Group Fitness Instructors

My name is Cheraine Penner I became a Best Western Fitness member in 2007 and by 2009 I was a qualified group fitness instructor for the gym. I have never had to go to any other gym because the BW offers me everything I need!! I enjoy teaching high energy classes and challenging my participants and I love challenging myself in the weight room. Feeling strong helps me enjoy outdoor activities with my husband and three children.

Cheryl has been in the fitness industry for over thirty years. She is a certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor. Throughout this time she has managed a Nutrition store and completed her Lifestyle and Weight Management Certification.

In her capacity as a weight management specialist, she completes body compositions which gives clients their fat, bone, muscle and water percentage. She counsels clients to make better choices and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Claire has a degree in Kinesiology as well as a Masters in Public Health.  She has a passion for physical activity, and has always made it a priority to move.  Some of her favourite sports are soccer, hockey, volleyball and tennis.  When it comes to workouts, she loves a good mix of cardio and strength training, and is happiest when being challenged. She’s excited to join our team, and is looking forward to moving with you!

Cristal has 10 years experience working one on one helping people reach weight loss goals.
Providing heart healthy exercising programs is done on an individual basis as no two hearts are the same. Cristal is is a certified Personal Trainer. She is certified with water exercises and has a diploma in food and nutrition.

Darren has over 20 years experience.

• Level 3 Instructor
• Certified Personal Trainer
• TRX Suspension Training Certified
• Fitness Kickboxing Canada

Donna has been a certified fitness instructor for over 40 years. She truly loves what she does. She teaches a variety of classes – low impact, step, muscle classes, pilates, seniors workouts, aqua and Nordic Walking. Donna promotes safety and fun in her classes and tries hard to motivate her participants to be the best they can be.

Freya has passion for helping her clients optimize their health and achieve their fitness goals. She loves the challenge of training people with a variety of different goals and needs. -15 years of experience in the fitness industry – Certified Can fit Pro Personal trainer.

Kayla has a passion for fitness and preventative health is a key focus in her everyday life. She has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo. Kayla is a certified Fitness and Aqua Fit Instructor.

Marg is a certified fitness instructor through Ontario Fitness Council. She has been teaching fitness classes for over 30 years, it’s a job she really enjoys! Marg continues to teach at the Pembroke Fitness Centre because of the amazing clientele. She has so much fun helping clients reach their goals! Marg loves that the Pembroke Fitness Centre is a community minded facility that continues to help many charities in the area.

Nancy was first qualified as a group fitness instructor in 1986, while still in high school. From there she’s taught in a variety of places from Pembroke, to St. Catharines, to North Bay and in Nice, France. But there is no place like the Pembroke Fitness Centre.
Nancy is also an elementary teacher with RCDSB and administrator at Ontario Education Leadership Centre. She endeavours to be a healthy example in all of her workplaces.

• Certified Personal Trainer
• Certified Heart Wise instructor specializing in heart conditions and other chronic diseases
• Pool sessions/programs available
• Specializing in developing programs for senior citizens
• Beginner to advanced programs
• Degree in Mental Health with 23 years experience counselling individuals

Pat is a Certified Yoga instructor. Her classes accommodate all age groups.

• 15+ years of experience teaching yoga classes and private clients
• Certified RYT 200 Yoga Instructor
• Certified YogaFit 100 hour Trauma Sensitive Teacher
• Specialization in Yoga for Cancer Care – for individuals diagnosed with cancer or recovering from cancer
• Can-Fit-Pro Certified Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer
• Certified Heart Wise Instructor
• Honours BA Physical Education

Tammy has been in the fitness industry for over 30 years. In 1995, she took over as the Fitness Director for the Pembroke Fitness Centre. She is a certified Group Fitness Instructor and certified Fitness Consultant.

Tammy worked with the Heart Institute to develop the Heart Wise and Vascular Health classes. The programs were developed to provide classes that are safe and appropriate for people graduating from cardiovascular or other rehabilitation programs, as well as those at risk of developing a cardiovascular or chronic health issues.

Tammy is proud of her team’s community involvement raising over 1/2 million for different charities in Renfrew County. She was awarded the Community Volunteer Revenue Award by the Cancer Society, The Provincial Corporate Distinguished Service Award and Top Canadian Fundraiser Award for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Tammy and her amazing team continue to volunteer and raise money for a variety of causes.

Terri Burdan is a registered nurse, fitness enthusiast, and recently certified CanFitPro fitness Instructors Specialist with a passion for helping others achieve their health and fitness goals. A lifelong sports and fitness advocate, Terri combines her medical knowledge with her enthusiasm for wellness to support individuals in improving their strength, endurance, and overall well being. Originally from Pembroke, she enjoys volunteering in the community, giving back through different events.

Terri is committed to empowering others to live healthier and more active lives.

Tracy Gilchrist has an honours degree in Human Kinetics and Teaching Degree. She currently teaches high school Physical Education, Kinesiology and Science. She has YMCA Group Fitness Certification and has been teaching group fitness classes for over 30 years.
She lives, loves and teaches about the importance of being strong and healthy, no matter what age you are. Her biggest accomplishment in life is raising two bright, beautiful daughters with her husband Tim. Tracy loves Bootcamp, Muscle Madness and TRX Training classes but also likes to mix things up with new fitness trends. During her classes Tracy will offer modifications to meet the needs of all fitness levels and her enthusiasm for new music and challenging workouts will encourage safety and push you towards reaching your personal fitness goal.

Tricia has over 25 years of experience- Certified Group Fitness Instructor | Certified Spin Instructor | Enjoys teaching Boot Camp, TRX, Muscle Madness and Spin.

Zya has been dancing since she was four years old and has had a passion for fitness her whole life. She has been a dance instructor for eight years now and has expanded into the fitness world instructing her specialized Dance Cardio classes and Drums Alive fitness classes . She has so much energy it’s contagious; you can’t help but have an awesome time in her classes.