About Us

Our Team

Our gym's dedicated and passionate team of fitness professionals is committed to helping members reach their goals through personal training and group fitness classes. Our knowledgeable and friendly coaches provide a supportive and inclusive environment for growth and success.

Don Mills

A spacious, two-level facility providing you with innovative training programs, new indoor turf space, and state-of-the-art Technogym equipment. Developed by the industry’s best to provide you with an inspired workout. Specializing in our FAST Training Program and also offering Group Fitness Classes, Personal Training, and Open Gym Time for members.

Richmond Hill

A large, welcoming facility located conveniently at Elgin Mills and Yonge Street. With plenty of fitness programs to choose from and state of the art Technogym equipment, you have the ultimate fitness experience.

More than 4000 members served

About Fitness Connection

A Comfortable Place With High Class Equipment

We are a team of passionate fitness enthusiasts dedicated to helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals. Our state-of-the-art gym facilities are equipped with top-notch equipment and staffed by knowledgeable personal trainers. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their fitness level, feels comfortable and motivated to pursue a healthier lifestyle.

We believe in providing a comfortable and welcoming environment that makes working out enjoyable. Our facilities are designed with the user in mind, featuring high-class equipment that is both efficient and easy to use. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned fitness enthusiast, you’ll find everything you need to reach your goals and have a great workout experience. From cardio machines to strength training equipment, we’ve got you covered. And with amenities such as comfortable changing rooms and a relaxed atmosphere, you’ll feel right at home.

Gym Hours

Don Mills

Richmond Hill

Contact Us

Work Out With The Most Complete Gym Equipment

 Whether you’re looking to build muscle, improve your endurance, or simply maintain a healthy lifestyle, our complete gym equipment and knowledgeable staff are here to help.

Our Team

Team of Expert Staff

We’re proud to have a team of expert staff who bring their passion and expertise to every aspect of our facility. From personal trainers to group fitness instructors, our staff have a wealth of knowledge and experience in helping people reach their fitness goals. Whether it’s through one-on-one training sessions, group fitness classes, or simply answering questions, our team is always there to support you. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, our expert staffs are the backbone of our gym and the key to your fitness success.

Mike Mak

Director of Athletic Programs + Personal Trainer

As the Director, Mike oversees all fitness and training programs at FC. He created the FAST Training program wanting to help novice and experienced gym goers unleash their inner athlete by becoming stronger and feeling better through exercise, and looking a whole lot better while doing it!

His ability to work with people of different age groups and varying exercise backgrounds with great success over the past decade is what continues to drive his passion for health and fitness today. He believes that everyone should be given the opportunity to look and feel they’re very best.

Personally, he enjoys weightlifting and sports, is an aspiring powerlifter, and has completed a couple of marathons.

Linval Reid

Personal Trainer

Linval is certified through Can- Fit- Pro as a Personal Trainer Specialist and through the Canadian Red Cross as a CPR trained.

He is the founder of ‘Linval’s Elite Fitness’ is a positive and helpful professional trainer whose talent is simple, but innovative style has inspired many individuals to the extent that they have gone on to become exemplars in fitness and health. Some of his clients are now competitive body builders and fitness coaches.

Hollie Lau

Athletic Therapist

From 2016 to 2017, I had the opportunity to work with the Ottawa Redblacks andSaskatchewan Roughriders Professional Football Teams. When football players are injured and the play stops, Athletic Therapists are the ones to run on field and quickly determine whether the athlete can return to play with some taping or treatment, or need to be removed from the field for further assessment.

Active rehabilitation forms the foundation of my treatment philosophy that “movement is healing” by prescribing therapeutic exercises – physical activities that help restore and build flexibility, range of motion, strength, and proprioception. Athletic Therapy can rapidly help everyone return to everyday life – whether they are recovering from an ergonomic injury, sports injury, or the elderly balancing, walking, and taking the stairs.

Venessa Coda

Personal Trainer

Venessa has always had a passion for dance and fitness. She started in the fitness industry in 2000 started instructing various fitness and martial arts classes and then went into personal training. Venessa lives and breathes music, dance and fitness. She trained and competed in latin and ballroom and continues to learn many other dance styles . She also has an extensive 7 year back ground in different types of martial arts starting with boxing then moved into capoeira and till this day still practices Mauy Thai. Venessa has become very passionate about teaching people about fitness through movement. whether its through dance, martial arts or instructing people in proper form and building strength through resistance training. Her classes, group training and one on one sessions continue to grow as she influences many people to feel amazing about themselves. Wait until you see her in ACTION!

Pablo Conde

Personal Trainer

My name is Pablo, and I am an expert in natural bodybuilding and body recomposition. My goal is that you can finally feel proud of yourself both physically and mentally leading to the improvement of your overall health. I will help you take the steps toward change with strategies that combine science and efficiency from the history of training. Doing more is not better but doing it well with meaning and consistency is the key to achieve everything you set out to do. You yourself have to make the decision to improve and fight for what you want. Your great goal is to beat yourself and always remember that the beginning of change is in the mind.

Alisha De Matos

Personal Trainer

Just as coffee gives people a morning boost of energy, personal training and coaching ignites an energizing spark in me (add coffee to that mix and you have created Alisha 2.0)! I have such a strong passion for fitness and helping unlock the doors of the different elements of wellness with clients. My experiences with my own health and fitness has created so many opportunities for me and I am confident in myself to teach others what I have learned.


My training philosophy stems from the belief that execution is everything. The key to an effective workout is executing exercises in a way that brings the client closer to their goals. As a coach, I take a very personalized approach to determine optimal exercise selection and execution for each client’s work out program. My fitness programs use the principles of progressive overload to bring continued success to my clients. I work with you to determine how YOUR body responds to different macronutrients and training styles to maximize your efforts and get optimal results. I want clients to be able to carry what they learn and apply it to their life to create their own balance of physical fitness and strong mentality.

Jorge Miguel Ruiz

Personal Trainer

Miguel has been involved in sports since his early years and has been involved in fitness for over a decade. After moving to Canada he became a recreationist ,CPT, yoga instructor and kickboxing instructor. With a background martial arts Miguel enjoys functional strength training, kettlebells and riding his bike around Toronto looking for the newest vegetarian restaurants .

Shamim

Personal Trainer

My name is Shamim and I am PT. I first gained an interest in fitness when I was 7 years old. This interest quickly developed into a passion and since then I have been dedicated to understanding the most effective and efficient way to increase muscle mass and decrease body fat through training and nutrition. This journey began when I initially started coaching friends for fun and developed chosen career path. This career path was an obvious choice for me as I have a natural ability to coach and motivate people to understand and trust my methods in training and nutrition.

Frank Jorges

Personal Trainer

Frank Jorges career has spanned a few decades. Since he embarked on this life long journey of learning he has encountered numerous situations which have made him seek out more educated individuals with a vast knowledge of both physical and neurological understanding to help him. With this resource he has started to see things in a different light and in so doing began to apply his knowledge to better help his vast array of clientele.

Frank’s clients range from Teens too well over 70 years young. As well as clients with special limitations be it physical or neurological. Frank’s understanding of movement and muscles makes him a well rounded individual in the scope of exercise. I love Personal Training because I can educate clients that it is never too late to become fit and/or healthy.

Annalese Tress

Accounts Manager

Annalese joined our team in 2019. Annalese got her Bachelor of Exercise Science while living in Australia and has a love of Olympic weightlifting and functional fitness. Through her years in fitness, she has fallen in love with the business side of the industry and works behind the scenes in the club helping the members and staff enjoy their experience at Fitness Connection.

Jo Picot

Personal Trainer + F.A.S.T Trainer

Passionate for helping others transform their lives through the power of exercise and nutrition. Skilled and certified in: Yoga, Group Instructor, Schwinn Cycle, Older Adult Fitness, Registered Holistic Nutritionist.

Personally, Joanne stays healthy and active through yoga and weightlifting and has completed a few marathons.

Chris D

Personal Trainer

Christopher DiLorenzo- Honours Specialist BSc in Kinesiology and Health Science, BEd with specialization in Biology and Physical Education.
I have 8 years of training experience from coaching youth sports teams, and professional athletes, as well as helping people who are just starting their fitness journey. Working at Fitness Connection has given me the tools to help me personally grow as a trainer, inspire individuals to create healthier habits, and assist clients in crushing their own fitness goals.

Al Emadian

Personal Trainer

Bio on it’s way!

Angelina

Personal Trainer + F.A.S.T Trainer​

Angelina is a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor. With over 4 years of experience working with both adults and children, she loves to curate workouts that are both fun and effective for all age groups. As someone who struggled with her health and fitness growing up, Angelina is very passionate about teaching clients how to utilize the gym and group fitness classes as a tool to not only better their physical health but as well as their mental health. Angelina specializes in strength and conditioning as well as HIIT training. She has worked with a large variety of clientele, anywhere between the ages of 12 to 80+. Angelina always ensures challenging and motivational yet safe and effective workouts whether you prefer to work out one-on-one or in a group setting.

Qualifications: 4+ years experience working in the Health and Fitness industry. 4+ years working as a personal trainer and group fitness at Fitness Connection. Certified personal trainer by CanFitPro.

Mo Malek

Personal Trainer

Over 15 years of experience in instructional fitness as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer. Practical knowledge of the principles of resistance, mobility, stamina, flexibility and agility. Ability to demonstrate correct techniques and moves. Special exercises for all ages and fat burning.

Certification: Canfitpro personal trainer specialist, sport nutrition (Canadian Academy of sport Nutrition), NOC.IR/ General conditioning Course Class A, Arnold Classic Madrid Spain 2015.

Dan Harland

Personal Trainer

As an Athletic trainer with 15 yrs in the Strength and Conditioning field, I specialize in the biomechanics of the body, which enables a person to move better and then move often, which results in a happy and pain-free movement-filled life!

Among the frequent exercises that are associated with training, here are some others that I address:

  1. Foundational exercise technique, based on:
  • Postural correction and alignment through employing muscle activation/deactivation of tonic/phasic systems
  • Prehab knowledge: Lower back, hip, and rotator cuff function
  • Joint centering, integrity, and longevity.  Focus on low | high capacity
  • Correction movement patterns and addressing asymmetries
  • Inner unit, pelvic floor, TA dysfunction, and education
  • Mitigation of aging factors and tolerable pitfalls vs intolerable pitfalls
  • Employing CHEK education in regard to Men/Women’s hormonal profiles.

  1. Core-centered weight training.
  • Exercises that teach the body to recruit the core first, and then other muscles secondarily — in that order.
  • Emphasizing patterns or sling system exercises
  • Employing tri-planar movements in functional day-to-day lifestyle requirements. 

  1. H.I.T. and Kickboxing training.
  • Excellent for V02 Max training
  • Excellent for cross-training upper + lower body and increasing lactate threshold tolerance
  • Excellent for weight loss and upregulating nervous system CP systems.
  • Excellent carryover skills for day-to-day life


Lastly, about me:
Perhaps the most important thing is to have a passion for this field, and I enjoy using this information with the aim of helping others improve their quality of life.

This is intrinsically motivating and inspires me to be the best version that I can of myself, and by doing so, my clients will benefit in their own lives, which will translate into them helping others with this information, and so on.    

Mix that ethos in with a coffee and it’s magic!

Nicholas

Fitness Consultant

Bio on it’s way!

Neeva Kedem

Holistic Nutritionist & Yoga Teacher

Neeva Kedem is a wellness professional with expertise in yoga, fitness, and holistic nutrition. Her passion for helping others on their journey toward mental and physical wellness led her to this fulfilling career path.

In her yoga and fitness classes, Neeva focuses on four essential pillars: strength, flexibility, balance, and cardio. Her sessions offer a comprehensive exploration of each pillar to achieve an optimal workout. Neeva also prioritizes the connection between breath and movement to create emotional balance.

Neeva’s clients come to her with various health concerns, such as weight loss, diabetes, and heart disease, seeking her expertise in improving their well-being. Additionally, healthy individuals seek her guidance to reduce their chances of developing future health issues and improve their overall quality of life. Often, those embarking on a healthy lifestyle lack the support they need to navigate the process successfully. Neeva provides a supportive environment and the necessary guidance to help them achieve their goals. By following Neeva’s program, many of her clients have dramatically slowed down the aging process, look great, and feel so much better!

CONTACT US AND JOIN THE TEAM!

Looking for a career in fitness, health and wellness? Send us a message with your qualifications and if we’re interested we’ll get back to you!