Reviews of Coach Donovan - Personal Trainer & Health Coach (Gym)

Ann Valikoski

I really benefitted from my training sessions with Coach Donovan. His professionalism and expertise were very evident. Donovan's careful program planning and encouragement helped me to build strength and achieve my health and fitness goals. He is very knowledgable and helped me to train properly in order to get the best benefits from the equipment and avoid injury. Thanks Coach Donovan!

Camp Coordinator

Coach D is a living, breathing encyclopedia of health and fitness. Ask him anything; he's got the answer and solution! Most personal trainers I've worked with don't even know a fraction of what he knows, or regurgitate misguided "broscience" they read on Instagram. This guy knows his stuff!

Jenna Woods

Honestly I had SUCH a wonderful, uplifting, bucket-filling experience with Donovan. I came to him from a place of bleh. Haha. I was a bit depressed, super low energy, lazy, making excuses, being a victim to my comfortable habits. He very quickly pulled me out of that space and into one of self care, fresh habits and practical fitness. He is gentle but firm, smart but approachable and extremely awesome. He has a really wonderful way of holding space for you without allowing you to stay stuck. He has taught me a whole repertoire of movements that work parts of my body that struggle to engage/activate. He has helped me gain confidence in a new gym space with new equipment and processes AND he has helped me reconnect with my physical body so I can walk away and keep journeying toward my best health. Love you long time D!

Graham Maclagan

Journey of a thousand steps and what not. These were my pants from when I first started working at the library, last May. I started working with Coach Donovan back in Mid November of 2019 and it’s been a godsend. I’ve always had weight and dieting issues, but Coach Donovan was able to create a program that’s unique to me and it WORKS!!! I love food and with the diet plan he created, it never feels like I’m starving myself or eating boring meals over and over. As for the workouts, they’re fun!!! You enjoy going to the gym. Donovan is also just a really great guy that you can talk to. I would highly recommend Coach Donovan to anyone who wants to make a change, whether it be a little change or a big one. Thank you Donovan for all your help so far, and I look forward to continuing the journey with you. -Graham

Coach Ari Benishai

I've been able to work with Donovan both as a coach and as a colleague and he probably the most detail oriented guy I have ever met. As a client he would ask me every detail about why I chose exactly what I chose in a program and he treats his clients training the exact same way. Donovan is thoughtful, skilled and the trainer for you if you are looking for something personally tailored, effective and safe.

Jordis Briscoe

I had a few sessions with Coach Donovan, He taught me proper technique for exercises and new exercises that are better than others. I have seen so many gains in size since i first started seeing him. Definitely would suggest him to anyone that wants to get into shape or start working out

Diego Christiansen-Barker

An amazing coach, trainer and educator. I started working with Coach Donovan with the goal of gaining the knowledge and experience to lead an extremely healthy lifestyle. Simply put I achieved that goal many times over. I learned all about nutrients as well as what I was putting in my body and what I should put in my body for either performance or general health. Then I learned on the fitness side how to properly train all my major muscles and a lot about human mechanism. By the end of our 10 sessions I had developed my own strength training routine and a meal plan. Now if your goal is just to lose weight, gain muscle or something with less of an educational emphasis this is still your guy. His extensive fitness and health knowledge allows him to craft the perfect recipe of exercises and eating habits to achieve any goal. Further he is constantly learning from industry leaders and experts so that his training knowledge doesn't fall behind. All in all I couldn't recommend Coach Donovan more and I look forward to continuing to work with him in the future.

Vasilis I.

After years of exercising with improper form and no real direction, Coach Donovan helped me achieve my goals while exceeding all my expectations! Donovan has taught me how to match my nutrition, lifestyle, and exercise program to my ever-changing health and fitness goals, whether I'm trying to gain muscle, burn fat, or get stronger. His program plans are well thought out and customized to my capabilities and needs. You won't find a personal trainer as detail-oriented and dedicated to his passion as Coach Donovan.

Endi Beqiri

Donovan is one of the most detail-oriented, passionate, and knowledgeable trainers I have had the pleasure of working beside. A great guy to be around, and an even better trainer to work with. The industry needs more people like him ????????

Cipher James

Donovan is an amazing person to work with, and I love how helpful and supportive he his! He knows so much, and has helped expand my knowledge on fitness and health. Wish I could put 6 out of 5 stars because this guy deserves it!????????????????????

Keltie McKale

I started working with Donovan 6 months ago. I had neglected myself for 10 years, with a few injuries, and some health struggles. Coach Donovan has helped me have a total overhaul of my health from the inside out. I feel strong, I am not scared of the gym anymore, I have more energy and I am finding myself doing things I NEVER thought I could do. Like Hill Sprints! ( I didn't say they were all fun things) Not only does he support me in training, he shares his knowledge so that I can support myself at home. I went from a 3XL shirt size to an XL, the smallest I've been on over 10 years!! I am learning to be confident in the gym, even on days that I go on my own, knowing that I have the support if I need it. Coach Donovan has helped me reset my system with encouraging a Primal diet lifestyle, supplement knowledge and custom training program. I can't imagine where I would be today with my health if I hadn't taken the leap and booked in with him. 100% recommend making the change and working with this human encyclopedia of health knowledge!

Kristi Parker

Donovan's knowledge and experience make him an amazing trainer! I thought I knew what I was doing at the gym until I hired him haha. His workouts are customized to suit your needs and goals, and makes working out fun! I've learned to use the gym equipment safely, effectively and am so grateful he's assisted in rekindling my love for fitness.

Judy Bevington

Going back into a gym environment at the age of 57, after being away from it for over 15 years was intimidating to say the least. Once I started working out with Donovan, by about my third session I started to feel more confident being in a gym, and proud of myself for venturing out of my comfort zone to improve my health. Having Donovan as a coach makes all the difference in the world when it comes to results. He comes with incredible knowledge of fitness and nutrition, which translates into clients getting the tools needed to get excellent results. My past experiences going to gyms, I would have spent all my time doing gruelling cardio sessions because that is what I thought was necessary to be healthy . Donovan has taught me that I can obtain better results with weight training several times a week in addition to following a primal diet. I am very happy that I have embarked on my journey to regain my health, and improve my quality of life. I feel very fortunate to have found Donovan. I know that with his expertise and guidance my fitness goals are very attainable.

Vikram Luthra

Coach Donovan changed my life !!!! I was on a vacation visiting Campbell river for 2 months and he helped me absolutely crush my fitness goals. Extremely motivating, knowledgeable and empathic, he is the perfect coach. He is a gem of a person and extremely awesome to work with. He helps me out even while I’m in Toronto and hooked me up with fitness experts in Toronto who will help me continue with my goals . This showed me the true nature of his commitment towards his clients. Going to really miss this guy. Anyone in Campbell river who wants to work on fitness, he is the guy ! Thanks for everything coach ! FYI- lost 18 pounds in 2 months :) cheers

Chris Jacques

Within just under eight (8) weeks under Donovan's guidance and understanding of my goals success is upon me. He has guided me to a weight loss of fifteen (15) pounds & multiple inches. Even better, he listens to my concerns & addresses them in such a way that no one else ever has. Donovan clearly set out the workouts that I need to achieve my goals. I have never been happier with overall self than under his training.

Emily Tierney

Working with Donovan has been a great experience. I went in to the gym with little to no confidence/practice, but I knew I needed a change, so dove in head first.....scary! His knowledge in nutrition and kinesiology can't be beat. He helped me stay present in the moment and pushed my abilities when I wanted to give up. When you see the impossible. He sees the possible, and strategies to get you there. Having his app makes communication/documenting easy, and it's nice to follow the progress of your fitness journey. Smash those goals!!! Don't wait as long as I did. Just go for it. ????✌

Stephanie Bergen

I hired coach Donovan after tearing my hamstring in CrossFit, Donovan is professional, educated and welcoming, he trains people of all shapes and sizes and makes each one equal and welcome. Donovan never makes me feel insecure, embarrassed or judge well training together. He’s made the transition into my first non class oriented co-Ed gym comfortable and easy. Originally I thought I would only hire Donovan for 10 sessions but after training with him I found the value in our biweekly sessions where he helped me push harder than I ever would on my own, I’ve built muscle faster and with less injuries from our sessions and was able to not only heal my injury but also strengthen my hamstrings tremendously. Donovan also does nutrition and holistic health, one thing I really like about his approach towards me is very gentle and never does he ask me weigh myself or eat processed foods just because the macros are good, he just makes sure that I’m in a spot physically where I want to be and if I’m not he gives me the tools on how to reach that goal. All in all I would 10/10 recommended Donovan to anyone needing the extra push in the gym or is experiencing health problems and wants to get off pharmaceuticals and find their way back to holistic health.

Carla Valentine

I started training with coach Donovan two months ago, on recommendation from my daughter Chloe, to improve my strength and nutrition. As a triathlete, I had never done weights before, but now I feel so confident and strong. Donovan is a great coach and I highly recommend him.

Kat Esau

I was so nervous to join a Gym and I put it off for years! Then I saw all these people talking about a really awesome trainer at club fitness so I worked up the courage to get in touch with Donovan. Right off the hop he was so welcoming and knowledgeable, he made it so easy to feel comfortable starting a new program. I have been with him since August and could not be more happy with my new confidence and outlook on the health and fitness, He’s so professional and seriously cares about everyone’s personal goals. If you are debating weather to try a personal trainer or not I 100% say go for it and get in touch with Donovan, you won’t regret it!!

Steph Worster

Coach Donovan has a passion for and expertise in a wide range of topics related to fitness and nutrition which he uses to create a custom program tailored to each client's individual needs. He motivates and challenges me in each session and has helped me greatly increase my strength while allowing me to reach my fitness goals. I am never bored, and really enjoy learning from him, as we discuss all things neurological and health-related. I also really appreciate his positive and supportive approach! If you are looking for a trainer, I highly recommend Coach Donovan.

Floyd Wilson

Donovan is an absolutely phenomenal personal trainer! I’ve worked in the same environment as Donovan for nearly a year, and I saw him do incredible work with his current and former clients throughout my time there, so i figured I’d book in a one off session with him to see what I can learn, and he taught me SO MUCH in that session, can happily say I got my money’s worth from him. He taught me some new workouts that are more effective than my previous ones, as well as correcting my form on other workouts I have done incorrectly before. He’s a truly outstanding personal trainer Very professional, super friendly and outgoing, very knowledgeable with what he does in the gym, and I can happily say I enjoyed my personal training experience with him

Nitu Badyal

Coach Donavan has been an amazing personal trainer. I reached out to Donavan after seeing what he's accomplished with his clients helping them achieve milestones in their strength and guide them through challenges with support and vast knowledge of the weightlifting world. He's helped in my training by providing exercises to achieve my fitness goals. He's an extraordinary personal trainer and he knows his stuff!

Steve Hendly

Met Donovan to help with me with my fat loss goals and to get stronger for hockey. Everything was great until I handed over the payment, since then he constantly makes excuses for why he can't get me in at the time we agreed to and tells me I will lose my sessions if not completed with in a month! I would steer clear of Donovan and find a better, more professional and experienced coach. Be aware of the "fake" reviews Torva is his wife but her messages appears to be from a client!

Chloe Valentine

Coach Donovan quite literally saved my life. A few months ago I was extremely unhealthy and suffered from constant anxiety. Now, almost 20 sessions later, I feel like a different person. Not only is he a very knowledgeable trainer, but he really helped me with my nutrition as well. Now I can't imagine him not being a part of my health journey. On top of having an incredible eye for detail when going through the exercises (I had been living with hyper-mobile joints and never knew it), he is so empathetic and caring - he really advocates for YOU as a client. I never thought I'd stick with the gym for this long but now it's my favourite part of the week and I look forward to having many more sessions with him!

Steve Parkhill

Great coach with great attention to detail. Lots of experience and knows how to bring out the best in you.