Canada’s Top Fitness Trainers 2026 – Prairies

After months of review, debate, and careful consideration, we are proud to unveil Canada’s Top Fitness Trainers, Class of 2026!
Every year, this project reminds us just how extraordinary our industry truly is. From coast to coast, nominees continue to raise the bar, not only in technical excellence, but in leadership, integrity, and community impact. The depth of talent this year was remarkable. In fact, the scores were so exceptionally close they were separated by literally the slimmest of margins, reflecting just how strong and competitive this year’s field truly was.

Because of that razor-thin margin, we will be formally recognizing the finalists at this year’s AWARDS GALA and Canadian Fitness Industry Conference on May 30, 2026 while celebrating the official Canada’s Top Fitness Trainers, and presenting Finalist Honours.

New this year, we will present Achievement Awards and Rising Star Awards, celebrating both established leaders and emerging voices shaping the future of Canadian fitness.

Now in its ninth year, this national recognition program continues to spotlight professionals who exemplify what it means to lead in fitness today. Each year we have invited you—our readers and industry peers—to nominate trainers and instructors who are making a measurable difference. The 2026 nominees delivered inspiring stories of resilience, innovation, education, and service. Their combined experience spans decades, disciplines, and diverse communities, yet they share a common purpose in elevating others and empowering Canadians to live healthier, stronger lives—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Our evaluation process remains thorough and independent. Nominees are assessed on education, certifications, tenure, philanthropy, leadership, and community contribution.

Personal philosophies and written submissions are blind-scored by our expert panel to ensure fairness and integrity. Social media following and popularity metrics are not part of the equation. Substance matters here.

At their best, fitness professionals are mentors, advocates, safe spaces, and catalysts for confidence. They shape culture inside their facilities and far beyond their walls.

To every nominee, finalist, award recipient, and member of this year’s class—thank you for the work you do and the lives you change. We are honoured to celebrate you. The stage is set. Let’s begin.

Denise Beatty | 51

Owner, The Fitness Fix
Calgary, AB
Instagram | Facebook

After experiencing a significant injury and the long, painful road to recovery, Denise Beatty turned her experience into her life’s work
for over 20 years. She now supports people through their own healing journey using an integrated approach that combines applied neurology, core and strength training, targeted cardiovascular work, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to achieve optimal results. “I decided then that I wanted to work with people through their entire process of healing, be an advocate for them, and be a trainer that understood injuries so I could support treatment and not make anything worse. I want people to feel safe, to learn through their injuries, and feel empowered in every class and session.”

People deserve to have a chance to heal, get stronger, have support…so they can keep moving forward.

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Pete Estabrooks | 66

Owner, The Fitness Guy
Calgary, AB
Instagram | Facebook

Since beginning his career in 1984, Pete Estabrooks has been a cornerstone of the Canadian fitness community. After earning a degree in Physical Education from the University of Calgary in 1990 and becoming a certified personal trainer shortly afterwards, he opened his first dedicated training space in 1998. He applies a deep, refined understanding of exercise strategies to a diverse clientele, helping everyone from “great grandpas” maintaining their independence to competitive athletes chasing peak performance. “I became a trainer to study the vital link between movement and success, and how exercise fuels personal enthusiasm for life. I have had the pleasure of sharing the joy of exercise and the magic of movement for over 40 years now.”

The more you do,
the more you can do.

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Curtis Howden | 42

Co-owner, Calgary Movement Studio
Calgary, AB
Instagram | Facebook

For over two decades, Curtis Howden has dedicated his career to empowering individuals to reclaim their physical freedom. His deep commitment to breaking through barriers is informed by his personal journey as an elite performer navigating the challenges of multiple sclerosis. For him, physical freedom is more than a goal; it’s a way of life. His philosophy is rooted in helping each client discover their own potential to live without physical limitations, no matter where they start. “My training philosophy centres on the principle of doing your best on the day. The human body is an extraordinarily adaptive system, and meaningful progress is always possible when we continue to move, engage, and strive.”

By asking, “What can I do today?”
we create forward momentum, prioritize the most impactful actions, and build confidence step by step.

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Ewa Kieras | 65

Trainer at NewMeFitness
Calgary, AB
Instagram | Facebook

Since starting her own fitness journey in 2007 following a recovery from a serious car accident, Ewa Kieras has turned personal adversity into a mission of resilience. After experiencing firsthand the life-changing benefits of movement, she spent seven years as a coach before launching her own studio five years ago, where she leads small-group and online functional workouts. A two-time cancer survivor who never paused her coaching, she exemplifies resilience, inspiring her community to prioritize long-term health.“My life experiences taught me never to stop coaching and inspiring people to become stronger. My goal is to empower everyone to live healthy and happy lives by building sustainable habits that lead to long-term well-being.”

Movement is the foundation for feeling good, both emotionally and physically.

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Ken Kotyk | 4

Strength and Conditioning Coach at Kotyk Athletic Performance
Calgary, AB
Instagram | Facebook

Drawing on his background as an elite Olympic bobsledder, Ken Kotyk translates the high-stakes discipline of international competition into a dedicated career in strength and conditioning. After earning World Cup podiums and a fourth-place finish at the 2006 Winter Olympics, Ken transitioned from the national team to the weight room, bringing with him a deep mastery of explosive power and resilient movement.
Today, through Kotyk Athletic Performance, he applies the mechanics of sprinting and jumping to help clients of all ages build functional strength and lasting confidence. “Years of training taught me that everyone is an athlete; the only thing that changes is the level. My philosophy is rooted in teaching mechanics that are functional and transferable to both sport and everyday life.”

What motivates me most is watching people realize they are capable of more than they thought.

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Mitch Murphy | 41

Owner, 12 Fitness
Calgary, AB
Instagram | Facebook

After deciding to pivot from physiotherapy to personal training, Mitch Murphy transformed his lifelong passion for the gym into a professional mission to help others reach their peak potential. His coaching style is rooted in his “12 Components of Fitness,” a comprehensive framework that bridges the gap between elite athletic performance and sustainable, everyday health. By integrating old-school strength fundamentals like squatting with neurological skills such as agility and coordination, Mitch creates high-performance programs that prioritize functional longevity as much as power and muscle building. “I’ve learned through my own journey as an athlete that health truly is your wealth.”

I want to help people treat their bodies like the most important thing in their lives.

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Jennifer Neil | 46

Personal Trainer at GYMVMT
Calgary, AB
Instagram | Facebook

Drawing on her extensive background as a multi-business owner, educator, and elite athlete, Jennifer Neil translates a lifetime of resilience into a sophisticated, evidence-informed approach to human performance. “I became a trainer because I know what it means to start again, having navigated profound personal loss and my own physical injuries while raising three sons. I’ve made it my mission to help others reclaim their health and confidence through a strategy that respects the emotional and physical dimensions of healing” Her methodology uniquely blends strength and conditioning with therapeutic modalities such as the Graston Technique® to bridge the gap between recovery and peak performance.

Optimal physical, mental, and emotional health
is the foundation for a life fully lived.

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Michelle O’Brien | 44

Owner, O’Brien Fitness
Winnipeg, MB
Instagram

With a career spanning 24 years in the medical health and fitness industry, Michelle O’Brien bridges the gap between clinical rehabilitation and high-performance wellness. After earning her degree in Kinesiology and Applied Health, she spent a decade in a medical fitness setting rehabilitating cardiac patients, a foundation that now informs her evidence-based approach at O’Brien Fitness. Michelle’s methodology looks beyond the gym floor, integrating sleep, nutrition, and mindset to ensure every client achieves a sustainable transformation. “I am passionate about providing evidence-based guidance and cutting through the misinformation in the fitness world. My philosophy is centred around integrity, education, and empowerment by helping my clients make changes in a healthy, predictable, and sustainable way.”

Everyone is capable of achieving incredible things, but we just need the right tools to realize our potential.

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Terese Pratt | 57

Owner, Choice Fitness
Calgary, AB
Instagram |Facebook

Terese Pratt has been a dedicated force in the fitness industry, combining two decades of experience with a deep specialty in women’s health, focusing on helping women navigate the complexities of perimenopause and menopause. Terese’s career was born out of a personal mission to break cycles of lifestyle-related illness following the loss of several family members. “When you understand your ‘why,’ fitness stops feeling like punishment and becomes something you enjoy. Early in my career, I watched a client with Parkinson’s transition from nearly needing a wheelchair to completing a sprint triathlon, and that experience showed me that being a trainer is about changing minds and lives, not just bodies. “

Fitness isn’t just about physical gains—it’s about resilience, confidence, and the power of the human spirit.

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Priyanka Sharma | 33

Yoga Instructor at Yoga with Priyanka
Calgary, AB
Instagram | Facebook

An internationally trained yoga and fitness expert, Priyanka Sharma brings over 15 years of global experience from India, the UAE, and Canada to her coaching practice. She has refined a methodology that bridges the gap between traditional yoga principles and modern functional training, specializing in injury rehabilitation, posture correction, and holistic strength. “I became a personal trainer to empower people to feel at home in their bodies and discover a transformation that goes deeper than physical results. Yoga taught me that fitness is not just about flexibility or strength, but about balance, awareness, and the ability to carry yourself through life with resilience.”

Movement is medicine, and every person deserves
to feel strong and connected to their body.

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Jennelle Thomson | 49

Personal Trainer at Big Sky Fitness
Calgary, AB
Instagram

After suffering a debilitating injury over 20 years ago, Jennelle Thomson decided to become a trainer, driven by a clear mission to prevent others from getting hurt in the gym and to help them build confidence in their bodies’ capabilities. Her practice is dedicated to high-stakes rehabilitation and life-changing milestones—from helping seniors regain floor mobility to preparing high-risk patients for life-saving surgeries.“My mission is to make sure no one ever gets hurt in the gym and to help them become confident in their body’s capabilities and strength so they say yes to the opportunities life brings their way.”

I want to learn, inspire and mentor so this profession becomes more important, respected and necessary to health and wellness.

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Rosanne Woods | 59

Instructor at Bow Valley College; Trainer at MNP Community & Sport Centre
Calgary, AB
Instagram | Facebook

WWith more than 25 years of experience in the health and wellness industry, Dr. Rosanne Woods provides a rare bridge between academic rigour and practical, compassionate coaching. Known for an evidence-informed approach, Rosanne specializes in helping individuals navigate the aging process with strength and resilience, mentoring dozens of students each year while maintaining a dedicated practice focused on sustainable wellness. “I’ve always believed that movement is one of the most powerful tools we have to change our lives. Early in my career, I saw how strength training could restore confidence, reduce pain, and give people back parts of their lives they thought were gone.”

Fitness is not an obligation, it is an opportunity to honour
the body and strengthen the foundation for a long,
vibrant life.

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More 2026 Features
Canada’s Top Fitness Trainers – British Columbia
Canada’s Top Fitness Trainers – East Coast
Meet the 2026 Panelists