Background
Krista Schaus is the owner / operator of Defining Edge Fitness Inc. and has been lifting weights since the age of 9! Krista became formally involved in strength training when she became a police officer in 1994. At a 5'4”, 125 lbs, it was important to Krista to become as strong as possible to meet the demands of policing. Krista connected with top trainers, coached and strength icons both locally and across Canada and the United States to learn as much as she could. In her quest for knowledge, she learned of her passion for functional strength training particularly relating to police officers and women.
As a means of testing her strength limits, Krista entered the Canadian Law Enforcement Games in bench press in 1998. With no formal preparation, she won gold. After that first event, she was hooked. The following year, she entered both the bench press and powerlifting events, along with 100 m, 200m, 400 m and 4x100 m. She captured 4 golds and 2 silvers at those events and solidified her relationship with powerlifting.
In 1999, Krista joined the Steel City Powerlifting Club near Caledonia and trained under coach Bill Jamison, the founder of the Ontario Powerlifting Association (OPA) and the Canadian Powerlifting Union (CPU). She began competing with the OPA in 2000 and has since captured numerous medals and titles in 56, 60 and 67.5 kg classes including the Ontario 56 kg squat record, the 2000 Canadian powerlifting champion title, a bronze medal in the squat at the 2005 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships and most recently an overall silver and 3 individual medals (1 gold and 2 silvers) at the 2007 Commonwealth Championships in New Zealand. Krista is currently ranked in the Top 20 of Canada's Top 100 Female Powerlifters.
Krista's personal best competitive lifts in powerlifting are a:
| 60 kg class | 67.5 kg class |
| 292.5 lb squat | 330 lb squat |
| 170 lb bench | 198 lb bench |
| 314 lb deadlift | 330 lb deadlift |
Her best raw powerlifts are: (no supportive gear or equipment)
- 260 lbs squat
- 175 bench press
- 315 lb deadlift
In addition to her success in powerlifting, Krista has trained, participated or competed in provincial level softball, gymnastics, outdoor speed cycling, medium distance running, fitness competitions, obstacle course competitions, track and field and Tae Kwon Do. However, her passion still lies in strength and power events. Krista also supplements her training with yoga under instructor, Janice Renshaw which is an essential aspect of Krista's success in competition and overall wellbeing.
Krista operates Defining Edge Fitness Inc. as a Level II PICP Certified Strength Coach, BioSignature Modulation assessor and a SPI Certified Personal Trainer. She specializes in functional strength training programs, sport performance and personalized supplement and nutrition plans based on the client's BioSignature profile. Her clients range from US Navy BUD/s recruits and law enforcement members to competitive powerlifters, OHL hockey players and fitness, bodybuilding and figure competitors.
Krista was born, raised and still resides in Haldimand County with her husband, Pete, a certified personal trainer himself and a dive master, and their two children. Krista also is the head strength coach for Defining Strength and Power, a non-profit powerlifting club dedicated to developing predominantly female powerlifters and strength athletes. The club currently has 7 competitive female members ranging in age from 17 to 40.
Krista's ultimate goals as a strength trainer include making the squat a staple in every exercise program and to educate as many people as possible on the vital value of strength.
DE Coaching Team
Krista Schaus PICP CPT
Ontario CANADA
krista@definingedge.ca
Kate Kline PICP CFT
Arizona USA
kate@definingedge.ca
DE Client Services
Upcoming Events:
Where you can find the Defining Edge team or athletes
- Janary 2010 - Strength & Beauty "Next Level" (Milton, ON)
- January 2010 - Ontario Powerlifting Provincials (St. Catharines, ON)
- March 2010 - Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding Championship (Columbus, OH)
- April 2010 - Canadian Powerlifting Nationals (Quebec City, QU)
- April 2010 - CFBB Canadian Natural Physique Championships (Laval, QU)