2019 Greatmats National Fitness Trainer of the Year

Vote for the fitness trainer you think should be named the 2019 Greatmats National Fitness Trainer of the Year!

Winner to be announced Dec. 13, 2019

Anytime Fitness

Beast Ninja

Bowling Green State University

CrossFit - Sunset Park

CrossFit Federal Way

Fitness First Training Service's

Formula Fitness

Funfit LLC

Illinois State University

Krank Sydtems

MMFitness

OFF THE GRID FITNESS

Paradiso CrossFit

Stretch Fitness - Dawn Thelen Fitness

The Dzone, Deez Fit

TheGym
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Anytime Fitness

2019

Harrison, Ohio

Ed Brown, Head Trainer, at Anytime Fitness in Harrison, Ohio, is devoted to helping his clients achieve their fitness goals, from weight loss and increasing energy and endurance to building strength and confidence. He works with all ages from teenagers to 70 somethings. He is very generous with his time and expertise. His team training events are so popular that there is often hardly enough space to accommodate them. His enthusiasm and focus on excellence while keeping the hard work fun has produced many success stories and changed lives forever. He promotes and participates in events that challenge clients and raise funds for a variety of worthy causes such as Indiana Special Olympics, area women's shelters, animal welfare groups and area food banks. He is indeed worthy of the title of National Fitness Trainer of the Year.
34634 Votes
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Beast Ninja

5/18/19

Myrtle Beach, S. C.

Katie Capitano Small is an excellent personal trainer. She is very thorough, and works hard with her clients for them to achieve their fitness goals.
7713 Votes
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Bowling Green State University

October 2019

Bowling Green, Ohio

Allison Papenfuss's passion for fitness is contagious. As the assistant director for strength and conditioning at BGSU she is keeping her collegiate basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis and golf athletes on their toes, leading by example. Nobody works harder than Allison in the gym. While she's only been with the program a little over a year, with her help BGSU's men's basketball team posted a 22-12 record last season, the women's soccer team is off to an 8-4-2 start this season, and the men's soccer team is currently 7-4-1.
1239 Votes
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CrossFit - Sunset Park

2019

Brooklyn, NY

When's the last time you've seen an 80-year old training Navy SEALS in CrossFit? That's exactly what Jacinto Bonilla does. The former bodybuilder, marathon runner and karate practitioner didn't even begin his CrossFit journey until the age of 66. Now that is truly inspirational. He proves that getting older doesn't mean you have to stop doing what you love. While he is no longer taking on new clients, I truly appreciate the time and effort he's put into his coaching. Even in retirement he's still helping train friends. I look forward to seeing how his return to bodybuilding pans out.
34 Votes
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CrossFit Federal Way

2019

Federal Way, WA

RaeAnna Devey Riding is a mother of five, but she doesn't let that become an excuse for letting her fitness slip off the radar. In fact, she uses it as motivation and encourages other moms to do the same. She sees CrossFit training as an opportunity to meet other adults in addition to staying healthy.
1520 Votes
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Fitness First Training Service's

Dec 2018

Norfolk, VA

Derron Flood has not only changed the physical appearances of his clients but instills the education and skills needed to maintain that transformation for years. He cares about his community and offers affordable services to an underserved community where health is not considered a necessity. He is changing the culture one client at a time. Fitness is always first and he is a model for healthy wholesome mindfulness living.
11 Votes
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Formula Fitness

10.22.19

Houston, Texas

I have been with Coach Kimmie Marler for over 15 years. Using both strength and functional workouts, she has kept me strong and healthy, able to run and kayak and garden easily.
137 Votes
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Funfit LLC

Oct 11, 2019

Mandan, ND

As a fellow fitness professional in the community, Miranda Klatt is someone I admire immensely. She is the epitome of strong. From starting as an in home trainer to now owning her own fitness studio while going through things in her personal life that many will never experience - her resilience is nothing short of extraordinary. Her love for fitness is what makes her business succeed but her desire to help others be the strongest version of themselves, while encouraging them to have fun is what makes her the best.
541 Votes
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Illinois State University

2016

Normal, Illinois

I love seeing people who have the fortitude to keep pushing forward to help others, even when they have their own battles to fight. That's why I'm nominating Illinois State University director of strength and conditioning Jim Lathrop for the 2019 National Fitness Trainer of the Year Award. Jim suffers from Parkinson's Disease among other physical ailments leading to 14 different surgeries, but he keeps a positive attitude and continues to motivate his athletes at a high level and keep them ready to compete. Jim is an inspiration to all that are around him, reminding them - by example - that a positive attitude and mental fortitude is just as powerful as big muscles.
5 Votes
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Krank Sydtems

April 13, 2019

Citi Field, Queens, NY

With my health issues I wasn't even sure Pete Isip would accept me at the gym. I was 5'6' and 276 lbs when my wife passed away. I promised her I would get healthy. Too many health issues to list everything but my main issues are diabetes, aortic stenosis, diabetic neuropathy and disc issues in spine and neck. Pete not only accepted me but personalized my workouts, gave me nutrition training and put me in an environment he created at Krank that is filled with a group of "family" that inspire, support and truly care about everyone. Despite constant pain in my body, Pete not only helped me lose over 50 lbs but he was encouraging when I wanted to participate with Team Krank in the 2019 Citi Field Spartan Race. You can see in the photo he was figuratively and literally behind me the entire race and because of him and everyone at Krank I finished the race. I NEVER would have imagined I could. EVER. But because of Peter Isip and the gym he built, I was able to do it. I was asked how Krank has changed my life. My answer is I believe Krank saved it. Peter Isip and the gym he created saved my life. It doesn't get bigger than that, which is why I nominate Peter Isip for trainer of the year.
359 Votes
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MMFitness

10/15/2019

Tampa, FL

Micah Morgan is very knowledgeable and extremely passionate about his craft. He is straight forward and will push you HARD in order for you to achieve your goals. #NOEXCUSES The members are very friendly and inviting. I don't want to miss a day at the gym because I enjoy working out with them so much. I'm excited about continuing my fitness journey with Micah and the MMFitness family. MMFitness is hands down the best gym I've ever been a part of. He is very deserving of the recognition.
28248 Votes
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OFF THE GRID FITNESS

June 2018

Scottsdale, AZ

Eric Guilleminault is an awesome trainer. His commitment to the health of both the individual and the environment led him to open Arizona's first "green gym."
2 Votes
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Paradiso CrossFit

2017

Culver City, CA

Josh Gallegos is an inspiration to anyone thinking their dreams are just too far fetched to reach. Josh has proven time and again that with dedication and perseverance dreams can be achieved. A lifelong fan of professional wrestling, Josh now trains some of the WWE's biggest stars. Whether its workouts or meal plans. Combine that with his dream of working in the entertainment industry and you'll find that he's found a perfect combination through hard work and the willingness to do the little stuff.
2 Votes
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Stretch Fitness - Dawn Thelen Fitness

2019

Hixson, TN

After going to various gyms and personal trainers... none meeting my expectations...I was introduced to Coach Dawn Thelen by my daughter. Coach Dawn's commitment to her clients is 'the real deal'. Her knowledge, dedication and commitment is 110% above and beyond what most coaches offer. Through her interview process, Coach Dawn professionally evaluates each clients goals and expectations prior to designing a personal workout and/or nutrition program. Coach Dawn listens to you and helps you set and maintain a healthy lifestyle. In addition to face-to-face workouts provided at her gym, she provides an online workout program. While on any of her programs (personal or group), clients have unlimited access to her Monday thru Saturday, as well as access to a members only Facebook group. Coach Dawn will change your life as her passion is helping others. She is the whole package-killer workouts, as well as nutritional recipes that makes her clients goals attainable!! I proudly nominate Coach Dawn Thelen for the 2019 Fitness Trainer of the Year award.
1073 Votes
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The Dzone, Deez Fit

2019

Byron, Georgia

Dee Henry, aka the girl under the headscarf, is known in the Middle Georgia area as the power trainer who makes bodies go BOOM! Dee trains a group of over thirty women known as the DSquad. Under the guidance of Trainer Dee, these women motivate, encourage and support each other through training sessions, daily and weekly exercise required outside of training and with maintaining overall healthy living goals. The squad takes an annual cruise, has holiday parties and Dsquad family events. Dee is featured on the local news in a segment called, "Amped Up with Dee Henry" in which she offers health and fitness tips to the local community. She offers affordable and powerful exercise classes open to the public at her studio in Byron, GA. She is also very dedicated to annually supporting breast cancer awareness month by hosting a fitness event. In fact, in 2019, Dee Henry hosted an "Aerobathon Party With A Purpose" where her squad members and others in the community worked out for three hours raising money to assist women with paying the costs of mammograms at Navicent Health in Macon, Georgia. As a result of her efforts, she was able to present a check for $6,080.00 to them, covering about forty mammograms. Dee Henry, the most extraordinary personal trainer who takes her passion for health and fitness past training in the gym is definitely the 2019 Trainer of the Year!
170 Votes
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TheGym

10/10/19

Charlottesville, Virginia

Toni Jackson works with individuals with special needs and loves to help others in their fitness goals. ------ Toni is many things...a coach is only one of them. She is your number one fan, a motivator, an encouraging and supportive person who has the ability to make you feel empowered and strong and able to meet any goals you set for out for yourself. She is a huge part of The Gym and its community of weightlifters, gym enthusiasts, competitors and first-timers. She leads a woman's group every weekend and is an integral part of a program for Special Athletes, which brings young adults with special needs into the gym for group training exercises which helps these amazing athletes build peer relationships, work within structured tasks, and have fun! I'm nominating Toni for the title of Trainer of The Year as she is more than deserving.
750 Votes

Want to honor a fitness trainer for his/her outstanding achievements, unique style, humanitarian efforts, etc.? Then nominate him/her for the National Fitness Trainer of the Year Award, sponsored by Greatmats. The award, part of Greatmats National Award Series, is designed to recognize Fitness trainers and coaches who have made a difference in the lives of their clients and community through the virtues of service, integrity and quality. The 2019 award has also been sponsored by Humane Fitness Product Group, which is generously offering a $500 credit to the winner and $350 credit to the runner up towards Humane rubber gym flooring through Greatmats.

Learn more about Greatmats National Award Series.

How to Nominate

(The nomination period has ended.)

To nominate the trainer for this award, visit the Contest Page or email the following information to brett@greatmats.com before Nov. 1, 2019. Nominators will not be identified.

  1. Trainer/Coach's Name
  2. Name and location of the training facility (Must be located in the USA)
  3. A brief description of why you are nominating this trainer, including how he/she meets the criteria of high-level service, integrity and quality
  4. A photo and/or video of the trainer

How the winner is chosen:

  1. Voting will take place on the Contest Page from Nov. 14 through Dec. 1, 2019. The two personal trainers or fitness coaches with the most votes will be named finalists.
  2. Greatmats will judge the two finalists to determine the winner based on:
    1. Demonstration of Service/Community Impact
    2. Demonstration of Integrity
    3. Demonstration of Quality

Grand Prize

  1. $500 in Humane Rubber Gym Flooring for the training facility - OR
  2. $250 in any other Greatmats Products (or $150 Cash Option)
  3. Trainer/training facility profile to be released with the announcement of the winner on Dec. 13, 2019.
  4. National Personal Trainer of the Year Certificate

Nearly 4,000 votes were cast in the first three years of the contest, which is part of the 5th annual Greatmats National Award Series. The Greatmats National Award Series is designed to recognized instructors, trainers and coaches who have made a positive difference in their communities and the lives of their students.

Voting Instructions:

Visit the Contest Page during the voting period to vote for this year's National Personal Trainer of the Year. Click the vote button next to the photo of the Personal Trainer you'd like to win. Feel free to share a photo or the gallery ballot with friends and family and encourage them to vote. The two personal trainers with the most votes will be named finalists. From that point, Greatmats will choose the winner (scroll down to see prizes) based on the criteria listed above.

Greatmats is a gym and weight room flooring leader based in Milltown, Wisconsin, since 1999. Identified as one of the top 3,000 fastest growing companies in the USA three times since 2008, Greatmats gives back to its local community by donating 5% of its annual profits to local non-profit organizations. It also supports green initiatives through the use of solar energy at its Wisconsin headquarters and by offering a large variety of products made from recycled and renewable resources.

View all of Greatmats' rubber gym flooring options.

All media submissions, including text, photos and videos become property of Greatmats.

Read about previous winners of the award:

2015 National Aerobics Instructor of the Year Jeanette Raichle

2017 National Personal Trainer of the Year Thea Jorgensen

2018 National Personal Trainer of the Year Adam Cayce