I am a seasoned personal trainer with over 17 years of experience, during which I have conducted more than 23,000 personal training sessions. My clientele spans a diverse range of individuals, including professional golfers, competitive athletes, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and other busy professionals.
Throughout my career, I have encountered various challenges and triumphs, assisting clients in overcoming obstacles such as coma, paralysis, recovery from injuries, heart transplants, and spinal injuries. I have adeptly guided clients through the process of relearning movement patterns, gaining strength, and rebuilding confidence as well as helping clients achieve more traditional fitness goals, such as improving strength, fitness levels, athletic performance, and overall quality of life.
As a powerlifting coach, I have coached multiple athletes to several Canadian National titles and numerous Canadian records, including a World record.
Training Philosophy:
Driven by my personal experiences of 28 years of lifting, and a desire to empower others, I love to help individuals reap the benefits of enhanced strength and fitness in both their personal lives and athletic endeavors. I tailor every program based on each client's goals, with a strong focus on increasing strength and mobility.
Qualifications:
- Exercise Therapy Association, Level 2
- Agatsu Kettlebell Coach, Level 2
- TWIST Sport Conditioning Coach, Level 2
- National Coaching Program Weightlifting Coach Technical
- Personal Training Specialist
- Active Aging Specialist
- Muscle Activation Techniques Jumpstart
I'm currently training for...
My own focus is always centered on strength, with a current emphasis on increasing mobility and athleticism.
My most proud training or athletic accomplishment is...
Former 5 time Canadian Powerlifting Federation National Champion, 30 lifetime Canadian powerlifting records.
Client Testimonials
"I highly recommend training with Michael. I chose Michael because of his competitive powerlifting background - I wanted to learn how to do compound movements safely, and his experience was outstanding. I've been training with Michael for over a year, and it's been excellent. From technical advice about the weightlifting movements, to how to approach workouts, goal setting, dealing with setbacks, how to eat - I'm very comfortable that I'm getting top notch support across all things fitness. Michael's been very helpful in terms of dealing with my schedule and keeping me progressing when work makes it difficult, and motivating me when I can't keep the consistency the way I would like to. I'm still getting stronger every week, and have goals for myself I don't think I'd be setting if I wasn't working with Michael." - Patrick Leitch
"At 37, I started experiencing knee pain, a reminder of the advancing years, or so I thought. The 30s hadn't been kind to me, with back pain and other discomforts stemming from a high-stress, desk-bound job. It was a wake-up call—I needed to take action to prevent any serious injuries that could further complicate my life. That's when I decided to invest in professional guidance, and Michael came into the picture. For over five years, Michael has been my personal trainer, starting with in-person sessions at the gym before transitioning to in-person and Zoom workouts from my home gym, offering the schedule flexibility I desperately needed. When I began this journey, my back and knees were weak points, and overall, I wasn't in great shape. Fast forward to today, and I'm in the best physical condition of my life. My knee and back issues are a thing of the past, and I've achieved a level of strength I never thought possible. Impressively, I can now deadlift over 300 lbs—a feat beyond my initial expectations. My regimen with Michael? A dedicated 2 to 3 times per week." - Mike Geller
"I’ve started training with Michael at the onset of the pandemic, when WFH and a sedentary lifestyle has lead to weight gain, a general sense of malaise and exacerbated my chronic back pain caused by scoliosis. I found that Michael patiently listens to your concerns, considers your goals, and offers a methodical and conscientious approach to training. Training with Michael has not only improved my back issues and overall mental health; thanks to him, I’m the strongest I think I’ve ever been, and I can carry my 8 and 10 year-olds with little effort. As silly as it may sound, as a mom, there’s no better reward than being able to hold my growing babies a little longer." - Carmela M.