In order to reach the top 30 in our competition, each trainer was scored on a variety of criteria including formal education, certifications, years of experience, fitness philosophy and community service. A panel of fitness professionals plus the IMPACT team scored each trainer, without knowing their names or any identifying characteristics.
2020 Panel Judges
Emily Johnson
Founder and Creative Director – StrongerU Senior Fitness
Emily Johnson fell in love with senior fitness while obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Human Kinetics, majoring in movement science. As a fitness instructor, Johnson saw a need in senior fitness for quality, effective, safe fitness offerings and StrongerU Senior Fitness was born. She is passionate about doing for senior group fitness what Les Mills and Zumba did for general group fitness. Johnson has extensive training and education experience in the senior living and recreation sectors. She has trained over 250 senior fitness instructors and supports nearly 50 senior living recreation departments across Canada. Johnson is offering all 30 Top Trainers complimentary access to the StrongerU Senior Fitness online instructor certification course – a $250 value.
Helen Vanderburg
Founder and co-owner of The Academy Calgary and author of Fusion Workouts
Helen Vanderburg is the one of the most celebrated fitness personalities in the global fitness community today. She is a former world champion synchronized swimmer and has turned her love of athletics and fitness into a stellar career. Vanderburg has been recognized numerous times as Canada’s top fitness educator by CanFitPro, the largest Canadian fitness association and is the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. She is passionate about fitness, health and wellness and has been recognized as one of Canada’s most influential people. She is recipient of many awards including the Women of Vision award and is an honored member of the Sports Hall of Fame.
Louis J. Stack
Founder and President of Fitter International Inc.
Louis J. Stack is a former national level athlete and the founder and president of the award-winning Fitter International Inc., a multimillion dollar company. Founded in 1985, Fitter is recognized worldwide for supplying premium professional and personal products that help people recover from and prevent injury, maintain balance and fitness and keep moving at work. Throughout his 30-plus years’ experience as a business owner, athlete and father, he has built a foundation of integrity and quality in everything he does. Along his journey, Stack has been an advocate and industry expert, often leading the way in the physical rehabilitation world and setting precedents in the way we approach our office environment.
Scott Wildeman
President of the Fitness Industry Council of Canada and Senior VP of Fitness and Operations for International Fitness Holdings
In addition to heading up the Fitness Industry Council of Canada, Wildeman is also the Senior VP of Fitness and Operations for International Fitness Holdings, which operates 24 clubs under the World Health, Spa Lady, and Bankers Hall Club brands. Wildeman has been active in the fitness industry for 21 years, serving as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor and in various management and leadership positions. In 2015, he was named one of the best cycle instructors in Calgary. His company has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and is recognized as one of the Achievers Top 50 Most Engaged Workplaces in North America.
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