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Before praising his romance novel good looks, readers who submitted Ricardo Vargas for this competition all had one thing to say: the man has an amazing spirit. "He's super passionate about what he does, is always positive, and genuinely cares about every student," says one fan. Backed by a loyal following at Barry's Bootcamp West Hollywood, the luscious-locked trainer prides himself in his supportive training style. "I observe the energy present in each class and surrender to its flow," he explains. "If it requires me to be a bit more harsh and curse a bit more, then I acquiesce. If the collective energy requires more patience of me, then I am kinder. It is always my intention to be positive and uplifting when I teach a class."
![[8/11, 11am] LA's Hottest Trainer 2015 Contestant #3: Ricardo Vargas, Barry's Bootcamp](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HLeZd-RT_1JtLr8SotD0nwKJFc0=/0x0:5319x3546/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:5319x3546):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3957920/IMG_7404.0.jpg)
A 12-year training veteran, Vargas reveals that his interest in fitness started at an early age, starting with his fascination with the Super Hero physique. "I fell in love with building my body because it made me feel strong, both mentally and physically," he tells us. Today, his loyal following flocks to Barry's to experience his jam-packed classes, which he uniquely infuses with Ancient Eastern wisdom. The result is a class that aligns the mind, body, and spirit components. I look forward and am grateful for each and every single class that I teach, for it is an opportunity to learn and grow from those who attend."
When he's not breaking hearts and sweating to his favorite workout song (AC/DC's "Thunderstruck"), you can find Vargas hanging out with with his number one girl: "Most people are surprised to learn that I have a 13-pound Shih-poo named Abby. She's one of my best friends—my companion—and we both have beards!"