Susan Chung

Qualifications: Sixth Degree Black Belt & Tae Kwon Do Master. AFAA certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor. ISCA Certified Kickboxing Instructor. Co-owner of Bruce Chung’s Total Fitness in Harrison, NY. Creator of the Gym-Mini Kick-it ® Mommy and Me Gym Program for Toddlers ages 14-36 months.

Personal History: After graduating from Fordham University in 1983 I accepted a job in NYC. On my way home from work one evening, I was mugged and decided to begin Tae Kwon Do training. I achieved the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt in 1986. In 1993 my husband, Grandmaster Bruce Chung, and I opened Bruce Chung’s Total Fitness Studio. Today, I teach about 12 classes per week including: Aerobic Kickboxing, Boxing, Core Strengthening, Weight Training, Body Conditioning and Cardio Interval in addition to Tae Kwon Do. The women in my group fitness classes, most of whom are runners, triathletes or weight lifters motivate me to stay strong and fit. I always have to remain at least one step ahead of them! In my spare time, I like to run, row and race walk. I have two kids, Josh 20 and Katherine 14, both of whom are athletes and black belts.

Workout Philosophy: Exercise has always been a big part of my life but has become more important to me as I’ve grown older. In addition to the obvious benefits of maintaining muscle mass and body weight, I find that it keeps me focused and at peace. I design workouts that are extremely tough and challenging but I try to eliminate any “dread factor.” I like to design workouts that I would like to do myself and that will keep my clients coming back for more.

Success Story: Anna, a mom of one of my Tae Kwon Do students, walked in one day to pick up her son after his class. She told me that she’d just lost her job of twenty years and decided that she wanted to start a whole new career and life. Since her former job had required her to work many hours sitting behind a desk, it prevented her from exercising. Lo and behold, she found herself, without a job and out of shape. I invited her to my Saturday morning Aerobic Kickboxing class and she actually showed up! After the class ended, she came up to me red faced and sweating and panted “I’ve never had so much fun! I’ll be back!” That was ten years ago. Since then, she has gone on to create her own successful arts and crafts business and continues to work out with me almost every day. She says she feels like she’s in the best shape of her life.