Personal Training & Small Group Training
Build fitness your way. With guidance from our expert personal trainers, you can do more of what you love both inside and outside the gym. They'll guide you through exercises and routines, help you stay motivated, and work with you to reach your goals, whether you're a beginner or a long-time gym member.
Build Functional Fitness With Personalized Training
Show Up
Your personal trainer will be by your side throughout your fitness journey, helping you work towards your goals and achieve meaningful results. All you have to do is show up and put in the work.
We’ll Take Care of You
Our friendly, certified personal trainers teach you proper form and provide non-judgemental support. They’ll help you stay motivated, accountable and on track.
Feel Better Inside and Outside the Gym
Feel more comfortable, have more energy, get stronger, reduce stress, sleep better, lose weight, build muscle and bone mass — the benefits are endless.
Book a Free 30-Minute Consultation Today
Is Personal Training or Small Group Training right for you? Meet with one of our knowledgeable fitness trainers to explore your options and learn how we can help you achieve your fitness goals.
Reach Your Goals With Personal Training
Personal trainers are private fitness coaches who can help you overcome obstacles to reach your fitness goals. Whether you want to improve your technique or strengthen your physique, YMCA certified trainers can help you get there.
Personal training and Small Group Training can help you:
- Start or return to your fitness journey
- Discover new exercises and how to do them right
- Get help making a workout plan
- Reach specific fitness goals
- Overcome plateaus
- Learn about nutrition
- Get and stay motivated
What’s It Like to Work With a Personal Trainer?
If you’ve never had a private fitness coach before, you may be wondering how it works. Here’s a step-by-step guide of the process, from initial consultation to becoming a regular personal training client.
1. Initial Consultation
Every new client starts with a free consultation, either in person, over the phone, or via Zoom. During this session, we'll discuss your goals, fitness background, lifestyle, and any health considerations. This helps us match you with a trainer based on experience, personality, and availability. If you choose Small Group Training, we'll help you find a program that's right for you. (Read more about Small Group Training below.) Once we've found a match, your trainer will be in touch to schedule your first session!
2. Session Confirmation and Shine On App
Once you and your trainer have been paired, and set a date for your first session, you’ll get an email confirmation through our Shine On app. The Shine On app is a great tool for both you and your trainer. You can get reminders about upcoming sessions, see how many sessions you have left, and access your session credit history. Your trainer can also assign personalized workouts through the app to help you stay consistent between sessions. If you’re taking fitness classes such as Muscle Fit, Gravity, or Aquafit, your trainer can see this and design complementary programs for you.
3. Fitness Assessment
At your first session, your trainer will typically conduct a baseline assessment. Each trainer has their own approach, there isn’t a single standardized assessment, as we recognize that everybody and every goal is different. Trainers may spend about 20 minutes of the session on assessment before moving into the workout, depending on your needs and comfort level.
4. Goal Setting and Program Design
Your trainer works with you to create a personalized plan tailored to your goals — whether you want to improve your strength, mobility, endurance, body composition, or overall health. Each plan includes progressive exercises and lifestyle recommendations, designed around your schedule and preferences.
5. Ongoing Coaching and Support
Trainers provide ongoing guidance and motivation, adjusting the program as you progress. They may incorporate a variety of training styles (strength training, cardio conditioning, mobility work, functional movement, etc.) to keep sessions engaging and effective.
6. Progress Tracking and Results
Your progress will be reviewed regularly through measurements, assessments, and performance tracking. Your trainer will celebrate your achievements with you, adjust your goals as needed, and help you stay consistent as you work towards long-term success.
Small Group Training
Get the individualized attention of a personal trainer and the motivation of working out with others.
We offer a wide range of Small Group Training programs, each designed to help you reach your fitness goals. Groups are limited to three to five members, and each program runs for four weeks, with one 60-minute session per week.
Available Small Group Training programs:
- Women on Weights
- Women on Weights, Advanced
- Active Aging: Strength Training
- Fitness Boxing
- High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
- Cardio and Strength
- Strength, Core, and Balance
- Sweat, Core, and Strength
- Body Flow
- Mobility and Flexibility
- Strength/Functional Training Mixes
Programs vary by centre.
Trainer Session Guarantee
You deserve to feel confident and supported when working with your trainer. If after the first session, you feel that the match isn’t quite the right fit, we offer a free make-up session with a different trainer. This gives you the chance to try another approach and find a trainer who better aligns with your goals, communication style, and preferences. We want every client to have a positive and motivating experience from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during the free initial consultation?
During your free consultation, we'll learn more about where you are on your fitness journey and what you'd like to achieve. We'll discuss how Personal Training can help you reach your goals and whether one-on-one or Small Group Training is a better fit for you. We'll also cover important details like scheduling, timelines, and cost.
There's no hard sell or pressure to commit. We're here to help you decide whether Personal Training or Small Group Training is right for you.
How do you pair me with the right personal trainer?
We have an amazing team of passionate certified fitness trainers and each has their own area of interest and expertise. We’ll pair you with the trainer whose knowledge and experience would best suit your needs.
What can I expect during my personal training sessions?
Because personal training is one-on-one, you can expect a session that is fully tailored to you, no matter your fitness level. We will provide proper education on how to exercise safely, choose the right intensity, progress, and stay motivated. We’ll strive to create an experience that you find challenging and positive.
How do you schedule my personal training sessions?
After the initial consultation, we’ll connect you with a trainer. You and your personal fitness coach can schedule a consistent time that works for you.
What happens if I miss a week of personal training?
Don’t worry, you won’t lose your session! You can make up for it the following week or when you can.
Do you offer financial assistance for personal training or Small Group Training?
No. However, we do offer financial assistance for membership fees. Find details and how to apply on our Financial Assistance page.
What happens if I go on vacation?
Punch pass credits expire within six months. However, if you go on vacation, we can extend the expiration date. If you wish to extend your credits for another reason, you can arrange to do so by speaking with your personal trainer.
Monthly personal training members can temporarily pause their memberships after their first three months.
Personal training membership credits expire 30 days after cancellation.
Small Group Training programs run as scheduled to accommodate all participants. If you'll be away, consider booking a different program. You can cancel your participation up to seven days before the first session.
Did you know your gym is also a charity?
Donations to the Y can:
- Feed children and families in need at our food banks
- Support youth shelters
- Send teens to camp
- Provide financial assistance for families who can't afford Y services like child care
- And more!