Pilates

GLENDA BARRIENTOS
Glenda has always been physically active and involved in sports like cycling and tennis. She found that staying active allowed her to enjoy life in a positive and energetic way. She transfers this passion and experience to all of her clients during each and every session.

Her philosophy for life — "I advise my clients to dig deep and find out what they truly like and enjoy about fitness. Once they find that, it will make it much easier to stay physically active and fit for their entire life!"

Glenda started teaching group fitness classes in 2003. She fell in love with Pilates after she used it as a way to alleviate the stiffness she was experiencing from weight training and sports. At first it did not come easy as it forced her to use her body in ways she never had before. She found the benefits she experienced were tremendous – so much so that she went on to become fully certified in Pilates training and made it her career.

CAROLINE BENTON
Caroline has been with the company since 1998 and is responsible for the creation of our Pilates program. She was the first Pilates Instructor hired at the Fitness Edge and since then the program has grown tremendously with her help. She has mentored some of our members by helping them enter the certification program. Caroline studied under Romana Krywanowski, the successor of Joseph Pilates, and was certified through her program. She understand the importance of combining Pilates with Resistance Training to achieve optimal results and trains with a Personal Trainer on a regular basis.

Caroline was certified by Romana at True Pilates in NYC after completing 600 hours of study and practice. She maintains her certifications each year by attending seminars with Romana and she continues to educate herself on advanced training in the system. She specializes in Pilates for the healthy and for those with any physical ailments such as knee replacements, scoliosis, arthritis, hip replacements, etc. She believes that Pilates can benefit everyone and enjoys the challenge of transferring her passion of Pilates into her client’s daily lives.

SHANNON BRENNAN
Shannon Brennan started with The Fitness Edge in 1998. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and always knew she wanted to combine her business knowledge with her passion for fitness to help bring fitness into peoples lives. Acting as the Marketing Director for almost 5 years, she was integral part in helping to grow The Fitness Edge.

Abdominal surgery and three children via c-section brought her to Pilates in her quest to re-build a strong core. "The benefits of Pilates were amazing to me" says Shannon. "I never thought I could make a full recovery and not experience back pain, but I have and more." So impressed by it, she spent the next three years studying STOTT PILATES, learning all the apparatus and naturally made the move to become a Pilates trainer. With the increase in the popularity of Pilates she was given the position of Pilates Director to help solidify and grow the department of over 14 One-on-One Pilates Instructors.

The Edge offers Pilates mat, Pilates Reformer classes and one-on-one instruction on all the apparatus in the private studios. "Our members can access Pilates a number of different ways at The Edge and it is my goal to have each and every member experience this life-changing form of exercise." Her focus is managing the private trainers and works closely with Brianna Ricks on the development of mat and Group Reformer classes. She can still be seen teaching classes and training members privately at our Milford location. If you are looking for a recomendation or have a question, feedback or want to share a "Pilates success story", please e-mail her shanbrennan@gmail.com.

ERICA CHATTING
Erica is an enthusiastic addition to The Fitness Edge. She earned a degree in psychology from Central Connecticut State University with a minor in Business Management. It was during college where she took up Pilates and discovered a strong passion and love for it. Since that time, Erica has become a fully certified STOTT PILATES instructor.

Erica learned through her training that a healthy body begins with a healthy spine, all of which are achieved through Pilates. She knows that every body is different and unique. The great advantage of doing Pilates is that anyone can do it; specific programs can be designed to accommodate each individual’s body. The goal of Pilates is to achieve ideal body alignment, while toning, lengthening, and strengthening the body to aim for a longer, leaner look.

Erica has been studying, practicing, and teaching STOTT PILATES method for 2 years now. She has completed mat and reformer, Cadillac, chair, and barrel certification classes at The Pilates Certification Center in South Windsor, CT.

Erica has also taken various workshops including the use of apparatus and postural analysis to further her education and to apply to her teaching methods. She believes Pilates is something that you must do faithfully to achieve long term goals.

SIOBHAN COSTELLO
Siobhan has over 18 years of teaching and coaching physical movement and fitness. She is a former professional modern dancer, teacher and coach specializing in the Doris Humphrey-Charles Weidman technique. Her experiences include teaching and performing in New Haven and Hartford, CT as wellas throughout Chicago and New York.

Siobhan recently comes from a three year project of owning and operating her own fully-equipped, including 6 Professional Reformers, Pilates studio. Prior to her opening her own business, she managed a health and wellness facility where she was employed as the principle Pilates instructor and the daily operations coordinator. She worked closely with the naturopath physicians and chiropractor to make sure all patients achieved their physical goals. Her responsibilities at both facilities included conducting group classes, private lessons and special populations related to rehabilitation of injuries, surgeries, and various disabilities.

Currently, Siobhan is a STOTT PILATES certified instructor having completed all educational requirements including advanced training in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair and all Barrels. She comes to The Edge, not only with enthusiasm and commitment, but also with over 7 years of Pilates teaching and coaching experience as well as over 500 hours of Pilates education.

KYLE DAWSON
Kyle happily joins the Edge team after two years of working in a Pilates studio. She earned her undergraduate degree at Wesleyan University before attending law school at Quinnipiac University. A member of the Connecticut Bar, Kyle now focuses solely on the practice of Pilates.

First introduced to Pilates as a way to strengthen her lower back and to relieve severe neck tension, Kyle immediately became a believer in this precise and rewarding form of exercise. Within weeks of her first private lesson her back and neck pain disappeared completely, proving that Pilates was a functional and distinctive form of exercise. Impressed with how quickly Pilates transformed her body from weak to strong, Kyle began her study of the Stott Pilates method and is now a fully trained Stott Instructor.

Kyle's love for Pilates stems not only from the way in which it has changed her own life, but from her observations of her client's enthusiastic transformations as well. Each body presents its own unique set of postural and physical problems, and Kyle loves guiding her clients to the finding and application of the proper Pilates solution. Her enthusiasm, respect and belief in the method help clients to achieve their personalized fitness goals while building a mind-body awareness that will carry over into all aspects of their lives.

MARLENE DEVALLE
Marlene has been with The Fitness Edge since Feb of 2007 as a one-on-one Pilates Instructor. Her goal is to help clients understand the mind and body connection with exercise. Her enthusiasm and passion for fitness translates to her clients giving them an efficient workout while being able to customize for each individual.

"My personal experience with Pilates has motivated me tobecome the instructor I am. After having two major back operations and the need to focus on proper movements along with becoming stronger and more flexible—Pilates was a natural choice." says Marlene "I believe anyone can benefit from Pilates, when you practice you will feel more energized, stronger, and focused not only with exercise but with your daily life."

In addition to one-one Pilates, she currently teaches spin and Pilates Group Reformer classes with The Fitness Edge and Edge Clubs. She credentials include STOTT PILATES Instructor, Madd Dogg Athletics, Inc. Group cycling instructor, and CPR/AED.

ANABELLA DUCA
Anabella has been with the Fitness Edge since the summer of 2006. Her goal is to teach, educate and help clients understand their bodies, the connection between body and mind, and to improve their everyday lives through proper breathing, correct posture, improved flexibility and newly found strength.

She is a life long student in physical fitness, coming from a background of ballet, dance and gymnastics. Always having a drive for fitness and a passion to educate others, her involvement with Pilates, Yoga and Personal Training was just a natural progression in her life.

Focusing on body awareness, Anabella is a strong believer in the benefits of core conditioning, strengthening and building through Pilates. She combines diverse elements with different Pilates equipment and other gym apparatus in her One-on-One sessions. Anabella is dedicated to promoting in her clients physical, spiritual and emotional growth. She has an amazing ability to motivate each client by enthusiastically sharing her knowledge. It is her foremost goal to enrich the lives of those around her.

Anabella is a Pilates Instructor through PHI Pilates in NYC under the teachings of Christine Romani-Ruby and Marci Clark, a Yoga Instructor through YogaFit in NYC under the supervision of Beth Shaw, and a Personal Trainer certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. In addition she holds a PIYO certification (a fusion of Pilates and Yoga), and a BOSU-ball certification. She also has a background of Ballet, Dance and Gymnastics.

Anabella specializes in improving correct posture, core strengthening/conditioning, flexibility, muscle building/toning, general nutrition, menu creation and motivation.

JULIE KENNEDY
Julie is Beginner and Intermediate Mat Certified through Power Pilates N.Y.C and fully certified on all Apparatus through Power Pilates, N.Y.C.

She holds the following certifictions: Comprehensive Certification; Beginner & Intermediate Mat; New Year, New Body, The Total Body Cleanse; Basics of Anatomy; Aspect of Touch; Bio-mechanical Principles of The Pilates Workout; Cadillac Progressions; Scapula Stabilization & The Secondary Power House; Learn & Practice 7 Intermediate Level Exercises; Enchanted Wunda Chair; Intermediate Teaching Tools for Mat Class; How to Teach Beginner Exercies for Mat; Refomer on the Mat; Creative Spine Corrector; Real Men Do Pilates; and Super-Advanced Reformer.

Julie came to The Fitness Edge in 2005, commuting from New Jersey over the Tappan Zee Bridge each day, hoping to transfer her passion for Pilates to the residents of Greenwich. Now, 4 years later, Julie has shaped and strengthened the core of hundreds of members and has even had to make Connecticut home! Certified by Power Pilates in N.Y.C Julie takes pride in keeping up with the trends in the industry through workshops and seminars while sticking to the fundamental principles of Joseph Pilates. Her years of experience as an instructor makes her proficient at dealing with all types of clients, injuries and goals. Julie strives to make all of her clients feel comfortable while using just the right amount of of "tough love" to motivate them beyond where they ever thought they could go. You will find Julie training days and nights in the studio moving and motivating and always ready and willing to make room for another student. Make 2009 the year to strengthen your core and make an appointment today.

JENN MCNELLIS
Jenn's career in the fitness industry began in 1985 as a group exercise instructor and personal trainer. After obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science, Jenn began to train and certify instructor's for the Aerobics & Fitness Association of America.

Jenn McNellis is a fully certified STOTT PILATES instructor and Instructor Trainer. She works with the Pilates Certification Center of Connecticut, training and certifying aspiring Pilates instructors.

In addition to Pilates, Jenn teaches many types of group classes for The Edge Fitness Clubs and holds several certifications with AFAA, ACE and Spinning. She also teaches CPR and Basic Life Support as an Instructor for the American Heart Association.

In her own personal practice and experience, Jenn has found Pilates to be the most rewarding form of exercise she has ever done. Pilates has not only changed her approach to exercise, it has also changed how Jenn approaches life every day.

SUZANNE PALAZZI
The Fitness Edge is proud to welcome Suzanne Palazzi, of Manchester England, to our acclaimed team of Pilates instructors. Suzanne spent 10 years as a professional dancer abroad before moving to the US and starting a career as a fitness consultant and private ballroom dancing instructor. In 2004, Suzanne joined the Fitness Edge team as a consultant and a Pilates enthusiast.

Recently, Suzanne took her passion for Pilates to the next level by earning her Pilates training certification and beginning her career as a personal Pilates trainer. Today, she works among the Fitness Edge's talented Pilates staff, teaching members the art of building better posture and stronger core muscles. Says Suzanne, "Pilates is a fabulous way to change the entire body. Pilates work translates into less injury and improved ease of motion."

WENDI ROVERE
Wendi is a 9 year veteran of The Women’s Fitness Edge, having served in management, sales, and customer service. She is now stepping into the role of STOTT PILATES Instructor, having completed hundreds of hours of coursework, observation, seminars, and teaching.

Wendi’s fitness background reaches back to high school where she competed in Tennis and Field Hockey. In 1993, she received her BA in Psychology from Penn State and played 2 years of college field hockey. She also holds a personal training certification from NASM, in addition to her certification as a Level 2 STOTT PILATES instructor.

Still a competitor in triathlons and marathons, Wendi turned to Pilates after giving birth to her daughter, Aimee, two years ago to get back into shape. "Pilates strengthens you from the inside out- once I started, I got hooked! It improves stability, flexibility, and breathing, and promotes longer, stronger, leaner muscles. My body has totally changed." Wendi believes that anyone can benefit from Pilates. From beginners to lifetime fitness buffs, Pilates will make you feel stronger, energized and focused.

KAREN RYAN
Karen's life has always involved some sort of fitness. As a child she was a dancer and a competitive gymnast. She began teaching group exercise at a local women's fitness club her senior year in high school which lead to her becoming certified thru AFAA in Group Exercise, Step, and Yoga.

Karen decided to pursue her love for dance and auditioned at the famed Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in NYC. She was accepted and had the incredible opportunity to work on choreography by Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison, Anna Marie Forsythe and many others. She also appeared in several music videos. It was while dancing at Ailey that she was introduced to the "dancer's workout" better know as Pilates. Working as a dancer in NYC she took weekly classes with Romana Krywanowki, one of the few teachers certified by Joseph Pilates himself. She is now trained with STOTT PILATES in Mat, Reformer and Cadillac, chair and barrel through The Pilates Certification Center in Windsor.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology from Southern Connecticut State University. She has worked as a clinical exercise physiologist and has worked in Cardiac Rehabilitation and hopes someday to complete her Masters in Kinesiology.

Karen has been with The Edge Fitness Clubs since 2005. She teaches group exercise and group reformer classes and now with the opening of the fully-equipped Pilates studio in Stratford is able to provide one-on-one Pilates training on all of the equipment. Karen loves working with people. The biggest thrill she says is "When people get it!" She loves to see clients reach their goals or achieve something they never thought possible.

GRETCHEN WOLFF
Gretchen has 8 years of experience as group class instructor, personal trainer, and Pilates instructor. She is certified as STOTT PILATES instructor, in addition to AFAA Personal Training, AFAA Group Exercise, TurboKick, and PiYo.

Gretchen's goal is to make Pilates training a fun, friendly, attentive experience that's challenging without the stress. Adding Pilates to any fitness routine creates balance and strength that will allow the body to move more efficiently. I will guide clients through workouts using the smaller supporting muscles to help strengthen and stabilize while creating a balance to the large overused, superficial muscles. It's important to create body awareness through mind ful exercise. I will help clients use their body more efficiently and effectively in their day to day lives.

In the June 2005 issue of Shape Magazine, she was featured as a "Success Story". She went from a size 14 to a size 6 and has kept the weight off for 8 years. I took control of my health and through that experience I know what it takes to help others reach their goals.