I am an award-winning, certified group fitness instructor, aqua fitness instructor and personal trainer. I am also a canfitpro PRO TRAINER, training future fitness leaders in Canada and across the globe.
In 2022 I was named one of the best fitness professionals in the country by canfitpro and I have contributed to fitness certifications and provided consultation for fitness organizations across North America and internationally.
I currently teach at fitness centres throughout Toronto, Canada and online.
Services
In-Person Group Fitness
I teach at a variety of fitness centres in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Click the link above to see my teaching schedule and find out more.
Online Group Fitness
Located outside of Toronto? Not to worry! You can workout with me anywhere in the world — as long as you have an internet connection.
In-Person Personal Training
If you live in Toronto and you are looking for a personal trainer, I’m your gal!
Online Personal Training
Online personal training makes fitness more accessible to those who may not be able to make it out to a gym or would prefer to work out from home. I offer this service online, via Zoom.
Philosophy
People who have visited my classes often tell me that my classes are… different — in a good way:
- I believe in creating a warm, welcoming, encouraging, safe and non-judgmental environment for all participants, regardless of size, gender identity or sexual orientation. I know that the gym/studio/fitness centres can feel like an antagonistic and scary place for some people. I actively try to do my part in making fitness spaces less intimidating.
- I believe that we all have good bodies and that there is nothing wrong with our bodies. I believe that our bodies — no matter its state — deserve love, respect, appreciation and care.
- I believe in body positivity, body neutrality and body liberation.
- I believe that the body was made for movement.
- I believe that we can and should exercise for more reasons than just weight loss. I am not anti-weight loss; I am anti-weight focus.
- I believe in the joy of movement. I believe that we should move our bodies because it is good for us and because movement feels good.
- I believe that we should exercise out of love and respect for our bodies, and not out of shame, masochism or punishment.
- I believe that fitness is for everyone.
- I believe that fitness can be fun.
Additionally, I embrace Health at Every Size principles and I adhere to the eight pillars of the Body Positive Fitness Alliance in my classes and my practice.
I try to use out-of-the-box solutions and creative routines to further the above philosophy.
I may not be the trainer for everyone, but I might just be the trainer for you. I’d love to partner with you in helping you reach your fitness goals.
What people are saying
“I was one of the new girls that took your Aqua Zumba class for the first time last week. I did not know what to expect. Your personality and energy blew me away. But…it wasn’t until you started speaking that the lightbulb went off and all I could think was “Oh my God! This woman is AMAZING!!
You are so much more than an instructor… you were like a motivational speaker… I had to actually fight from crying because you were THAT inspiring! You emanate so much light and positive energy. Your class helps us not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well.
I’ve been battling late stage lyme disease and fibromyalgia and more for 8 years. Your class makes me feel alive, gives me hope and [makes me feel] like anything can happen. I love what you said about leaving the judgments at the door!
You are changing lives for the better. You are like the holy grail of Movati! I feel on top of the world taking your class and I just wanted to say thank you just for being you. I know if you inspired me that much in one day…you have got to be inspiring dozens of women.
Thank you for shining so much light into my world.”
— Sabrina J.
“Simone is a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. Her Aqua Zumba class is theeee best! She incorporates positive body image and zero judgments. She enables us to have a physical, mental and emotional workout. I’ve been chronically ill forever and I feel ALIVE and HEALTHY and HAPPY in her class! I was in a wheelchair and walker for six out of these last twelve months. Simone S. is just the best. I look forward every Thursday and Sunday for her classes. You can tell she LOVES what she does!”
— Fatima M.
What people are saying
“Dear Simone,
My first ever exercise class has come to an end, but I am very thankful to you for making it such a positive experience. I never dreamed I could ever enjoy exercise. I felt like I was dancing for an hour, not exercising. You made the class fun (and always appeared to be having a lot of fun yourself), and non-judgemental [sic] (I was free to move as I pleased as I followed you the best I could), and good for the self-esteem (I felt blessed to have a body healthy enough to take part in Zumba and healthy enough that I do not have the under-fed look).
You are a wonderful Zumba instructor and I will never forget this class.
Thanks so much for the wonderful Zumba classes!”
— Elizabeth B.
“I’m so happy to have had the chance to work with Simone as a body-positive personal trainer. Simone’s open and flexible approach is a refreshing change from the ‘one-size-fits-all’ dynamic I have experienced with other personal trainers. I appreciated the movements she taught me and the insight she shared about physical issues I’ve experienced, as well as her encouragement to view myself as someone who is active. But, more than that, I valued her willingness to share her own experiences and observations from her time doing this work with others. I’m grateful that our conversations contributed to the creation of her on-line discussion group on repairing our relationships with our bodies. There is a real unmet need out there for those of us in non-traditional bodies who want to be active and accept ourselves as we are and Simone is leading in this space. I look forward to seeing what else she comes up with!”
— Julianna R.
Check out my latest videos
I actively work to make fitness more inclusive.
Chrissy King and I caught the attention of the 3rd Hour of the Today Show and were interviewed by Sheinelle Jones.
Licenses and Certifications
- Zumba Basic 1
- Aqua Zumba
- Strong Nation (formerly Strong by Zumba)
- CIRCL Mobility
- canfitpro Fitness Instructor Specialist
- canfitpro Personal Training Specialist
- canfitpro Healthy Eating and Wellbeing Coach
- canfitpro PRO TRAINER
- Canadian Aquafitness Leadership Alliance, Group Aquatic Fitness
- Canadian Aquafitness Leadership Alliance, Aqua Kickboxing
- Yoga Alliance — RTT 200
- Girls Gone Strong Level 1
- PTDC Online Trainer Academy
- Body Positive Fitness Alliance — Fit 2.0 Professional
- Standard First Aid and CPR “C” with AED — Lifesaving Society
- Emergency First Aid and CPR “C” with AED (certified annually) — ActionFirst, Canadian Red Cross
Awards
- canfitpro Fitness Professional of the Year (Top Three Finalist), 2022
- Movati Athletic Fitness Instructor of the Year, 2018
Simone Samuels 