Personal Fitness Training
At Seattle Athletic Club, we pride ourselves on offering a premier personal training experience led by some of the most highly qualified professionals in the industry.
Our trainers meet rigorous certification standards from esteemed organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Beyond these qualifications, they continually refine their expertise through ongoing education, earning recognition in prominent publications like Men’s Health and Seattle Magazine.
Unlike many fitness clubs, our trainers are not commission-based and do not sell products or supplements. Their sole focus is your safety, success, and overall well-being. Whether your goals include weight loss, building strength, enhancing athletic performance, recovering from surgery, improving mobility, or simply managing stress, our trainers are dedicated to crafting personalized programs that meet your unique needs and keep you motivated on your fitness journey.
Why Train with a SAC Personal Trainer?
- Customized Workouts for Your Body
Your goals are our priority. Our trainers create tailored programs to help you achieve results efficiently and effectively. - Support for Medical Needs
No matter how complex your health concerns, our knowledgeable trainers can work with or around any medical issue, offering a safe and supportive fitness experience. - Fun and Innovative Training
Want to try a new training style or learn how to use specific equipment? Our certified experts are ready to coach you and make your workouts both exciting and challenging. - Reinvigorate Your Routine
If your current workout feels stale or you’re looking for a fresh start, we’ll redesign your regimen to inspire progress and keep you energized—whether it takes one session or a few. - Transform for Special Occasions
Preparing for a wedding, vacation, or reunion? We can help you achieve your goals quickly and effectively, so you look and feel your best for life’s big moments.
Let us help you unlock your potential and elevate your fitness experience!
Martial Arts
Discover the power, discipline, and energy of martial arts at Seattle Athletic Club, guided by the expertise of Master Jody Garcia. A certified 6th-degree black belt in Shaolin Kempo Karate and a Master in Shaolin Kung Fu, Master Garcia brings 29 years of experience in martial arts and energy work to create dynamic, engaging, and cardio-intensive workouts.
Whether you’re a seasoned martial artist or new to the practice, our programs provide specialization at every level. From improving physical fitness and weight management to cultivating discipline, self-control, and confidence, martial arts is a journey of personal growth that extends far beyond the gym. For those focused on safety and self-defense, our classes provide essential skills in a supportive and empowering environment.
Discover how martial arts can strengthen your body, focus your mind, and enrich your life.
Emily Ring – Fitness Director
ering@sacdt.com
206-443-1111 ext. 281
About Emily
Emily Ring works with athletes and everyday movers to build durable humans—people who use the same ground they fall to as the place they push back up from. Specializing in sports conditioning and life readiness, she trains high-school athletes, ultimate frisbee players, snow sport enthusiasts, and adults seeking strength, confidence, and better movement habits.
More about Emily
Emily began her journey as a multi-sport high school athlete with an early love for swimming, later becoming a lifeguard and swim instructor. She discovered that strength training unlocked perseverance, clarity, and resilience—and she knew she wanted to help others access that same growth.
Her coaching philosophy is rooted in visualization to realization. She trains not just the body, but the nervous system, helping students become comfortable with discomfort, grounded in breath, and committed to self-mastery.
Emily holds students to high movement standards, builds skills from the foundation up, and creates an environment where confidence and courage grow through practice.
Education/Certifications
StrongFirst SFG I Instructor | National Personal Training Institute (NASM) | B.A.Sc. Health & Physical Education, Bellevue College | CPR/AED & First Aid
Specialty
Sports Readiness, Conditioning (Field Sports) | Postural Corrective, Mobility | Strength Training, Kettlebells | Mindfulness, Breath
Lisa Chaki – Personal Fitness Trainer
About Lisa
Lisa has a passion for sparking energy in people who have been away from their own health and wellness concerns for a while. She loves to see them reconnect with their best energy by teaching them strength, agility, and freedom of movement.
More about Lisa
Lisa is all about creating fun and enjoying the moments; workouts included. She promises to challenge you, make you sweat, feel stronger, and more confident; bringing you closer to health and happiness.
Lisa has always been active from swimming, downhill skiing, triathlons, cycling, and now an expert in fitness. She has had to recover from an ACL repair, broken bones, shoulder surgery, and hip surgery. She recognized the importance of maintaining basic levels of fitness for an easier, healthier and more confident recovery. She can teach you the same.
Lisa believes it is very important to make your time together enjoyable. She wants everyone to feel the joy she feels when working out and being healthy.
Education/Certifications
AAs in Fitness – LWIT; MSc in Hospitality Management; BA in History | ACSM – CPT | Gray Institute – Chain Reaction | TRX certification | Parkinson’s Disease Certification
Specialty
Strength Training | General Fitness | Functional Training | Injury Rehab/Prevention
Phillip Cowin – Personal Fitness Trainer
About Phillip
Healthy lifestyles make happier lives. Phil likes to practice what he preaches; this drives him to live a healthy, active lifestyle.
More about Phillip
Phil carries this practice through his career as fitness professional; pushing people’s minds and bodies further than they think they can, making fitness a lasting change in their life.
Phil has competed in powerlifting and fitness competitions and has a background in wrestling, MMA and track & field. Phil designs his workout to challenge every individual based on their needs; utilizing dumbbells and barbells for traditional power lifting movements, showing you how to move your body correctly using balance and functional training, while always incorporating mobility and flexibility work. Phil’s programs, which are continually updated, are tracked to ensure all his client’s are making progress.
Education/Certifications
NASM – CPT | Performance Enhancement Specialist | Corrective Exercise Specialist | Fitness Nutrition Specialist | Cardio Performance Specialist | CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Specialty
Strength Training | General Fitness | Functional Training | Injury Rehab/Prevention
Lina Fesaha – Personal Fitness Trainer
About Lina
Lina is a believer that fitness and strength should translate to making everyday tasks easier and enjoyable! She helps clients develop a strong foundation through functional movement, strength training, and sustainable fitness habits that support long-term health and performance.
More about Lina
Lina’s passion for health and fitness began early in life, stemming from her interest in the human body and helping others improve their quality of life. Through her background in healthcare and behavioral health Lina grasped a strong understanding of how movement can transform people’s lives. Her coaching focuses on proper movement mechanics, progressive strength development, and creating an environment where clients feel challenged, supported, empowered.
Whether working with someone new to the gym or helping an experienced lifter reach their next goal, Lina strives to make fitness fun, approachable, and challenging.
Education/Certifications
NASM Certified Personal Trainer | AFAA Group Fitness Instructor | CPR/AED & First Aid | Highline College, Associates in Biology
Specialty
Weight Loss | Body Recomp | Strength & Conditioning | Mobility & Movement | Habit Building & Lifestyle Change
Jody Garcia – Personal Fitness Trainer
jgarcia@sacdt.com
206-443-1111 ext. 289
About Jody
Jody gets people to believe in their own capabilities, by helping others discover their hidden talents and strengths, through teaching the Bushido Code (way of the warrior).
More about Jody
Jody is passionate about teaching people to acknowledge any obstacles in their life and/or training and then how to move forward with grace, laughter and an updated outlook on life. Jody believes that what you visualize in your mind you can achieve in your body. Jody understands that a true master is shown in the culminated growth of all his students. He has lead hundreds to achieve their black belt, ranging from a woman in her 80’s to 10 year old youth. Jody invites anyone who feels bored with their workouts, has ever wanted to learn self defense and/or a martial art, anyone new to working out or doesn’t care for exercising with just the traditional dumbbells and machines to reach out and set up a session or more. He guarantees you will laugh in your session and get an amazing workout in.
With over 40 years of experience, Master Jody Garcia is proficient in:
- Boxing/kickboxing – foundation/offense/defense
- Tai chi / qigong traditional styles
- Black belt southern Shaolin kung fu
- Black belt Kempo karate 6th Dan
- Savate kickboxing black belt
- Youth fitness coach king county
Education/Certifications
ACSM – CPT | Certified 6th degree black belt – Shaolin Kempo Karate | Certified Master – Shaolin Kung Fu | NAPMA Certified – Kickboxing
Specialty
Strength Training | Functional Training | General Fitness
Eli McBroom – Personal Fitness Trainer
emcbroom@sacdt.com
206-443-1111
About Eli
Eli is passionate about self-love and strives to be a steadfast source of support for individuals looking to challenge both their body and mindset.
More about Eli
He believes that physical, spiritual, and mental well-being are innately connected:
“When you nurture one, the others naturally follow.”
Understanding the challenges that come with self-improvement, Eli’s goal is to help clients build confidence in themselves and their abilities while focusing on having fun and looking forward to fitness. He enjoys working with:
- Individuals new to the gym or feeling out of place in fitness spaces
- Young professionals seeking both fitness and community
- Those looking to build muscle and increase strength
- Anyone facing a plateau or in need of a fresh, effective routine
- Experienced lifters looking for professional expertise and guidance
Above all, Eli is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every client feels accepted, valued, and empowered throughout their fitness journey.
Education/Certifications
NASM – CPT | FMS certified | CPR/AED certified
Specialty
Strength Training | General Fitness | Weight Loss | Functional Training
Becky Newby – Personal Fitness Trainer
bnewby@sacdt.com
206-443-1111 ext. 289
About Becky
Becky believes fitness is a journey and it is always changing. She grew up as a competitive gymnast, then collegiate rower and currently a runner and weight lifter. Through sports she has practiced a balance of strength, endurance, power and flexibility.
More about Becky
Becky completed her degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in physical therapy. She volunteered at different types of physical therapy clinics; this is where she learned about rehabilitation and corrective exercise for all ages and injuries. After college, she decided to pursue a career in personal training, where she can apply her passion of preventing injuries while improving performance not only in the sports but also in the lives of her clients.
Becky strives to help clients understand the health and wellness goals that can take years to achieve (body transformations and performance goals) and other goals that can be more immediate to see and feel (mental and physical health) and provide conversation and structure to achieving both. She gives meaningful workouts that have a purpose based on goals, whether that goal is rehabilitation or performance. She prioritizes strength training (barbell and free weights) because gaining muscle will protect the body from injury, improve performance, and promote longevity.
Her goal with every client is to teach them skills to improve their exercise experience. Everyone has different challenges, and she wants to help clients overcome those challenges and find a pathway to improving their health.
Education/Certifications
B.S. in Kinesiology & pre-physical therapy – Western Washington University | USA Rowing Level 2 Certified Coach | Team USA Safe Sport Training | Washington State Boater Education | ACSM – CPT
Specialty
Strength Training | Weight Loss | Specific Medical Needs | Injury Rehab/Prevention
Will Paton – Personal Fitness Trainer
wpaton@sacdt.com
206-443-1111 ext. 288
About Will
Physical fitness is a way of life. It is not a start and end goal but rather a mindset and commitment to a lifestyle change. Many people are searching for ways to add balance to their lifestyle, but how do you do that?
More about Will
Most of you do not get into a car to begin a long trip without a destination in mind and a plan to get there. You pick a specific place, time, and route. This approach applies to any goal no matter how long or short term it may be. If you are tired of coming in day after day doing the same boring routine and not seeing results, then perhaps you are on the wrong path. Will’s job is to draw the map and provide you with the most efficient and fun way to achieve your goals.
His training style includes a wide variety of exercises ranging from power-lifting to yoga and everything in between. He believes the path to achieving your fitness goals lies with a combination of effective exercises and positive motivation. Some of his hobbies include snowboarding, mountaineering, rock climbing, waterskiing, longboarding and mountain biking.
Education/Certifications
Graduate from Pinnacle Career Institute – Personal Training Program | NSCA – CPT
Specialty
Strength Training | General Fitness | Functional Training | Weight Loss
Gwen Richard - Personal Fitness Trainer
grichard@sacdt.com
206-443-1111
About Gwen
Gwen is passionate about cultivating health, self-love, and stronger bodies for more adventuring in our wildly rich environments. A lifelong mover and playful athlete, she has studied gymnastics, martial arts, and just about every kind of movement.
More about Gwen
She loves teaching Argentine Tango, skate skiing, falling off surfboards, flexi-ambitious yoga, and holding her breath underwater to search for octopus. She believes fitness should support a life full of movement, adventure, and play.
Gwen would be tickled pink to chat with you about your potential paths to support a lifetime of movement. Are you ambitious but feeling stagnant? A little lost? Feel like your gym routine could get you further? Gwen guides her clients into a deeper understanding of how to workout and makes sure they’re getting fit in all the ways that will help them age with ferocity and grace. She’ll get your heart rate up—and your brain engaged—while teaching you quality movement, flexibility, coordination, and balance that carries into everyday life.
Education/Certifications
NASM – CES | Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor | BA in Environmental Studies | CPR certified
Specialty
Strength Training | General Fitness | Functional Training | Specific Medical Needs