Kira Stokes - Renowned Fitness Trainer, Entrepreneur & Founder of The Stoked Method
- Elevated Magazines
- Aug 2
- 4 min read
Kira Stokes has been at the forefront of the fitness industry for over 25 years, launching her professional fitness career upon graduating from Boston College. Over the years, she developed and fine-tuned her fitness platform: “The Stoked Method” - a form-focused, science-backed functional flow of movement, rooted in hybrid fitness. Today, Kira runs her own fitness company, Kira Stokes Fitness, anchored by her world-renowned Kira Stokes Fit App (“KSFIT App”). Kira’s app boasts a library of over 350 workouts that keep tens of thousands of “Stoked Appletes” fully stoked at a touch of a button. Kira has an impressive roster of celebrity clients who rely on Kira to keep them at the top of their game. She also teaches live classes, in-person and remote personal training sessions, special events, and offers a full suite of workout equipment available in the shop at “KiraStokes.com.”
We recently caught up with Kira to talk about her journey to becoming one of the premier fitness professionals in the world and get some tips on getting stoked for summer.
You’ve worked with some big names in the entertainment industry – what initially drew you to fitness and how did you pivot your passion for it into a full-blown career?
I’ve always had a strong interest in health and science, but it wasn’t until my sophomore year at Boston College that I realized I wanted to turn fitness into a career. I used to gather up my friends in the dorm and lead quick workouts in the common room. I loved the sense of community it created and found so much joy in coaching everyone through each movement. Seeing the positive impact fitness had – physically and mentally – made it clear this was what I was meant to do. I started out as a private trainer, gradually built up my clientele, and eventually grew it into a full-fledged fitness brand – Kira Stokes Fitness – which now includes an app with over 350 workouts, a nutrition program, a full product line, apparel, and more.
What motivated you to develop the Stoked Method? How does it differ from other training approaches?
The Stoked Method is a form-focused, science-backed approach that I’ve developed and refined over more than 25 years in the fitness industry. What sets it apart is its emphasis on the functional flow of movement – not just individual exercises, but how each move and transition is intentionally designed to create the most effective workout without overtaxing the body. Form is at the core of everything we do, and every movement has a purpose. The method is accessible to all fitness levels and has been time-tested and proven to deliver real results.
For someone new to the Stoked Method, what can they expect from their first session?
New Stoked Athletes can expect a motivating, full-body workout that will leave you feeling challenged, confident, and empowered. Expect to hear form-focused cueing with explanations of why each movement matters. Education is a key part of the method — the more you understand what you should be feeling and how the movements work, the stronger your mind-body connection becomes, leading to a more effective workout overall.
Your app has really taken off. How has it helped you expand your training while still maintaining a personalized experience?
Creating programming for a wide audience can be challenging – no two bodies are the same, and we have members of the Stoked community at all different fitness levels. But that’s the beauty of the Stoked Method. It’s built on the foundational principles that drive real results, and can both be amplified and simplified depending on the individual – our programming can meet you right where you are. Our community is incredibly supportive, and it’s so inspiring to see people of all fitness backgrounds and abilities come together, use my method, and achieve meaningful results.
When I launched my app, I knew that the number one point of differentiation was going to be my cueing. App users are able to put in their headphones, hit play on a workout, and never have to look at the screen. I guide you through each move so no need to be constantly looking at the screen. Of course, if you feel comfortable watching me as you workout, that’s great too!
What has been the biggest challenge or surprise in building your own fitness brand?
I am (pleasantly!) surprised by how we have expanded Kira Stokes Fitness into an entire fitness ecosystem. Starting out as a personal trainer I followed a pretty linear path — developing the Stoked Method and eventually launching my app to share that programming more broadly. What I didn’t anticipate back then was expanding into a full 360-degree approach to wellness, with the launch of our nutrition program KSFit Fuel and the Stoked product line. Each step happened gradually, with intention and a clear vision, but looking back at how far things have come since those early training sessions feels pretty surreal.
Summer is a big time for people to be focused on fitness. Do you have any favorite summer workouts or gear must-haves?
Get outside! There’s nothing like a workout in the fresh air and taking advantage of the pleasant weather. Changing up your scenery can motivate you more than you know. The KSFit Resistance Bands are a favorite of mine – they are super effective for resistance training and easy to pack if you’re heading out on a summer vacation.
