The Den Athletics Whitby
The Den was founded at the peak of the pandemic in the year 2020 by husband and wife duo Robert and Courtney. As gyms province wide were closing their doors, Robert and Courtney resolved to continue to service a community they loved so much. In the wake of the first wave of the pandemic, The Den was established. A welcoming, safe, and judgement free fitness facility centered around providing unwavering commitment and service to our community.
One of the things that makes us different is that we are so much more than just a gym. We are a community, a family, a network of like minded people who share the same set of core values. These values are lived, and felt, opposed to scripted by us, the organization. We believe in the power of community, being unfailingly loyal, and we believe that integrity is the seed of achievement.
When you take advantage of the whole experience of The Den, from classes to nutrition you will see and feel the benefits.
You will find small classes with a very high level of personal attention. Utilizing our knowledge and experience we offer personal and professional instruction that will guide you toward any goal you are chasing. Whether it’s simply to have more energy, have a clearer mind, or to compete in the sport, we are here for you every step of the way.
Welcome to The Den, where we work for cause, not applause.
Our Team
Robert Przybylski
Robert is the co-owner of The Den and believes that life is more fun when you are fit enough to play. You may not see Rob out on the floor coaching classes daily, but his rich knowledge and two decades of real-world experience combine to give us excellence in both branding and operations. His passion for fitness stems from a lifetime playing hockey and, almost sadistically, enjoying a real tough day at the gym.
“I care deeply about our community, and there’s nothing I value more than helping somebody find a place amongst our pack that is bound to make them happier, more confident, and stronger both mentally and physically”
Courtney Ross
Courtney is a resident fitness expert, coach, and health enthusiast. She has a bachelor of science from the University of Guelph as well as a bachelor of Applied Health Science in Athletic Therapy from Sheridan College. Her love for sports and fitness began at a very young age when she played competitive rugby, basketball, and gymnastics. This passion lead her to work in the health and fitness industry as a coach, an athletic therapist, and now a gym owner.
“My mission is to cut through the noise in the health and fitness industry and to empower people to create sustainable solutions for lasting health, happiness, and confidence.”
BSc – University of Guelph
BAHSc – Athletic Therapy
Nicola Scott
Nicola has been an educational assistant with the Durham District School Board since graduating from Durham college with a child and youth worker diploma in 2010. She began coaching kid’s fitness programs 4 years ago after falling in love with functional fitnessa few years before that.
“Health and fitness has been a part of my life for a very long time. I was a competitive dancer for 10 years before finding my love of barbell 7 years ago. I am very passionate about improving the physical, mental, social, and emotional development of children through exercise. My main focus is to create an inclusive and positive early fitness experience to encourage a lifelong love of health and fitness”.
Katie Woodcock
Katie’s passion for fitness and health began at a young age where she played many sports. She was fortunate enough to earn a scholarship to play softball at Campbell University, North Carolina and it was there that she was exposed to strength and conditioning for the first time and instantly fell in love. Since then Katie has worked as a Kinesiologist in Physiotherapy clinics and commercial gyms, a Health and Fitness professor in College, as well as a personal trainer and coach at various fitness facilities.
“I am very passionate about helping people change the way they view fitness, food, and themselves. I love helping others reach their goals, while learning to be confident in their own skin and have fun while doing it. Whether it is fitness or nutrition, I believe a positive, encouraging environment can make all the difference”.
MSc Health Sciences – Kinesiology
BSc – Kinesiology
Precision Nutrition Certified Coach
M2 Gut Biology Certification