Ryan Vivar
CPT, CMES, CHC, CAFS, CES
Proven. Personal. Professional.
Ryan Vivar is a 3-time internationally awarded, 6-time nationally recognized personal trainer, medical exercise specialist, and corrective exercise specialist in downtown Oklahoma City. He has also served as a subject matter expert for the leading organization certifying exercise professionals and health coaches. In 2024, the National Fitness Hall of Fame selected Ryan as one of America's top personal trainers. His ability to assess individuals, analyze human movement in real-time, and coach individuals toward sustainable lifestyle change through personalized programs is unmatched. He is considered one of the fitness industry's most versatile and skilled exercise professionals, with a remarkable ability to coach, motivate, and inspire.
He is a trailblazer and leader in various specialties, such as personal training with health coaching toward sustainable lifestyle change (for all ages), medical fitness, fitness after 50, and utilizing strategic exercise as an alternative for chronic pain, posture improvement, and injury prevention.
While Ryan has accomplished many achievements in the industry, his life story exemplifies the power of the human spirit, overcoming adversity and facing challenges head-on without cutting corners. He believes that regardless of education, skill, or talent, anyone in a leadership or coaching position must be battle-tested in life to be an effective leader. When someone is tested in life, their character and integrity are tested, and the history of how they have responded to challenges and adversity themselves is crucial in seeing if they are truly ready to lead and coach others, especially when they are in a position to guide and impact others directly.
Although exercise professionals are viewed as service providers, they influence people's lives heavily. Leading and coaching with high character and integrity are essential principles for Ryan to help others succeed and have a solid foundation that serves them for a lifetime.
The son of Mexican immigrants born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and raised in Morrison, Oklahoma (population 636), Ryan grew up in a small-town environment with humble beginnings. He credits his parents for instilling the values of hard, honest work, dedication, servant leadership, and relying on the Lord.
Ryan is also grateful to have grown up in a town like Morrison that embraced him and his family and to have been surrounded by positive role models, such as legendary coaches Joe Sindelar, Cory Bales, Lynn Shackelford, and Dennis Casey, who became the school superintendent at the time. Those coaches account for 24 Oklahoma High School Football State Finals appearances, 17 State Championships, 7 State Runner-Ups, and 10 Semi-Finalist teams.
Although Ryan played for Morrison's then 8-man football powerhouse, he struggled with obesity from childhood until he transformed his body at age 17 by losing 100lbs. He has personally maintained a healthy lifestyle for the past 24 years.
A struggling yet resilient student in his younger years, Ryan became his family's first college graduate. After receiving his degree in the field, Ryan completed an internship and also became a certified personal trainer. He began providing personal training services to the Oklahoma City metro area in 2008 with $20 in his pocket.
Years later, after receiving news that his aunt Ernestina in Mexico was dying of cancer, Ryan opened his own personal training studio in downtown Oklahoma City on January 10, 2011, to try to help her with her financial needs.
Since its inception "Ryan Vivar Fitness" has been about passionately and compassionately helping others.
In 2017, this mission deepened even further when Ryan found himself helping take care of his father, Hector, after he was diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Ryan's dad passed away on November 4, 2018, at age 63.
Presently, Ryan continues to be a champion for well-qualified exercise professionals, protecting the consumer, and takes great pride in being a lifelong learner.
In addition to his foundational education, Ryan has acquired multiple advanced NCCA / ISO-accredited certifications. He has also traveled across the country, learning from top experts in the field for the past 19 years, and has over 40,000 hours of hands-on professional experience.
Ryan has helped 100's of clients achieve life-changing results. His current and past client list includes people from all walks of life and many of Oklahoma City's leaders and innovators.
Ryan enjoys living and working in downtown Oklahoma City, attending events, trying new restaurants, and spending time with his family, especially his daughter.
- Industry Recognition and Awards
- 2024 National Fitness Hall of Fame - America's Top Personal Trainers
- 2023 Corrective Exercise Specialist of The Year (Out of 75 different Countries)
- 2022 Served as a Subject Matter Expert for the leading organization certifying Personal Trainers and Health Coaches.
- 2022 Served as a Subject Matter Expert for a Role Delineation Study/ Occupation Analysis for Personal Trainers.
- 2022 Participated as a Subject Matter Expert to help develop the content outline for the final exam that will be utilized to Certify Personal Trainers for the next 5 years (2023 - 2028)
- 2022 ACE All Stars featured Medical Exercise Specialist
- 2022 Personal Trainer of The Year Nominee
- 2021 Medical Fitness Professional of The Year Finalist
- 2021 Medical Fitness Professional of The Month - June
- 2020 Personal Trainer of The Year Finalist
- 2020 IDEA Fitness Journal Inspire Health Coach Feature
- 2015 ACE PROfiles featured Exercise Professional
- 2014 Top 10 Personal Trainers in The World (Represented USA)
- 2013 IDEA Fitness Journal Featured Exercise Professional
- 2012 Americas Top Personal Trainers to Watch
- 2011 Americas Top Personal Trainers to Watch
- Industry Expert Testimonials
"Ryan is the consummate professional, not only is he is fully committed to the individuals that rely on his expertise and leadership as they work towards healthier, happier and more productive lives through physical activity and exercise, he also serves as an example for other professionals. Ryan’s personal story and experience drive his passion for excellence in his business, his personal and professional development and aspirations for the future of our profession."
Graham M.
Graham is the Executive Vice President of Community Health and Wellness for the American Council on Exercise, on The board of directors for Physical Activity Alliance (PAA), the Coalition for the Registration of Exercise Professionals, and the Special Olympics Fitness Advisory Council. He previously served as the US Registry Of Exercise Professionals President, the Commissioner for the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) where he sat on the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (COAES), and the Facility Certification Committee of the Medical Fitness Association.
"Ryan Vivar is incredibly passionate about fitness and his commitment to inspiring others to lead their happiest, healthiest, fittest lives, it is evident in all of the great work that he does on a daily basis. I feel fortunate to have someone as dedicated as Ryan as a fellow health coach and personal trainer. He is doing tremendous things in the personal training & fitness industry."
Dr. Jessica M. -San Diego, California
“Award -winning instructor, accomplished author, speaker, and respected educator.”
Dr. Jessica Mathews, DBH, MS, NBC-HWC, E-RYT 500 is an assistant professor, director, and creator of the Master of Kinesiology in Integrative Wellness program at Point Loma Nazarene University. An award-winning and innovative educator, she has developed and implemented graduate degree and professional certificate programs at several colleges in Southern California. Dr. Matthews serves as director of integrative health coaching in the Centers for Integrative Health at UC San Diego in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health. She also serves as the lead faculty member in the area of health behavior change for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) Lifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum in addition to serving as the chair of the ACLM Health and Wellness Coaches members interest group.
Dr. Mathews previously served as an exercise physiologist & Senior Health & Fitness editor for the American Council on Exercise, a fitness blogger for Weight Watchers, Fitbie, and Shape magazine. She is also a contributor to numerous publications like CNN, Washington Post, Women's Health, The New York Times, NPR, USA TODAY, Dr. Radio, and Oprah.com. Dr. Mathews was named IDEA Fitness Instructor of The Year.
“Ryan Vivar is one of the greatest trainers I´ve ever met in my career of over 20 years. The way he takes care of his clients and all the technical knowledge he has puts Ryan’s service in another level in the market in terms of quality. He is genuine and has a beautiful history. His strong commitment to his profession & passion to help others will always lead him to do his best. I highly recommend Ryan Vivar Fitness & any program Ryan Vivar creates or takes part of.”
Cristiano P. -Sao Pau, Brazil
“World’s Top Personal Trainer”
Cristiano runs the most successful personal training facility in Brazil and is an industry leader in his part of the world. He was named the 2014 Top Personal Trainer in the World and travels the world teaching other personal trainers. Cristiano has recently created his own global personal trainer certification and contributes to many TV media sources in Brazil.
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