Tracy Vallier, Regional Supervisor of Fitness

Top 3 Qualifications

• YMCA Personal Trainer
• YMCA Group Fitness Instructor
• BoneFit 

As a mother, once both my children entered school, I finally took some time for myself. That meant joining a gym and finding an instant love of fitness classes. Within six months I had my first fitness certification and decided to change careers. Over the 10+ years in this industry I continue to grow and gain new certifications and education credits. I specialize in modification and progression. Many of my clients are recovering from injuries, new to fitness, senior, or special populations.    

Cass Leduc, Team Lead of Fitness

Kingston

Top 3 Qualifications

• Group Fitness Instructor
• Personal Training
• Exercise and Diabetes

I was fortunate to grow up with an active lifestyle. This has always left me in good spirits and I was able to develop many skills while being active. I wanted to share that passion with others. My approach to training is always "one step at a time." Many of us have a goal when it comes to working out and being active. It's never a straight line to get to that point, but with hard work, you will get there. I specialize in cardiovascular and strength training, and I work with clients of all ages and all different abilities.

Axl Heyman, Team Lead of Fitness

Brockville

Top 3 Qualifications

• YMCA Group Fitness Instructor
• Fitness and Health Promotion Honours Graduate (Algonquin College)
• CSEP (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology) Certified Personal Trainer

When I was 11 years old, I had my first visit to the YMCA. At the time, one of the trainers gave me a tour of the facility and introduced me to the cardio equipment. I remember being in awe of this person thinking he was the coolest guy ever. I knew at that moment, one day I was going to be just like him. Ever since then I have strived to make fitness a priority in my everyday life, and now I am excited to make it part of yours as well! My approach to training is to tailor a plan based on getting to know each clients and understand their individual needs. Everyone is unique and so is their fitness plan. I work with all age groups. I am able to provide clients with written, verbal, and visual instructions to ensure that their styles of learning needs are met. My specialties are: strength, endurance, hypertrophy, sport-specific and mobility training.

Michael Smith, MSc

Kingston

Top 3 Qualifications

• Strength & Conditioning Coach
• Specialist in Fitness Nutrition
• Corrective Exercise Specialist

I came to my current passion as a personal trainer when a company shutdown caused me to explore new career opportunities.  Since I had been on my own personal fitness journey since age 15, I felt I was in a great position to help others achieve their fitness goals. My approach to training is based on functionality. Whether your goal is to become better at your sport, have more energy to play with your kids or just be safely active into your later years, we will develop a training plan that suits your purpose. My specialties are: conditioning, functional strength, core stability, balance, mind-muscle connection and weight control. I have worked with clients from 10 to 72 years old, and from athletes to physically and/or developmentally challenged individuals. The key to anyone’s success is designing specific, appropriate exercise for them.

Hellen Bennett

Kingston

Top 3 Qualifications

• Ontario Fitness Council (OFC) Personal Trainer
• BoneFit
• Yoga certified

Having played competitive sports for over 40 years it was a natural progression into personal training. When working with my clients I consider functional movements, building strength and mobility, keeping life’s everyday activities in mind. Injury recovery and fitness for the aging population are my specialties. I work with athletes, business professionals and seniors. Every day is a good day to get to the gym for your workout. 

Emmet Heyman

Brockville

Top 3 Qualifications

• YMCA Group Fitness Instructor
• Fitness & Health Promotion Honours Graduate (Algonquin College)
• CSEP (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology) Certified Personal Trainer

I started working out in my early high school days so I could gain muscle and size. As I got more into it, I started to benefit from all the other rewards that physical activity has to offer. My goal now is to help others reap the same benefits and become better, healthier versions of themselves. Getting into fitness can be intimidating at first. I can assure you we will take it at the right pace for you with assessments to make sure you start your fitness journey and continue at your pace. My strengths are exercise mechanics, sport-specific exercise, strength, hypertrophy, endurance and mobility training. I also have taught kickboxing to all age groups can incorporate that into your training, if that interests you.

Ben Wheeler, NASM CPT

Kingston

Top 3 Qualifications

• National Academy of Sports Medicine - Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT)
• National Academy of Sports Medicine - Corrective Exercise Specialization (NASM-CES)
• American Aerobic Association International/International Sports Medicine Association - Certified Personal Trainer (AAAI/ISMA-CPT)

As a former athlete, I always knew that I wanted to stay active and healthy. However, it wasn't until I started working as a personal trainer that I truly found my passion for helping others achieve their fitness goals. I specialize in helping clients gain strength and build muscle and work with clients who are looking to lose weight and improve their overall health. I have experience working with clients of all ages, from teenagers looking to get in shape for sports, busy adults trying to stay healthy and fit, to seniors looking to maintain their independence and vitality. I pride myself on my ability to adapt to the needs of each individual client and provide the support and guidance they need to reach their goals. I love the feeling of seeing my clients progress and reach their goals, and I find great satisfaction in knowing that I am making a positive impact on their lives. Working as a personal trainer has not only allowed me to stay active and healthy, but it has also given me a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Aldrine de Castro

Kingston

Top 3 Qualifications

• Fitness & Health Promotion Graduate - St. Lawrence College
• Certified Personal Trainer - International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
• Nutritionist Certification - International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)

Throughout my life I have always been involved in sports, including, soccer, football, volleyball and basketball, which I truly love. I discovered my passion for personal training when I signed up for sessions with a fitness trainer. It helped me to be more active and knowledgeable about fitness. As a fitness professional, I work with clients of all ages. My program planning incorporates movements that you would use in daily life, such as building upper and lower body strength, and overall fitness flexibility or mobility to build a strong foundation. I specialize in strength, conditioning, mobility and sport-specific training.

Richard Lin

Kingston

Top 3 Qualifications

• Ontario Fitness Council (OFC) - Personal Training, Group Exercise, Indoor Cycling, Yoga, Older Adult
• Functional Movement Systems (FMS) - Functional Movement Screen
• Coaching Association of Canada - National Coaching Certification Program Multi-Sport

My identity has always been rooted in fitness, but I was ultimately inspired to start on this path after a few years of hardship and personal struggles. I understand firsthand that fitness is a lifestyle that doesn't have to start or stop in the gym, and I'm passionate about developing a well-rounded fitness approach for all of my clients. After completing a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Psychology, I earned my Fitness and Health Promotion Diploma at St. Lawrence College, and have been fortunate to work with and learn from several organizations throughout the Kingston community, including the YMCA, City of Kingston, RMC, CFB, and the Queen's University Revved Up Program. By working with a highly diverse clientele with various fitness goals and experience, I've developed a flexible personal training style and approach. I specialize in functional fitness and aim to help you transfer your workout sessions into your daily life, sports, and activities. I believe that fitness should be an ongoing, sustainable process that we approach together, and I look forward to meeting you!

Luna Mori

Kingston

Top 3 Qualifications

• YMCA individual conditioning
• WaterART fitness instructor
• YMCA group fitness

Since I was child, I’ve always liked sports and being active. I also like to learn new things and I have learned different types of exercise such as bodybuilding, powerlifting, olympic lifting and more. My approach to fitness is to always make it efficient and focus on functional exercises to keep you moving! I specialize in Aquatic Personal Training for seniors or those who have limitations on land, HIIT conditioning and basic olympic lifting. I’ve worked with adults, seniors, people with limitations and teenagers.