Meet the Personal Trainers

 

At the Warren County YMCA, you'll find more than just a personal trainer in Lisa Roberts—you’ll find a passionate, experienced educator and motivator who’s made a career out of helping others live healthier lives.

Lisa's journey into the world of fitness began in childhood. Growing up in the country with a pool in the backyard, she was constantly on the move—swimming, biking, skating, and exploring outdoors. Her early love of activity only grew stronger over time. She remained active through school and college, and after having children, joined the Glenwood YMCA in Erie, Pennsylvania. That’s where her professional fitness career began—first as a class participant, then an instructor, and eventually a personal trainer.

Over the years, Lisa deepened her expertise with a Master’s degree in Exercise Science, and a Doctorate of Education focusing on Health and Physical Activity. She has also taught in various fitness centers across Erie and at LECOM Medical Fitness and Wellness Center. 

As a breast cancer survivor and someone who has overcome a serious back injury, Lisa understands the challenges many of her clients face and brings empathy and encouragement to every session.

Lisa has 27 years of teaching experience in health and fitness and has worked with infants, youth, and adults, including individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities and new immigrants adjusting to life in the U.S. While she previously held numerous certifications through the YMCA and LECOM, she is now pursuing certifications through the American College of Sports Medicine and will be attending their upcoming conference in Atlanta.

 

“Do not be nervous and just do something you enjoy—maybe it’s a walk or lifting light weights. Be consistent and make it fun. Exercise doesn’t have to be horrible—it can help alleviate medical issues, anxiety, depression, and improve sleep and mood. Just showing up is the hardest part.”

 

Her proudest moments as a trainer come from helping people become more confident and comfortable with exercise, especially those who are new to it or face unique challenges. She's particularly proud of helping adults who’ve never biked or swam before; adapt to a more active lifestyle in the U.S. 

Lisa’s personal motivation comes from how great she feels, mentally and physically, after a good workout. "On days I exercise, my mood and disposition are always better," she says. "I want to feel good, keep up with my family, and enjoy our travels and daily activities without fatigue."

 

The YMCA holds a special place in Lisa's heart. She learned to swim at a Y in Rhode Island and raised her children in the YMCA environment in Erie. “The Y has always been good to me and my family,” she says. After becoming a member of the Warren County YMCA with her husband, she realized she missed being around people and teaching—so she returned to her roots in fitness instruction.

She especially enjoys Jill’s raft class at the YMCA, praising it for its benefits in balance, core strength, and overall fitness. “I need to take it more often!” she says.

 

Lisa’s favorite workouts are tough to narrow down—she enjoys a wide variety including MMA, running, biking, strength training, and more. Her current top three are MMA, running, and biking. She's a big fan of active recovery workouts, where she integrates core exercises between strength training sets to keep moving and maximize time.

A fun fact about Lisa? She’s adopted, grew up in a lively Italian family, completed an Ironman in Lake Placid in 2010, and dreams of writing a children's book about nature—with her son as the illustrator.

 

With her wealth of experience, infectious energy, and genuine care for others, Lisa Roberts is a valuable part of the Warren County YMCA community. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your fitness journey to the next level, Lisa is here to help you every step of the way.

 

 

Noah Sharp is a dedicated and compassionate personal trainer at the Warren County YMCA, bringing not only his fitness expertise but also a deep understanding of personal transformation through recovery. At 42 years old, Noah is a person in recovery himself and has previously worked as a recovery specialist, supporting individuals at various stages of their journeys toward healing and stability.

“Fitness played a major role in my own recovery,” Noah shares. “I wanted to continue being of service by helping others who want to incorporate fitness into their lives.”

Noah holds a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) credential from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), as well as a Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) credential from the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB). His unique combination of certifications allows him to address both physical fitness and the emotional, psychological needs of those in recovery.

One of the most common hurdles Noah sees for newcomers at the gym is fear of judgment. “I think the anxiety about being judged on appearance keeps people from starting. But the truth is, most people in the gym are really just happy to see you putting in the effort. Nobody is watching in a critical way.”

Noah’s proudest moments as a trainer come from witnessing the joy on someone’s face after achieving what might seem like “small” victories—like tying their own shoes or getting up from the ground without assistance. “These are things most of us take for granted,” he says, “but they mean everything when you’ve been unable to do them.”

What motivates Noah every day is the opportunity to support those who’ve struggled as he has. “My goal is to be of use to anyone trying to manage their weight or their life.”

His connection to the YMCA was a natural fit. “I was drawn to the Y because of their dedication to supporting the community,” Noah explains. His favorite program at the Y is the Your Life Matters initiative, which specifically supports those in recovery. 

Outside the gym, Noah enjoys the calming benefits of yoga, which he says improves his mobility and enhances his performance in other workouts. He’s also a self-taught ukulele player and finds joy in its soothing sound.

With his lived experience, credentials, and heart for service, Noah Sharp continues to be a source of inspiration and support for the Warren County YMCA community.

 

 

 

 

 

Deanna’s fitness journey started early. “I grew up as an athlete,” she shares. “In my early twenties, I got into CrossFit and fell in love with it.” That passion quickly turned into a career. When the opportunity to coach presented itself, she jumped in—and never looked back. Coaching naturally evolved into full-time personal training, allowing Deanna to combine her athletic experience with her career as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. “It was a great way to educate others through my love of athletics and fitness,” she explains.

Deanna holds several key certifications that support her work:

• CrossFit Level 1

• Olympic Weightlifting Level 1

• Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant

These qualifications not only ensure she has the technical skills to help clients reach their goals, but also the therapeutic insight to help them do it safely—especially those recovering from injury or dealing with chronic pain.

For those hesitant to start their fitness journey, Deanna has one simple piece of advice: “Just start. Don’t wait.” She understands that fear or uncertainty can be a major hurdle, but believes momentum begins with a single step.

When asked about her proudest moment as a personal trainer, Deanna reflects on the small victories: “Any time a client tells me something ‘feels good’ that once caused them pain or anxiety—that’s the best part of what I do.”

Deanna’s personal motivation is close to home: staying healthy and strong for her two daughters. That motivation shines through in her training style—high-energy, thoughtful, and always focused on long-term wellness.

 

 

 

 

Sports Conditioning Program Instructor | Personal Trainer | Performance Coach

Kristine “K” Dillon-Hughes discovered her passion for fitness at a young age, working out alongside her dad and recognizing early on how physical training could elevate her performance as an athlete. That spark became a full-blown calling in high school when she learned about personal training as a career. From that moment on, she redirected her focus and hasn’t looked back since—earning her Bachelor's in Sports Medicine, followed by a Master’s in Exercise Science. She is now a dedicated personal trainer and sports performance coach, holding certifications from NASM as a Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) and Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES).

Kristine’s training philosophy is simple: just show up. She believes the hardest part is getting started, and once you commit to showing up, the rest is about staying consistent. Her proudest moments as a trainer aren't measured in sets and reps—but in the personal victories of her clients. Whether they’re winning championships, qualifying for the Olympics, reclaiming their health, or simply being able to enjoy everyday activities again, Kristine finds purpose in every milestone.

With a strong focus on strength training, Kristine builds programs that are adaptive, empowering, and grounded in science. Her approach emphasizes not just performance, but resilience—helping clients feel mentally and physically stronger in the face of life’s challenges. “When you take care of yourself,” she says, “you give yourself a chance of survival. You can’t control your genetics or outside injuries—but you can control how you show up for your own health.”

Outside the gym, Kristine brings the same energy and rhythm to another passion—she’s also a DJ, spinning beats that move people in a different way.

Whether you're training for the big game or just starting your fitness journey, Coach K is all about helping you show up, stay strong, and reach goals you never thought possible.

 

More about our other personal trainers coming soon!

 

 

Personal Training

If you are not getting the results you are looking for by yourself, consider hiring a personal trainer. For more information about our personal training services, contact Chris Dolan, Wellness Director at 726-0110, ext. 121 or email Chris at chris@warrenymca.org to discuss your goals and options. She will be able to match your needs with the trainer that will suit you best.

Personal training services offered:

• Weight-loss Training Programs: Lose fat, tone-up muscles and improve aerobic/cardio fitness.
• Weight-maintenance Training Programs: Tone-up muscles, moderately increase strength and improve aerobic/cardio fitness.
• Weight-gain Training Programs: Gain muscle, increase strength and power.
• Athletic (sports) Training Programs: Increase speed, quickness, jumping and endurance.

What you can expect during your personal training experience:

• An initial consultation to find out essential information about you. (Health issues, level of fitness, goals, etc.)
• A challenging workout routine based on your specific level of physical fitness and goals.
• An educational, encouraging and respectful workout environment.
• An enthusiastic and committed partnership in the pursuit of achieving your physical fitness goals.

 

Individual Solo Sessions

• 30 minutes $15 member / $22.50 non-member
• 1 hour $25 member / $37.50 non-member
• 1 hour (3 sessions) $60 member / $90 non-member
• 1 hour (5 sessions) $100 member / $150 non-member
• 1 hour (10 sessions) $200 member / $300 non-member

2 Individuals Sharing Sessions/Cost

• 30 minutes $25 members / $37.50 non-members
• 1 hour $45 members / $67.50 non-members
• 1 hour (3 sessions) $105 members / $157.50 non-members
• 1 hour (5 sessions) $175 members / $262.50 non-members
• 1 hour (10 sessions) $350 members / $525 non-members