Trainers

Joanne – Owner/Trainer

I’ve been in the fitness industry for 20 years, working in various gyms and homes as a Personal Trainer. I spent my late teens to late twenties competing in bodybuilding and fitness competitions. After countless hours of bicep curls and leg extensions, targeting every muscle group, I finally reached a burnout point and traded in the bicep curls for a former love: running, which eventually lead me to triathlons. My cardio-respiratory system was getting conditioned but I realized after being away from weight-lifting that my body started to feel weak and imbalanced. Four years ago I discovered CrossFit and I have never looked back. I was brought to my knees after my first WOD and was hooked. I’ve been exposed to many different training methods over the years and nothing compares to the effectiveness and efficiency of CrossFit. I believed so much in the CrossFit methodologies, I decided to open up CrossFit Kitchener in June 2009 with my husband, Lance.  I feel fortunate to witness the life altering changes I have seen in my members and the strong sense of community we have.  3-2-1-GO!!!

Qualifications

- CrossFit Level 1 Certified  - 2008

- CrossFit Gymnastics Certified – 2010

- Agatsu Barbell Certified – 2010

- Can-Fit-Pro Pre and Post Natal – 2004

- Community Triathlon Coach – National Coaching Certification Program – 2011

Achievements

- Canadian Fitness Championships 2x Silver Medalist (a long time ago)

- Ironman 70.3 World Championships (a few years ago)

- 2x Boston Marathon Finisher PB – 3:13 ( 2008/2009)

- Wipeout Canada Contestant (don’t ask)

- Giving birth to my precious daughters, Kate and Beth (Best achievement of all!)

Lance - Owner/Trainer

Thirteen years ago, I discovered running and immediately developed an obsession that completely steered me away from any strength training whatsoever. Over the years, I’ve competed in over 100 races including 10 marathons with a PB of 2:52 at the 2003 Philadelphia Marathon and 3 Ironman Triathlons with a PB of 10:31 at 2004 Ironman Lake Placid.

About 6 years ago I started noticing that muscle atrophy was setting in and realized that I had to start strength training again. I went back to the regular isolation, bodybuilding type exercises but I didn’t enjoy it, so it never stuck. I started looking for something different and that’s when I discovered CrossFit …I was immediately hooked!

Through CrossFit you will obtain complete all around fitness! I have not found anything else out there that can compare to this style of training.

Qualifications

CrossFit Level 1 – October 2008

Agatsu Kettlebell Level 1 – April 2009

CrossFit Olympic Lifting – August 2009

Agatsu Barbell Certification – April 2010

Community Triathlon Coach – National Coaching Certification Program – Mar 2011

Lars – Trainer

I only wish I found this stuff sooner in life.  As a competitive athlete growing up, I know that CrossFit would have made me that much better.  I used to play hockey, soccer, rugby, wrestled, and did track and field.  Something I’ve learned over the past few years is that it is never too late to start.  I’ve learned a lot from our members, and from my own training since beginning CrossFit in 2007.

To me CrossFit allows people to find their athletic potential and is an ongoing journey towards physical stamina and mental strength.  By following the basic philosophy and principles that CrossFit teaches, one can live a long, healthy and vibrant life.

Qualifications

- CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

- CrossFit Olympic Certified

- Agatsu Barbell Certified

- ACE certified “Peer Fitness Trainer”

Achievements

- 2008 Ontario CrossFit Challenge Champion

- 2008 Canadian “Total” 2^nd place

- 2010  CrossFit Regional qualifier and competitor

- 2010 & 2011 Firepower Team Champion

- 2011 Oktoberfest 5k Clydesdale 2^nd place

- 2011 CrossFit  Regional qualifier and top 15 finisher

Arthur - Trainer

I have always considered myself a healthy individual. However after my college years I discovered that I too was not invincible to the effects of poor lifestyle choices. I sort of turned a blind eye to my diet and well being and shot up to a whopping 205+ pounds!

At that point I decided to make some significant changes. I started with my diet; I became vegetarian (and eventually vegan) and most importantly I quit smoking. There were some immediate improvements to my overall well being, but I knew I needed more.

I joined a local gym and started focusing on improving my physical fitness which was still lacking. After a short while I was offered a position at the gym to teach some of the group classes. I discovered this to be a new found passion. Helping others and truly having a positive impact on their health/wellness is so rewarding.

I truly started ramping up my cardio training. It was common for me to do 5 or 6 spin classes a week and even go for 3 or 4 hour bike sessions on top of that! I found I was naturally gifted at it; however I was not making a lot of gains… I had plateaued.

Then I found CrossFit! A few of us at the gym discovered it together and I have not looked back. To me it is so much about the community it was truly what was missing in my workouts. I eagerly learn and practice as many new skills in the CrossFit realm and it is my pleasure to share whatever knowledge and experience I can on the subject.

Pauly (AKA Paul A) -Trainer

Here’s a little bit about myself. I absolutely love the outdoors, I’ve been riding bikes for as long as I can remember: BMX, road and, my favourite, mountain biking. I also run and love rowing and enter a couple of races every year. I grew up in Portugal so obviously I played soccer and basketball which I actually preferred. Military service was mandatory when I was 18 so I got to serve my time in the Portuguese Air Force.

In 2000 I moved to Canada and it got hard to stay active through the winter, I’ve been in and out of gyms, not being able to find a motivating and challenging option for my outdoor activities until I joined a boot camp in 2007. I loved it and decided to become a trainer myself, but still wanted a more diverse and functional program. In the spring of 2008 I met these guys, now my friends Art and Ken, who introduced me to CrossFit and I never looked back.

This is truly the ultimate fitness performance program for the pro athlete that wants to step it up a notch or the grandparent that wants to play with their grandkids.

Paul T - Trainer

Having come to my passion for fitness only recently, one could say that I am an anomaly.  I very quickly became bored and frustrated with the regular gym mentality (solitary, isolation movements).

With a previous history that could have been described as spotty at best, I could easily have given up on fitness once again.  But it was not a lack of commitment, but rather focus, drive and noticeable results from my many hours at the gym that was missing.  Upon starting this steep climb through insanity that we’re all on I could almost immediately see the improvement in myself, both physically and emotionally.

Crossfit has brought a true and lasting passion into my life, and sharing that with others is one of my greatest pleasures.  Because it’s more than a fitness program, it’s a way of life that makes us all better as people.

Qualifications
- Crossfit Level 1 Certification
- NCCP Olympic Weightlifting Certification
- NCCP Community Level Coach for Athletes with Special Needs Certification

Achievements
- competed at the 2010 Crossfit Regionals

Pat (aka Murf) - Trainer

I grew up playing sports, minor hockey and school team sports.  Competition – I loved it, win, lose or draw.  I had great coaches and teachers that left a good impression.  Those early years moulded me.
At 28 I joined Ron Day’s Kitchener Kicks.  I rose through the ranks and achieved a Black Sash in Kung Fu.  I did the tournament circuit throughout Ontario for many years with great success, and in that time gained a lot of experience teaching and coaching, which was quite rewarding.
While training the KW Kodiaks, a Senior A lacrosse team, I heard about Crossfit through their owner.  I found Crossfit Kitchener just opened a few months earlier.  I knew it was what I was looking for, so I joined and love it.
I wasn’t inspired with my own workouts anymore and Crossfit was it.  I decided to take  my Level 1 Cert, and will continue to take more specialty certs.  I’ve been in four Crossfit competitions and I know there is more to come.  I love coaching and helping people succeed.

Joanne and Lance introduced us to Crossfit in 2008 in their basement.    I recall getting a big fat zero for my tabata push ups and falling over backwards a few times on my air squats.   The functional fitness I have gained since that 1st workout is greater than I ever achieved with any other fitness program.  The camaraderie and sense of community that comes with Crossfit, especially at CF Kitchener, is truly like no other gym experience.   We encourage each other to new heights every day.

Qualifications
- Level 1 CrossFit Certification – Feb 2010
- CrossFit Kids Certification – April 2012
- Community Triathlon Coach – National Coaching Certification Program – Mar 2011
- Registered Massage Therapist – since 1997

Achievements
I have competed in triathlons since 1988 and represented Canada at the World Triathlon Championships – Amateur Level, Vancouver 2008.   Using this experience I have helped many friends train for and complete their first triathlon.

Vicky – Trainer in Training