Hi, I'm Daniel!

Certifications:
NASM Personal Trainer

Bio:
For as long as I can remember, I have challenged myself in a variety of physical activities. Whether it is running a little faster, cycling a steeper climb, or lifting a heavier weight, I’ve always enjoyed both the physical and mental aspects of exercise. In college, I was an NCAA athlete and competed in the sport of gymnastics for the University of California Berkeley. About 5 years ago, I joined the Berkeley YMCAwhen my niece challenged me to take up barbell weights. I was inspired to become a certified personal trainer after being approached by fellow members for help with their form and technique. I found assisting others to achieve their fitness goals to be incredibly fulfilling. I like to keep things simple and enjoyable. Each client should have a progressive, fulfilling, and sustainable program created for their needs. The journey should be as enjoyable as achieving the goal. I aim to program workouts with functional fitness in mind. I would like members to be physically fit for whatever they enjoy in life, whether it’s a particular sport, activity, or living life. I prefer to keep things simple with the use of free weights and bodyweight movements.

Likes and interests?
In the gym, I enjoy training the Olympic lifts and various gymnastics movements. Outside the gym, I love to cycle and run in the Berkeley hills. Woodworking and my next trip to
Japan are also high on my list.

Favorite quote:
“Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.” 
-Buddha

Interested in training together?
Reach out to me directly at dsperber@ymcaeastbay.org

Hi, I'm Minh!

Certifications:
NASM Personal Trainer

Bio:
I believe in an evidence based approach to educate clients on exercise to support their fitness goals and overall well-being. Every client is unique and at different points in their fitness journey. It is important to me to meet them where they are at and create a distinctive individual workout plan that is both challenging and sustainable.

I enjoy all styles of training but I gravitate to the body builder and functional body approach. Many people have trouble feeling connected to their body, whether in a sport, training in the gym, or going about their daily activities. I believe building a strong mind-muscle connection will build a great foundation towards any style of training, whether it is strength, power, endurance, mobility, etc. 

I have always been active and loved playing sports and running but never took care of my body outside of those activities. Once I began strength training more consistently, I noticed all the tremendous benefits, not only physically but mentally as well. I became inspired to become a trainer because I enjoy guiding others in their fitness journey and helping them receive all the benefits and lessons from it, not just in their physical well-being but in all facets of life.

Likes and interests:
Basketball, outdoors, music, hiking, and food

Favorite quote:
"I want to see if I can. I don't know if I can. I want to find out. I want to see. I'm going to do what I always do: I'm going to break it down to its smallest form, smallest detail, and go after it. Day by day, one day at a time."
-Kobe Bryant

Interested in training together?
Reach out to me directly at mhang@ymcaeastbay.org

Hi, I'm Tupaq!

Certifications:
NASM Personal Trainer

Bio:
Fitness has been a part of my life for as long as I remember - playing sports, running around with friends and exercise as a whole. During the COVID-19 lock-down, I became interested in learning and researching exercise. In April 2021, I started working out at the Berkeley Y. As I got more into working out, I developed an interest in helping people reach their own goals alongside me reaching mine. I get the best of both worlds as a trainer - helping people and exercise, both of which I feel passionately about.

When it comes to training philosophy, my core values are:
1. Progressive overload is the best way to improve in lifts
2. Doing an exercise at a lower weight with full ROM (range of motion)
is 100x better than doing an exercise at a high weight with little
ROM (ego lifting)
3. Over-training a lift (ex: bench, 5 times a week) isn’t going to improve
your strength and rest is just as important

All training is interesting to me and I love learning new methods. I specialize in training that I focus on for myself — this type of exercise consists of strength and hypertrophy training for power lifters, power and body builders. This training consists of compound lifts (squat, bench, deadlift), doing a specific workout until muscular failure, utilizing full ROM (range of motion), etc.

Likes and interests?
I like anything that involves exercise — like swimming, hiking, biking. I
also enjoy being social, cooking, watching and playing most sports.

“If you don’t like something, change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it”
-Mary Engelbreit

Interested in training together?
Reach out to me directly at tperes@ymcaeastbay.org

Hi, I'm Ian!

Bio:
I'm experienced with power-lifting training, calisthenics and bodybuilding style, and many forms of resistance training.

I first will ask a client what their goals are and what styles of exercises they enjoy performing. I'll also teach an assortment of new movements for full body training and craft a plan based on what the client enjoys and is responding to.

I think training style should dictated by individual goals and will likely shift over time as progress and goals change. My goal with clients is to incorporate different training styles initially for a full body workout and narrow the approach as goals and progress become more well defined.

Likes and interests:
I enjoy exercising, cooking food, grocery shopping, playing video games and raking leaves!

Favorite quote:
"Don't let them stop your gains!"

Interested in training together?
Reach out to me directly at ipierce@ymcaeastbay.org

Hi, I'm Lauren!

Certifications:
NASM Personal Trainer
 
Bio:

I played soccer and ran track throughout my life, so sports have always been a central part of my everyday activities. Once I came to UC Berkeley, I was introduced to strength training and immediately fell in love with it! I have been training consistently since 2021, adopting other forms of exercise such as yoga, powerlifting, and HIIT workouts.

I was inspired to become a trainer because the gym has allowed me to grow as an individual, physically and mentally. My self-confidence has skyrocketed and I have adopted a healthier relationship with my body and food since incorporating strength training into my daily life. I have applied specific skills acquired from the gym, such as discipline, perseverance, and structure to my outside life. Because of this, I was eager to bring this same passion and energy to training others, and ultimately help them pursue a similar path to self-love and sustainability!

My training philosophy is that through the proper training, encouragement, and discipline, we can become the best versions of ourselves and apply it to other facets of life. We can do so much more than we think! Using an evidence-based approach, I value a client's individual goals and help them achieve these needs with the necessary push. I also believe in the regenerative and nutritional aspects of attaining goals as they are just as important as the training itself.

Likes and interests:
Powerlifting, hiking, camping, photography, surfing, food

Favorite quote:
“You must expect things of yourself before you can do them." - Michael Jordan

Interested in training together?
Reach out to me directly at lsinopoli@ymcaeastbay.org

Hi, I'm Helmi!

Bio:

I am born and raised in the East Bay and currently in my last year as a student at Cal Berkeley, earning my Bachelors in Nutritional Science with a focus in Physiology. Growing up I played soccer and basketball, but found my way to weightlifting about three years ago during the pandemic. I fell in love with working out, being in the gym, learning about weightlifting, having a great time with everyone around me, and becoming an Athletic Trainer at Cal. These all led me to want to become a Personal Trainer. My training philosophy is "PUSH YOURSELF, your body and mind are MORE CAPABLE than you think they are". I specialize in increasing strength, muscle mass, and overall health. If you need help and have any goals you want to achieve, I can aid you in that direction.

Likes and interests:
I like to work out with my friends, play and watch sports, go to the beach, watch movies, and go on hikes.

Favorite quote:
"Give everything you do your all or just don't do it."

Interested in training together?
Reach out to me directly at habdellatif@ymcaeastbay.org