Group instructors
Christopher Laurin
Christopher has been active in the Health and Fitness industry for over 20 years. He is a certified YMCA Group Fitness and Group Cycle Instructor and has competitively raced in multiple endurance events: he’s an Ironman finisher, a marathoner, and an adventure racer. He fully understands the discipline involved with endurance sports training and the importance of maintaining functional fitness year-round. He enjoys working with beginners as well as seasoned and competitive athletes. Christopher applies a highly structured and technical approach to his classes, striving to make each class challenging and fun! Christopher works full-time as the Quebec Regional Manager for Health Systems Group, a dynamic and growing Canadian company that provides professional consulting and management services in the fitness, sport, recreation and wellness fields.
Darlene Phair
Darlene became hooked on fitness when she attended her first aerobics class with her mother in the early 1990’s garbed in bright purple tights. Her athleticism, combined with her dynamic and energetic personality made for an easy transition from participant to instructor. For the last 20 years she has enjoyed a very rewarding career in many different aspects of the fitness industry. Darlene is a certified Group Fitness and Stott Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer, Corrective Conditioning and Sports Conditioning Specialist. Darlene has taught a variety of classes throughout the years such as aerobics, step, kickboxing, bootcamp, indoor cycling, Pilates and muscular conditioning. She strives to motivate and educate her participants and clients to tackle their fitness challenges and goals with the same passion and determination that she does with hers. In 2006, she joined the Le Club West Island team as an indoor cycle instructor and has worked her way up to her dream job as Director of Sports and Recreation where she juggles her administrative duties with teaching group conditioning classes and training clients.
Carole Cousineau
Carole has been working in the fitness industry since 1987. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education (Fitness Specialization) in 1988 and moved on to working full time in the fitness industry soon after that. Her 25 years in the fitness industry include managerial responsibilities in: aquatics, adult fitness programming, personal training and fitness assessment programming. In addition to this, Carole is also a certified group exercise/group cycling instructor, a certified Yoga Alliance teacher and personal trainer. She enjoys teaching muscular circuit classes, indoor cycle, and yoga. Carole has been active her whole life through swimming, skiing, hiking, biking, running, weight training and yoga. She believes that having a goal helps tremendously when trying to stay active, which is why she challenged herself to run the Montreal Marathon in 2006. She believes that there is a way for everyone to include physical activity into their busy lives, no matter the obstacles. Carole’s friendly and easygoing approach helps her clients to find ways to make fitness a priority in their lives. She enjoys challenging them with fun and motivating workouts. There is nothing more rewarding to her than seeing someone she has trained or taught achieve their goals. Carole has been the Fitness Director at Le Club West Island since 2006. She is proud to be part of a team of true exercise professionals with a common goal to share their expertise and love for fitness with the members of Le Club.
Karen Muir
Karen’s career in the fitness industry began more than 20 years ago. Due to her natural aptitude for fitness and her upbeat personality, the local YMCA encouraged her to become certified as a group conditioning instructor. Karen followed their advice and even took it a step further, subsequently becoming certified as a personal trainer and indoor cycle instructor. She has taught various types of classes throughout the years, including Step, aerobics, and muscle conditioning. Karen currently teaches muscular conditioning and group cycling classes. She strives to create innovative, challenging and safe routines. Karen derives a great sense of satisfaction in supporting, educating and helping people achieve their fitness goals. Her many years of dedication have made her a valuable asset to LeClub. In the fall of 2010 she took on the role of Administrative Assistant in our Member Services department. She has welcomed this opportunity to meet the members now on a more personal level. Karen can honestly say that she truly enjoys all aspects of her job, whether in the studio or in the office.
Lisa Johnson
Lisa was born and raised in Victoria B.C. and has always lead a very active outdoor life. She grew up playing team sports such as soccer and field hockey, and competed for 10 years in track and field as a sprinter and long jumper. Lisa spent over 20 years working in the fashion industry. However, a cancer diagnosis caused her to re-evaluate her career and life aspirations. She wanted to make certain that she was doing something meaningful with her life. After seeing the difference that Pilates made to her, she took the Stott Pilates certification course and became an instructor. Lisa feels that teaching is not a job, but a privilege. This experience also led her to return to running. Lisa decided to step outside of her comfort zone and tried longer distances. She has run races from family 2k’s to full marathons. Her true passion is running crazy mountain/trail races and she looks forward to running these races around the world. Lisa’s philosophy is that “life is short therefore we need to make the best of it and take chances…..don’t wait for tomorrow.”
Louise Malone
Louise currently works as a Senior Consultant for Health Systems Group and has a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, as well as a certificate in Sports Therapy. As the Director of Fitness Services at the YM-YWHA Ben Weider JCC for the past 5 years, Louise helped develop and launch their Small Group Personal Training Program and their Therapeutic Exercise Program. She also specializes in post-rehabilitation exercise programs tailored for the medical client. Louise has presented at numerous seminars and conferences for IHRSA, CAN-FIT PRO, CAIA, MUSCLE UP, Les YMCA’s du Québec, and lectures in exercise science at College Marie-Victorin.
Terri Valentine
Terri has been involved in the fitness industry for the past 25 years. The flexibility of the field allowed her to stay home and raise her 4 kids. She has taught various children’s fitness programs for the city of Beaconsfield, Lester B. Pearson school board and the Ben Weider Jewish Community Center. She is a certified personal trainer, group conditioning and indoor cycle instructor. Terri currently teaches indoor cycle classes with a focus on helping her participants develop their cardiovascular endurance. Terri has been active in sport her whole life participating in hockey, soccer, outdoor cycling, downhill and cross country skiing, golf, tennis and running. She has even completed a few half marathons as well as a full marathon! A big honour for Terri was being chosen to participate in the 1976 Olympic closing ceremonies in Montreal. Terri has also made a positive impact on girls’ athletics by coaching Lakeshore girls’ softball, soccer, and hockey. Her high energy and positive attitude inspire her participants and athletes to do their very best.
Wendy Merrett
Wendy is a certified YMCA Group Fitness Instructor who, after enthusiastically practicing physical fitness for over 20 years, was motivated to become a fitness leader to share her love of music, choreography, and functional conditioning with others! Wendy was a provincially ranked ringette player who continues to devote her time to the development of new talent as an EXCELLENCE Ringuette instructor in the West Island area. As a busy working mom with two small children, she brings her passion for an active, healthy lifestyle to each and every class and would love for you to join the fun and challenge yourself!
