Val Gerlings
I’m a Registered Kinesiologist, which
I describe as being a blend of the role of a strength coach and rehabilitation specialist (think adjacent to a physiotherapist) combined into one… as well as a personal trainer, behaviour change coach and honestly, a cheerleader (without the flips). This means my practice embeds evidence-based approaches from rehabilitation, behaviour change, exercise assessment, prescription & program design, and embodiment / mindfulness practices with a compassionate, person-centred trauma-informed lens…. All of this while being honest and engaged with the (entirety of the) human that sits in front of me.
My clinical work focuses primarily on top surgery prep and recovery (+ gender affirming care) and chronic pain management and rehabilitation. Additionally I work across multiple levels of strength training and weight lifting, with a preference for working with folks who are looking to shift their perspective on how movement practices and “fitness” can be integrated into their lives. As a group strength coach, I love creating and holding space for folks to experience the power of learning to move in community. There is power in accessible movement education and learning to take up space.
I prioritize my work to be with humans who have been harmed by traditional fitness culture and rehabilitation “norms”, typically centering those within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. This often also includes folks with chronic illness, episodic disabilities, folks who are neurodivergent, Fat people and those who live in larger bodies, BIPOC folks and a lot of parents.
R. KIN, MPK, BScKIN
I’m a trans human who has a chronic
illness and I do my best to be
clear about who I am, especially
in an industry that can be toxic
and othering.
I strive to show up authentically
and fully in my work and I do my
best to create space for the people
I work with to do the same. I am committed to continue learning & working with an anti-oppressive lens and engage in ongoing self-reflection and continuing education in my practice.
I have a Master of
Professional Kinesiology degree that has a specialization in health and wellness, focusing 2SLGBTQ+ inclusivity in movement space and practice, as well as equitable approaches to care. Some of the most powerful learning I have done has been outside of classrooms and traditional education structures. This has allowed me to have expansive work experience in the fields of exercise, fitness, rehabilitation, adaptive physical activity, behaviour change, group coaching, workshop facilitation, practitioner continuing education and anti oppressive practice.
Redefining Fitness &
Reclaiming Wellness
For over a decade I have been lucky to be able to learn and work in a field that I truly feel passionate about. I’m passionate about people… and I know how corny that sounds. Though, my accumulation of education and work experience has showed be that in the fields of Kinesiology, fitness and rehabilitation we rarely give enough focus to people as they are. We are taught to see bodies. We are taught to see parts. We are taught to see “problems” in those bodies that we can “fix.”
We neglect the human of it all. We are rarely taught that there are people attached to the bodies we see in front of us. That those people live in the world with unique, intersectional experiences and identities. Our bodies do not exist in isolation from society, from the environment, from politics I believe that inclusive physical activity and exercise is a social justice issue.
I am passionate about providing care that allows humans of any size, from any background and with any experience to learn what it means to have a body, be in their body and how it can move. How we can be connected, be embodied and be empowered through movement practices.
*Toxic Fitness Culture as defined by Ilya Parker of Decolonizing Fitness
Registered Kinesiologist
College of Kinesiologists of Ontario, Active Member
Ontario Kinesiology Association, Active Member
(in progress) Certified Inclusive Kettlebell Coach
Coach’s Corner, Liftoff Strength
The Barbell Rehab Workshop: Principles of Rehab & Training
Introduction to Trauma Informed Practice (TCMW)
Rainbow Health Ontario
Removing Barriers: making your organization LGBTQ2S Friendly
LGBTQ2S Foundations
Master of Professional Kinesiology
University of Toronto
Bachelor of Science Kinesiolgy
Dalhousie University
Education, Certifications & Awards
2023 University of Toronto Student Leadership Award
University of Toronto Interprofessional Education Curriculum Letter of Distinction
2022 Dean’s Student Leadership Award
Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto
