Please note Reading Break hours for facilities and programs Nov. 12-13. See all hours at vikesrec.ca/hours.
Zahra is currently pursuing a Master of Sport Coaching at the University of Victoria (UVic) and holds a Bachelor's degree in Sport Science.
She moved to Canada last year to pursue her education and sports . As a professional athlete, she has represented Iran at the highest levels, she has world rankings in duathlon and securing third place in the Asian Cup in both 2020 and 2022 (https://triathlon.org/athletes/profile/143323/zahra_reisi_ardali).
She has also completed several marathons and ultra-marathons. With over five years of experience as a personal trainer, Zahra excels in guiding clients towards their fitness goals, leading group fitness and aerobic classes with dynamic and effective training methods. Combining her academic background, professional experience, and personal achievements, she is passionate about helping people boost their energy, improve their health, and enhance their overall lifestyle.
As a professional athlete and personal trainer, I am dedicated to helping you unlock your full potential. Together, we will overcome challenges, celebrate victories, and turn your goals into reality. Believe in yourself, stay committed, and let’s achieve greatness one step at a time. Your success is my mission! Everything is possible if you work on it."
Ron Cain graduated from UVIC with a Degree in Human Performance and worked in the fitness industry for years, training and certifying instructors and working with elite athletes from several sports. Ron trained in the martial arts for 15 years and has written many articles on fitness topics. For the last few years Ron has focused on working with clients that have medical issues ranging from hip replacements to back and shoulder issues. Ron has worked in many gyms over the last 40 years and enjoys working with a wide range of ages.
Ron is a strong believer in moderation in training, working efficiently with your time, and in developing a balance between moderate conditioning and clean eating with time for recreation and recovery. With an emphasis on functional training instead of machines and adapting movements to accommodate individual issues, Ron teaches clients patience and perseverance for long term health versus short -term goals.
Bachelor Degree in Human Performance, UVIC,1986
Registered Fitness Appraiser
Certified Coach
CanFitPro CErtified Trainer
Red Cross First Aid and CPR
Brendan Graduated at the University of Victoria with his Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology and is now a practicing Kinesiologist and CSEP-Certified personal trainer in Victoria. Throughout his life Brendan has played many sports competitively including hockey, basketball, soccer, rugby and golf. Brendan’s passion for fitness is easily seen as he enjoys finding better ways to tailor a training program dependant on individual needs, have that be sport specific or for personal health.
Currently Brendan is an active Kinesiologist in Victoria.
Training should never feel like a chore but instead a time to work on personal growth both physically and mentally. Everyone is different, which means that finding a way to make training fun and specific is always a goal of mine. By including a science-based evidence approach I can help to make new progress while also understanding how this is affecting our bodies.
Monica is currently full and unable to take on any new clients.
Monica has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and works full time in a protein chemistry lab. She has been involved in the fitness industry for the past ten years and enjoys personal training because she loves watching people reach their goals and physically accomplish things that they never thought possible. Training with Monica is like having your own cheerleader, she will motivate you through every single exercise! Monica strives to deliver the safest and most efficient workout with her clients. She stays up to date with her fitness knowledge and training techniques by taking courses and regularly attending fitness conferences, including an annual trip to the World Fitness Conference.
Being active changes your life and it is never too late to start. Exercise improves your immune system keeping you from getting sick and it also releases endorphins so that you always feel really good afterwards.
"When you feel good about yourself, you can do anything!"
Since a young age, Joshua's biggest passions in life have always been people, fitness, and holistic wellbeing. As a multi-sport athlete, Joshua has dedicated the vast majority of his life to diverse physical pursuits. He has boxed for 11 years, participating in three competitive fights and winning two of them. Additionally, he played varsity rugby and wrestled for three years in his hometown of Westfield, Indiana, USA. His love for rock climbing spans seven years, both indoors and outdoors, during which he competed in three open bouldering competitions in Victoria, BC, Canada. Joshua holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Environmental Studies and dreams of becoming a Registered Clinical Counselor. This aspiration provides a necessary set of perspectives and passion for his fitness and personal training career. Joshua firmly believes that our physical wellbeing relies on our psychological wellbeing and how we relate with the place and space that surrounds us (and vice versa). He emphasizes the importance of and the choice that we all have in taking care of our bodies, discovering and maintaining internal motivation, focusing our attention wisely, as well as creating strong, adaptive, and diligent routines to forge a healthy being and future. Joshua models these principles for others and enthusiastically helps his clients discover and maintain them, enabling them to live fitter, leaner, and holistically healthier lifestyles. Joshua’s training programs are designed to be both effective and goal-oriented, delivering the results you seek whether you are looking to upgrade your performance, improve strength and endurance, or simply maintain a healthy lifestyle or learn how to find your way in the gym!
"Healthy Body, Healthy Mind!"
At the core of Joshua’s training philosophy lies the belief that a healthy body is inseparable from a healthy mind. Joshua adheres to the principle that physical fitness is not just about achieving aesthetic goals; it's about cultivating care and understanding, mental resilience, emotional balance, and overall wellbeing. In Joshua’s training programs, he emphasizes a holistic approach that addresses both physical and mental aspects of fitness. Joshua designs workouts that challenge the body while promoting mental clarity and focus. By offering and integrating activities such as yoga, meditation, and/or breathwork alongside traditional strength and conditioning exercises, Joshua aims to foster a sense of balance and clarity within his clients. Joshua believes that movement is not just a means to an end but a source of empowerment and self-expression. Whether it's lifting weights, practicing martial arts, or explosive agile movements, Joshua encourages his clients to find joy and fulfillment in physical activity. By reconnecting with their bodies and embracing their innate capabilities, they can tap into a reservoir of strength and resilience that extends far beyond the gym walls. Joshua’s primary goal is to instill in his clients a lifelong commitment to their health and wellbeing. By equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to sustain healthy habits, he aims to empower them to take ownership of their fitness journey. Whether they're striving for peak performance in sports, overcoming injury, or simply seeking to improve their quality of life, Joshua supports them every step of the way.
• Canadian Red Cross - Standard First Aid, CPR-C, and AED.
• International Sports Sciences Association - Certified Personal Trainer.
• International Sports Sciences Association - Certified Kickboxing Instructor.
• International Sports Sciences Association - Nutritionist Certification.
• University of Victoria - B.A. Psychology and Environmental Studies.
Mark is currently full and unable to take on any new clients.
Mark is a first year graduate student at the University of Victoria who recently moved from Ontario and is new to British Columbia. Growing up Mark always enjoyed being active, exercising and competed in multiple sports. Now he continues to stay active through playing sports, working out and exploring the island. He has been working as a strength and conditioning coach for the past few years. Mark has worked with clients from all ages and skill levels comprising nearly every sport including professional athletes.
What is your passion! I believe that exercise is individualized and finding out what really motivates a person is the key to finding out how to pursue training.
Willow graduated from Camosun College with a Bachelor of Sport and Fitness Leadership (Kinesiology) and diploma in Health and Wellness in 2020. She is a CSEP-CPT Certified Personal Trainer and has been training clients for over 5 years. She has played sports throughout her life, specifically volleyball for 6+ years.
Willow will be your cheerleader throughout training and will provide you with a program tailored to you centred around your current fitness levels and goals. She approaches her clients with calm, understanding and positive nature.
Quality over quantity, always - I believe it is important to understand the movements done during your sessions, which will not only make you feel stronger but also help you become more confident during training, prevent injuries and beyond. Moving your body is a beautiful form of self love for yourself & I cannot wait to help you learn and enjoy this journey. Training should be fun and enjoyable and I cannot wait to cheer you on and celebrate all of the wins you'll make pursuing your health and fitness goals!
Kieran is in his final year of his Bachelors of Kinesiology at UVic with a special focus in research and athletic performance. Growing up, Kieran played many sports including rugby and Aussie rules football, but 8 years ago, his passion for fitness was really sparked in the weight room, because of how accessible it could be to people like himself with different ability levels or confidence. Now Kieran also volunteers as an assistant strength and conditioning coach to several Vikes teams, and in his spare time, Kieran is beginning an exciting new journey in competitive Olympic Weightlifting.
My goal in fitness education, whether it’s research, coaching, or training, is to encourage people to become the best version of themselves that they can. Of course, this will look different for everyone, whether your goals are health, confidence, or performance. But it’s my passion to provide you with whatever tools and knowledge that you need to not only reach those goals, but help you to continually improve into the future!
Trainer bio will be coming shortly.
Harrison's journey in the world of sports and fitness has not only equipped him with valuable knowledge but has also instilled in him a deep sense of discipline and determination. His experiences as a basketball coach and personal trainer have allowed him to work with clients from various walks of life, each with their unique fitness aspirations and challenges.
What truly sets Harrison apart is his unwavering confidence in his ability to guide individuals towards achieving their fitness goals, regardless of the scale or complexity. Whether it's helping someone shed a few pounds, build lean muscle, or even preparing them for a competitive event, Harrison approaches each client's journey with the same level of dedication and enthusiasm.
With Harrison as your personal trainer, you can expect not only a tailored fitness regimen but also a supportive partner who will motivate you to push your boundaries and achieve the healthier, fitter lifestyle you desire. His passion for transforming lives through fitness shines through in every session, making him a valuable asset on your path to wellness.
Achieving fitness goals and staying active should be a source of genuine enjoyment for everyone. The key lies in discovering a fitness regimen that resonates with your personal preferences, and this can vary greatly from person to person. My primary objective with each client is to identify a training approach that aligns seamlessly with their interests and lifestyle. Once this perfect fit is established, exercise transforms from a chore into something you eagerly look forward to. From that point onward, the possibilities for achieving your fitness goals become boundless and effortless.
National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer
CPR/AED certified
Focused on soccer for almost a decade, Ali developed a robust understanding of sport performance training. Transitioning from soccer, he delved into weightlifting, cultivating a deep understanding of strength training. Today, Ali’s fitness pursuits encompass a wide range of activities including weightlifting, running, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), offering him a broad range of expertise to draw upon.
This eclectic mix of disciplines has provided Ali with a wealth of experience and knowledge, allowing him to tailor training programs to suit a wide variety of individuals. Whether you're an athlete aiming to enhance performance, a fitness enthusiast seeking to improve strength and endurance, or someone simply looking to lead a healthier lifestyle, Ali is equipped to guide you on your own journey to succeed.
Ali believes that training should be a holistic experience, fostering physical and mental growth. Drawing from his extensive background in athletics and diverse training experiences, he employs an individualized approach that combines evidence-based practices with personalized attention. With a genuine passion for helping others unlock their full potential, Ali is committed to guiding clients towards sustainable lifestyle changes. Either you are just starting your journey or facing tough times in the middle of it, Ali will be there providing the guidance and support you need to develop and unlock new levels on your journey.
Jordan is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology. Fueled by a profound enthusiasm for fitness and well-being, he leverages his academic background to gain insights into the intricate mechanisms at play in our daily lives. Having a strong foundation in sports from an early age, Jordan is passionate about exploring diverse aspects of physical fitness, ranging from hypertrophy and bodybuilding to endurance challenges like triathlons. His training programs are designed to be both effective and goal-oriented, delivering the results you seek.
In the pursuit of health and fitness, my primary aim is to make the journey enjoyable and accessible. Healthy and functional bodies aren't the ultimate destination, but valuable tools that enhance our overall quality of life. Recognizing that there's no universal formula for success, I believe in tailor-made approaches. Together, we will work together and empower you to become the best possible version of yourself.