Hellen Bennett, Team Lead of Fitness

Brockville

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. 

Cass Leduc, Team Lead of Fitness

Kingston

Top 3 Qualifications

• PWR! Moves Instructor for Parkinson's Disease
• Group Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer
• 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.

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.

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.

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.

Sheila Elsey

Kingston

Top 3 Qualifications

• Group Fitness Instructor
• Certified Personal Trainer
• YMCA Strength and Conditioning

I was lucky to grow up playing sports and being active outside. I love how I feel when my body can meet the demands I put on it. But I also have had times where I’ve struggled with my weight and how I felt about my body. As a busy adult with work and family obligations, I found that YMCA classes kept me motivated and engaged with my fitness in timeframes I could manage. Those classes were the springboard into a love of fitness training.

I became an instructor to help others reach their own goals in a fun and challenging way. Get in, work hard, have a laugh, get out and on with your day! As a goal-oriented person, I love to set an intention, lay out the path, and work hard to make it a reality. Personal training is a way that I can meet you where you’re at, help you figure out what makes you tick, what gets you excited about working out, and work alongside you to hit your objectives. My personal focus is on compound, whole-body movements, efficient strength training and functional fitness. My long-term goal is to get more women into the weight room: it’s so good for us to lift heavy! My favourite parts of the YMCA gym? Kettlebells, circuit strength training and the post-workout coffee at Breaking Ground Cafe.

Dave Roewade

Kingston

Top Qualifications

• Group Fitness Instructor (Cardio & Strength)
• Personal Training

With over 35 years of experience in weightlifting, cross-training, and amateur athletics, I transitioned from group fitness instruction to personal training to offer tailored fitness guidance. I appreciate the YMCA's support for professional growth, which in turn benefits members seeking optimal exercise results through personal trainers.

I adopt a holistic approach, viewing the body as an interconnected system. Achieving lasting fitness results demands proper technique and patience, avoiding injury while ensuring continuous improvement. My focus spans cardio, strength, and core training. I continuously learn about rehabilitative exercises and fitness for aging adults, acknowledging unique health challenges and necessary exercise adjustments. My clientele varies from older adults and individuals rebuilding their fitness, to amateur athletes seeking performance enhancement in sports and outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, or triathlons.

Ron Pangan

Kingston

Top 3 Qualifications

• Fitness and Health Promotion Graduate at SLC
• Certified Personal Trainer- International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
• Group Fitness Instructor- International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)

After finishing high school, I started weightlifting and concentrated on compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses. Wanting to expand my knowledge in fitness, I applied to SLC's Fitness and Health Promotion Program. While studying there, I chose to become a Personal Trainer to share my expertise with those interested in a healthy lifestyle.

My training approach centers on Full Body Training. This includes full-body circuits, mobility exercises, muscle strengthening using compound lifts, and making progress every week by modifying exercises, adding weights, adjusting the tempo, or increasing repetitions.

I have expertise in Nutrition and Hypertrophy training, which involves building muscles and managing weight. I have also led and taught classes for seniors focusing on fall prevention.

I have spent a considerable time working with seniors and have learned much from these experiences. I have trained the general population too, helping them achieve goals like weight loss or muscle gain. Additionally, I have worked with athletes aiming to boost their sports performance through methods like plyometrics, isometric exercises, and strength and conditioning.

Rahul Ambily Jagadeesh

Kingston

Top 3 Qualifications

• Diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion
• Ontario Fitness Council (OFC) Personal Trainer 
• Ontario Fitness Council(OFC) Older Adult, Group Fitness, Yoga, Resistance Training, and Spin Instructor

My journey to becoming a personal trainer began with my passion for fitness and health. Realizing the human body's amazing ability to adapt and transform in response to training stimuli, irrespective of age, drove me to learn and practice various training techniques. This knowledge, combined with my desire to help others in their fitness journey, led me to choose a career in personal training.

My training style is holistic and client-centered. I believe in building good rapport and thoroughly understanding the client's living and work environment, lifestyle, strengths, and weaknesses before designing a workout program. This approach ensures that clients can realistically achieve their fitness goals. I emphasize tracking progress and reassessing at consistent intervals to ensure we are on the right track. One of my major focuses is ensuring clients are mentally, emotionally, and spiritually fit, along with their physical fitness.

I have experience working with clients of different ages and fitness levels, from beginners to advanced individuals. My knowledge, experience, flexibility, and certifications allow me to train clients in various fitness components such as cardiovascular endurance, muscle gain, strength, power, agility, speed, and flexibility training for maintenance or improvement. Additionally, I specialize in training older adults, sports-specific training for athletes, weight loss training, and providing nutritional advice. I am skilled at assisting individuals who were previously highly active or advanced but are now finding it difficult to stay motivated in achieving their fitness goals.

Conner Holliday

Kingston

Top Qualifications

• Certified Personal Trainer - International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
• First Aid / CPR 

My path was a bit different from others, I had a serious injury in 2020 which led me to the unhealthiest point in my life. Through years of injury, and not being able to take care of my health I decided to get my own personal trainer and I saw what great benefits it brings. After over a year of consistent training I learned how physical health can change your life. So I decided to get my own personal training certificate in hopes of being the trainer who changes someone else's life.

My training approach is about sustaining a healthy lifestyle, Through consistency and a goal in mind I believe someone can completely change their life through fitness no matter the age or current state of conditioning. Through years of different therapies I finally found the help I needed which was just to move my body in fun and challenging ways. There are many ways to meet your body and health goals and I will work with you to create a sustainable plan that you can implement into your everyday life while accounting for injuries and the struggles of everyday life.

My key specialties are weight loss and body transformation, I'm new to the world of Personal Training however I am not new to a body transformation and what it takes physically and mentally. Through efficient and affective sessions focusing on day to day movements you are bound to see progress every single day.

I work well with clients of all ages and stages of their fitness journey.