Personal Training

what we do

The J’s personal trainers are here to help you reach your fitness goals. Our friendly, certified personal trainers are here to work with you one on one or in a small group to give you the personal attention and custom program you need.  Whether that's in the Fitness Center, in the pool, or virtual, our staff can meet you there. 

Allow our team of certified, professional personal trainers help you reach and maintain your fitness goals!

When you invest into your health, with one of our personalized programs, we’ll create an individualized prescription just for you which can include:

• Cardiovascular Conditioning
• Weight Management
• Nutrition Coaching
• Resistance Training
• Flexibility
• Sports Specific
• Movement Pattern Corrections
• Post-Physical Therapy
• Core/Pillar Strengthening
• NEW! Assisted Stretch & Recovery

Contact Fitness Director Dave Parris at daveparris@siegeljcc.org to schedule your Training Sessions.

Intrigued? Sign up for a complimentary fitness orientation and check out more information below!

One-on-One Personal Training

• 30 or 60 minute session options
• Programs available for 1, 2, or 3 sessions per week
• Available in person or online/virtually
  • Get start today by filling out this form

Partner/Small Group PERSONAL TRAINING

Partner/Small Group Training is also available at the J, for double the motivation and double the sweat. If you work better with a partner, this may be the option for you. Partner/Small Group Training is offered in 60-minute sessions. To sign up for Partner Training, contact Dave Parris.

Assisted Stretch & recovery

Unlock your body’s potential with one-on-one flexibility training

Whether you’re an athlete, an active adult, or just looking to move more comfortably, flexibility is essential—and often the missing piece in most fitness routines. Our Assisted Stretching Program helps improve mobility, prevent injury, and boost overall performance.

Using PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation), our certified trainers guide your muscles into a greater range of motion safely and effectively—achieving in one session what might take days on your own. Even if you stretch regularly, some areas are hard to reach alone—that’s where our trainers come in.

This program is for everyone, from beginners to Olympic-level athletes. Invest in your greatest freedom: the freedom to move.

Reach out to Dave Parris at daveparris@siegeljcc.org for more info and to book your session today!

Why Flexibility Training Matters

Stretching is more than a fitness extra—it’s a foundation of healthy movement. Regular flexibility training can:

• Improve range of motion and joint health

• Reduce stiffness and muscle tightness

• Enhance athletic performance

• Boost circulation and muscle recovery

• Help prevent injury

• Increase daily comfort and mobility

Unlike cardio and strength training, stretching can and should be done daily—and the benefits are immediate.

Meet our stretch team:

AJ

With over 13 years of personal training experience, AJ blends science-backed fitness with a hands-on approach to recovery. She holds multiple certifications, including Myofascial Release (FiTOUR), TRX, and Personal Training (ISSA), and is a Dietitian Technician, with degrees in Dietetics and Personal Training from Camden County College and Rutgers University.

She’s also highly experienced in HIIT, senior fitness, post-rehab, strength training, and nutrition—offering clients a truly holistic path to better movement and wellness.

Myofascial Release with AJ

Certified through FiTOUR, AJ uses hands-on myofascial release techniques to relieve tightness in the body’s connective tissue (fascia), which can cause pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Her targeted sessions help improve flexibility, ease muscle tension, boost circulation, and restore alignment—leaving you feeling more mobile, relaxed, and balanced. Whether you’re recovering from injury or simply want to move better, AJ’s approach offers lasting relief and results.

ANGELA:

With 20 years of experience, Angela began her career as a massage therapist and has since expanded her expertise through continued education. She is now an NCSF Certified Personal Trainer and an ACE Certified Health Coach, which has enabled her to develop a comprehensive approach to health and wellness.

As a trainer, Angela emphasizes functional exercises designed to improve an individual's ability to perform everyday tasks by mimicking natural movements and engaging multiple muscle groups. This focus on building strength, stability, and coordination translates directly to real-life activities.

As a health coach, her goal has been to help clients uncover their skills and potential, guiding them toward realistic goals and tailored strategies for sustainable lifestyle changes. Angela believes in a holistic approach that includes emotional and mental well-being, alongside physical fitness.

Previously, she served as a Flexologist at StretchLab for two years, specializing in assisted stretching to enhance flexibility and mobility through customized, hands-on sessions.

Angela truly believes that simplifying the process of healthy living and focusing on holistic healing leads to significant benefits.

THEA:

With over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry—including 15 years training clients in Boston—Thea brings a deep well of knowledge, passion, and precision to every session. A certified PNF Stretch Coach through Reebok University since 1998, she has been using assisted stretching to help clients safely and effectively improve flexibility, mobility, and performance for decades.

Thea is also trained in Stott Pilates, holds pre- and post-natal fitness certifications, and has served as a Flexologist at StretchLab since 2021, giving her hands-on expertise in helping clients of all backgrounds and abilities unlock their body’s potential.

A black belt in Kung Fu and a five-time marathon finisher (including two runs in the Boston Marathon), Thea embodies a lifelong commitment to movement and resilience. Whether you're an athlete looking to enhance performance or someone seeking relief from everyday tightness and tension, Thea is ready to guide you toward your goals—one stretch at a time!

Meet Our Personal Trainers

DAVE PARRIS, Fitness Director

Background: Fitness Manager of Philadelphia Sports Club
J Employee since: 2018

Dave holds a degree in Exercise Physiology from Temple University, as well as certifications in personal training. His passion for health and fitness has given him the opportunity to develop programs and train an extensive range of clientele of all ages: post-rehab, post-heart attack, hip replacement, rotator cuff tears, post-stroke, marathon runners, Mt. Everest hikers, sports performance, collegiate, and semi pro and pro athletes.

Angela CruZ

Certifications: NCSF (National Council on Strength & Fitness) & ACE Certification

Years of Personal Training Experience: 10

Specialties: Health Coaching, SMART Goal Setting, Functional Exercises

Fun Fact: Every morning I journal about my goals and haven’t missed a day in almost 3 years. Featured in Philadelphia Magazine.

Nick Desantis

AJ Greenetz

Certifications: 

• Certificate for Personal Training from ISSA
• Certificate for Myofascial Release from FiTOUR
• TRX Certified Trainer
• Certified Special Needs Adaptive Personal Trainer
• Certified Special Needs Adaptive Group Fitness Instructor
• Diploma in Personal Training from Camden County College, Blackwood NJ
• Associate's degree in Dietetics from Camden County College, Blackwood NJ
• Accredited through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a Dietitian Technician, Registered
• Bachelor's degree in Dietetics at Rutgers University, NJ

Years of Personal Training Experience: 13

Specialties: High intensity interval training, senior fitness, post-rehab, weight training/muscle-building, myofascial release, special needs adaptive training & nutrition

Fun Fact: I ride a motorcycle, raise chickens, and am a navy veteran.

"My training philosophy is centered around injury prevention through strict form, balance, flexibility, and strength. I also pair fitness training with nutrition for a holistic approach to wellness.”

Shaun Gundel

Certifications: A.S.F.A. (American Sports and Fitness Association)

Years of Personal Training Experience: 3

Specialties: Strength Training, Functional Movement, Increasing Cardiovascular Fitness, Balance and Core Stability, & Fitness Maintenance 

Fun Fact: I'm a cyclist turned triathlete. I love competition and racing. I have qualified for U.S.A. Triathlon Age Group National Championships (Olympic Distance) two years in a row (2018 and 2019). This year's event will be in Cleveland, Ohio and consists of a 1500m swim, 40k bike, and 10k run. 

"Personal Training at the JCC gives me the unique opportunity to work with people with a huge variety of goals. I'll encourage, motivate, and energize my clients to help them reach their goals. I feel it's imperative to have fun during your workout and feel good about yourself for taking care of your body. Remember, exercise is the "Fountain of Youth" and with my strong dedication, desire, and discipline, I can help you succeed in your path to a healthy future. You can do it!"

Brian Kenny

Thea kersey

Taylor Lindsay

Tessa Melendez

Certifications: ACE CPT (American Council on Exercise)

Years of Personal Training Experience: 2

Specialties: HIIT, Strength/Weight Training, Balance and Core Stability & Functional Training

Fun Fact: I am a big bookworm who dreams of writing her own books one day. 

"I've only begun training at the JCC, but every time I train a person I focus on walking the line between what they feel is possible for them that day and what their body can accomplish. One of my coaches when I was a cross country runner told me that the body can actually run 3 more miles than the mind thinks the body can. I have carried that with me to this day and carefully apply it to my clients because a personal trainer is meant to help guide their clients to see what more is possible from without the mind."

John Hope

Certifications: ISSA (Personal Training, Corrective Exercise, Strength and Conditioning)

"I’m a high-energy personal trainer with a passion for helping people build strength — inside and out. Over the years, I’ve worked with clients ranging in age from 20 to 80, guiding each one toward greater functional strength, endurance, and confidence in their daily lives.

 As a man of faith, I believe true transformation goes beyond the physical. My mission is to help each person I train not only improve their fitness, but also rediscover their confidence, purpose, and potential.

Whether you’re recovering from physical therapy, looking to regain mobility, or wanting to push your athletic limits, I’ll meet you where you are and help you move forward safely and effectively. My programs focus on building functional muscle, improving movement quality, and enhancing overall quality of life — so you can feel stronger, more capable, and more alive every day."

Jason Menaker

Certifications: NASM, CPT, CNU Stretch Levels 1 and 2, Fascial Workshop (Stretch)

Years of Personal Training Experience: 2

Specialties: Assisted Stretching

"I love helping people get stronger and more flexible—without having to sacrifice one for the other. If you feel limited in your movement or struggle with pain, I’ll help you move better, feel better, and build lasting strength and mobility that supports your everyday life. My coaching style is simple, supportive, and beginner-friendly, helping you gain confidence and real results at your own pace."