Queens, New York · Est. 2015

Built Through
The Work.

NY State Record Holder. 187.5kg Squat. 230kg Deadlift at 67.5kg. 10 years coaching lifters, grapplers, and cosplayers.

10+
Years Coaching
230kg
Deadlift @ 67.5kg
3
State Records Coached
Apply for Coaching
Kristofer DeCastro

Who I Am

Kristofer
DeCastro

I'm a strength coach, powerlifter, and grappler from Queens, NY.

I wasn't the athletic kid growing up. I was into anime, video games, and got bullied for it. Sports weren't my world. Then in 2007 that changed when I started training MMA under a John Danaher black belt. By 2009 I was on the mats at Renzo Gracie Academy's blue basement under Daniel, Gregor, Igor, and Neiman Gracie. I earned my BJJ blue belt in 2016 under a black belt lineage that traces directly back to Renzo Gracie's first Japanese black belt.

In 2018 I found powerlifting. I trained at Coliseum Gym where Kevin Oak and Larry Wheels trained, and Mount Vernon Barbell. I went on to hold NY State records with a 187.5kg squat and 230kg deadlift at 67.5kg bodyweight.

Tengoku Strength came out of all of it. The setbacks, the mat time, the platform, the years under the bar. I built this for lifters, grapplers, and cosplayers who are serious about the work.

CertificationAAPT CPT PSL1
RecordNY State Squat & Deadlift @ 67.5kg
BJJBlue Belt · Renzo Gracie Lineage
Experience10 Years Coaching
LocationBased in Queens. Training NYC.

Why Train With Me

Coaching With
Standards.

Coaching Blanca at the meet

I'm not a coach who learned this stuff from a textbook and got certified online. I trained in person at the American Academy of Personal Training, got hands on experience, and have been in the field for 10 years since.

I competed. I grappled. I've been on the platform and on the mat and I understand what it actually takes to perform in both.

I've coached a teen powerlifter to three NY State records. I've helped clients lose weight, build consistency, and show up differently in their day to day life. I've worked with cosplayers on building a physique they're proud to carry.

What you get is honest programming built around your actual goal, direct feedback, and a coach who holds the line when you don't feel like it. That's it. No gimmicks. No recycled motivation. Just the work.

Mission

What This
Is About.

Tengoku Strength exists to give serious people a real coaching system.

Not motivation. Not generic programming. A system built around your goal, your schedule, and your actual life.

Lifters who want to compete or get genuinely strong. Grapplers who need conditioning that transfers to the mat. Cosplayers who want to build a physique worth wearing. Whatever brings you here, the standard is the same.

Show up. Do the work. Get better.

In The Community

This World
Is My World.

I've been attending anime conventions for nearly two decades. I've run fitness panels at Fan Expo Philadelphia, Colossalcon East, and Otakon. I hosted my own cosplay deadlift competition at Otakon. I'm not marketing to this community I'm part of it.

Fitness X Anime Panel at Colossalcon East
Panel Fitness X Anime · Colossalcon East
Fitness Panel at Fan Expo Philadelphia
Panel Fitness Panel · Fan Expo Philadelphia
Cosplay Deadlift Party at Otakon
Event Cosplay Deadlift Party · Otakon
After the Panel at Otakon
Panel After The Panel · Otakon

Work With Me

Clear Offers.
Real Coaching.

01
Foundation

$150/month on a 3 month commitment. $200 for a single month. Full custom programming, form checks within 24 hours, weekly check-in email, and email support with 12 to 24 hour response times.

02
Build

$225/month on a 3 month commitment. $275 for a single month. Everything in Foundation plus faster form checks within 8 hours, 4 to 8 hour email response, and nutritional guidelines included.

03
Peak

$300/month on a 3 month commitment. $350 for a single month. Everything in Build plus WhatsApp direct access, same day response, weekly check-in call, live form check video feedback, and restaurant suggestions built around your nutrition plan.

04
Nutrition Coaching

$175/month on a 3 month commitment. $225 for a single month. $75 off when bundled with any training package. Practical nutrition support built around your goal and your actual life. No extreme protocols.

05
In-Person Training

Available in Queens at my home gym or I come to you. Limited spots. Rates and availability discussed through the application process. Inquire via the form below.

Client Results

Real People.
Real Outcomes.

Blanca Munoz
Blanca Munoz
Powerlifting Athlete

Blanca came to me as a teenage lifter with competitive goals. We prepped her for RPS Insurrexion in Farmingdale, NY and she walked away with three NY Teen State Records.

Squat292.11 lbs
Deadlift325.18 lbs
Total705.48 lbs
Blanca RPS State Records
Niko
Nutrition Coaching · Cosplayer

Niko needed fat loss support that didn't blow up her normal life. Five weeks of tracked check-ins, progress photos, and sustainable habits.

Niko progress Niko check-in data
Start Weight157.4 lbs
Week 5 Weight151.9 lbs
Waist Lost1 inch
Timeline5 weeks
Niko testimonial
Will
Will
One on One Training

Will came in needing stronger routines and a better quality of life. The results showed up fast and carried outside the gym.

Will text message
Juliana
One on One Training
"Kris is always professional, on time, and brings great energy to every session. I truly look forward to our workouts, which says a lot coming from someone who used to dread the gym. If you're looking for a trainer who's consistent, effective, and genuinely cares about your progress, I highly recommend Kris."

24 Week Transformation

Full System.
One Investment.

Training and nutrition bundled into one 24 week package. Built for people who are serious about a deadline: a competition, a convention, or just being done with half measures. Nutrition coaching is included in every tier at $100 off the standalone rate.

Foundation
Foundation
$1,290
24 Weeks · One-time payment
  • Custom training program
  • Form checks within 24 hours
  • Weekly check-in email
  • Email support 12 to 24 hour response
  • Nutrition plan built around your goal
  • Weekly nutrition check-ins
  • Macro and meal structure guidance
Nutrition Coaching Included $100 off standalone rate
Training $750 + Nutrition $540 = $1,290 total
Build
Build
$1,640
24 Weeks · One-time payment
  • Custom training program
  • Form checks within 8 hours
  • Weekly check-in email
  • Email support 4 to 8 hour response
  • Nutritional guidelines included
  • Nutrition plan built around your goal
  • Weekly nutrition check-ins
  • Macro and meal structure guidance
Nutrition Coaching Included $100 off standalone rate
Training $1,100 + Nutrition $540 = $1,640 total
Peak
Peak
$2,040
24 Weeks · One-time payment
  • Custom training program
  • WhatsApp direct access
  • Same day response
  • Weekly check-in call
  • Live form check video feedback
  • Restaurant suggestions around your plan
  • Nutrition plan built around your goal
  • Weekly nutrition check-ins
  • Macro and meal structure guidance
Nutrition Coaching Included $100 off standalone rate
Training $1,500 + Nutrition $540 = $2,040 total

FAQ

Common
Questions.

I'm a complete beginner. Is this for me?
Yes. You don't need experience to start, you need a system. If you're willing to show up and do the work, I'll build a program that meets you where you are and moves you forward. Beginners who commit consistently make some of the best progress.
I don't compete in powerlifting. Can I still train with you?
Absolutely. Competing is optional. A lot of my clients just want to get genuinely strong, improve their physique, or build conditioning for BJJ or cosplay. The programming principles are the same whether you're stepping on a platform or not.
I'm not in Queens or NYC. Can I still work with you?
Yes online coaching is available anywhere. You get the same programming, form checks, and check-ins regardless of where you are. In-person training is Queens only.
I don't have a gym membership. Can I still train?
Depends on what you have access to. A home gym with basic equipment can absolutely work. Let me know what you're working with on the intake form and I'll tell you honestly if I can build something effective around it.
What's the difference between the tiers?
All tiers get custom programming and form checks. The difference is response time and access. Foundation is email with 12 to 24 hour response. Build adds faster turnaround and nutritional guidelines. Peak adds WhatsApp access, weekly calls, live form check video feedback, and restaurant suggestions built around your plan.
Why a 3 month commitment?
Because results take time and one month isn't enough to build anything meaningful. Three months gives us enough runway to run a proper training block, make adjustments, and actually see progress. You can do a single month if you need to test the waters, but the 3 month commitment is where the real work happens.
I'm a cosplayer with no lifting experience. Where do I start?
Fill out the general training form and tell me your goal whether that's a specific character, a convention date, or just building a physique you're proud of. I'll build a program around that target. You don't need to know anything about lifting. That's what I'm here for.

Ready to Work?

If you've read this far,
you already know.

Pick the form that fits your goal and apply. Spots are limited.
Based in Queens. Training NYC.

Apply for Coaching Apply for Nutrition Coaching