At Los Gatos Swim and Racquet Club, we have proactively recruited the best
fitness and personal trainers to offer the best service to our members. You should be able to find a complete list
of our instructors by clicking on the respective fields below:
The following is a detailed list of our highly skilled and specialized trainers, in alphabetical order. For a detailed description of our specialized training classes, and personal trainer rates, please click here.
Brian Dean (Fitness director)
Melissa Fales(Kids Club director)
Vince Russo (Tennis director)
Karen Szabo (Swim director)
Melissa Fales, Kids Club Director
Melissa comes to the LGSRC from the Los Gatos Saratoga Recreation Department where she was active in teaching and supervising in the clubhouses, holiday classes, kinder classes and after school enrichment classes.
She has a B.A. in Social Science and has earned her Secondary Education Teaching Credential in History. She currently lives in San Jose with her husband and daughter Emma.
Brian Dean, Fitness Director
NASM-PES, CPT, IFS, SFS
Brian brings
extensive, practical experience in fitness, sports performance and elite
personal training to our Club. His credentials are National Academy of
Sport Medicine (NASM) Performance Enhancement Specialist. Brian has
successfully coached clients toward complete resolution of their health
and performance challenges, where traditional approaches have
consistently failed by treating the body as a whole system and finding
the root cause of a problem.
Brian is a strong believer in the essential role provided by practical
training. He implements individual corrective-exercise,
injury-prevention and performance-enhancement training with impressive
results.
Omar Ellahie, NASM-CPT
Omar has enjoyed working at the Los Gatos Swim and Racquet Club for over 2 years now. Omar is recognized as a Certified Personal Trainer by the National Academy of Sports Medicine and is in the process of transferring to San Jose State University where he plans on furthering his knowledge of exercise and fitness by completing a degree in Kinesiology.
Omar brings a friendly attitude and a unique sense of humor to the LGSRC Personal Training staff and is knowledgeable on the latest advancements in exercise and fitness as he is simultaneously studying his field. Omar applies NASM’s Optimum Performance Training Model to focus on correcting Postural deviations and muscle imbalances while building a strong core and increasing functional strength, depending on every individual’s goals and needs.
Nick Gagliano, Fitness Center Attendant
Nick is currently attending West Valley College in Saratoga. Nick graduated from Mack High School in Humboldt County, and moved to San Jose to attend a bigger college.
Some of Nick’s interests are playing basketball, staying fit, and enjoying life with his friends. Nick has been working at the Club since December 2006 and enjoys greeting the members and making the Club look its best.
David Lyons
David has been working at the Club since August 2005, but has been a member for almost 20 years. David is a Recognized Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine where he is currently working on his Performance Enhancement Specialist Certification to further his knowledge about Fitness and Athletic Training. David enjoys working with athletes because of his history with sports.
This winter he trained the Los Gatos High School Baseball Team, in hopes to bring them to another CCS championship. David graduated from Valley Christian High School in 2005 where he played Football and also ran Track.
David is currently a student at West Valley College where he plans to transfer to a four-year college to pursue a major in Kinesiology with a minor in Business. David brings a hard-working attitude to the Personal Training and Fitness Staff. David believes that with hard work and dedication, there is no goal unreachable.
Ryan Stanczak
Ryan Stanczak is certified through the National Academy of Sport Medicine as a Certified Personal Trainer. He has been working at Los Gatos Swim and Racquet Club as a Personal Trainer
since 2005.
Ryan brings a great attitude and work ethic, not only in his personal training, but also to everyday life. Ryan focuses on fulfilling his clients’ various fitness goals through proven training techniques that produce excellent results and are fun to do.
Ryan has helped many different people with various levels of fitness reach their goals through systematic progressions: Utilizing Stabilization, Strength, and Power with their workouts. With a focus on developing a strong core, injuries are prevented, and clients build a much better foundation from which to increase upon.
Ryan Stanczak also uses his sports experience to help athletes in all sports with sports specific training, such as tennis, swimming, and running.
Scott Stiller, NASM-CPT
Scott Stiller has been working with the Los Gatos Swim & Racquet Club for over 4 years, but has been personal training for over 8 years. Scott is currently certified through NASM, and has also been certified through NCEP and Weightlifting USA (Olympic Lifts).
Scott brings an uplifting attitude and a lot of experience to our gym. He also utilizes systematic progressions to progress his clients through different focuses of training: Flexibility, Stabilization, Strength, and Power. Scott believes in functional training to prevent injuries and to utilize the client’s time more efficiently.
Andrew Vu, NASM-PES, CPR, CES
Andrew has been a certified Personal Trainer since 2004. He has graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise and fitness. He holds numerous certifications, which include the National Academy of Sports Medicine certified personal trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist, and Performance Enhancement Specialist. He is currently working towards his Masters of Art Degree in exercise physiology.
Aside from the certifications, Andrew has numerous experiences playing many sports, which include hockey and martial arts. He holds a first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and is currently practicing Judo and Jiujitsu.
Andrew has helped many clients reach their fitness goals throughout his years, training in a fun, safe, and motivating way. His philosophy is that fitness is a way of life, so why not have some fun with it.
Cynthia Zanotto, NASM-CPT
Cynthia has had over 25 years in the field of personal training and group exercise, and continues to learn as the years go by. She has taught tough Group Exercise classes throughout her career, with her favorite types of classes being High Impact, Low Impact, Hip Hop Body Sculpting and most currently, Aqua. Her Personal Training Experience goes back to when Aerobic/Weight training started in the 80’s.
Cynthia has acquired ACE, ACSM. SCW, and NASM Certifications in Group Exercise, Weight Management, and Personal Trainer. At the Los Gatos Swim and Racquet Club, she is currently teaching Aqua classes and Circuit Training classes. She has been trained by the best and works specifically with the knowledge of NASM
Vince is a tennis pro and an all-around athlete. He graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor's of science degree in finance in 1996. He played with the 16th ranked Sun Devils team from 1995 to 1996, and made tennis his career after graduation.
Vince is USPTR / USPTA certified, and a USTA Referee (certified in 2000). He also instructed at the Wigwam Resort in Arizona for six years, which earned him a position
as Director of Junior Development at the Beverly Hills Country Club in 1997. He was then promoted to the Director of Tennis at BHCC in 1998.
Vince joined Los Gatos Swim and Racquet Club in 1999.
Vince says his favorite job is instructing USTA teams to strategically play better. No wonder our teams do so well! As for future plans, Vince hopes to some day produce his own tennis instruction video, coach a college team, and even own a sports bar.
Noi
Chery
Former #1 player at San Jose State, Noi coached a high school tennis team,
taught at John Whittlinger Tennis Camp at Stanford, as well as at the Santa Clara Golf and Tennis Club.
Noi has been with LGSRC for 4 years. She loves kids, loves tennis, and
especially loves teaching kids tennis.
When not teaching at LGSRC or playing with her delightful daughter, Kayla. Noi participates competitively in Outrigger canoeing and plays volleyball. For this accomplished athlete, rollerblading, basketball, rock climbing, racquetball and
working out are "relaxation" activities.
Karen Szabo, Aquatics Director
If
you want your children to learn how to swim, then Karen is the person to
see. Karen has overseen our swim lesson program for over 17 years. In
addition to being in charge of our summer swimming program, Karen manages
our seasonal lifeguard staff. She holds a B.A. in Recreation Administration
with a A.S. in Tourism and Fire Science. Karen also holds a Calif. State
Teaching Credential, and is certified to teach WSI (Water Safety
Instructor), CPR and Lifeguarding classes.
Along with her many talents, Karen brings her enthusiasm to our swim
program. She says, “I believe LGSRC offers a unique environment for swim
lessons. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructors, who all follow the
guidelines of the American Red Cross, teach all of our lessons. We look
forward to seeing you at the pool.”
You might also see Karen in one of our Group Cycling classes—she teaches
these classes, too!
Tracy Frick (Coach Tracy)
Tracy grew up in the little town of Pinole, California. She
started swimming at the age of three, where she took swim lessons at Canyon
Swim School. After a few years, she began her successful summer rec career
with the Pinole Seals. She was a high point champion in many meets and was a
County Champion in the 50 Breastroke back in 1990.
At the age of fourteen, she decided to swim year round for long time coaches, Ron and Don Heidary for the Orinda Aquatics. She swam there until the ripe age of 18 until she received a swimming scholarship to swim at San Jose State University. She attended Pinole High for her first two years of high school, where she holds many school records and for her last two years she attended Campolindo High in Moraga. She was a North Coast finalist all four years and placed seventh in the 500 free in 1997. She was also a successful water polo player. She was all-league for three years and third team All American.
While at San Jose State, she continued to improve in her swimming ability and by her last year she was high on the list of top ten in the 500 free, the 1000 free, and the 1650 free. For her last year she was team captain along with two of her fellow senior team mates.
Tracy began coaching at the age of 12 at Canyon Swim School teaching swim lessons. She continued there for awhile and by the age of 15 she coached for the Sleepy Hollow Legends where she remained for two years. At the age of 17, she accepted a coaching position for the West County Aquatics, by her last year she was made head coach. When she was 20 she received the Head Coaching position for the Pinole Seals, she remained there for two years helping the program improve and helping the children become better swimmers. She was very successful there helping the team place third in the league and grab a trophy that have not held for eight years. She now is coaching for Los Gatos Aquatics and Los Gatos Swim Club and is excited to bring her knowledge to the children and incorporate some of the coaching techniques that she learned while she was swimming.
Mira Albert
As a yoga instructor and massage therapist Mira combines her knowledge
of the body with a love of Yoga. She is certified in the White Lotus
Vinyasa tradition, informed by nine years of an Iyengar Yoga practice
with Kofi Busia, and weaves various styles of yoga into her practice
including Yin, Restorative, and Ashtanga. Mira’s classes are infused
with reminders of breath, lightheartedness and self-compassion. Her
down-to-earth teaching style and warmth reflect her joy in realistic
everyday practice.
Mira Alfaro
Maria
has been into Yoga since 1986. She trained in the Ashtanga and Iyengar styles (with several famous and/or unknown and yet fabulous teachers in three continents) and she
has been teaching Ana Forrest's work since 2000, in Californa and in Europe.. Maria was born and raised in Rome, Italy and lives and teaches in Santa Cruz. She has an eclectic background that includes Reichi, Esalen massage, modern dance, performance arts, Tai Chi, Chi Kung, political activism
and extensive traveling. She is multilingual and fluent in Italian and English. A good sense of humor is probably her best quality.
Phoenix Artemisia
Phoenix began practicing Yoga in 1994 under the instruction of teachers from the Ashtanga tradition of Baba Hari Dass. Her personal studies in Eastern philosophy and sacred mythology buoyed her through the completion of a BA degree in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz. Phoenix received her first teaching certificate at the Kali Ray TriYoga Academy in 1999. She completed a 200+ hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training at Mt. Madonna in 2003, and has also completed teacher training modules with Senior Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher, Kofi Busia, who she considers a beloved primary mentor.
Ellen Blumenfeld
Ellen has been a certified yoga teacher for 5 years (YES yoga training) and a practicing yogi for 10 years. She has studied with many renowned yogis in various techniques including Iyengar, vinyasa, yin, and restorative. Her style of teaching is a unique fusion of yoga meant to satisfy our physical and spiritual needs. Ellen believes that a dedicated practice will relieve stress, maintain energy flow throughout the body, keep our spines healthy, and make us look and feel younger.
Estie Golan
Estie has been a instructor at LGSRC since 1994. A health educator to individuals and groups for well over 20 years, Estie is a yoga/movement therapist and Structural Integration Practitioner facilitating balance and ease in those who work with her using gentle touch and movement. In her classes, she co-creates with each individual a safe space for personal healing and well-being by supporting connection with the body's natural healing wisdom. She is available for private consultation, personal training and public speaking.
Jeanette Goudailier
Jeanette is a certified Yoga instructor and member of California Yoga
Teachers Association. She has over 20 years experience in meditation and
massage therapy. She has taught and studied Yoga with various known
teachers for the last 12 years. Her passion for Yoga has taken her to use
many styles of Yoga including Iyengar, Vinyasa Flow Series, Yin Yoga and
the practice of Pranayama (breathing). Her sensitive, humorous, and
eclectic style leaves you feeling warm, tranquil, and “being” awareness
itself.
Micki Love
Micki Love is a yoga instructor and yoga therapist, certified through Integrative Yoga Therapy, whose involvement with yoga spans more than 20 years. Before moving to Los Gatos, she taught for over 8 years at Yoga Works in Southern California. Micki has studied with many renowned teachers, including Rodney Yee, Ana Forrest, and Shiva Rae, and her classes reflect a melding of her experience into a strong, calm, empowering flow. Her extensive understanding of anatomy and physiology allows her to create a practice that makes yoga accessible to everyone.
Jenny Niklaus
Recently certified to teach by the Yes Yogic Training Program, Jenny has
studied with Kent Bond and Joyce Anue for over 5 years. She is a
dedicated practitioner of Yoga, and has been working full time at Sacred
Heart Community Service. Her style of teaching is Vinyasa Flow, and if
you want a wonderful workout, try her class!
Debora Parente
Debora's wide range of Yoga studies includes Yin, Bikram, Iyengar, Vinyasa, Ashtanga,
Power and Restorative Yoga. She is currently interested in T.K.V. Desikachar’s style of yoga
with the emphasis of breath control. In addition to an extensive education in psychology, yoga and fitness,
Debora has completed the Master-Teacher training in Integrated Energy Therapy (IET).
Her passion for energy healing is a supportive and gentle style that enables individual growth and self-exploration. Debora completed her massage certificate so she can better assist her clients physical and emotional healing by “getting the issues of the tissues”.
Tara Robertson
Tara Robertson Yoga was first introduced to me 10 years ago as a cross training method for running.
After receiving training from Greenpath Yoga Studio in San Francisco, she began teaching
Vinyasa Flow style classes. The influence of my Astanga training can be seen in the focus on breath and alignment of my classes. To her, yoga is a moving meditation that connects each of us to the universal flow of energy. She draws inspiration from such teachers as Shiva Rae and Angela Farmer, and their teaching of Shakti energy in yoga flow.
Kit Sturman
Kit's eclectic approach to life has prompted her friends to call her a
Renaissance woman with a gentle heart and playful spirit. A long time
teacher, Kit has a masters of science degree in exercise physiology and
completed yoga teacher training at the White Lotus Foundation in Santa
Barbara. Kit is also a creativity and life coach, a massage therapist and
an avid writer. Her articles have been published in the LA Times, San Jose
Mercury News and San Jose Magazine. For Kit, the joy of movement and
focused breath work of yoga offer a path to a strong agile body and an
inner stillness.
Nancy Tudish
Nancy is a graduate of the Yes Yogic Training Program,
Nancy specializes in prenatal yoga and kids' yoga. She brings a unique
talent of teaching to work with special populations including our
youngest club yogis. Her style is gentle, humorous and creative.