We provide lecturers with certifications that confirm they are highly committed to their work and have received training in a particular specialization. Offered by outside instructors at the YMCA, our certifications are internationally recognized by other fitness professionals.
Alexandre Lemay
A graduate in kinesiology and environmental sciences, Alexandre is a trainer for various certification agencies such as the YMCA FIT (since 2009) as well as for the canfitpro PTS (since 2014).
Constantly developing his training knowledge is one of Alexandre’s daily priorities. As a physical trainer, he is particularly interested in bodybuilding training methods, steel mace, and TRX in particular.
An outdoor enthusiast, Alexandre has climbed several North American peaks such as Mount Logan (the highest peak in Canada at 5,959 m) and Mount Denali (the highest peak in North America).
Catherine Roy-de-Montigny
A physiotherapist since 2021, Catherine also holds a university degree in science communication. She is a Cheer-Québec certified trainer and was previously involved in gymnastic development courses for the City of Québec’s Sports and Recreation sector.
As a clinician, she has developed expertise in perineal and pelvic re-education. She works with a wide range of clients that include pregnant women, older adults, people with cancer, and athletes.
Chantal Perron
After suffering from Guillain-Barré syndrome, which left her paralyzed for four months, and dealing with the consequences of a severe motorcycle accident in 2000, Chantal learned the importance of developing a good body-mind relationship. A philosophy strongly encouraged by the Pilates method.
Chantal has close to 19 years of training experience in the smart movement field. For almost 15 years, she has been training and supporting future Pilates instructors in their learning at the world-renowned Polestar Pilates school in the US. She generously shares the various tools she acquired over the years, presenting them in a simple and clear manner, all while ensuring you enjoy yourself in the learning process.
Claudette Rouisse
Claudette has been working in the health and fitness industry since 1991 as a manager, private trainer, group fitness instructor, and, since 2010, as a registered yoga instructor.
With a constant desire to promote health and well-being, she is an trainer educator for the YMCAs of Québec, a trainer for YogaFit, and a continuing education presenter.
Louise Malone
Louise Malone is the Associate Director of Health and Fitness at the Cartierville YMCA in Montréal, Quebec.
As a consultant, Louise’s projects include the development of the Therapeutic Exercise and Active Living program (YM-YWHA) and the ongoing development of the YMCA Canada Personal Training Certification program.
Louise studied physical education at McGill University, and holds a certificate in sports therapy.
In her spare time, Louise enjoys teaching small group personal training and indoor cycling, and networking with fellow fitness professionals.
Martin Lussier
Martin Lussier worked for the YMCA for over 25 years. He has been teaching at the University of Montréal’s School of Kinesiology and Physical Activity Sciences since 2001. His kinesiology specializations include: training for athletes and non-athletes, fitness assessments, exercise physiology and the effects of exercise on health.
He is self-employed and works as a trainer for a diverse clientele. Additionally, he is a lecturer and co-author of the series Mythes et réalités sur l’entraînement physique, la musculation, la course à pied et le vélo published by the Éditions de l’Homme.
Nathalie Lacombe
An award-winning presenter, Nathalie Lacombe is the coach and cupid of the fitness industry. She blends decades of international experience with degrees in psychology and exercise science. The vice president of the Fitness Industry Council of Canada and a canfitpro advisory panel member, she uses her joie de vivre to coach profound and lasting changes with her clients and audiences.
Kim Vopni
Kim is a self-professed Kegel maven and is known as "the Vagina Coach." She is a certified fitness professional who became passionate about spreading information on pelvic health after the birth of her first child over 18 years ago.
She is an author, passionate speaker, and women’s health educator. Her most recent book, Your Pelvic Floor, was released in March 2020 and became an instant bestseller. After experiencing the upheaval of perimenopause, she began educating herself on ways to support her own body and then completed a certification to become a Menopause Support Practitioner so she could help others navigate the transition with ease.
Kim offers online programs and coaching for women through all life stages but the majority of her client base is in the peri and post menopause phase of life. Her Buff Muff app is an ever-growing community where people from around the world find support through her 28 day challenges and monthly membership.
You can connect with her online through her podcast “Between Two Lips,” on her website at www.vaginacoach.com, and on social media @vaginacoach.
Sarah Zahab
Sarah Zahab is a registered kinesiologist, clinical exercise physiologist, and group fitness instructor with over 23 years of fitness industry experience. She is the owner of Continuum Fitness and Movement Performance in Ottawa, a personal coaching studio offering one-on-one coaching instruction, athletic therapy, physiotherapy, and registered massage therapy services (www.continuumfitness.ca).
Sarah specializes in bridging the gap between rehab and a return to sports activities, focusing on correcting muscle imbalances and perfecting alignment, movement patterns, and optimizing kinesthetic awareness. Sarah was recently awarded the canfitpro Canadian Presenter of the Year award for 2023. She is the creator of the Prenatal and Postnatal Strength workout DVDs. Sarah is a former international fitness competitor, a nationally ranked race walker, and a regular fitness expert on CTV’s Morning Live Ottawa.
Tiffany Moffatt
A canfitpro-certified fitness instructor specialist, personal trainer specialist, and pre- and post-natal fitness specialist, Tiffany is a fitness leader who has been working in the fitness industry for over 30 years as an instructor, presenter, educator, and freelance fitness writer.
Through her online business JoyBody Fitness and as the group fitness supervisor and volunteer coordinator at the YMCA in Kelowna, B.C., Tiffany oversees the group fitness, yoga, and cycle programs and leads various fitness and mind-body classes, including Barre, yoga, HIIT training, body sculpt, MOSSA group power, cycle, POUND aquafit, and Zumba.
Tiffany is also a canfitpro PRO TRAINER and YMCA fitness trainer, leading courses, theory, and practical exams to certify new group fitness instructors. Tiffany is a graduate from the University of Western Ontario’s English Honours program and loves to combine her passion for fitness with writing.