Joseph Oredipe - Elite ID Fitness

By Terry L. Watson

Photos by Rob Lay

For many Americans, the Covid 19 pandemic has affected us in many ways. While being forced into organized isolation, some things were added unto us, whether we wanted them or not. This includes weight gain. Possibly, it would have been a lot easier to apply a padlock to our refrigerators and pantries, but that wouldn’t have prevented the consumption of take-out and delivered foods. No matter what preventative measures are involved, the best solution to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is to remain physically active. This is the area where Joshua Oredipe excels.

The first-generation Nigerian American currently resides in Philadelphia, PA. He is an ISSA-certified personal trainer, Elite ID Fitness Studio owner, and founder of Elite ID Fitness LLC. According to Joshua, Elite ID Fitness LLC is where health is earned, not purchased.

Joshua obtained his Bachelors of Science in Business Management and Administration from Pennsylvania State University. He has 11 years of experience in the fitness and wellness industry. Within three years, he successfully competed with the National Physique Committee and the All Natural OCB Men’s Physique contest. He shares his purpose is to have a positive influence and remind others to prioritize their health. “I believe it is our responsibility to ensure that we thrive and not just survive and understand that we are the universe experiencing itself,” he says.

Joshua says he enjoys “all things” fitness, though weight and strength training is his primary fitness modality. “As a personal trainer, I assist clients with properly defining and executing their fitness goals. Utilizing my knowledge and expertise, I develop custom workouts that combine HITT (high-intensity interval training) with circuit, weight, plyometric, flexibility, and bodyweight training to challenge a wide range of clientele. I can create weight-loss, weight-gain, and nutritional coaching programs and currently offer one-on-one, group, and virtual training sessions. I love to coach others on the proper use of gym equipment and assist them with understanding the benefits of utilizing proper form and exercise execution,” he says.

Joshua’s fitness journey began as a child. He was a talented soccer player at the little league levels and continued to excel throughout college. “My mother was always health conscious and cooked our family three square meals daily. In 2004, my dad suffered a stroke and later learned he suffered from a brain tumor. Seeing my father in the hospital for the first time, and watching his recovery process, deeply impacted my family and I. This experience made me conscious of how fragile life is and also pushed me to take responsibility for my health,” he says.

In response to what he saw happen with his father, Joshua decided to explore other forms of physical activity beyond soccer and fell in love with weight training. He joined a local gym, and his bodybuilding journey began. As he submerged himself further into bodybuilding, it was only a matter of time before his focus shifted from the weight room to the kitchen. “I learned to source healthier food options, proper portion control, strategic meal timing, and the implementation of natural supplements,” Joshua says. Being naturally skinny with a starting weight of 132 pounds, he was able to increase his overall body weight by 71 pounds within a few years. Family members and friends started to inquire about his transformation, and that’s when he realized his passion in life.

Being a fitness instructor feeds something within Joshua. He shares how he loves to serve others and help them tap into their potential. “I love instilling confidence and giving others a sense of achievement that translates to life on many levels. I also love to bring further attention to nutritional choices, mainly because most communities are riddled with poor food choices. Most people don’t truly understand the negative impact these foods have on our lives,” he says.

Joshua is inspired by his parents Kim and Femi Oredipe. “They are living examples of good people. Throughout my childhood, they provided valuable lessons, which instilled the qualities necessary to become the man I am today. Their courage, diligence, and love, encourage me to be the best version of myself. Even more, their continued guidance and support have been a Godsend, and I consider myself to be very lucky,” he shares.

Moving forward, Joshua has plans to scale his brand and bring on additional personal trainers, wellness coaches, and nutritionists that align with his mission. He plans to expand his services beyond strength training and incorporate yoga, meditation, and advanced breathing techniques. He also plans to establish programs to give back to underserved communities through volunteer work and organized fundraisers to promote specific issues.

To learn more about Joshua Oredipe and Elite ID Fitness LLC, please visit their website.