Gabe Merritt graduated from Whitworth University with a degree in Kinesiology. An ex-collegiate All-Northwest Conference football player, Gabe has a wealth of fitness knowledge and a passion for living an active life. After completing his degree, Gabe continued his education through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and attained a national kickboxing certification. He has been nationally recognized as an Elite Performer for his personal training as well as his leadership and ability to revamp a declining personal training program.
After a successful start to his fitness career, he directed his focus, time, and energy to establish a place where people could receive custom, one-on-one fitness programs, designed specifically for their individual goals. And, thus The Club was formed. Gabe has already touched countless lives, not only with his personal training, but with his work ethic and zest for life. He is committed to the success of his clients and he works to inspire, motivate and hold them accountable so they are able to live life to the fullest.
Ryan Haug brings an assortment of fitness knowledge and experience to The Club. A graduate of Central Washington University, Ryan has his B.S. in Exercise Science with a minor in Business. A former collegiate baseball player, Ryan even managed to take his shot in the minor leagues, playing for the Tri-City Posse of the Western Baseball League (Independent A). He started training at The Club in 2007, where he was the first fitness trainer added to the staff. Ryan brought over 10 years of training experience to The Club when he started, and has filled prominent fitness positions as a Fitness Director and General Manager, overseeing and running fitness facilities. Ryan also holds a certification through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
Zack McVey, a graduate of the University of Puget Sound majored in Political Economy and minored in Business. As an ex-collegiate basketball player, Zack has always held a passion for hard work, fitness, and helping others strive to reach their body’s full potential. After attaining a certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and beginning his career at Gold’s Gym, Zack was quickly recognized for his motivating and up-tempo style by being promoted to head trainer. Zack joined The Club in 2009 and has quickly worked his way to being not only one of the best trainers at The Club, but also one of the best trainers in the Pacific Northwest.
Steven Saner, a Kinesiology graduate of Western Washington University, comes with great experience in working with clients to improve their overall heath. His emphasis is on helping clients achieve both fitness and nutrition goals here at The Club. Steven began his career training at Gold’s Gym and went on to work as a Health Coach for a Bellevue based company called Health Ways. Steven currently holds his certification through American College of Sports Medicine. Using his unique background, Steven started here at The Club in 2012 to help members reach a healthy lifestyle and be able to maintain it.
Jesse Boelk graduated from The University of Puget Sound with a degree in Exercise Science and is a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) and a Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Jesse began his career as personal trainer in 2002 then advanced as a successful fitness manager and area fitness director. With the experience gained Jesse has developed an inclusive training approach to address the goals of clients of all ages and abilities. This approach utilizes the development and implementation of progressive programing to optimize results and ensure they are maintained.
Jill graduated from University of Missouri with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition and Fitness. She is certified through American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and Level 2 certified TRX instructor. She has truly dedicated her life to health and fitness. Jill grew up swimming with a club team and running in high school and was able to earn a scholarship to run track and cross country at the University of Missouri. After graduating she continued her athletic career as a triathlete and worked as a personal trainer in St. Louis. She received her Pro-Card in ’07 and decided to put her career on hold as a personal trainer and focus on being a professional triathlete. She traveled the world while competing in Olympic Distance Triathlons and living at the Olympic Training Center. She is now digging into her career as a trainer along with still competing and currently works as a guide for a visually impaired triathlete.
Laura has a Bachelor's Degree in Human Biology with an emphasis in Bio Mechanics and Kinesiology from the University of Nebraska. At a young age Laura was invested in gymnastics and competed for Brigham Young University until an ACL injury ended her career. She is certified through American College of Sports Medicine (ASCM) and earned certifications from Focus on Fitness in Oklahoma City, OK and the Cooper Institute in Dallas, TX. She also is certified in prenatal fitness, group fitness, and spin. She specializes in sport specific training and injury rehabilitation.
My love for physical activity and personal progress started when I was young. I grew up playing various sports. Starting with soccer and baseball as a kid, I eventually shifted into martial arts through my teen years then began lifting weights in the high school weight room and was instantly hooked. I love the feeling of pushing myself physically. I’m always looking for a challenge. This led me to compete in a handful of powerlifting and bodybuilding competitions. My love for lifting weights carried into helping those around me as well. I was constantly being asked for help or advice and had the idea to turn it into a career. Helping people achieve their goals is my mission. We are all capable of so much and if I can help people reach that level of confidence within themselves, I will consider that a success. I look forward to contributing to the team here at The Club and helping as many members as possible in their pursuit to a healthier lifestyle.
Michelle graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA with a BS in Psychology. She started her fitness career teaching a variety of group classes while in college. After graduation, Michelle became the Group Fitness Director for The Bartlett Recreation Center in TN. Wanting to help her class participants on a more personal level, she attained her personal training certification through the American Council of Exercise. Michelle is passionate about helping her clients remain healthy and active throughout their lives. She also holds certifications in group fitness, spin, TRX and is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher.
Darien Williams graduated from Central Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. He grew up just over the bridge in Tacoma, Washington where he was an elite multi-sport athlete. Darien graduated from Lincoln High School where he excelled on and off the football field, in fact he did so well, he received a full tuition scholarship to play cornerback for CWU. While attending Central, Darien received all conference honors and won 2 conference championships. He is a highly motivated and disciplined individual who is certified through NASM and has all the tools and skills to positively impact anyone who wants to improve their fitness. His elite athletic background and experience with different training styles serves as a huge advantage to his unique training ability.
With his knowledge and passion for health and fitness, it is Darien’s goal to inspire and to help everyone be their absolute best in the weight room, but also in life. In his spare time Darien enjoys spending quality time with his friends and family and keeping up with his favorite sports teams. He enjoys boxing and has gained significant knowledge and skill in this arena. Darien works on his craft daily, and it is his hope that others would be attracted to trying boxing as a means for a dynamic version of cardio, or simply personal interest. Having worked with and learned from professional athletes like former NFL quarterback John Kitna and many others; Darien knows what it takes to succeed athletically as well as improve general health and fitness.