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 15 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 nearly 5 years and we now have FIVE beautiful gyms in the Madison and surrounding area and a staff of 15 amazing individuals.
I want my gyms to be places where people feel truly comfortable to be themselves. A place where individuals can feel empowered to build an even more amazing version of their own unique selves every single time they step foot in the door.
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.
Adrienne Leslie
Yoga Instructor.
Hi, I’m Adrienne! You’ll find that my classes serve as a personal journey of self-exploration and healing. The music, the postures, and the breath come together to nourish the mind, body, and soul. Together we will move, breathe, sweat and have fun along the way. This practice is not about nailing the perfect pose. It's an opportunity to grow stronger — physically and mentally. I look forward to meeting you on the mat!
Fatima Elsheikh
Member Support Manager - Middleton
Angie Drye
Group Fitness Instructor.
Creator of POWER HOUR.
Jo Neath, CPT
British Personal Trainer Jo Neath graduated from Manchester University, U.K with a BSc (Hons) in Sports and Exercise Health Science. Key disciplines being Exercise Physiology, Sport Psychology and Biomechanics.
Having experience in gym management and G.P Referral consulting, Jo relocated to California to pursue a career in Personal Training. From 2002 to 2021 Jo trained professional clientele in Laguna Beach, CA. Currently she is training in the Madison, WI area. With her European flare and 20+ years of experience, Jo creates innovative and mindful exercise programs to cater for each individual client and their lifestyle.
Education:
B.S Hons Sports & Exercise Health Science - Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.
Advanced Fitness Instructor - Focus, UK.
Kettlebell Instructor level 1 - Kettlebell Training Academy, UK.
Physical Assessment & G.P Referral - Premier Training, UK.
Philosophy:
Consistency is the key and a balance in life with everything that you do.
Believe you can make it happen if it is something that you really want!
Sport Interests:
Weight training, Yoga, Hiking outdoors.
Achievements:
- Television contestant in ‘Gladiators’ show, UK.
- Competed in the National Bikram Yoga Championships - San Diego, CA.
- Performed live at the Pageant of The Masters - Laguna Beach, CA.
Katy Meuer
Master Trainer for Beachbody LIVE by Insanity.
Katy is also one of our amazing yoga instructors and often teams up with or fills in for our lead instructor, Adrienne. Join her Thursdays all summer long for rooftop sunrise yoga!
Arianna Taylor, CPT
Personal Trainer and coach at Park Street and University Row.
Ali Roach
Personal Trainer. Class Instructor.
Ethan Dirksen
Member Support - Middleton
Sydney Dorn
Member Support Manager - Madison East
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.
Jodi Klagos
Yoga Instructor.
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.”