I believe that everyone deserves access to the power of movement in an environment that feels welcoming and comfortable. One of my goals as a fitness professional is to foster an inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive, regardless of experience, identity, ability, or anything else.

I'm a canfitpro-certified personal trainer with decades of experience in the health & wellness industry. I fell in love with exercise and healthy living, and I hope to spread my enthusiasm to ultimately help people improve their quality of life.

Based in Toronto's Leslieville at Dwell Gym, I specialize in, but am not limited to, women 45+. I have also discovered my love of working with senior citizens, guiding them to move with more balance, grace and confidence.

Interested? Drop me a line!

A BIT ABOUT ME

I have an insatiable curiosity when it comes to health & wellness - I love to know how & why everything works. Having survived cancer and assorted health challenges, I'm always expanding my repertoire of exercises to suit any restriction that may present itself.

Body- and food-neutrality are very important to me.

As a professional trainer, my goal is to guide you towards a healthier lifestyle. Everybody is unique, with their own strengths and limitations, which means that no program is the same. Your health status, schedule and fitness goals are all taken into account. My aim is to get you feeling stronger, and help you make more mindful decisions when it comes to your health.

I'd love to hear from you!

Understand the Benefits of a Personal Trainer

As a personal trainer, I provide personalized workout plans, encouragement and motivation. I want you to move safely within your scope of ability. Special attention is paid to proper form, with exercises tailored to your specific needs and goals.

Setting Clear Goals

Whether you aim to feel better in your clothes, be able to keep up with your friends on a hiking trip, improve cardiovascular health, or be able to open jars again, having clear objectives will guide your training sessions and measure your progress.

Schedule Consistent Sessions

Consistency is key in forming a new exercise habit. Regularly scheduled sessions are advised; it’s easier to stick with it if it’s committed and on your calendar. Most of my clients come 1-3 times a week, depending on their budget and schedule. Whatever frequency you choose, treat these appointments as non-negotiable commitments. After the first few weeks, they’ll feel like they’ve always been part of your routine.

Communicate Openly

Be open and honest about your fitness levels, any injuries or health concerns. Remember, this is a judgement-free zone. Effective communication ensures that I can adjust your program as needed to suit your evolving needs and preferences.

Embrace Personalized Workouts

One of the significant advantages of having a personal trainer is the customized workout plans created for you. Embrace these personalized routines, as they are designed to target your specific goals and accommodate your fitness level, making your workouts more effective and enjoyable. If you need help designing a movement ‘schedule’ for days you are not working with me, don’t hesitate to ask. I can provide a list of exercises that would be safe for you to do on your own, factoring in other activities you like to do, i.e., walking, Aquafit, Youtube stretching videos, etc.

Learn and Empower Yourself

I like my clients to feel empowered and inspired to move their bodies more.The exercises I use are easy to adapt to an at-home or travelling routine. My hope is that you will make movement part of your regular routine.

Stay Motivated and Accountable

As a personal trainer, I not only guide your workouts but also keep you motivated. My goal is for you to feel encouraged, and stronger after each session. Let’s celebrate those wins, however small they may seem.

Enjoy the Journey

Remember, building a good exercise habit is a marathon, not a sprint. Enjoy the process, celebrate your milestones, and recognize the positive changes in your body and mind. As your personal trainer I hope to make this journey as enjoyable and rewarding as possible.

I'd love to hear from you!

TESTIMONIALS

As a newly retired 60 year old woman, I badly needed to improve my overall strength, balance, and flexibility. I started working with Miriam a year ago, after she was recommended to me by a friend. I have loved the experience and have seen significant, measurable improvements in my fitness. Miriam leads me through a customized program that maintains challenge and continuous improvements while taking into account my total lack of past experience with strength training. I’d totally recommend her to anyone looking to start a program.

Julia S, Toronto

Miriam is the fitness coach I didn’t know I needed. I always look forward to our weekly sessions and I leave the gym feeling energized and stronger.

I started working out with Miriam about 2 months ago. In the beginning, I was apprehensive and worried about injuring myself. I had pre-existing mobility limitations from an old injury, and I was hesitant to move past this fear. Miriam’s professionalism, knowledge, encouragement and patience has exceeded my expectations!

I’m very pleased with my progress and feel confident with her as my fitness trainer. In a short period of time, my strength and endurance has improved and I’m feeling stronger and more confident in my movements. Thank you Miriam! I’m so happy to have found you!

Joanne M, Toronto

Miriam helped bring me ‘back to life’ after a really stressful period of my life. I have my strength back, better mobility & range of motion. I am more confident in my body and my emotional health and sleep is better. It’s the best selfcare I’ve done for myself in years. Highly recommend!!

Jyne G, Toronto

Miriam is a really great personal trainer. Firstly she listens to my concerns and objectives, making sure they are addressed and that I see and feel my own progress. Also she pays close attention to what I say and do in the moment, and makes personalized adjustments to my workouts immediately and over the long term. My hour with her is very hard, but not so much that I want to quit. Would recommend her to anyone.

Jenn L, Toronto

I am an older man, I have been working out for many years. I met Miriam at Riverdale Fitness six or seven years ago. When she told me she had completed a Personal Training Designation, I inquired about working with her as a client. I explained that I wanted to work on personal balance issues.

I have worked with her for the past seven weeks. I have found these sessions to be an immense help. Miriam is a thoughtful, patient and inventive coach. I am doing exercises that I would never tried on my own. I look forward each week to our meeting and the learning that I am able to incorporate in my own personal fitness routine. I would unreservedly recommend this fine trainer.

Karl N, Toronto

Training with Miriam is an excellent way for me to remain strong as I move into my late 60s. She is extremely knowledgeable, professional, and committed. Also a very generous person.

Noreen S, Toronto

I had put off putting myself and my wellness first for years, part of my excuse was a diagnosis with an autoimmune disease about 7 years ago that meant I had to majorly overhaul my diet. It took a lot of energy and I used it as my excuse not to have time, money or capacity to do more. Without a trainer I was inconsistent at any efforts to change my lifestyle.

I needed, and have experienced with Miriam, the benefit of a workout appointment on my calendar and a monetary exchange because for me that speaks to my commitment to value myself and motivates me to do the work in between to get full benefits from the time and resources I spend to be with Miriam. With Miriam's training sessions and the workout outlines she sends me, for my at home training, I feel less lost in the woods. A big thing has been shifting my thinking to allowing my fitness and health to be a priority. Get dinner started, do a work out, if the family is hungry they can participate more! The dog walk can wait until after my exercise walk - my needs come first. It is a pretty major shift and it is critical to my journey.

I am excited to be feeling more connected with my body, stronger and more motivated to continue the practices of strength training and walking. Also, my family has noticed I have had more resilience with stress and less struggle to manage my anxiety! WOOT.

Jennifer S, Toronto

Miriam is a true professional who is constantly looking for creative ways to inspire and motivate her clients. She is also a ton of fun-- she keeps it real, while making you feel strong and empowered! You won't regret working with her, as she understands that health and fitness is a journey.

Aggie T, Dundas

I have been working with Miriam for a few months now, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the progress I've made. From the very beginning, she took the time to understand my goals and tailor a program that was perfect for my needs. She has a unique ability to push me beyond my limits while ensuring I stay motivated and engaged.

Thanks to Miriam, I am now healthier, stronger, and more confident than ever before. If you are looking for a dedicated, knowledgeable, and inspiring personal trainer, I highly recommend Miriam, she has truly made a huge impact on my over well being. I look forward to our sessions as I know I will leave feeling better!

Arghi M, Toronto

From the perspective of someone that has coached Miriam, without a doubt you are in good hands. With professionalism, a strive for excellence and an assurance of quality, there is not a newer trainer that I have had more faith in than Miriam.

Achieving a high initial grade in testing and then catapulted into acing her practical. Bright minded, empathetic and strong. Keep on your toes, because rest assured if she doesn't know, she will find out. Always being resourceful, Miriam will find an answer.

Hiring a personal trainer is supposed to make the journey more enjoyable and more effective. No doubt will Miriam be an excellent first choice in professional trainers!

Cam C, Hamilton

Miriam McCrea is a fantastic trainer and a delightful person. She respects her clients inherently and unconditionally, and is somehow able to push and encourage without triggering the feelings that gyms, gym music and gym classes always gave me. I worked with her twice a week for two months, and then once a week for a final month, and feel better in my body, happier in my soul, and ready to keep exercising into my old age.

I had reached 54 without ever getting used to exercise and was feeling really tired and worn out; Miriam was respectful of my disinclinations, funny and friendly, and somehow got me into better shape and onto the right track without my having to lift a bunch of grunty weights. She empowered me by showing me workouts I could take with me once I finished, focused on quality of life goals, and never pressured me to continue past what I could afford. She also recognized my tattoos (rare) and was really great company. When I wrapped up, she took me out for a coffee and walked me through our notes so that I could keep it up.

I will be always grateful for her guidance and kindness, and feel really lucky to have gotten to spend time with her. Miriam rules.