Highland Park Hospital Health and Fitness Center

1501 Busch Parkway
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(847) 229-0292 | fax (847) 229-0293
Map & Directions | Hours of Operation

For rates and availability of these services, call 847.229.0292.

Contact:Dave Wischmeyer

Personal Training

Personal Training Staff Bios

Lisa Avila

Education and Certification:

  • American Council on Exercise-Certified Personal Trainer
  • Certified Johnny G Instructor
  • Group Exercise Certification from AFAA
  • Personal Training Certification from AFAA
  • Certified Group Power Instructor
  • Certified Group Step Instructor
  • Certified Centergy Instructor

Areas of expertise:

  • Special Populations
  • Weight Loss
  • Senior Fitness

Experience:

  • Group Exercise since 1992
  • Personal Training since 1998

A.J. BlockA.J. Block

Education and Certification:

  • B.A. in Communications from University of Michigan

Areas of expertise:

  • Fitness Swimming
  • Competitive Swimming

Experience:

  • Co-Captain of University of Michigan World Record Masters Relay Members 2001
  • U.S. Masters Swim Top Ten for Five years
  • World Ranked Masters Swim for Fours years
  • Participated at the High Altitude Training Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs

Melissa Brodzik

Education and Certification:

  • B.A. Public Relations, from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Minor in Health
  • American Council on Exercise-Certified Personal Trainer
  • Certified Group Power, Group Step, Group Centergy Instructor
  • Certified Reebok Cycle
  • Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Leader
  • Yoga
  • Pilates
  • X-Bike

Areas of expertise:

  • Functional Training for Water Skiing
  • Triathlon Training
  • Pilates

Experience:

  • Personal Training since 1997
  • Water Ski for Tommy Bartlett Thrill Show in Wisconsin Dells; Marine World in Vallejo, CA; Holiday Park, Hassloch Platz, Germany
  • Water ski instructor at Sammy Duvall’s Water Sports Center at the Contemporary Resort at Disney World

Rita Dakolios, NSCA-CPT

Education and Certification:

  • B.S. Exercise Science from Minnesota State University
  • National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer

Areas of expertise:

  • Weight Loss
  • Sport Specific
  • Special Populations
  • Conditioning

Experience:

  • Personal Training since 2005
  • Collegiate Dancer and Cheerleader

Kurt Ginter, R.K.T.Kurt Ginter

Education and Certification:

  • B.S. in Physical Education w/emphasis in Fitness Leadership from Northern Illinois University
  • Registered Kinesiotherapist
  • American Council on Exercise-Certified Personal Trainer

Areas of expertise:

  • Core & Stability Training
  • Sports & Performance Training
  • Post Rehabilitation

Experience:

  • Personal Training since 1990
  • Assisted Physical Therapy since 1994
  • Trained Professional Athletes

Val HahamyVal Hahamy

Education and Certification:

B.S. in Mass and Interpersonal Communications from Illinois State University

  • American Council on Exercise—Certified Personal Trainer
  • Resistance Training Specialist Level 1
  • Certified Bodyflow Instructor

Areas of expertise:

  • Mature Adults
  • Special populations
  • Post-Rehabilitation
  • Lifestyle Modification

Experience:

  • Personal Training since 1984

Jeremiah JohnsonJeremiah Johnson

Education and Certification:

  • B.S. in Exercise Science from Illinois State University
  • American Council on Exercise—Certified Personal Trainer

Areas of expertise:

  • Athletic Conditioning
  • Bodybuilding Training
  • Sport Specific Training

Experience:

  • Personal Training since 2005
  • Strength & Conditioning Intern w/Chicago Bears
  • Frappier Acceleration Program

Brad Leshinske, C.S.C.S., EMT Brad Leshinske

Education and Certification:

  • B.S. Exercise Science from North Park University
  • A.A. Liberal Arts from Wright College
  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Areas of expertise:

  • Post Rehab
  • Strength and Conditioning
  • Core Conditioning
  • Sport Specific
  • Weight Loss
  • Speed and Agility Enhancement

Experience:

  • Personal Training since 2003
  • Semi-Pro Baseball/College Football Player
  • Strength and Conditioning Coach for college and semi-pro baseball players

J.J. NovakJennifer “J.J.” Novak, ATC, LMT

Education and Certification:

  • B.A. in Athletic Training and Psychology from Carthage College
  • National Athletic Trainers Association Certified / Licensed Athletic Trainer in the State of Illinois
  • NCTMB certification for Massage Therapy

Areas of expertise:

  • Post-Rehabilitation
  • Special Populations
  • Adult Fitness

Experience:

  • Personal Training since 1997

Rich RossiRich Rossi

Education and Certification:

  • B.S. Physical Education w/specialization in Exercise Science from SIU-Carbondale
  • M.S. in Education w/specialization in Sport Management from SIU-Carbondale
  • National Academy of Sports Medicine—Certified Personal Trainer

Areas of expertise:

  • Sport Specific Training
  • Post Rehab
  • Flexibility, Agility, Coordination & Balance Training
  • General Strength and Endurance

Experience:

  • Personal Training since 1991

Kimberly RussellKimberly Russell

Education and Certification:

  • B.F.A. in Dance and Theater from University of Cincinnati
  • American Council on Exercise – Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise
  • Johnny G SPINNING
  • Physicalmind Institute for Pilates Mat
  • Aquatic Exercise Association
  • Arthritis Foundation for Aquatic Exercise

Areas of expertise:

  • Dancer’s workout Classes
  • Pilates Mat Classes and Individual Aquatic Classes

Experience:

  • Group Exercise Instruction since 1991
  • Personal Training since 2001
  • Former Professional Ballet Dancer

Rennie StefaniRennie Stefani, M.S., ACSM-HFI, C.S.C.S

Education and Certification:

  • B.A. in Art from Lake Forest College
  • M.S. in Exercise Science / Wellness from University of Illinois at Chicago
  • American College of Sports Medicine—Health Fitness Instructor
  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Areas of expertise:

  • Postural Conditioning
  • Golf Conditioning
  • Tennis Conditioning
  • Mature Adults
  • Post-Rehabilitation

Experience:

  • Personal Training since 1993

David WischmeyerDavid Wischmeyer, ACSM-HFI, C.S.C.S.

Education and Certification:

  • B.S. in Fitness Management from Elmhurst College
  • American College of Sports Medicine-Health Fitness Instructor
  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
  • Mad Dogg Athletics Spinning Instructor

Areas of expertise:

  • Core Conditioning
  • Weight Loss/Maintenance
  • Athletic/Sports Conditioning
  • Endurance Training

Experience:

  • Personal Training since 2002
  • NCAA Cross Country and Track & Field runner