Personal Training

Afu is an inclusive, knowledgeable and client-focused trainer who enjoys helping people build confidence, strength and healthy habits that last. She likes working with beginners, older adults, women, youth and clients pursuing weight loss or strength goals. She is passionate about making fitness approachable and enjoyable for everyone.

Her areas of expertise include strength training, functional fitness, mobility, corrective exercise and older adult fitness. She focuses on safe movement, proper technique and long term success. She holds a Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching (KIN) and an Associate Degree in Sport Science. She is an ACE certified trainer and holds multiple BCRPA certifications.

What Afu likes most about being a trainer is helping clients achieve goals they once thought were out of reach. Seeing people become stronger, healthier and more confident is very rewarding to her. She believes fitness should be sustainable, enjoyable and personalized.

Outside of work, Afu likes strength training, learning about health and fitness and spending time with family and friends. She is always looking for ways to continue growing, both personally and professionally. 
 

Alex describes himself as an experienced, supportive, motivating, inclusive, knowledgeable, adaptable and beginner-friendly trainer. He likes to work with a variety of clients, from beginners just starting their fitness journey to those more experienced in the weight room, young adults to seniors, and all fitness levels and abilities. An avid runner, Alex enjoys helping people improve their running skills and teaches running clinics for Burnaby.

Alex’s areas of expertise include functional movement and mobility, running performance and endurance, 5k and 10k race preparation, coaching proper technique and form in the weight room and helping beginners build confidence in the gym. He speaks English and Spanish.

What Alex enjoys most about being a trainer is helping beginners step into the weight room with confidence for the very first time. Seeing clients become stronger, more comfortable and proud of what they can accomplish is most rewarding for Alex. He believes consistency is key in fitness. No matter how big or small the goal, consistent effort over time will create lasting results. Every client deserves a program that meets them where they are and helps them progress safely and effectively.

Armin is an adaptable trainer with almost a decade of experience. He likes working with clients from all walks of life. Whether their goal is to gain muscle, lose fat or both, he can help them achieve success. Armin specializes in helping beginners learn proper technique and build a habit of exercise, so they won’t need him one day. He also loves getting intermediate and advanced level lifters to the next level and helping them get more specific with their training.

Armin has N1 certifications in Biomechanics and Execution, Nutrition and Program Design for Trainability and Optimizing Sleep, Digestion, and Stress Management for Trainability. He speaks Farsi and English.

Every client has different needs and Armin makes each decision for his clients with their individuality in mind. Armin loves helping people get their health in order so that they can excel in other areas of life. Lifting weights was the catalyst that helped him and he wants to give other people the tools that he used to help turn his life around. It all starts with health.

Carla is a passionate and experienced personal trainer who works with clients of all ages and fitness levels, with a special focus on older adults, muscle gain and weight loss. She brings a supportive, encouraging approach to every session, helping clients build strength, confidence and sustainable fitness habits that fit their lifestyle.

Her areas of expertise include pre-and-post-natal fitness, hypertrophy (muscle building), swimming and cycling. Carla has completed specialized training in pre-and-post-natal fitness, TRX, cycling and older adult wellness, allowing her to create safe, effective programs tailored to each client's goals and abilities.

What Carla enjoys most about being a trainer is seeing her clients grow stronger, improve their endurance and achieve results they didn't think were possible. She loves helping people stay on track and gain the confidence to try new sports, activities and races.

Outside of work, Carla enjoys weight training, hiking, swimming, cycling, cooking, live theatre and salsa dancing. She also values spending quality time with friends and family and staying active in her community.

Charisse is a patient, motivating, approachable and dedicated personal trainer. Helping her clients feel stronger, healthier and more confident are main goals for her. She likes working with busy professionals looking to improve their health and fitness, women over 40, beginners starting their fitness journey (or those returning from injury or inactivity) and people with weight loss and body composition goals.

Some of Charisse’s areas of expertise are functional fitness and strength training, healthy aging and active living. She likes helping clients build their core strength and increase their mobility. Coaching for habit-building and long-term health and wellness is a passion. She speaks Tagalog and Ilokano as well as English.

Charisse believes that fitness should be sustainable, enjoyable and tailored to each person. She always wants to meet clients where they are, build a strong foundation and use coaching based on her clients’ learning styles to help them reach their goals.

Outside of the gym, Charisse likes to keep moving through running, hiking, swimming, yoga and strength training. She believes that movement heals and that focusing on her own health and fitness makes her a more effective trainer.

Charlie has a very inclusive and holistic approach to coaching. She wants her clients to find their own enjoyment out of the exercises they’re doing and understand that health is not a straight line; progress comes with ups and downs. Charlie likes to focus on body positivity, especially for female clients, and enjoys introducing women to strength training. She also likes working with semi-private clients!

Charlie has certifications in working with older adults, helping rehab common shoulder and knee injuries and helping those with disordered eating. She specializes in helping clients find motivation and create consistency in their fitness schedules. She speaks German as well as English.  

Charlie loves to see her clients challenge themselves and watch them achieve what they thought wasn’t possible. Her philosophy is that fitness is for everyone; the key is figuring out what that means for each client as an individual. She believes understanding and relatability make for the best client/trainer matches.

Charlie loves to lift weights and run in her spare time, and enjoys cooking and baking interesting recipes. In the summer, hiking and swimming are her favourite activities. Watching movies and playing video games are year-round hobbies.

Chris is an experienced, inclusive, community-focused trainer, who adapts to each client and puts safety first. He works with a diverse population of clients, including youth, older adults, persons with disabilities and the general adult population. He likes working with clients who are looking to increase strength, muscle mass and endurance, and specializes in providing instruction for those with varied abilities.

On top of his Personal Training certification, Chris also has a Recreation Leadership diploma and a Social Service Worker diploma, both of which inform his training style. Chris finds the most reward in seeing a client’s confidence grow as they master a new movement. Because of his background in social services, he truly values the personal connection and the opportunity to support people in achieving their individual wellness goals. Chris believes fitness should be inclusive, functional and sustainable. His goal is to create a welcoming environment where exercise feels accessible rather than intimidating and focuses on proper mechanics to ensure long-term health and mobility.

When not working with clients, Chris likes to stay active in the community, spend time outdoors and stay up to date with the latest fitness and recreation trends. He also enjoys volunteering and advocating for inclusive community programming.

Dee is a Kinesiologist, rehab/movement specialist and BCRPA-certified personal trainer, with an additional BCRPA certification in Older Adult training. Dee also completed an internship at the Ministry of Sports in Sri Lanka. He speaks Sinhala as well as English.

Dee has an extensive educational background, including a BSc in Kinesiology, and certificates in Disability Management and Return to Work, Older Adult, TRX, Kettlebell and Osteofit. He works with clients of all ages and abilities.

As a strong proponent of not only treating the symptoms of pain, but getting to the root cause, Dee believes that prevention is better than a cure and strives to provide the proper mechanisms and tools required to stop ongoing or reoccurring problems.

Every year, Dee participates in the elite division of the British Columbia Cricket league and was appointed as the fitness coach/captain from the 2021 season onwards. During his years of playing elite cricket, Dee has gained valuable experience with sports injuries and rehab exercises through interacting with team physiotherapists and physical trainers. Dee has had the opportunity to gain worthwhile experience at MJ Physio over the past few years as a personal trainer and assistant rehab therapist.

Emmalie is an adaptable, experienced, understanding and dedicated trainer. She likes to work collaboratively with her clients. She enjoys working with beginners and the general population (14 years and up) who want to learn how to use gym equipment properly, need help with programing or are looking for assistance in staying motivated and consistent.

Emmalie specializes in strength training, muscular endurance training, fat loss, HIIT training and improving overall muscular and cardiovascular fitness. She has her NAIT Personal Fitness Trainer diploma, CSEP Personal Training certification, and NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist certification.

Emmalie loves watching her clients become stronger, more confident in themselves and gym pros. She understands that starting a fitness journey can be intimidating at first, but reassures her clients they don’t have to have it all figured out in the beginning. No matter your age, experience, or fitness level, it’s never too late to start building a stronger, healthier version of yourself. Emmalie’s goal is to make training feel approachable, sustainable and something her clients actually enjoy.

Emmalie spends her free time working out, checking out new cafes, going to the beach, thrifting, playing video games, cooking/baking and keeping up with her favourite TV shows.

Liat is an experienced, knowledgeable and passionate personal trainer. She has been working for the City of Burnaby for over 20 years, where she has built her experience and knowledge as a fitness professional. Her main clients are women over 40, with whom she focuses on improving and increasing total body strength, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness and bone density. Education on exercise techniques and safety are emphasized.

Liat has a varied background in fitness, including Personal Training, Group Fitness and Pilates instructor. She has Older Adult and Osteofit certifications as well as her Massage Therapist certification from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy.

Liat likes helping her clients improve their health, alleviate pain and build long-term, healthy habits. She appreciates the importance of developing strong relationships with clients and supporting them through their personal wellness journeys. A genuine connection built on trust, shared values and mutual agreement on goals is Liat’s aim with each client. She believes that consistent, progressive and safe training is the best way to get sustainable results.

Meltem is an experienced, knowledgeable, approachable, results-driven and adaptable trainer dedicated to helping clients build strength, confidence and sustainable healthy habits. She strives to create an inclusive and supportive environment where clients feel empowered to reach their goals.

Meltem has both ACE and BCRPA Personal Training certifications, a BSc in Sports and Physical Education and is an NCCP certified Development Volleyball Coach. She uses her skills and education to work with adults of all ages and fitness levels, from beginners just getting started to recreational and competitive athletes to older adults looking to maintain their mobility and independence. She speaks Turkish and English.

Meltem enjoys helping people discover what they are capable of and seeing their confidence grow as they become stronger, healthier and more active. She believes fitness should be challenging, enjoyable and sustainable. Her approach focuses on building a strong foundation through proper movement, progressive training and healthy habits that fit into each client's lifestyle. Consistency is more important than perfection and long-term success comes from creating routines that people can maintain.

Outside of training, she enjoys mountain biking, playing volleyball, staying active outdoors and continuing her education in exercise science and human performance. She is passionate about learning and finding new ways to help clients improve their health, fitness and quality of life.

Michelle W is an experienced and adaptable trainer who pays special attention to client needs when planning programs.

In addition to her personal training certification, Michelle also has Pre/Post Natal, Older Adult and Osteofit certificates, and uses her education to train clients of all ages, particularly those interested in healthy aging. Michelle is also a Group Fitness instructor.

Michelle takes a client-centred approach in training and loves watching her client gain confidence and independence when exercising. In her opinion, the best trainer/client relationships include a balance of laughter, focus and solid communication.

Outside of training, Michelle enjoys researching new recipes and restaurants, and planning where her next vacation will take her.

Najib is a client-focused, supportive and adaptable trainer.

His ACE Personal Training certification and Kinesiology degree are applied to his work with clients looking for post-injury rehab, high performance athletes, those with physical disabilities and the general population. He specializes in helping clients with using correct form, building muscle mass (hypertrophy), establishing correct movement patterns and improving overall strength. He speaks Russian and English.

Najib enjoys being a part of his clients’ journey in getting comfortable in the gym and accomplishing their goals. His motto is train with purpose, move with confidence and progress with consistency. He believes a good trainer understands the path needed to get each individual to meet their goals and will progress or regress as necessary.

Outside of training, Najib spends his time working on his own strength, enjoying time with family and friends, watching movies and trying out new places to eat.

Nik is a trainer who is adaptable; whatever your needs are, he will work with you to get you to where you need to be so you are satisfied with your results. He works with all types of clients and enjoys expanding his horizons.

Nik is a CANFITPRO certified personal trainer and also has ISSA certifications as a Run Coach and Nutritionist. He has used his skills and education to help clients with knee strengthening, post-natal exercise, building core strength and improving sport-specific skills for soccer.

Nik’s favourite thing about being a trainer is seeing the satisfaction in his clients, as well as their success, and knowing he has made a positive mark as they move through their fitness journey. He loves being able to help his clients see the positive side of things, whether it be in their current condition or seeing the positive side of the bigger picture in terms of getting his clients to their goals. He always enjoys the journey he goes on with his clients as they pursue their higher self. He believes that anything is possible with consistency, no matter the starting point.  

In his free time, Nik practices what he teaches clients. He is very involved in fitness and is grateful to be able to do things like train for marathons and half marathons, and work towards his powerlifting goals. He has two cats who are his pride and joy, and he loves spending time with them and his girlfriend.

Rachel is adaptable in her approach to find the best method to success for her clients. She enjoys learning about anatomy and movement biomechanics to base her training programs in science. She loves educating clients and making exercise meaningful for them.

Rachel likes working with a diverse group of clients, including older adults who are interested in staying as strong, mobile and independent as they can be, complete beginners who need to be introduced to foundational movements that they can continue to progress for years to come, and those who have accumulated aches and pains from exercise and life in general, who can benefit from corrective exercise to get the back to pain free movement.

Rachel is ACE certified in personal training and corrective exercise application. She is an AIDA Master Freediver and an assistant instructor. She speaks Cantonese and Mandarin as well as English.

She loves to see her clients become a closer version of their ideal self, being more confident in life and getting healthier. She wants her clients to learn as much as they can that is relevant to their lives and be able to train independently and confidently. She believes that empathy, focus and laughter make for the best training sessions.

Outside of the gym, Rachel likes to hike, learn about anatomy and biomechanics, read about philosophy and psychology, watch movies, and participate in and teach aerial acrobatics.

Rosie is a warm, encouraging and knowledgeable trainer who enjoys helping people build strength, move with confidence and stay active doing the things they love. She works with adults of all fitness levels, from beginners to experienced exercisers. She has a particular interest in helping women and men in midlife build strength, improve their health and continue enjoying an active lifestyle.

Her coaching focuses on strength training, functional fitness, mobility and athletic performance. Whether a client’s goal is to build muscle, move better, improve performance or feel stronger in everyday life, she can help.

Rosie believes fitness should support your life, not take it over. Her goal is to help people build strength, move well and create habits that fit their lifestyle for the long term. Experience is not needed to get started—just a willingness to learn. She loves to help her clients achieve goals they once thought were out of reach and seeing their confidence grow along the way.

Outside of coaching, Rosie enjoys playing sports, spending time outdoors, eating and continuing to learn about health and fitness.

Sogol is an experienced, knowledgeable, supportive and results-driven trainer who believes that fitness should be enjoyable, sustainable and tailored to every individual. She welcomes clients of all ages, genders, fitness levels and abilities. Her goal is to help everyone feel confident, supported and successful in their fitness journey.

Sogol has a Masters’ degree in Physical Education and Sports Sciences, as well as being an ACE certified personal trainer. She also has Older Adult certification. She speaks Farsi and Turkish as well as English. Sogol uses her education to work with clients who are looking for functional strength training, weight loss, muscle building, fitness assessments, injury prevention and guidance on exercise technique.

Sogol enjoys helping people become stronger, healthier and more confident. Seeing clients achieve goals they once thought were impossible is the most rewarding part of her job. She believes that exercise should be safe, effective and enjoyable. Building long-term healthy habits, rather than relying on quick fixes, is a focus of her training. She joins each unique client in celebrating their progress one step at a time.

Outside of work, Sogol enjoys hiking, exploring nature, spending time with family and friends, traveling and trying new healthy recipes. She also puts time towards continuing her education and staying up to date with the latest research in health and fitness.

Veronica is an adaptable, empathetic trainer who focuses on sustainable progress. She works with beginner and intermediate clients whose goals include long term health, body composition and a balanced relationship with fitness.

Veronica is currently working on her BA in Psychology and also has a certificate in Applied Disability and Behavioural Analysis on top of her personal training certification. She uses her education to help clients change behaviours and build habits that will result in sustainable wellness. She speaks Spanish and English.

Veronica believes that fitness should be sustainable, realistic and support both physical and mental wellbeing. Progress comes from consistency. She loves helping people rebuild confidence, feel stronger and become consistent in a way that fits their life.

Outside the gym, she likes strength training, studying psychology, listening to music, reading and creative projects.
 

Please allow up to two weeks for paperwork completion, trainer matching, payment and scheduling. Additional time may be needed if medical clearance or other supporting documentation is required.

If you answer yes to one or more questions on the ParQ+ (questions 1-10), included in the Personal Training Client Information Package, you may need a note. For example, you may have a heart condition or arthritis.

Your personal training fee includes the cost of weight room admission during your training session. Outside of personal training sessions, a drop-in or membership fee applies if you wish to use the weight room or attend fitness classes.

You can take up to 3 months to complete your 3 or 5 session package and up to 6 months to complete your 10 session package. Contact us if you need more time due to an injury or illness. 
 

Phone: 604-415-3559
Email: [email protected]

You and your trainer can decide on a schedule that works best for both of you.

The Lifestyles team selects a trainer based on your needs and the trainer's skill set. We also consider location, schedules and other factors.

Learn more about our trainers

All our trainers are certified by and registered with BCRPA, CanFitPro, CFES or another reputable fitness organization. In addition, they have different areas of expertise. This can include older adults, osteofit, pre/postnatal, yoga etc. All our trainers maintain their certification by attending courses, workshops and conferences on an annual basis.

The same fees apply to everyone.

Our services are for the general public. We do not take on clients with active ICBC or WCB claims.

Look for a friend or family member with similar fitness levels and goals, who is available to work out at the same time you are!