I highly recommend UFC Honolulu, and Coach Jean in particular—she is truly exceptional at what she does.
I began working with Coach Jean following my rotator cuff and bicep tear (shoulder) surgery. During a time when I couldn’t train the way I normally would, she encouraged me to stay active and positive, which made a huge difference both mentally and physically. That motivation was invaluable during my recovery.
Once I was released from my sling and cleared by my doctor to train legs (five weeks post-operation), Jean welcomed me as a client. Over the next six weeks, she demonstrated incredible creativity and expertise, designing effective workouts with smart, safe workarounds. We started with lower-body training and gradually progressed into more full-body work as my recovery allowed—all while ensuring I felt confident and protected throughout the process.
I also committed to following her nutrition plan, and the results truly spoke for themselves. Jean explained that clients who are open to nutrition guidance see the best outcomes, and she was absolutely right. Throughout our training and nutrition plan, I lost 8 pounds total—while still feeling strong, supported, and energized.
Coach Jean has the rare ability to push you toward your full potential while making sure you feel genuinely cared for. She consistently checked in on how I was feeling, monitored fatigue levels, and adjusted both training and nutrition as needed. Her attention to detail and commitment to her clients truly sets her apart.
I’ve already encouraged several coworkers to work with her, and I sincerely hope more people get the opportunity to experience such a caring, results-driven coach. She is the perfect balance of motivation, accountability, expertise, and heart.
The photos I’m sharing include workouts she designed (I jokingly called her “MacGyver” 😄) as well as my weekly check-in photos, which she used to track my progress and fine-tune my plan along the way.
I found out about UFC BJ Penn through an associate, Mario, at UH Manoa back when I was about to graduate.
Really hesitant about going to the facility the first time, but talking with him, Reyn Romero, a manager at UFC, I did end up enrolling as a member of the gym due to wanting to make a lifestyle change, strengthening myself in all aspects. The community is really vibrant and supportive, especially when you are putting in the work.
My coach currently, Coach Bryson, is truly a professional of his craft and how he mentors people. I highly recommend him and his wife, Coach Jean, as coaches to learn from and work with.
Overall, great facility, members, faculty, and atmosphere as everyone has stuff they gotta deal with and you can see we all have goals to work towards to.
BW
Brian Wallace
4 days ago
Training with Bryson Bukoski at UFC Gym Kakaako has completely changed how I understand strength training and body mechanics.
Bryson isn’t just a trainer — he’s a bodybuilder with a deep, practical command of movement, technique, and efficiency. What stands out most is his ability to teach the *subtle adjustments* that make every rep matter: small changes in angle, tempo, breathing, and muscle engagement that dramatically increase effectiveness while reducing wasted effort.
Because of this, my workouts are far more efficient than anything I was doing on my own. Each session feels intentional and optimized, and the results have come noticeably faster than I expected. Strength gains, body composition changes, and overall control have all improved in a short period of time.
Bryson has a rare ability to translate high-level bodybuilding knowledge into clear, actionable coaching that meets you exactly where you are — whether you’re experienced or just leveling up. If you’re serious about maximizing your training time and seeing real, measurable progress, I genuinely can’t recommend booking a session with Bryson enough.
I started training with Coach Bryson Bukoski about a month ago, and the experience has been outstanding. From day one, he’s been professional, knowledgeable, and extremely attentive to proper form, technique, and progress.
Bryson builds workouts that are challenging but smart, always tailored to my level and goals. He explains everything clearly, pushes you when needed, and makes sure you’re training safely and efficiently. I’ve already noticed improvements in strength, energy, and overall confidence in the gym.
What really sets him apart is his consistency and motivation — he genuinely cares about your progress and keeps you accountable while making the sessions enjoyable. If you’re looking for a trainer who’s serious about results and truly invested in his clients, I highly recommend Coach Bryson.
At 71 years old with ongoing lower-back issues, I wanted to lose weight safely while maintaining and hopefully gaining muscle and strength . Working with Coach Jean Bukoski has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my health. She designs training that is thoughtful, safe, and effective, but just as importantly, she brings positivity, support, and encouragement to every session. I always looked forward to our workouts because she makes you feel capable and cared for. Coach Jean isn’t just there for you in the gym, she’s truly invested in your success and well-being every step of the way. Choosing a personal trainer is a very personal decision, but I honestly believe anyone would benefit from training with her. I can’t recommend Coach Jean highly enough.