Canada’s Top Fitness Instructors 2025 – East

For 40 years Rosalie Brown has been teaching, motivating and mentoring thousands in the fitness industry. One of Canada’s most influential trainers, her quest is to make fitness fun, exciting and affordable for both experienced and novice fitness enthusiasts alike, no matter what age. “It is very rewarding seeing participants in their 80’s get stronger and feel more confident week by week. Watching them become more able to do tasks like getting up off
a chair with less struggle due to stronger legs, motivates me to encourage people of all ages to be proactive with exercise participation. I became an instructor because I want people to feel their best so they can do their best— physically, mentally and spiritually.”

When you move you feel your best and this leads to doing your best!

Heather Gardner believes that fitness should be accessible to everyone. She blends her group fitness instruction with her love of running and cycling to foster an inclusive, active, healthy community. “Movement has always been a source of joy for me. Whether I’m guiding someone through their first steps as a runner, motivating them to push higher watts on a training ride, or helping them connect to their body’s flow and grace in yoga, the most rewarding part of my career is supporting clients on their journey and seeing their love for movement grow.”

My goal in fitness
has always been to build community and foster connection.

When Lisa Greenbaum was teaching group fitness 20 years ago, she thought her life was fulfilled. Then she discovered yoga and “found her heart.” Now she works with clients using yoga to ease chronic pain, develop a deeper connection to oneself and to improve mental wellbeing. “Every time I step in front of people to share this powerful practice, I hold this all in my heart. The opportunity to help someone come back to their heart and feel connected to themselves in the same way yoga has helped me time and time again—that is the gift right there.”

Yoga finds you
when you need it most.

Lori Kauppinen values the benefit to the community of the non-profit fitness industry having trained and worked as a group fitness coordinator at the YMCA. “Community fitness centres can be the heart of a neighbourhood, providing a hub for social engagement and connection by promoting exercise and health and providing safe, accessible programs for youth. I have found the work I do at non-profit gyms to be most fulfilling, whether it is certifying volunteers to become fitness instructors, or building and introducing much-needed impactful disease-prevention programs.”

Participants in my seniors class truly feed my soul and give me so much love back every time we meet.

Natalie Lehto is always up for a challenge. Whether it is teaching Pilates or running a marathon, she loves to discover and challenge the potentials of her body, mind, and spirit. This she passes on to her clients in a supportive, comfortable and inclusive way. “I emphasize the importance of modifications, ensuring that every person can participate in a way that feels right for them. I’m passionate about helping people create a sustainable approach to wellness—one that prioritizes progress, self-discovery, and the joy of movement over perfection or comparison.”

Creating an inclusive, non-competitive, and welcoming atmosphere is at the heart of what I do.

With a background in bodybuilding, nutrition and over 20 years in the fitness industry Paul Nam transforms people’s lives with his knowledge of physiology, what it can do and the limits it can go to. “I use the KIS principle for training and nutrition. The KIS principle stands for Keep It Simple. When you do this, results happen. I teach my clients how to isolate their muscles properly. This results in less injuries and a stronger mind to muscle connection which creates more body awareness. If I can transform people’s lives I call that a win-win situation. Seeing people become physically and mentally stronger makes me happy.”

Helping people reach their goals makes me happy and it creates good karma.

Sandy Osler specializes in working with those new to fitness as she understands the challenges they face taking those first steps. “It’s about building confidence from the ground up, starting with small, achievable goals that lay the foundation for bigger successes.
As trust and skills grow, so does the belief that they can take on—and excel at—events they once considered beyond their reach.” But she works with all abilities and believes in building a strong sense of community. “My goal is to show every individual that they are capable
of achieving more than they ever thought possible.”

We prove time and time again that we are stronger together—and that no goal is ever out of reach.

Rory Pederzolli attributes his job as a flight attendant to his success as a fitness instructor. He has taken classes worldwide, learning from other instructors, while using his customer service skills to make his classes rewarding and successful. “There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone leave a class smiling, more confident, and proud of what they’ve accomplished. Knowing that I inspired and uplifted others through what I do keeps me helping people push not only their limits and discover their strength, but keeps me challenging myself to keep going every day.”

The process of
challenging people, both physically and mentally, is what drives me.

With over 25 years experience in the fitness industry Erin Phelan’s expertise spans functional training, strength for all ages, and life-balance coaching, with a focus on evidence-based strategies that deliver results. “Movement is medicine and every little dose matters. It is the greatest preventative medicine we have at our disposal—from exercise snacks (five-minute breaks I have created and share in my community and on social media) to hour-long workouts and training for big events like half-marathons—I believe in not only motivating and inspiring people to move, but sharing the supporting research about why they should move.”

If I can help one person—or 1,000—be inspired I am living my purpose.

In addition to running a thriving business and teaching group exercise to numerous groups from new moms with babies, older athletes, competitive teams, beginners, advanced bootcamp, and youth classes, Jennifer Sawyer is active in the community supporting multiple causes and charities. “Group fitness has always been a passion of mine. I thrive on building community and excel at making connections while helping others to achieve their goals. Fitness is community and strength and collaboration. Fitness is supporting someone on a terribly dark day and sharing with them some movement to loud music where they can exercise without speaking but still feel part of a group.”

Fitness is something
we all need.

Mindful Muscle Movement is the core principle of Stiva Sinanan’s teaching. He has taught in
a variety of settings from small studios to large fitness retreats with the “triple M” the basis of his instruction. “Helping people learn to feel how their bodies work as they are moving them in real time is paramount. It leads to results but also allows them to find a mindfulness practice in body movement practices. The practice of mindfulness can often seem obscure and out of reach but my triple M approach to fitness allows for something more attainable.”

Helping people learn how to connect with their bodies is a privilege and an honour.

Jessie Thomas believes in the healing benefits of nature, which is why her fitness studio is on a farm. She is known for her core values of caring, respect and positivity and her empathy for those going through mental and physical health issues, because she has had similar experiences. “It helps me have compassion and caring for those I teach remembering that they are on a journey just like I am,” she says. She has three tips to pass on: “Fitness and movement is a blessing, not a curse. Listen to your body; our body knows all and will never
let you down. Fitness is never about a size or a look.”

We never judge someone’s level of fitness because
of how much they weigh or how they look.