Club Pilates

Michele-Olivia Francois has been teaching Pilates for six years. She went through the Pilates training at Drexel Pilates training program under Jennifer Morley. Michele-Olivia is a professional dancer, dance instructor and choreographer who was introduced to Pilates after many knee and back injuries that should have ended her dance career. Pilates not only helped her stay in shape during her recovery periods, but she found that Pilates also improved her dance technique, strength and moving pain free. Pilates is truly helping her be able to perform today for different Philadelphia based dance companies. Aside from Pilates and dance Michele-Olivia has completed her undergrad with a Bachelor of Science in dance with a concentration in physical therapy, followed by a Masters degree in Sport Physical Conditioning, and lastly graduated the end of 2020 with a Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy all from Drexel University. Michele-Olivia’s main goal is to teach movement as a source of strength, discovery, communication, and healing. “Change happens through movement and movement heals”- Joseph Pilates.

Diane has been part of the fitness industry for over 25 years. She is a Power Pilates 600 hour Comprehensively Certified Instructor and a Nationally Certified Pilates Trainer (NCPT). She is the Pilates Suspension Method (PSM) Trainer for PA and holds certifications as an AFAA Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer. She is also TRX Qualified, and Barre certified. Diane was a former gymnast and played various sports growing up, so movement has always been a part of her life. Prior to teaching Pilates, Diane worked as a Programmer/Systems Analyst for over 10 years. During that time, she taught group fitness classes and did personal training on the side. She constantly kept up with continuing education through which she discovered Pilates. She loved the way it made her feel and quickly felt the benefits. She initially pursued a certification with Balanced Body for Reformer/Mat before immersing herself into a full classical program utilizing all apparatuses with Power Pilates. She left the corporate world in 2007 to pursue her passion for all things movement and overall total body wellness. She enjoys working with clients at every fitness level and strives to help them meet their personal fitness/wellness goals. Her enthusiasm to help others feel empowered through healthy movement and achieve their fitness goals inspires her to never stop learning.

Ginny DiMedio has been a dedicated Pilates student since 2003. She earned her BS in Business from Drexel University, furthering her education with a Business Teaching certificate from Drexel University and her Masters in Educational Technology from Rosemont College. After her Master’s study, she studied Curriculum and Instruction at St. Joseph’s University and received a Supervisory Certificate. Ginny taught in Camden School District and taught Computers and Business at Lower Merion School District for 15 years and was Director of Technology and Information for 16 years. After retiring from her career in education in 2009, Ginny decided to combine her expertise in teaching others with her passion for Pilates. Ginny completed her Level One Comprehensive Certification with Peak in 2013. She then completed another 700 hours of Comprehensive training at Body Precision in Bryn Mawr . As a practitioner and trainer, Ginny is continuously inspired by how Pilates re-educates and heals the body. She enjoys working with people of all fitness levels, while supporting their intention to have a healthy body and mind. Ginny likes to make each class challenging, but also encourages her clients to have fun and to enjoy Pilates and all of its benefits.

Laura teaches at Club Pilates.

Francie has been a fitness enthusiast and avid participant in a variety of sports and fitness trends over the past 20+ years. She worked as a fitness instructor and personal trainer after college and parlayed her enthusiasm for training into a corporate setting. Although she currently spends her weekdays consulting for a Pharmaceutical companies and wellness organizations, she carves out time on the weekends for her favorite activity, Pilates. She looks most forward to her time with her students, sharing her passion for Pilates equipment and its many exercise that work to lengthen and strengthen the body and mind. Her classes are a great combination of variety and challenge that develop proper body alignment and improved core body strength. Francie came to Pilates in 2007 and transitioned to teaching Pilates Reformer in 2010. She is Balance Body trained and qualified in TRX Suspension Training.

Sonya started her Pilates journey while attending Drexel University as an undergraduate dance major. She has been practicing and teaching Pilates for over 10 years, receiving her training and certification through the Drexel Pilates Training Program. Sonya enjoys combining her love for expressive movement and patterns and organization within her Pilates practice. She aims to teach clients about how their bodies move and why, with focus and attention placed on the smaller muscles of the body. In Sonya’s classes, you will WORK! In addition to teaching Pilates, Sonya continues her life journey as a board-certified dance/movement therapist and licensed counselor, working in private practice.

Keara teaches at Club Pilates.

Kristin played competitive volleyball for 13 years of her life. It left its wear and tear on her joints, leaving her with limited exercise options. Kristin has always loved Pilates, but it wasn't until she attended a Pilates reformer class that she actually appreciated the work out. Now she is a Pilates addict! Kristin received her certification through Club Pilates Teacher Training, in Los Angeles CA, and was teaching there for over 6 years. She has recently relocated to the Philadelphia area and now is teaching at our studio! She was also Junior Olympic volleyball coach for Division One prospects at Synergy Volleyball Club in Philadelphia, PA. Kristin loves challenging her clients and keeping variety in her classes. She wants you to feel the burn and have fun! When she is not teaching, Kristin is spending time with her cute dogs and her family.

Sandi has been working at Club Pilates for 3 years, and is one of our newest Instructors. Sandi was originally hired for Front Desk and after only a year she was Promoted to Assistant General Manager in the Conshohocken studio. Sandi quickly made a positive impact on the studio with her enthusiasm and client relationship skills. Members took to Sandi immediately. She is thankful for the Club Pilates members, friends and family who encouraged her to jump into teaching. Both her high energy and love for her craft, along with the ability to motivate people to be active and fit, have made her a fast favorite. In addition to also being a licensed esthetician, Sandi has always been an avid hiker and adventurer; she is always looking for that next challenge, be it a new workout, or a new spot to explore. Sandi was born with Brachial Plexus Palsy, a condition that limits the use of her right arm, which – in addition to being both dyslexic and ADD – does not restrict her in the very least. In fact, she has found ways to modify various workout moves to accommodate her disability, and encourages those with similar limitations to say “I can” instead of “I can’t”. Sandi and her husband also enjoy traveling, dining out and visiting wineries, and are the proud parents of two cats, Sophie and Zoey. Check out the schedule and give her classes a try!

My background in dance influenced my interest in taking Pilates. I have experience with choreography, marching arts and I am also an educator. I was in a car accident years ago and it left me with a bunch of physical issues (Back, shoulders & neck). Finding Pilates was my path back to being fit after 50. This all led to me becoming a Pilates instructor. My Pilates training includes a foundation in classical Pilates repertoire with emphasis on proper form. I really enjoy learning about movement and fitness for all. Breaking movement down and establishing building blocks for movement is exciting to me. It is important to me to keep a little fun in FUNctional. I use my classical foundation with a contemporary blend to help each member be successfully challenged in their own body! I have a NPCP -National Pilates Certification and NASM - National Personal Trainer Certification

Leah teaches at Club Pilates.

Kelley teaches at Club Pilates.

Becca has been practicing Pilates and toga actively since her late teens to provide an energetic lifestyle. In 2013, she entered into a comprehensive Pilates teacher training program though a local studio in West Chester, PA. She is trained on all the classical Pilates apparatus including the reformer, Cadillac/tower, chair, and mat. Over the 400+ hour training, she feel deeper in love with the practice and the principals leading her to regularly teach privates and group classes since June 2013. Since then, she was trained in Barre, TRX, and Yoga and has ventured into Master Training. When not teaching, Becca loves to travel around the world, already having visited New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Costa Rica.

Olivia began instructing Pilates in 2015 after years of training in both ballet and modern dance. She had been working in the realm of informal history education for about 10 years and developed her teaching skills. Since her first love was movement, she circled back and applied what she had learned of teaching to Pilates. Coming off of a living history farm, her Pilates fashion left something to be desired. Nowadays, it has improved as she also sells the latest activewear fashions. In addition to sporting her fashions at the Pilates studio, Olivia can be found kayaking, hiking and ice-skating in her activewear.

Christopher received his certification in Pilates in 2003. He immediately began teaching to group and private clients in Philadelphia. He holds a certification in Yoga and Yoga for Trauma from Kripalu, along with a certification in Positive Psychology. He has been studying Meditation and Mindfulness for over 25 years as well. Being one of the only males in Philadelphia teaching Pilates, he brings a unique perspective to his classes. He has taught to corporate as well, including a program at CHOP. Christopher can be found in his garden that he shares with his neighbors or hiking the many trails in his neighborhood. He is also a board member of MALT (Mt. Airy Learning Tree), a community based educational system.

Jaclyn teaches at Club Pilates.

Meet Vee a Club Pilates Certified Instructor with over 500 hours of training! Vee was looking for something that wasn’t going to bulk her body up. After years of doing other fitness training, she realized quickly that although she was strong and fit, she didn’t like the bulk muscles and read about Pilates elongating muscles, so she gave it a try and was hooked. When you take her classes, you can expect to sweat! Her teaching style changes for her. She falls in love with a particular apparatus for a few months then she will switch to something new that she is loving. She also loves class participation so if you request it – she will give you what you are looking for. Her style is Athletic and fun, while being challenging and pushed! Do you have any advice for an individual thinking about starting a career as a Pilates Instructor? Your personality is just as important as the flows that you teach. Why should people adopt Pilates as their primary exercise program? I personally love that Pilates is personal. You can come into a group class and work on your personal goal. I also love that your see results early on. I love to see members after a few months looking good and feeling even better. Do you have any advice for people considering taking up Pilates for the first time? Try it! You have nothing to lose but a Pilates body to gain. Outside of Pilates Vee lives a very busy life. She runs two companies, so Pilates is part of her fun. Pilates is also rewarding when she gets to spend time with the members - we laugh and joke in classes. They bust my chops for counting too slow (I do it on purpose) it feels like hanging out with friends!

Private Room teaches at Club Pilates.

Fitness has been an important part of Tina's life since her childhood. When her daughter left for college, Tina tried Pilates to fill the gap left by no longer attending games 3-5 nights a week. She was immediately hooked as Pilates provided a strengthening, toning, challenging workout limiting wear and tear on joints beat up after years of sports and fitness. Interested to learn more, she completed the training to became certified in reformer and mat Pilates. She has also completed the Club Pilates 500 hour certification process and holds a Pilates suspension method condensed foundation certificate. When she's not teaching or working her "day job", Tina enjoys time with her family, traveling and anything outdoors. Tina loves challenging her clients while supporting them on their fitness journey.

Maria teaches at Club Pilates.

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Jessica teaches at Club Pilates.

Michelle teaches at Club Pilates.

Jaimie teaches at Club Pilates.

Jonnese teaches at Club Pilates.

I have been a Pilates teacher for 30 years, have trained other instructors, and have even been featured in Pilates Style magazine. I love the human body, its capabilities and possibilities. I was a dancer in college and during my senior year, had a car accident that broke my hip. Pilates is the reason I was back on stage choreographing for my college show within a few months. I wanted to give this gift to everyone. I have 2 masters’ degrees. One is in Dance movement therapy and the other is in education. I am comprehensively trained in all levels of classical Pilates and on all apparatus. I have a passion for helping people become healthier, happier individuals using the amazing form of movement and exercise. My teaching style is unique due to my training and degree as a dance movement therapist. I am able to look at a body and see areas of strength and areas that need improvement with great detail. I always provide the workout that every unique individual needs as well as the workout that each person desires, blending precise movement training and a fun workout that helps people leave with a feeling that they are stronger, more balanced and in better shape than when they came in. I see my clients as friends and family. In my free time, I love to paint. I paint every day and am self-taught. I love dogs and have even worked as a dog trainer.

Brooke teaches at Club Pilates.

Jacqueline teaches at Club Pilates.

Ari teaches at Club Pilates.

Mary teaches at Club Pilates.

Margaret teaches at Club Pilates.

Jennifer teaches at Club Pilates.

Rebecca teaches at Club Pilates.

Taylor teaches at Club Pilates.

Kelly teaches at Club Pilates.

Alexis began practicing Pilates in 2007 after spending her life as a competitive gymnast. She suffered a severe hip injury after running a half marathon, and was only able to rehab completely by doing Pilates. After understanding and appreciating how it changed her health, she became a regular student with a passion to understand every aspect of it. Alexis relocated to Dallas from California with her husband and since has had two children. She practiced Pilates during both pregnancies and was able to bounce right back because of it. After realizing how it had changed her life, she decided to go from student to teacher...and is now a comprehensively certified STOTT Pilates instructor.

Devon teaches at Club Pilates.

Lacee teaches at Club Pilates.

When I was growing up I would watch my mom do mat Pilates at the house and was always fascinated by it even at a very young age! I then became a club Pilates member when one opened nearby. I’ve always been someone who enjoys the mental benefits of exercising. And Pilates especially helps me clear my head, just focus on the mind body connection, and distress. It also makes me feel great about myself! While being a member at Club Pilates I found out about the teacher training program that they had and I decided to get certified through Club Pilates. When teaching classes I make my own playlists for every class and according to what class I’m teaching, I match the vibe of the music to the atmosphere of the class. There will always be great music in my classes! Also, I end every class with this quote “Take a moment to appreciate your body and be thankful you got to move it today. Find that gratitude and keep it with you.” This quote I end class with means a lot to me because I think a lot of people take for granted the simple fact that they woke up that day and get to move their body. Not everyone has the ability of walking and/or exercising and we need to appreciate it that every single day. We don’t have anything without gratitude! Members can expect every class to be different! I have a creative background and I use my creativity in my class planning. I like to try new things often and utilize different types of props. They might have to clean a lot after class but they’ll definitely use multiple props and utilize a verity of equipment in the room. Also, I believe in everyone taking every exercise at their own pace! Members will never have to move to a certain pace or complete a specific amount of reps, every human body is different and completes things at their comfortable pace. Members can still expect a challenging class….but in the best way! Everyone should do Pilates! There are so many physical benefits like improving balance, flexibility, and mobility. These are all things that are important in everyday life especially as we age. And not only does Pilates have physical benefits, it has mental benefits as well. As I mentioned earlier the mind body connection of Pilates helps me clear my mind of stress and outside noise. Do you have any advice for people considering taking up Pilates for the first time? Take things at your own pace and do not worry what the person next to you is doing! Do it for yourself and don’t compare yourself! Outside of Pilates I work in social media and marketing and I really enjoy it. I’m a very creative person and I think it helps in both of my careers social media and teaching Pilates. I also love to exercise, if it’s not Pilates, its weight lifting, walking, or swimming. Trying new movements and forms of exercise is very interesting for me!