Our Mission
Our mission is to assist you with achieving your goals no matter what they are and what path is takes to get there. We routinely set aside time for members to discuss working around their schedules, limitations, goals, etc. which are holding back their progress or ability to train. We are here for you and we are here to ensure your success. We simply ask that you work with us by being very vocal and by bringing us any concerns or comments you have no matter how big or small – we want to hear them and we want to help you find a solution.
Josh Gervais
Owner and Head Trainer
From a very young age I was always an active child, playing all sports such as hockey, baseball, football, volleyball and golf. I grew up playing AAA hockey in the Welland minor hockey system, hoping one day to play Junior hockey . That dream came true with a lot of hard work and determination. After two years of junior B hockey in Welland, I moved away to play Junior A hockey for the Wellington Dukes, in the Belleville area. Through this journey I found my passion for Fitness and Health. I always had a personal trainer to make sure I stayed on top of my game. It didn’t take me long to figure out that one day I would like to be the trainer instead of the trainee. In 2012 I retired from junior hockey at the age of 21 and I began following my dreams to become the best trainer of elite athletes in the Niagara Region. In 2013 instead of training athletes in parking lots and empty fields, I decided I wanted to open a top notch fitness facility in my home town that could offer athletes of all levels the type of training I had to travel great distances to obtain as a youth. This 10,000 square foot facility quickly became my second home where I live out my passion every day. I enjoy every single minute of it and hope to improve the fitness levels of every member that walks through these doors, whether they are a high level athlete or at the beginning of their fitness journey.
Top Dawgs Fitness and Training
(D)eveloping (A)thletes (W)ith (G)oals to (S)ucceed
Certifications/Degree
- Owner/Head Trainer
- Niagara College/ Loyalist College (fitness and health promotions)
- Can Fit Pro (Canadian Fitness Professionals)
- CPR certified
- CrossFit 2014 Regionals
Background/Expertise
- Junior A Level Hockey
- Sports Specific Training
- Strength, Size, Speed and Conditioning
- Team Training
- Weight Management
- Core, Balance and Flexibility Training
Philosophy
- Don’t Wish For It. Work For It!
Alex Fairgrieve
Personal Trainer
From a young age I’ve participated in a range of physical activities. I danced competitively in ballet, tap, jazz, point, hip-hop and lyrical for 13 years. I’ve been involved in many sports such as soccer, volleyball, badminton, track, cross-country, golf and rugby. I received junior and senior female athlete of the year all four years I attended Lakeshore Catholic High School and I had the honor of playing on the U-18 Ontario Rugby team, where we won the national championship. So, I think you’ve got the point… I thrive off being active! Working as a personal trainer allows me to share my passion with others and to inspire a feeling the client never experienced before. As a trainer I am energetic, positive, motivating, patient and sincere. I feel rewarded when I can help someone reach his or her goal, and do it in a healthy manner. I have experience working with a wide variety of populations through many different fitness domains including weight loss, strength and conditioning, injury prevention, wellness coaching, and endurance training. My approach to achieve a client’s goal is creating a program that is challenging, yet achievable, that will teach the client how to connect with his or her body and to work outside his or her comfort zone. I also like to provide clients with knowledge and strategies to live a healthy lifestyle outside of exercising in order to accomplish the goal and to succeed in life. At the end of the day I want to share the effect and confidence health and fitness brings to me on a day-to-day basis leading to the ultimate goal of happiness and enjoyment in life.
Certifications/Degree
- Personal Trainer
- Bachelor of Kinesiology Brock University
- Can Fit Pro (Canadian Fitness Professionals)
- First Aid/CPR certified
Background/Expertise
- Weight management
- Circuit training
- Individual training/group training
- Muscle building
- Sport specific training
Philosophy
- Work with your body, not against it.
Jessica Herries
Front Desk/Personal Trainer
A little bit about me. I have always been active throughout my life. Growing up I never knew what it was like to be sitting still for any amount of time, I like to be busy..I felt naturally gifted as an athlete. I have always enjoyed running short and long distances as well as competing in track and field. I was a provincial gymnast and was active in gymnastics from age 3-17, afterwards continuing to coach gymnastics and cheerleading until having children. I am a mom of 2 very active boys who play football and compete in Jiu jitsu. I believe in being a good example for my children by continuing to stay fit and living a healthy lifestyle, especially in today’s society where obesity has become a issue. This wasn’t always easy for me after having children as I gained a significant amount of weight. I was unhappy with my body and began working out at home and incorporating conditioning from my gymnastics background until I lost a total of 40 pounds. I then began coming to Top Dawgs where I instantly felt a sense of family, community and home in their facility, this translated to having others want to work out with me and assist them in their weight loss goals. I was more than happy to help others reach their goals in fitness and empower them to feel proud of themselves. I knew what it felt like to carry around extra weight and as mom try to make time for myself while working. I enjoy training others using circuit and strength training. Soon after I took my can fit professional trainer course to become certified. Then owner Josh Gervais asked me to join his team and the rest is history!! I have never been more proud to be a part of an amazing group of trainers than here at Top Dawgs!
Certifications/Degree
- Front desk/personal trainer
- Can Fit Pro (Canadian Fitness Professionals)
- First Aid/CPR certified
- Level 2 NCCP
Philosophy
- I can and I will!
Casey Ker
Front Desk Manager/Personal Trainer
Physical activity has always been an essential part of my life. Born with natural athleticism I pursued many different team sports as I grew up. It was an energy release for me-I truly loved the competition and physical exertion. Throughout my teenage years soccer became my primary focus until I tore my ACL during a game-an issue that has reoccurred 2 more times into my adulthood yet has never stopped me. During my rehabilitation to rebuild my knee/leg, I became interested in weight training, which was a different thrill as it was something independent. I enjoyed the feeling of being strong-challenging and pushing my body to new limits, increasing my confidence in myself as a whole. My new found confidence led me to try new fitness avenues such as boxing and kickboxing, as well as an array of different fitness classes which soon led to me teaching classes myself. I wanted to share the joy I was experiencing with others. I wanted others to feel the thrill and rush of feeling proud of themselves and their bodies-no matter what size or shape. I decided to attend Niagara College where I graduated from the Fitness and Health Promotion Program with honours as well as a CSEP (Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology) certification in 2013. Afterwards I began training people at different facilities until I finally found a facility that felt like home-Top Dawgs Fitness and Training. The owner Josh Gervais gave me the opportunity to train out of his facility and the rest is history. Every day I come to work I’m surrounded by people who were once staff and members to me, but those people I now consider friends and family.
Certifications/Degree
- Front Desk Manager/Personal Trainer
- Niagara College-Fitness and Health Promotion-graduated 2013 with honours and CSEP certification
- First Aid/CPR certified
Background/Expertise
- Circuit Style Training-individual/group-any age
- Resistance Training-any age
- Core Strengthening-any age
- Weight Management-any age
Philosophy
- Your mind is more powerful than your body-listen trust believe
Mike Wilcox
Trainer/Employee
Growing up I was always active. In elementary school I was a cross country runner and track and field athlete, usually doing quite well in my events. As high school approached, I started playing basketball leisurely. I never played on any high school teams, just intermural teams and pick-up games for fun. I loved the game so much, I got a membership at the YMCA to improve my skills, little did I realize that would be the start of my fitness career. When I was 17, a friend of mine showed me a basic weight training routine and I was hooked. It was the perfect outlet in life for me, whether it be a stress relief, or just time for myself. When I was 22, I enrolled in Fitness and Health Promotions at Niagara College to get my diploma so I could make a career of it, sharing everything I’ve learned about living a healthier lifestyle. Living a healthier lifestyle doesn’t only make you feel and look great, it teaches you commitment, routine, perseverance and so much more! Who wouldn’t want to test their limits?
Certifications/Degree
- Niagara College Fitness and Health Promotions graduate
- Can Fit Pro ( Canadian Fitness Professionals)
- CPR certified
- OPA Bodybuilding competition 2014
Background/Expertise
- Bodybuilding training
- Conditioning/ endurance training
- Strength training
- Flexibility/ mobility training
- Flexible dieting/ weight management
Philosophy
- Be persistent, stay patient!
Jake Rae
Trainer
Fitness has been an important factor in my life for many years. From lifting weights in the Notre Dame Weight Room to the rubber floors of the Top Dawgs fitness facility, it’s a passion of mine that will never fade away.
I believe all fitness is good fitness. With proper technique and instruction, any sort of training will provide physical, mental and emotional benefits.
Top Dawgs Fitness and Training
(D)eveloping (A)thletes (W)ith (G)oals to (S)ucceed
Certifications/Degree
- CrossFit Level 1
- CPR/First Aid certified
Background/Expertise
- CrossFit styled training
- Strength, size, speed and conditioning
- Team training
- Core, balance and flexibility training
Philosophy
- Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in the muscles.
Become A Member
Strongmill CrossFit
Join our Strongmill CrossFit team today and experience the fitness power of a CrossFit workout.
Join Our Family
Top Dawgs is a community of people striving to reach their health and fitness goal while encouraging one another to reach theirs.
Contact Us
Please feel free to contact us regarding any questions or comments regarding Top Dawgs.
About Us
When you walk through the doors you immediately know that you are part of something different, something bigger, something special. We can help you do things that you’ve never thought were possible before. Whatever your goal is we can help you achieve it and realize your true potential.