well as baseball. When that was over I moved to swimming, soccer and track. When I turned 14 my dad introduced me to weightlifting and taught me the basics of gym behavior and how to properly perform the basic lifts. Once I got to high school I put my focus towards wrestling and lifting weights. Lifting quickly became my number one passion. Although I took me a while to get big and “ripped” I just loved being in the atmosphere of the gym. I liked to be known as the little giant that could put up big numbers in the gym and do crazy lifts that no one else could.
I currently go to the University of Northern Colorado where I am studying Sport and Exercise Science with a minor in Nutrition. Once day I plan to be working with either a professional sports team or with elite high school athletes that show passion and commitment in reaching “the next level”. I currently work as a Personal Trainer at my Campus Recreation Center. I really enjoy sharing the knowledge that I have acquired over the past few years with people that crave the need to understand everything about exercise that I do.
I have taken up a few hobbies over my life other than just weight lifting. Frisbee, racquetball, and any sport for that matter I love to play on a regular basis with my friends. I also enjoy filling my “free time” with intramural sports through the University to keep that competitive spirit in sports, while still getting to hang out with friends. When I’m too tired to do active stuff like that I enjoy drawing (ever since I was in about 6th grade) and watching movies!
I have never competed in a bodybuilding or fitness show, but I do plan to someday in the future, however I want to be at my absolute best before that day comes. I make a personal commitment to stay fit all year around and be in the best shape that I possibly can. I feel that if I, as a personal trainer, am not showing commitment to myself and how I look then I cannot expect my clients to do the same.
My workouts are a very through and meant to target weak areas as well as supplement areas I am currently satisfied with. I use a split workout format of 6 days a week. On Monday and Thursday I lift Legs and Forearms, Tuesday-Friday I lift chest and back, Wednesday-Saturday I lift shoulders triceps and biceps. Each workout usually lasts somewhere between 1 hour 15 mins to 1 hour 30 mins. I have a workout chart that I have created for each day that has a list of exercises and space for me to record repetitions and weight used for each lift. Through keeping this log I have improved significantly in weight lifted and it also helps keep me motivated to better myself in some way during each session.
Monday-Friday I also work in a cardio and abdominal regimen when I wake up in the mornings (around 5:30 or 6 am) before I eat breakfast. Monday, Wednesday and Friday I do 20 minutes of intense Interval training on a stationary bike, then I do a high-octane abdominal workout for 25-30 minutes. On Tuesday and Thursday I start with 30 minutes on the stair stepper, then move to the stationary bike for another 25 minutes to do more interval training. I believe that this not only keeps me ripped and my metabolism functioning at a high level, but it helps my legs to grow and develop much quicker. My lower body has always been a trouble spot for me to thoroughly develop, but now all that is changing through this cardio routine.
My diet is simple. Eat healthy and eat often. I consume approximately 5 to 6 meals everyday (including protein shakes). I like to mix my protein shakes with Slim Fast shakes to make them taste better and provide me with more healthy and balanced calories. I take amino acids after every workout to ensure my muscles are given the necessary things to grow and function. I love chicken breast, lean ground beef and veggies!!
Working with John was a VERY good experience. I have never had the chance to work with a photographer of his background and expertise in the field of fitness before. He was amazing at knowing the perfect angles to show off my physique the best way he could. He was patient and didn’t push me to do anything that was uncomfortable or unnatural. He provided me with positive and constructive feedback on my body and posing ability, as well as provided me with knowledge to help better myself. I would 100% recommend him to any serious fitness models in the future!
