Club Pilates

chris teaches at Club Pilates.

Allison Baber received her Pilates 500hr Mat and Equipment Training through the Kane School of Core Integration in NYC in 2010. She has also continued her studies through many years of Continuing Education Courses including in Pre/Post Natal Pilates, Int./Adv. Chair Choreography, MOTR Balanced Body, Anatomy Trains for Pilates Practitioners, Psoas Workshop, and SI Joint Workshop among others. As well as being certified in Pilates, Allison also holds Certifications in the Gyrotonic® & Gyrokinesis® Methods as well as the American Ballet TheatreTraining Curriculum. Allison danced for many years professionally with companies across the U.S., Hartford Ballet, Smuin Ballet, Ballet Met and the 1st National Tour of 'Movin Out' the Billy Joel/ Twyla Tharp Broadway Show. During her many years dancing professionally Allison had the opportunity to dance many soloist and featured roles. Allison credits Pilates with keeping her connected and strong. Allison taught for 7 years at Kinespirit Pilates and Gyrotonic® Studio in NYC where she taught both classes and private sessions in Pilates and Gyrotonic®.Currently Allison is on staff at Orlando Ballet School as well as is Adjunct Dance Faculty at Florida Southern College. Allison is excited to be a part of Club Pilates/Valrico Team.

Physical fitness has long been an integral part of Jessica’s life. From the time she was young, she was actively involved in martial arts and school sports such as soccer and volleyball. When she became a wife and mother, physical activity soon took a backseat to attending the needs of her husband and two children. Through Pilates, she discovered a workout that could easily be done at home between part time work, volunteering and keeping up with the challenges of family life. However, Pilates soon developed into a passion as she began to see results and the difference it made in her life. The strength, tone, and peace of mind could not be denied, and the routine was a welcome solace in the midst of a whirlwind schedule and the frenetic pace of life. When Club Pilates opened in Valrico, it was the perfect opportunity for Jessica to expand her practice from the floor to the reformer. Not long after joining the studio as a member, she felt the urge to finally step outside of her comfort zone and turn a passion into a career by becoming a Pilates instructor. This desire led to her joining the teacher training program with the goal of offering the same energizing and life giving self-care she’d discovered through Pilates to others. She has since completed the program and is thrilled to join the staff of the very studio where her journey began.

I was immediately drawn to Pilates after my first class and began teaching in 2005. I completed my certification through Body Arts and Science International (BASI) in California, where I had the privilege of training under several highly respected instructors. Their mentorship deepened my understanding of the Pilates method and inspired a lasting commitment to ongoing education in the field. For over two decades, Pilates has played a pivotal role in both my physical and mental well-being. It supported me through four pregnancies, aided in recovery from various injuries, and continues to provide a strong foundation for taking on the challenges of everyday life. Practicing almost daily has consistently reinforced the value of mindful, intentional movement—not only for physical strength but also for mental clarity. The benefits I’ve experienced through Pilates are numerous, and I am passionate about helping others access those same rewards. As an instructor, my focus is to guide clients toward moving efficiently, challenging themselves, and enjoying the process.

My name is Amanda, and I’m the Lead Instructor for the Lakeland and Valrico studios. I wasn’t always a Pilates instructor—in fact, I had no idea what Pilates even was until life threw me a curveball. While working as a nurse, I suffered a devastating back injury. I was determined to avoid surgery, so my back surgeon suggested something I’d never considered before: Pilates. I quickly learned that Pilates is a low-impact, controlled program of stretching and strengthening designed to align, rehabilitate, and bring the body back into balance. From my very first session, I was hooked. Pilates didn’t just help me heal—it completely transformed my life. I fell in love with how it blends the principles of Awareness, Balance, Breath, Concentration, Center, Control, Efficiency, Flow, Precision, and Harmony. With consistent, mindful practice, I was able to overcome my debilitating back injury, regain my ability to move freely, and care for my family again. That experience lit a fire in me. Now, my passion is teaching others how to heal energetically and embrace joyful movement through Pilates—so they can feel beautiful, purposeful, and energized every day.

With over 20 years in the fitness industry, Melyssa brings a deep, science-based approach to every class she leads. She holds a B.S. in Exercise Science and Corporate Fitness and is certified through the Club Pilates Teacher Training program. Her teaching style is dynamic, creative, and mobility-focused, blending her extensive knowledge with an energizing experience that challenges clients of all levels. In addition to Pilates, Melyssa holds more than 10 fitness and nutrition certifications, including Barre, TRX, and strength and conditioning. Her passion lies in helping others move better, feel stronger, and build lasting body awareness. Outside the studio, you’ll find her paddle boarding, spending quality time with her family, or snuggling her three standard poodles.

My name is Kathy. I spent over 26 years owning and operating Gym here in Lakeland, FL, and it was there in 2003 that I first discovered Pilates. I quickly fell in love with the practice and watched how it transformed my clients—helping them grow stronger, more flexible, and more confident. After selling the gym, I knew Pilates would always remain part of my life, and I’ve continued to share and teach it ever since. In addition to my favorite role as wife and mom to three amazing adult kids, I also work in marketing and alongside my husband in his business. Pilates keeps me balanced, energized, and grounded in all areas of life, and I love helping others experience the same joy and lasting benefits.

Melissa Capps is a Pilates instructor and seasoned hairstylist with over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry. She began her Pilates journey in May 2023 to improve her posture and quickly discovered how transformative the practice could be. What started as a way to strengthen and realign her own body grew into a passion for helping others experience the same benefits. With her background as a hairstylist, Melissa understands the physical demands of long hours on her feet and behind the chair, and she brings that awareness into her teaching. She is dedicated to guiding clients toward better posture, strength, and balance through the practice of Pilates.

Fran teaches at Club Pilates.

Robin teaches at Club Pilates.

Jennifier teaches at Club Pilates.

Janet J. Padilla-Certified Club Pilates Instructor Janet Is a certified Pilates Instructor through Breathe Education, with emphasis on mat and reformer Pilates. She holds a certification in TRX, and is on queue to complete her certification in Apparatus. Her classes are challenging, full body workouts, with focuses on proper form and strengthening of the core. While being supportive motivating and empowering to help students reach their full potential of mind and body connection. Janet came across Pilates after her second c-section and numerous attempts to overcome the numbness feeling in her core. Pilates was the only method that helped her build back strength and regain complete feeling and connection to her core. After that she vowed to become a certified Pilates instructor so others can experience the same level of healing and strength. She is dedicated to her students progress, whether it is a first timer or a seasoned one. When she is not at the studio you can find her at home cooking and spending time with her son, husband and dog Bruno (Maltese-7lbs) as well as helping others as a newly appointed leader in the Angel's Foundation of FL. What's her favorite Pilates position you ask? -PLANKS- because a structure is only as strong as its foundation!

Cali teaches at Club Pilates.

Gabrielle Lee, known to most as Brie, spent over a decade helping others heal as a massage therapist. While she loved making a difference, she felt something was missing. That led her to transition into the fitness industry, where she became a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. About a year and a half ago, Brie discovered Pilates-and it immediately sparked a passion that has only grown stronger since. Brie is dedicated to helping others feel strong, aligned, and confident through mindful movement. Outside the studio, she enjoys nature walks with her husband, their two boys, and their beloved fur babies.

Sara teaches at Club Pilates.

Nellie teaches at Club Pilates.

Fithrie teaches at Club Pilates.

Vannia teaches at Club Pilates.

Emily teaches at Club Pilates.

Rosemary teaches at Club Pilates.

Nicole Brown is a native of Phoenix, AZ, a wife, a mother of three amazing girls, and a Pilates enthusiast! When Nicole attended her first Reformer class it was love at first teaser. She attended Pilates sessions at a studio in Phoenix four times a week for two continuous years until she made the decision to become a Certified Pilates Instructor through the Club Pilates Teacher Training program. For Nicole, there was no better way she’d rather spend her time than to assist others in discovering their own passion for Pilates. What Nicole enjoys most about Pilates is the certainties she finds within Pilates in a world full of uncertainties. The certainty that Pilates strengthens her body in ways it hasn’t been strengthened before, the certainty that it assists her in completing activities she enjoys more freely, and the certainty that it provides her a sense of calm, connection and focus that she's been able to translate into all facets of life. Nicole’s fascination with physical fitness began early in life, participating in various forms of dance as well as basketball. She completed several fitness and nutrition classes during her college career which she feels gave her a great understanding for why Pilates is so important for the body and mind. Nicole moved to Lithia, FL with her family in May, 2017 and is very excited about joining the Valrico Club Pilates team.

After many years of athletic training, and through a variety of venues such as Boot Camp Conditioning, Marathon training, Running and Triathlons I discovered Pilates. I spent over 30 years in Corporate Management and it wasn’t until I tried my first Club Pilates Class did I realize how important Pilates would be to my overall physical and mental development as a person. My lifestyle has embraced the beauty of Pilates and it’s method of building strength and flexibility through Body, Mind and Spirit. Recently married and happy with one grown son, I look forward to sharing my experiences, expertise and love for the art of Pilates with you!