Personal Training

PERSONAL TRAINING

Find encouragement, motivation, and expert coaching with our personal trainers

No matter your fitness or performance goal, working with one of our personal trainers can help you achieve greater results than training alone.

Depending on your individual needs and objectives, you’ll be paired with one of our certified personal trainers who can best help guide you towards those goals. After a consultation and fitness assessment, a personalized program will be created and you’ll work with your trainer during weekly sessions to help you shave some time off your next marathon, learn how to powerlift, or achieve better overall health.

Pair with our wellness therapies to aid with recovery and mental focus.

Meet our Trainers

Our personal trainers bring a wealth of experience, diverse certifications, and specialized expertise to help you reach your goals. They’re passionate about supporting people from all walks of life—whether you’re a seasoned athlete aiming for peak performance or someone looking to build healthier habits and feel stronger day to day. With personalized guidance, motivation, and encouragement, our trainers meet you where you are and inspire you to achieve your own version of success.

Steve
Eileen
James
Jaime

The first step in your personal training journey is being matched with the perfect trainer that will complement your schedule, personality, and fitness goals. Before purchasing a package, please fill out the inquiry form. We’ll contact you to chat about your goals, match you with one of our staff trainers, and arrange your session schedule. Sessions cannot begin until this is completed.

FIND MY TRAINER

Pricing

Private packages

60 Minutes30 Minutes

1 Session - $115

1 Session - $60

12 Sessions - $1,320

12 Sessions - $1380

24 Sessions - $2,520

24 Sessions- $1,320

48 Sessions- $4,800

48 Sessions- $2,520
PURCHASE PACKAGE

To arrange your session schedule and be matched with a trainer, please fill out the inquiry form. Sessions cannot begin until this is completed.

For questions and more information, contact Steve Pruiksma [email protected]

Steve Pruiksma

Head of Personal Training

Steve is a lifelong athlete and fitness professional who brings over a decade of experience in personal training, fascia stretch therapy, and leadership in the fitness industry. He began his journey in high school through sports and strength training, which sparked a passion for helping others move better and live healthier lives.

At the Ridgewood Y, Steve oversees the personal training program, supporting both clients and trainers while continuing to work directly with members. His specialties include fascia stretch therapy, corrective exercise, strength and conditioning, and holistic wellness coaching.

Steve believes in a whole-person approach to fitness, combining strength, mobility, and recovery practices to help clients reach their goals in a sustainable way. What he loves most is watching clients gain confidence, resilience, and energy through movement.

Eileen Rakowski

Personal Trainer + Group Fitness Instructor

Eileen is a lifelong fitness enthusiast who brings passion and energy to every session. As an avid pickleball player, runner, and yoga practitioner, she knows firsthand how important strength, mobility, and endurance are for both sport and everyday life.

At the Ridgewood Y, Eileen leads group classes including Total Body Conditioning, Morning Circuits, Osteoblast, and Pickleball Prep, designing engaging workouts that meet members where they are. She specializes in working with women at all stages of life, from pregnancy and postpartum to maintaining strength with osteoporosis. She always emphasizes safe movement and proper form.

Her training style is supportive, motivating, and educational, and what she loves most is helping clients build strength, regain confidence, and find joy in movement.

James Shelton

Personal Trainer

James has been a Certified Personal Trainer since 2009, building on a lifetime as an athlete and fitness enthusiast. In addition to his work at the Ridgewood Y, he is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and addiction specialist, bringing unique expertise in human motivation and mindfulness into his training sessions.

He has experience working with a wide range of clients across ages 20–80+, including members of the neurodiverse community. Whether your goal is aging well with strength and cardio, achieving weight loss, or improving athletic performance, James creates workouts that are both effective and fun.

Outside the gym, James enjoys staying active as an avid tennis player and certified tennis instructor.

Jaime Aponte

Personal Trainer + Group Fitness Instructor

Jaime earned his B.S. in Physical Education with a Minor in Exercise Science from Manhattan College (2008). With a background as a physical therapy aide, he specializes in post-rehabilitative fitness, helping clients safely progress after injuries and surgeries through exercise, functional movement, and proper stretching.

A lifelong athlete, Jaime also brings personal experience in sport performance training. Over many years in personal training, he has developed effective programs for body transformation, weight loss, and postpartum rehabilitation.

His training philosophy is to learn to move right before you move more, emphasizing proper form, functional strength, and long-term health. Whether you’re overcoming physical challenges, aiming for new goals, or simply looking to get more active, Jaime provides the expertise and motivation to guide your journey.

Thank you for your interest! Now let’s get you set up with the perfect trainer.

Thank you for your interest! Let’s get a little more information.

Thanks for your interest! Please fill out the following information and we’ll reach out with program and registration information.