Professional Fitness Staff

Marika Pedersen

Marika Pedersen is a certified personal trainer/fitness instructor/hip-hop instructor with 23 years of experience in the industry. She teaches Group Power, Muscle Conditioning, Low Impact, and other fitness classes at ORC and teaches at schools as well.

She has been a judge at Fitness Canada / WNSO-World Natural Sport Bodybuilding Championships for 3 years.

Some of her PT clients have climbed mountains, conquered cancer, completed marathons and triathlons, and become trainers themselves. Others have maintained significant lifestyle changes - all are winners.

Marika is a mother of three; ages ranging from 9 -29 yrs, and is “noni” to 2 yr. old Grace and 6 month old Chloe.

She is a published children's book author, and paints murals in her non-existent "spare time."

"The best gift I know of is the gift of health. Energy comes from movement so don’t wait to be inspired; rather- be inspiring! Every day is potential; every hour is opportunity and every moment is NOW.

Don’t waist (waste) it!

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Testimonial

By ORC Member, Greg Hood

”I don't know what quads, glutes, triceps, biceps, hamstrings, pecs, decks, trecks etc. are........All I know is there is this woman (Marika Pedersen) who apparently has the ability (and she enjoys it) to focus on delivering workout sessions that completely makes me immobile and feel decrepit. Not only do I look forward to feeling like this but I actively engage in trying to encourage others to join in the fun.....It's a sick cult you've developed...but thanks.”

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Testimonial

By ORC Member, Jayne Gildner

Marika is the best! I have been working out with her every week for almost two years and she always has a new exercise to try, or a new twist on an old move to ensure I never do the same thing twice. Her knowledge and professionalism ensure I stay on track with my fitness goals, and her positive encouragement makes me want to do the killer workouts she plans for me every week. Even though every week it seems to get more and more difficult (more weight, more reps), I look forward to seeing how much she makes me do, and what new challenges she has up her sleeve. Marika always motivates me to work hard and to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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Testimonial

By ORC Member, Ijen (Last name withheld for obvious reason!)

Here’s what I know for sure about Marika, as a trainer:

1. Don’t let her smile fool you! At the end of each session, you’ll feel like you just finished an UFC (Ultimate Fighting) round, and she lets you crawl home – which I’m sure it’s only because the club has a rule about that.
2. Don’t waste your breathe telling her off, or expressing your despise for her. She inhales it all as compliments.
3. Don’t even think of coming to your session late. She’ll double up the weights and the reps, just to “make up for lost time”. Trust me, it is FAR worse.
4. Don’t chat up with her during the session. She knows you are stalling for time, even as you fight for every breathe. She doesn’t care that it’s YOUR money.
5. If you are thinking of pushing her down those stairs leading down to the weight room, it won’t work – she ALWAYS walk behind you. (Not that I’ve EVER thought of doing something like that, of course! But I’m telling you, she has killed before.)
6. When she compliments you, watch out! She’s ready to add on.
7. If you think semi-private sessions are easier than privates with her – because you get to spread the abuse 2-ways, you would be VERY wrong. She has eyes at the back of her head.
8. She’s a lousy counter. When she’s counting out your reps for you, she cheats shamelessly.
9. She can pick out the subtlest wrong body position from across the room. Her correction will definitely make you feel a difference in the workout – ALWAYS harder.
10. You just don’t ever get a chance to show off your mastery of one exercise from one session to the next, because she expects it and she’s already moved on to the next level. You just never know what each session will bring.
11. Smile even as your muscles scream for mercy. You can threaten to deck her for telling you to “suck it up” yet again, but let’s face it, she can kick your a--. You learn quickly from her expression that whimpering and whining equals “pathetic”.
12. If you think you know what your workout “limit” is, multiply it 2.5 times and that’s what you’ll get with this woman.

The good news is that I’m down 3 dress sizes, but more importantly, my golf swing coach has noticed a huge difference in my strength and motion range. My golf score has improved by about 8 strokes. I see definitions in my muscle tone – and, luckily for Marika, no bulky muscles. I still have a long way to go.

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Testimonial

By ORC Member, Diane Knowlton

Dear Marika,

Just got back from skiing a week at Whistler and thanks to your great coaching and weight-lifting program you put me through over the past 5 weeks, I was in the best shape ever for my skiing vacation! My husband and friends remarked on how strong and confident I looked and I agree. It was the best skiing I have had for the past 10 years. I remained injury-free and did not even feel muscle pain, despite skiing in deep powder in the back bowls!

In fact, I am so happy with the first 8 sessions of training that you have offered me that I am planning to renew my training with you for another 10 sessions! This next piece will help to get me ready for cross-country biking this spring.

Thanks again for your motivation and excellent coaching techniques, Marika!

You helped me reach my goal:)

Diane Knowlton


If you’d like to work with Marika, please call her at ext. 655