You are here: Home Gym Staff

Staff

 

John Daminato
John Daminato
My name is John Daminato. I am the owner and visionary leader of the Lethbridge Fitness Club. I have been directly involved with health clubs since 1987. My passion for the fitness industry inspired me to make it into my career objective and in 1998, I purchased the Lethbridge Fitness Club. Since then, I had a vision for a now wonderful facility where members could have a place they can call "home". A place where "everyone knows your name" and dreams became reality. The "birth" of the "new" Lethbridge Fitness Club in 2003 was an accumulated effort of 4 years of blood, sweat and tears. I am extremely proud of our new facility and my hope is that each and every member finds a place of trust, compassion and success.
Shauna Schimd
Shauna Schimd
I have been working at The Lethbridge Fitness Club for the past three years where I started as a membership coordinator and I recently have been promoted to sales manager. Previous to that I received my bachelor of management degree with a major in marketing from the University of Lethbridge. I am originally from Myrnam, Alberta, "Go Barons"!! I was involved in Ukrainian dancing, volleyball, track & field, softball and the 4-H club. I thoroughly enjoy living in Warner and being the latest addition to the Schmid family after marrying their son Shane.
 
 
Sherry HazelaarSherry Hazelaar
As Fitness Director, Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor, Sherry strives to help others achieve their health and fitness goals. Sherry holds a Bachelor of Science Degree specializing in Kinesiology and is certified through AFLCA and CSEP. Sherry is a certified STOTT PILATES® instructor teaching matwork classes and providing one on one training on the Reformer, the key piece of pilates equipment. She is also an AGATSU Certified Kettlebell Instructor. Sherry offers effective workouts through a variety of different training methods to help you increase functional strength and agility, increase energy and stamina, increase muscle mass, sleep better, improve core strength, improve posture, decrease stress, loose weight and enhance sport performance.

Ken Balaz

 

Paul Carman
 Paul is a recent graduate from the University of Lethbridge where he achieved his Bachelor of Science degree majoring in kinesiology and getting his personal training certification through CSEP.  Physical activity has been a large part of Paul’s life, playing both baseball and soccer at the collegiate level. With over six years of serious weight training, Paul has recently become an accomplished athlete in the sport of Natural Bodybuilding receiving high placements with the INBF and the IDFA. Paul believes in numerous different types of training to adhere to every body type or preferred results. Whether your goal is to cut fat, sculpt and tone, build size or strength, increase flexibility, or train for a specific sporting event or fitness competition, Paul believes that as long as you can stay motivated and committed you can achieve your goals.

 

 

Karen Hall
Hi! My name is Karen; I started my yoga practice in 1996 and have not looked back since. I’m a Certified Yoga Instructor; I began teaching yoga in 1999 at Yogawareness mentoring under Lana Ackerman. I have taken workshops and have been influenced by Bryan Kest, John Friend, Shiva Rea, Eoin Finn, Susi Hately-Aldous and Kathy Nash. Besides teaching yoga here at the Fitness Club, I teach in the communities of Coaldale and Picture Butte at their local community centers. I am a Reiki practitioner and I also have a Thai Yoga massage certificate. I am excited to be teaching classes here at the Fitness Club I hope to see many you in my classes in the future. Namaste!
 
Cindy Scott
My name is Cindy Scott and I have been teaching fitness classes for 13 years! I began teaching at the YWCA here in Lethbridge and moved on to other local clubs as well. I moved away for 5 years and lived in Montreal and the States but continued to teach no matter where I happened to be! I am happy to be back in Alberta and to be part of the team here at the Lethbridge Fitness Club. I hope to see you at one of my classes soon!

Mandy Sauer

Mandy is a part-time instructor who enjoys a balance of teaching pilates, yoga, and a variety of group exercise classes. She is passionate about fitness and loves to share that with everyone she meets. She has been teaching for 7 years and currently holds multiple certifications in Pilates (both Matwork and Reformer), 200hr Yoga Instructor, and Group X (everything from cycling, step, resistance, and old school aerobics). She loves to keep moving and helping others to do it and do it well.
 

Allison Vucurevich

I have been a member of the Fitness Club since 1992 and instructing classes for close to 15 years. Being physically active has always been important to me. I believe that the key to a healthy mind and body is variety as well as challenging yourself in everything you do. I enjoy leading cardio, cycle and Yoga classes as well I am a marathon runner, tri-athlete, wife and mother of two very active boys. The best part about instructing at the Fitness Club is the members I have met through the years. I would love to see you at one of my classes!
 

Belinda Tomiyama

Belinda has worked in the fitness industry for over 20 years.  She is a 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher as well as a certified Fusion Instructor.  Belinda believes in a class structure that supports all students from beginner to advanced.

 

Danni McKenzie-Bechdholt

I have been teaching scuba diving and fitness classes for almost 20 years. This interesting combination has created an exciting journey which took me to the Bahamas for 10 years where I lived everyone's fantasy of teaching aquafit on the beach and being an instructor to the stars. I can't imagine not going to the gym and love the people that come to my classes as I draw on their enthusiasm to keep myself 'pumped'. I enjoy teaching the wide variety of classes we have at the Fitness Club and look forward to trying new things to pass on to my participants. I love to be active so I spend my spare time with my husband and 3 kids doing activities like scuba, cycling, swimming and skating. I look forward to seeing you in my class soon!
 

Amanda Roemer

On my path to find inner peace and a healthier more balanced body, I realized that Yoga was the perfect compliment to my lifestyle. After injuries from a car accident in 2000, including a fractured vertebra, Yoga became a therapeutic compliment to running, rollerblading, resistance training, and playing hockey.

Once finishing my Kinesiology degree in 2005, I started my career in the fitness industry. I began working as a personal trainer and teaching a mixed style Yoga class which incorporated TaiChi and Pilates. As my love for Yoga grew, I took my Yoga Instructor Advanced Studies Certification through Gaiatri Yoga. I have come to love the hybrid style of Ashtanga and Hatha Yoga or what many call ‘Power Yoga’.
 

 

Kendra Dekens

 

Hi! My name is Kendra Dekens and I first joined the Lethbridge Fitness Club in 1997. In February 2010 I obtained my AFLCA group exercise designation and started teaching cycling classes at the Fitness Club in May. It was my enthusiasm and passion for fitness that inspired me to become an instructor. I have my Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Lethbridge and practice as a Registered Nurse working with the Building Healthy Lifestyles program. My career as a RN, and my journey as a fitness instructor every day remind me of the importance of keeping a healthy body and mind. I have always been active in sports, from cross-country running, fastball and University track and field. I am an avid runner and belong to the Runners Soul Marathon Club. I am excited to be a part of the Fitness Club team and hope to meet you in my class one day!

 Naphtali Willms

My name is Naphtali Willms and I am privileged to be a part of the Lethbridge Fitness Club team. I have been a Lethbridge Fitness Club member in both the old and new facilities! I have a Bachelor of Nursing degree from the Universityof Lethbridgeand am employed at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre as a Registered Nurse. In the spring of 2010, I obtained my AFLCA certification in Group Exercise Leadership and have since been instructing group fitness cycling, bootcamp and strength training classes. I am passionate about an active, healthy lifestyle! I personally enjoy exercising and have noticed the benefits in my life both physically and psychologically.  In my group fitness classes I strive to positively motivate, encourage and challenge participants while providing freedom and flexibility to achieve their personal fitness goals. Hope to see you soon! 

Audy Leavitt 

Audy Leavitt certified as a Fitness Instructor Specialist as soon as she was old enough, at the age of 18. Since then she has become a Personal Trainer Specialist and Zumba Instructor, with additional trainings in TRX, Pilates Coach, and Bender Ball Methods. Audy's passion for fitness is what inspires her each day to share her expertise with those around her. From advanced step and dance choreography to hardcore bootcamps and invigorating resistance classes, Audy is thrilled to instruct any class that needs an instructor. And her favorite form of exercise? Chasing after two busy little boys, alongside her husband! 

 

Ada Gook

Ada joined the fitness industry, along with her sisters, in 2005.  As a certified CanFitPro Fitness Instructor Specialist, she has gained experience teaching many different formats including strength classes, bootcamp, pilates, yoga, cycle, step and floor aerobics.  She is passionate about fitness and loves to promote exercise as part of healthy living.  Ada graduated from the University of Alberta in 2000 and works part time as a dental hygienist.  She and her husband are proud parents of four beautiful children, who make life busy and happy!

Michael Bartz

Michael is an avid cyclist.  You will see him on two wheels in any weather.  As an AFLCA certified cycle instructor, Michael loves pedaling others to wellness.  He is known for incorporating creative games into his classes.  Michael is currently working towards his CSEP (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology) Certified Personal Trainer certification through the Lethbridge College Exercise Science program. 

Fun Fact: Over the summer Michael taught himself to ride a unicycle.  He plans to incorporate it into his cycle class one day.  It will be amazing, so he suggests coming to every one of his classes to be sure you see it :)

 

 Lethbridge Fitness Club - Staff

 

Are You A Fan?