Grace DeSimone

Wellness & Group Fitness Director

Certifications & Education:

B.A. Arts in Dance; Hunter College, CUNY; ACSM Personal Trainer & Group Exercise, Certified; ACE Group Fitness Certified; Idea Health & Fitness Association, 2016 Program Director of the Year; American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid Certified

Philosophy: 

My teaching philosophy is “in learning we will teach and in teaching we will learn.”

Jeannie Cattafi

Asst. Group Fitness Director

Certifications & Education: 

B.A. Phys. Ed with a Concentration in Adult Fitness; Kean College, AFAA Group Exercise Instructor; AFAA Certified Personal Trainer; Zumba, Zumba Gold & Strong by Zumba Licensed; TRX, Schwinn, Mad Dogg Certified; American Red Cross Instructor 

Philosophy: 

Fit is not a destination, it's a way of life!

Alison Sharkey

GEC Fitness Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

AFAA Certified; R.I.P.P.E.D., Insanity Certified

Philosophy: 

Work hard and have fun!

Barbara Burke

GEC Fitness Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

ASFA Group Fitness, CPR, Zumba and Zumba gold, MADdog/ SCHWINN Cycle

Philosophy: 

I understand that everyone exercises for different reasons and I let them know that no matter what their goals are, I am here to help and encourage them.

Becky Shields

GEC Fitness Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

AFAA certified, Spinning, Les Mills Body Pump

Philosophy: 

Find something you enjoy and give it 100%. If you do not enjoy what you are doing, you are not going to stick with it.

Cathy McGarry

GEC Fitness Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

World Taekwondo Kukkiwon Federation Korea Certification; 5th Degree Black Belt Master in Taekwondo; Yoga & Tai Chi Certified Instructor; American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid

Philosophy: 

My background in the martial arts has influenced my way of teaching and allows me to combine breathing, meditation and mindfulness in all my fitness classes.

Christina Brigliadoro

GEC Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

AFAA Group Exercise Inst.; Pre/Post Natal and CPR

Philosophy: 

I enjoy encouraging people of all ages to push through their limits to help them achieve their fitness goals.

Christine Habeck

Cycle Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

Mad Dogg Spinning Certified, ICG Coach by Color Certified, AFAA GFI Certification, CPR/AED, Livestrong at the YMCA, M.A. Cosmetic Science, B.S. Plant Science/Horticultural Business

Philosophy: 

My goal is to introduce our Members to fitness through form, function, and fun. By giving Members a sense of comfort, it allows them the freedom to explore their inner potential and become better movers!

Eileen Healy

GEC Fitness Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

AFPA Certified Personal Trainer; Post Rehab Specialist; American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid Certified

Philosophy: 

Find what you love and DO it!

Gloria Smiley

Yoga/Mind Body Instructor

Certifications & Education:

200 Hours of Integral Yoga Institute; Teach Training Krypalu; 44 Yoga Workshops at Krypalu; 2 Yoga Workshops at International Yoga

Philosophy: 

I believe yoga can enrich a life of balance and peace by exploring postures that provide the opportunity to achieve physical and emotional health. 

Jen De Salvo

GEC Fitness Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

B.S. Business Administration and Finance; W.I.T.S. Certified Personal Trainer; TRX, Beginner Pilates Mat Certified

Philosophy: 

A workout is not a competition with the person next to you, but instead you should use yourself as a benchmark to work at getting stronger.  

Jerry Carchi

GEC Fitness Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

Zumba Certification, Kid Zumba Certification

Philosophy: 

Fun! I believe in bringing a positive, energetic, and a “Let It Go” atmosphere to each of my classes. I like to call it “ZenZumba”, a place you can come to believe in yourself, relieve the stresses of life, get lost in the music and dance like no one is watching!

Jill Cheris

Cycle Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

Mad Dogg Level 2 (Rockstar)Spin, Schwinn, AFAA, TRX

Philosophy: 

Find the joy in exercise. It's a gift to be able to move and sweat and push our bodies past our comfort zone - embrace that!

Jill Thistle

GEC Fitness Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

ACE Certified Personal Trainer; ACE Mind/Body Specialist; AFAA Group Exercise Certified; TRX, DIO Pop Pilates Certified; Personal Nutrition Certified; Child Nutrition and Diet & Weight Loss Management Certified

Philosophy: 

To be motivating, kind, fun, and to provide a tough yet modifiable workout that will benefit everyone. I want everyone to feel more confident and stronger. 

Joanne M. Duckman

Cycle Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

BA - Michigan State University, Mad Dogg - Spinning Certified, Schwinn Indoor Cycling Certified, AED/CPR/First Aid Certified

Philosophy: 

My teaching philosophy is to make sure that people are having a good time while ensuring they are getting an excellent, safe workout. If I look out at a class and see smiles and sweat, then I know I am doing something right!

Laura Gimelli

Fitness Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

M.B.A. Finance and B.S. in Marketing, ACE & AFAA Group Exercise Fitness Instructor Certified. Specialty Group Fitness Certifications in: Zumba, Zumba Tone, Zumba Gold, Aqua Zumba, Zumba Gold Toning, Zumba Kids + Kids Jr., Zumba in the Circuit, STRONG NATION by Zumba, Pilates Mat, Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid Certified.

Philosophy: 

My classes are effective, safe, and FUN!! I keep it simple to follow. I love to inspire, motivate, and encourage others as well as to share my passion and enthusiasm with others.

Lindita Limani

Yoga Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

200 hour RYT, 30 Hour Children's Yoga Training

Philosophy: 

I believe that eating healthy and exercising should be a way of life. Find what makes you happy and you'll never be bored! And yoga is for everyone!

Lisa Melnichuk

Yoga/Mind Body Instructor

Certifications & Education:

RYT 200 Hours-Integral Yoga Institute; Pre-Natal Certification; Yoga Fit; American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid Certified

Philosophy: 

Each student is on his or her own journey that includes awakening to their true self without judgement or negativity.

Lori Brophy

Yoga Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

Yoga Alliance E-RYT, 200 hour Yin Yoga, 30 hour Certification, Reiki Level II Certification

Philosophy: 

Consistency is the key to any and all change. You must show up for yourself! No one but you has the ability to create the life you want to live.

Lu Picinich

Fitness Trainer & GEC Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

NASM Certified Personal Trainer; AFAA Group Fitness Instructor; AFAA Pilates Instructor, Zumba, Zumba Gold, Zumba Tone, Strong By Zumba licensed, American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid

Philosophy: 

Every day is a new opportunity to become a happier version of yourself. 

MaryAnn Gebhardt

Yoga/Mind Body Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

Yoga Alliance 200 Hours (2001) and 500 Hours (2008); America Yoga Academy, The Barnes Method, Jonas Wesring, Ayurveda Yoga Intensive, Yoga Sutra for Life; Chopra Center and International Academy of Sound Healing among others; American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid Certified

Philosophy: 

While working as a medical technologist in Hematology and Cardiology, I witnessed the powerful connection between the mind and the body in the healing process. I try to bring this experience into my yoga classes.

Michelle Kaczorowski

Cycle Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

NASM Certified Personal Trainer; Mad Dogg, Schwinn Cycling Certified; Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified; R.I.P.P.E.D., ViPR Certified

Philosophy: 

Fitness is my passion! I love empowering clients to find their inner strength and achieve goals they never thought possible, all while having fun!

Nancy Nehama

Yoga Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

The American Yoga Academy 300 hour Teacher Training, Member of the Yoga Alliance, RN, BSN, Villanova University

Philosophy: 

Yoga is accessible to everyone, which is the beauty of yoga. There are so many benefits to yoga, that are often immediate, physical, and mental. Everyone should feel comfortable in the class no matter how familiar they are with yoga.

Silvia Brandoni-Puhlovsky

GEC & Aerobics Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

BA, Marketing; AFAA Cert. Group Fitness Instructor; Pilates; Yoga: CPR

Philosophy: 

To help an individual achieve their fitness goals in a safe, fun, welcoming and uplifting environment

Sophie Yenowitz

GEC Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

BA Hons English and Media Studies, Official Zumba Instructor, Basic Steps, Adult CPR/AED and Child CPR Red Cross Certified

Philosophy: 

We should try to find joy in every moment - including the ones spent exercising! You don’t need to know the steps to have a great time!

Sunny Corona

GEC Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

ACE Group Fitness Instructor, Certified in Pilates, Yoga

Philosophy: 

To be energetic, educational, inspirational, and results oriented.

Susannah Brick

Cycle Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

Madd Dog Spinning Certification, Schwinn Cycling MPower Certification, CPR Certified

Philosophy: 

I strive to challenge, push you past what you think you can do and cheer you on once you get there. Whether you are just getting on the bike or are a seasoned pro, I will help take you to the next level and find an escape - even if only for 45 minutes.

Tami Rager

Yoga/Mind Body Instructor

Certifications & Education: 

International Association of Yoga Therapists, Yoga Therapy 1 & 2; The Integral Yoga Institute of NYC, Yoga Alliance; 300 Hour, Arthritis Foundation Certified; American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid Certified

Philosophy: 

The essence of my class experience brings peace to your body, mind and soul.