Personal Trainers

Chris Thomas, personal trainer
Anthony Gower, personal trainer
Phyllis Peterson, personal trainer
Abby Madsen, personal trainer
Jessica Tollie, personal trainer
Caitlin Brisendine, personal trainer

Whether you are looking to enhance your strength, boost endurance, improve your overall health, or find balance through mental and physical growth, our certified personal trainers are here to guide you. 

We believe fitness is about building a stronger, healthier, and more confident version of yourself.

Personal trainers offer:

  • Personalized fitness plans tailored to your goals and lifestyle.
  • Expert guidance to improve physical strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health.
  • Strategies to foster mental clarity and reduce stress through fitness.
  • Support to help you stay motivated and on track with your wellness journey. 

 

Meet Our Trainers

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CAITLIN BRISENDINE

Caitlin is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Nutrition Counselor, Zumba Instructor, and trained in Mental Toughness - bringing a well-rounded, dynamic approach to health and fitness. With years of personal and professional experience, she has experience working with a variety of fitness levels, tailoring sessions to meet unique goals. She combines a variety of equipment, training styles and motivational techniques to keep workouts fresh, effective and fun. Fitness is a journey - one that should challenge you and keep you engaged.

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ANTHONY GOWER

After a 10-year fitness journey, Anthony knows the process of weight loss, muscle growth, strength, agility, and body recomposition wile maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

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ANGELA HARRELL

Angela has a bachelor's degree in athletic training and an associates as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Angela holds certifications with the Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute and the Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program coupled with over 12 years of clinical experience and four years focused on Aquatic Therapy provides the experience to work with clients of all ages and fitness levels. Utilizing water for a low-impact yet highly effective way to build strength, balance and endurance to align with personal goals.

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CHLOE HOLMES

Chloe focuses on integrating cardiovascular health with strength training and functional fitness to create well-rounded programs that enhance overall performance. 

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ABBY MADSEN

Abby is a certified personal trainer through the International Sports Sciences Association. Abby was a college athlete. She wants to use her knowledge to teach people about the importance of health and wellness. Abby wants to motivate her clients to reach their fitness goals and achieve a higher quality of life. 

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PHYLLIS PETERSON

Energetic, fun, and knowledgeable, Phyllis can help you with your fitness quest!  With more than 30 years of experience, she specializes in core, strength, cardio training, weight management, and senior fitness.  

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MARYELLEN POTTS, PH.D.

With more than 20 years of experience and a background in dance and correct postural alignment, Maryellen specializes in yoga and strength training. She believes fitness should improve physical functioning while being fun and habit-forming.

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CHRIS THOMAS

Chris is a passionate group fitness instructor with five years of experience in personal training, both in-person and online. He works with all ages and skill levels, specializing in mobility for seniors and speed training for athletes with a focus on technique, strength, endurance and overall wellness.

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JESSICA TOLLIE

Jessica is National Academy of Sports Medicine corrective exercise specialist and certified trainer. She wants to help people reach their goals and improve the quality of their daily lives through education and functional movement exercises.

Rates

Individual Training Sessions

  • One session: $50
  • Four sessions: $180
  • Eight sessions: $320

Small Group Rates

  • $35/person for two people
  • $30/person for three people
  • $25/person for four people

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule training sessions before I pay?

No, like other Park and Recreation programs, payment is required upon registration. The Welcome Desk sends confirmation of payment to our fitness team with your completed request form. Then the selected trainer will schedule training sessions based on an agreed availability.  

What if I have a specific trainer I want to work with?

The Merriam Community Center has a list of approved trainers. Trainees are encouraged to select a trainer that will meet their needs. The request for training lists all approved trainers. 

How many days a week are training sessions scheduled?

Scheduling is determined based upon the instructor and participant availability. There are no set times, dates, or minimum lessons/time frame in this program.

After the completion of the initial training sessions, can additional sessions be scheduled?

Yes, if interested in continuing, confirm with the personal trainer their availability. Purchase an additional training packages from the Welcome Desk. Upon completion of payment, Welcome Desk staff will send a confirmation notice to fitness staff so training sessions can continue.  

 

Request a Trainer

Step 1.Submit Request

Start your new fitness journey today by submitting the request form.

Request Form

Step 2.Pay for Training

Merriam Community Center staff will contact you within 3 business days to collect payment. Credit cards accepted include: MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express.

Step 3.Schedule with Trainer

Your selected trainer will call, text, or email you to schedule your first session.