Katie Sonier: Fitness Coach, TWK Gym Owner, and Online Training Pioneer
Katie Sonier is a kinesiologist, personal trainer, and fitness coach based in Melbourne, Florida. As the owner of TWK Gym and founder of the Train With Katie online program, she has built a career helping women build strength and confidence through weight training.
Table Of Content
Who is Katie Sonier?
Katie Sonier earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology from the University of Florida. Born on October 23, 1992, in Florida, she grew up as a competitive gymnast and lacrosse player. Her early athletic experiences shaped her approach to fitness coaching.
After graduating from the University of Florida, Katie moved to Miami to work as a personal trainer at Equinox Fitness in the Brickell area. During this time, she developed her training methodology focused on strength development and proper technique.
Her personal experience with weight training began in college. Between ages 16 and 18, Katie experienced a significant growth spurt, growing from 5 feet 3 inches to 6 feet tall. This physical change affected her confidence. She found that weight training helped her build self-acceptance and strength, which became the foundation for her coaching philosophy.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Profession | Kinesiologist, Personal Trainer, Fitness Coach, Gym Owner |
| Full Name | Katie Sonier |
| Birthdate | October 23, 1992 |
| Age | 33 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Florida |
| Gender | Female |
| Height | 6 feet |
| Partner(s) | Blake Cochran |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | TWK Gym Owner, Train With Katie Program, Fitness Coaching |
| Social Media | Instagram: @katiesonier (534K+ followers) |
| Website | katiesonier.com |
| Location | Melbourne, Florida |
| Education | BS in Applied Physiology & Kinesiology, University of Florida |
Education and Athletic Background
Katie attended the University of Florida, where she initially pursued Economics before switching to Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. This academic background provided her with scientific knowledge of human anatomy, exercise physiology, and movement patterns.
During her time at the University of Florida, Katie played lacrosse for the Gators while developing her passion for weight training. Her competitive sports background included years of gymnastics training, which gave her a strong foundation in body awareness and athletic discipline.
The Applied Physiology and Kinesiology program at the University of Florida focuses on exercise science, human performance, and the physiological responses to physical activity. This education equipped Katie with the scientific knowledge to design effective training programs.
Train With Katie (TWK) Program
The Train With Katie program, commonly referred to as TWK, is Katie’s online training platform. She launched the program approximately one year after starting at Equinox Fitness, building it from an initial concept to a membership-based community.
The TWK program structure includes:
- Training Split: Six-day weekly schedule with flexibility for members to adjust based on their needs. The program emphasizes training muscle groups multiple times per week for optimal results.
- Lower Body Focus: Heavy emphasis on compound movements and glute development. Each lower body session is repeated three times within the month to allow for progressive overload.
- Upper Body Training: Sessions repeated twice monthly with focus on technique improvement and strength progression.
- Coaching Support: Members receive access to a private Facebook group where Katie and her coaching team provide daily form feedback, answer questions, and build community support.
- Performance Goals: Members are encouraged to set specific performance targets for each training session rather than just completing workouts.
The program offers a seven-day free trial and operates on a monthly membership model. Katie designed the pricing to be accessible while encouraging long-term participation.
TWK Gym in Melbourne, Florida
Katie owns and operates TWK Gym, located at 811 S Babcock Street, Melbourne, FL 32901. The facility offers small group training classes in addition to her online programming.
The Melbourne-based gym allows Katie to work directly with clients in person while maintaining her online coaching business. She offers both one-on-one assessment sessions and group training classes for women with weight training experience.
Katie’s training methodology centers on several core principles:
Technique First: Form and proper execution take priority over weight lifted. Her coaching team spends considerable time reviewing member videos and providing detailed technique feedback through the TWK Facebook group.
- Training Frequency: She advocates for hitting each muscle group at least twice weekly. The program structure reflects this principle with repeated lower body sessions throughout the week.
- Progressive Overload: By repeating the same training sessions multiple times per month, members can track performance improvements and gradually increase weight or volume.
- Community Support: The TWK Facebook accountability group serves as a central hub where members share progress, receive encouragement, and stay connected with the coaching team.
Katie also provides basic nutrition guidance and weekly recipe ideas to members, though the primary focus remains on training.
Social Media Presence and Influence
Katie has built a substantial following on Instagram, with over 534,000 followers as of 2026. Her social media content features training demonstrations, client transformations, and insights into her coaching methods.
Her Instagram handle, @katiesonier, showcases her training philosophy and provides glimpses of life at TWK Gym in Melbourne. The platform has been instrumental in growing her online training business and reaching women interested in strength training.
Personal Life
Katie has been in a relationship with Blake Cochran. She shared photos with Blake on social media, including a Christmas post in December 2017.
She currently resides in Melbourne, Florida, where she runs TWK Gym and continues developing her online training programs. Her personal experience with fitness and body image challenges informs her approach to coaching other women.
- University Years: Competed in lacrosse for the University of Florida while studying Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. Discovered weight training and its impact on confidence during this period.
- Equinox Fitness: Moved to Miami immediately after graduation to work as a full-time personal trainer at Equinox in the Brickell area. Worked alongside experienced trainers in the industry.
- TWK Launch: Created the Train With Katie program approximately one year after starting at Equinox. Built the program from an initial concept into a structured online training platform.
- TWK Gym Opening: Established her own training facility in Melbourne, Florida, expanding from online-only coaching to include in-person training options.
- Community Growth: Grew the TWK community to include women at various fitness levels, from beginners learning form to advanced lifters pursuing strength goals.
Training Impact and Client Focus
Katie’s coaching emphasizes helping women feel comfortable in their own bodies through strength training. Her mission centers on building confidence and physical capability rather than focusing solely on aesthetics.
The TWK program attracts women across different experience levels. Beginners focus on mastering form with bodyweight and lighter loads, posting videos for regular feedback. Advanced members who have trained for years receive programming designed to challenge their current capabilities.
Katie’s background as a competitive athlete who struggled with height-related insecurities shapes her understanding of the mental aspects of training. She uses this experience to connect with clients facing similar challenges.
Where is Katie Sonier Now?
Katie continues operating TWK Gym in Melbourne, Florida, while maintaining her online Train With Katie program. She remains active in coaching both in-person and online clients, providing daily support through the TWK Facebook community.
Her Instagram account continues growing, with regular posts showcasing training content, client progress, and gym updates. The TWK program remains her primary business focus, with ongoing development of training content and community engagement.
She maintains her commitment to technique-focused coaching, spending several hours daily providing form feedback to members through the private Facebook group.
Income Sources
Katie generates income through multiple channels:
- TWK Online Program: Monthly membership fees from the Train With Katie online training platform with seven-day free trial offerings.
- TWK Gym: In-person training sessions, including small group classes and one-on-one assessment sessions at her Melbourne facility.
- Social Media: Brand collaborations and fitness-related partnerships through her Instagram platform with 534K+ followers.
Conclusion
Katie Sonier has established herself as a fitness professional focused on helping women build strength and confidence through proper weight training technique. From her education at the University of Florida to opening TWK Gym in Melbourne, her career reflects a commitment to evidence-based training methods and community support.
The Train With Katie program demonstrates her ability to scale personalized coaching through online platforms while maintaining the quality of feedback and instruction. Her emphasis on technique, training frequency, and progressive overload provides members with a structured approach to strength development.
Katie’s journey from a college athlete struggling with body image to a gym owner and online coach illustrates the transformative potential of strength training when combined with proper coaching and community support.
