Introducing the Performance Institute team

Meet the fitness experts ready to help you achieve your fitness goals.

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About
Performance Institute

Our team of fitness and nutrition professionals are invested in your health. We make every decision with our members’ well-being in mind. Achieve your goals with us!

The Team

Performance Institute Owners Steve and Heather Ramsbottom
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Steve and Heather Ramsbottom

Owners

In 1999, while completing his Human Kinetics Practicum at the University of British Columbia, Steve found himself at the training facility that would later become the home of Performance Institute. Recognizing his passion and expertise, the owners at the time offered Steve, then just 24 years old, the opportunity to become a partner in the facility. Steve eagerly accepted, marking the beginning of an exciting journey. The following year, Heather, armed with her degree from Queen’s University, moved to British Columbia. She enrolled in an Exercise Science certification program that included a practicum, and coincidentally, she was placed at the same facility where Steve was now a co-owner. Their initial professional admiration quickly grew into a romantic connection. At that point, they weren’t ready to dive into both a full-time working relationship and a budding romance. Heather pursued other opportunities, working in corporate fitness and teaching. Meanwhile, Steve continued to grow the business. Five years later, with some partners moving on to other careers, Steve became the sole owner of Performance Institute and realized he needed help. This time, Steve and Heather decided to take the leap and work together. Now, over 25 years later, Steve and Heather continue to lead Performance Institute, bringing their combined expertise, passion, and dedication to everything they do.

Performance Institute Coach Nathan Pinnell
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Nathan Pinnell

Coach

Nathan is a technical master when it comes to advanced movements like Olympic lifting but also relates incredibly well to Active Rehab clients struggling to manage pain and re-establish daily living activities. He knows how to challenge and progress clients of all levels and is an all-around great guy and Father of one son. Nathan is BCAK certified as well as certified in Soft Tissue Release.

Performance Institute Coach Francois Begin
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Francois Begin

Coach

Francois has 15+ years in the Fitness industry, excellent at working with older clients as well as those dealing with or recovering from injury. Francois has a Masters in Kinesiology, is BCAK certified and certified in Soft Tissue Release. Francois has many loyal clients who have trained with him for over 10 years. Francois has two daughters and a personal background in hockey.

Performance Institute Coach AJ Migneault
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AJ Migneault

Coach

AJ always brings energy to any room he enters and kids love working with him, but so do his many Active Rehab Clients and athletes. AJ comes to us from Saskatchewan and is gifted at both teaching and progressing clients appropriately as well as making everyone feel like they are a super-star. AJ loves the outdoors, and can be found in Whistler on his days off and is BCAK certified, is a Clinical Exercise Physiologist and is certified in Soft Tissue Release.

Performance Institute Coach Matt Kerr
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Matt Kerr

Coach

Matt is an intuitive wizard when it comes to the body and understands how to “release” or teach clients how to self-active release tight muscles to minimize pain and maximize performance. He works well with clients of all backgrounds and is a high-level golfer. Matt is certified in Soft Tissue release.

Performance Institute Coach Karch Camangian
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Karch Camangian

Coach

We feel so lucky to have found Karch, who has recently come to us from the Philippines. Karch was the Strength and Conditioning Co-ordinator at De La Salle University integrated School where his responsibilities included keeping the staff fit and healthy as well as training student athletes. Like all of our staff Karch is super welcoming, but also knows how to push clients in a safe way so they get the best out of their workouts. Kids and clients of all ages enjoy working in Karch. Karch has his Master’s Degree in Exercise Science and is certified in Soft Tissue Release.

Performance Institute Coach Owen Friz
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Owen Friz

Coach

Though Owen is the youngest member of our staff, he has been with us more than 10 years, first as a client athlete training for Hockey, and now is one of our trainers and is currently in his third year in Kinesiology. If you are lucky, Owen may share with you his own personal challenges and successes in gaining confidence in his body and shedding fat in a healthy, sustainable way. He has a very solid skill set in teaching clients, and is an avid learner and his positive energy and ever-present smile always genuinely makes clients feel better if they’re having a tough day.

Performance Institute Coach Riley Craig
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Riley Craig

Coach

We affectionately call Riley “the Prof” since in addition to training at Performance Institute, Riley is an instructor at a local college. He has a Masters of Science in Kinesiology with a focus in Occupational Biomechanics. While he already has many degrees and certifications under his belt, Riley is always striving to learn more to improve his training. He has a natural gift in relating to all types of clients and is just a nice guy to have around.

Performance Institute Coach Ishan Dixit
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Ishan Dixit

Coach

Ishan, a graduate of UBC with a degree in Kinesiology, currently balances his time between training with us and serving as a Teaching Assistant in Anatomy at UBC. With a background in rugby, Ishan combines his athletic expertise with a thoughtful and compassionate approach to training. His intelligence and dedication make him an invaluable member of our team.

Performance Institute Owner Steve Ramsbottom
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Steve Ramsbottom

Coach/Owner

Even after over 25 years in the industry, Steve’s passion for training his clients remains as strong as ever. His clients feel the same, with some having worked with him for more than two decades. Steve’s extensive knowledge shines through in his ability to seamlessly integrate activations and releases into his clients’ programs, ensuring they remain pain-free while performing at a high, even athletic, level-regardless of their age. He excels at balancing essential “maintenance” work with advanced strength and power training, keeping his clients at their peak. Beyond his professional achievements, Steve is a devoted father to two children, whom he shares with his business and life partner, Heather. Steve is BCAK and Soft Tissue Release certified, a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and the author of “Wheelchair Training.”

Performance Institute Coach Heather Ramsbottom
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Heather Ramsbottom

Coach/Owner

Heather is a dedicated fitness professional with over 25 years of experience in the field she loves. Known for her meticulous attention to form, she ensures her clients, whether elite athletes or beginners, execute movements with precision. Heather is particularly passionate about understanding how a woman’s cycle influences performance and addressing the unique challenges faced by women over 40. As a Precision Nutrition Certified Coach and BCAK certified professional, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her work. While she is not currently accepting new personal training clients outside of the semi-private setting, Heather plays a crucial role in educating our predominantly male training staff, ensuring they are well-versed in the unique training needs of women. Heather is also a busy mom to two active kids aged 9 and 12.

Top-Notch Gym Equipment

At Performance Institute, we take pride in offering a well-curated selection of straightforward yet effective equipment to help our clients reach their fitness goals. Our facility is equipped with a wide range of tools, including dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, bands, and various self-active release tools, ensuring that your body stays limber regardless of age or injury history. We feature eight Rogue stations complete with barbells, a GHD machine, a Tank Sled, 11 TRX stations, along with five Concept2 Rowers, Spin bikes, an Assault bike, and a variety of agility tools and plyo boxes. Our trainers excel at adapting exercises, making all of our equipment accessible and beneficial for beginners, older clients, and seasoned athletes alike.

Exceptional Features and Amenities

At Performance Institute, voted the best gym in Burnaby, we create an inclusive environment for all generations, offering individualized programs tailored to diverse goals, from high-level athletics to general fitness. Our knowledgeable trainers excel at personalizing each client's experience. What truly sets us apart is our vibrant community spirit-where everyone is motivated, supportive, and genuinely enjoys each other's company.

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