Dre Flores, Certified Personal Trainer

Certification: NASM, obtained 2024

 

Majoring in Financial Mathematics and Statistics, Dre obtained his certification in 2024 while working as a personal trainer and rehabilitation aide alongside Orthopedic physical therapists in his hometown of Chicago, IL. He is a baseball player turned endurance athlete, completing a Ironman 70.3 in summer 2025. Dre has his sights set on racing the LA marathon. As a trainer with UCSB’s Department of Recreation, Dre brings his deep passion for exercise science and helping individuals reach their full potential. He enjoys hiking, snowboarding, playing his guitar and watching the Chicago Bears.

 

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Ben Oler, Pro-Level Certified Personal Trainer

Ben Oler, Pro-Level Certified Personal Trainer

Certifications: NASM-CPT, Obtained 2014

 

Ben's career as a trainer and a fitness enthusiast began over 10 years ago. As an undergrad at UCSB, Ben earned a Minor in Exercise and Sports Science with an emphasis in Personal Training. While attending UCSB, Ben played on both the club Tennis and Rugby team as well as training athletes with multiple UCSB club teams, including tennis, rowing, field hockey and rugby. He currently teaches Boot Camp at the UCSB Department of Recreation in addition to working with Personal Training clients.

Ben specializes in program design, crafting the optimal program for each client using his broad knowledge of exercise science and motivational techniques to help his clients level up with speed and safety. Ben’s motto: Consistency is the key to change!

 

 

Ryleigh Zimmerman, Certified Personal Trainer

Certification: NASM, obtained: 2024

Ryleigh began training with the UCSB Department of Recreation after discovering her passion for fitness and helping others build confidence in the gym. She focuses on strength training, functional movement, and creating approachable, effective workouts for all experience levels and goals. Outside of training, Ryleigh enjoys weightlifting and long-distance running, and is currently an undeclared undergraduate at UCSB.

 

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Claire Rouse, Pro-Level Certified Personal Trainer

 

 

Claire Rouse, Pro-Level Certified Personal Trainer

Certifications: NASM-CPT, Obtained 2023

 

Claire’s journey with the UCSB Department of Recreation began in 2021, when she was hired as a student staff member in the Fitness Department. While at UCSB, Claire studied Environmental Studies and Sociology and participated in the UCSB Exercise and Sport Studies Academy. Claire obtained her NASM Certificate of Personal Training in 2023 and went on to serve UCSB as a Specialty Fitness Instructor, where she designed and continues to teach Women & Weights, a Gaucho R.E.C. course that focuses the fundamentals of strength training around the unique needs of female students and community members. 

Claire believes that the most optimal fitness routine is one that you enjoy! She is passionate about building safe, effective and engaging programs for her clients, empowering them to progress with confidence on their fitness journeys and achieve their goals.
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Kenji Nielsen, Certified Personal Trainer

 

 

 

Kenji Nielsen, Certified Personal Trainer

Certifications: NASM-CPT, Obtained 2024

Currently majoring in Economics and Accounting at UCSB, Kenji began weight lifting during high school, where he also played soccer and lacrosse. Working with a trainer was a crucial part of the beginning of his fitness journey.  After graduation Kenji decided to pursue his NASM certification while apprenticing with a trainer who is also a veteran of the Marine Corps. As a trainer with UCSB's Department of Recreation, Kenji brings his passion for exercise and goal setting to helping you reach your fitness goals.  Kenji enjoys hiking, the beach, and friend time when he is not studying and working out at the Rec.