Written by Kashish Makker
Almost everyone I know made a resolution this year to work on somebody goals: whether to get toner, build muscle, or simply just add some physical movement in their daily routine, we all know this is the year for change. Luckily, in the Jersey City/ Hudson County area, there are so many professionals that can help! We profiled some of the most popular instructors you guys recommended and compiled a list detailing what makes each instructor so special.
@odrischalas
What’s your name and what do you do?
Odris Chalas. Fitness Instructor
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a Dominican Fitness Instructor living in Jersey City. I’m very passionate about doing what I do. I describe myself as a happy person who likes to accomplish my goals and help people to accomplish their goals too.
What form of training/wellness do you specialize in?
The disciplines that I specialize in are Boot Camp, Body Toning, Indoor Cycling, Kranking, Intrinity, Zumba, Abs and Butt building, and also Personal Training.
How would you describe your approach to health and wellness?
Fitness is the best thing people could experience cause it brings all the great benefits that we can imagine when we decide to get ourselves together and work on it, be disciplined and consistent. The world of fitness, in the beginning, is not easy but as soon as we get used in the end would be the best of our decisions in life.
What is your favorite part about working in the health/fitness world?
My favorite part and what I enjoy the better is when I see people’s faces and those smiles after getting their results. When at the end of a class they come to me to say thank you cause they had a good workout and want to come back for the next session. When they start becoming healthier, happier, wealthier.
Where can people find you?
Website: Odrischalas.com
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @Odrischalas
@sav__pack
What’s your name and what do you do?
My name is Stephon Whyatt. I’m a Basketball Trainer and a Personal Trainer (fitness).
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m from Jersey City, born and raised. Went to Saint Peter’s Prep. I played on the basketball team and earned a D1 scholarship to Saint Francis University. Since graduating from college I’ve started my own basketball training business in 2017. The business name is Packlife Training.
What form of training/wellness do you specialize in?
I specialize in basketball training and I’m training to become a “movement trainer.”
How would you describe your approach to health and wellness?
I’m experimental and open to different methods when it comes to health and wellness. I believe the body will grow and adapt to the conditions you place it in, as long as there’s consistency. I’ve been working to evolve my body for the better, along with my clients.
Where can people find you?
You can find me in Jersey City, but I’m always on the go and willing to travel for clients.
@mvmnt.generalist
What’s your name and what do you do?
My name is Ashley Yehoda [ I use they/them pronouns :) ] and I’m a Pilates teacher and dance artist based in Jersey City.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m originally from Schnecksville, PA, and came to NJ to study contemporary dance at Rutgers and never left Jersey, just moved north. My interest in Pilates came from one of my dance professors and mentors, Kim Gibilisco. She showed me how much of a game-changer cross-training could be when it came to creating a sustainable dance career. I moved to Jersey City after graduating, and have been teaching Pilates, performing, and touring since. Even though the dance niche I’m in involves knee pads, physical impact, and is heavily endurance-based, Pilates has given me the tools to train smarter and keep my body resilient and performance-strong in my dance career.
What form of training/wellness do you specialize in?
I specialize in contemporary Pilates (both mat and equipment work)
How would you describe your approach to health and wellness?
As a Pilates instructor, the sessions/classes I teach emphasize functional anatomy, creativity, and choice within the Pilates repertoire. Choice and creativity are central to my philosophy as a teacher both to empower clients and to promote a sense of body autonomy in their movement practice and movement in general. As someone who works in an industry where elitism, exclusivity, and shame are used as default marketing tactics, I feel it’s necessary that people know it doesn’t have to be like that. Truthfully, people get a lot more out of the movement when it’s not framed through shame. With choice as a point of focus, people who take classes/sessions from me can expect loads of options when it comes to exercise variations/props, challenging and fun Pilates flows, and probably some bad puns and/or references to The Office if I’m being totally real.
What is your favorite part about working in the health/fitness world?
My favorite part about working in health and wellness is the community and connections that are built through movement.
Where can people find you?
You can find me on Instagram @mvmnt.generalist for both virtual and in-person class offerings. Website coming soon (that’s my next project)!
@fit_with_ceo
What’s your name and what do you do?
My name is Christine Elizabeth O’Sullivan and I am a group fitness instructor in the Hoboken/ Jersey City/ Morristown area. I am a full-time Jersey City special education teacher and teach both spin classes and full-body HIIT classes part-time. I worked at Work It Out, a women’s fitness studio in Hoboken, for 5 years which sadly just announced they closed. Since the pandemic began, I have transitioned to teaching 40 min zoom full-body HIIT classes 3 times a week and charges a minimum of $6 a class. Over the last ten months, we have all experienced a tremendous amount of hardship and for that reason, I have purposely tried to keep my class prices low. I truly believe that daily movement and accountability can transform your entire mood and help keep spirits alive during a time that is so challenging for us all. I also recently started teaching spin classes at a studio in Morristown called Ride and Reflect.
How would you describe your approach to health and wellness?
My approach to health and fitness is that it is a journey. We all take different paths to achieve a healthy and active lifestyle. We find different types of movement that work for us whether is dancing, spinning, lifting, etc. Sometimes we wander off the path and THAT’S OKAY. The journey will have its ups and downs but it never has to be perfect, you just need to keep finding ways to challenge yourself.
What is your favorite part about working in the health/fitness world?
My favorite part of the health and fitness world is the 100% community. I find inspiration in other instructors, health coaches, and most importantly clients. We all support and motivate each other!
In 2020, I was able to host 3 different donation zoom workout classes and raised over $4,000 for different charities. I would have never been able to do this without the support of this amazing community!
Where can people find you?
You can find me or my weekly class schedule on Instagram @fit_with_ceo or email me at fitwithceo@gmail.com.
@ramonyunes
What’s your name and what do you do?
Ramon Yunes. I am an NPC Men’s Physique competitor, I’m currently nationally qualified to compete for my pro card. I am also a personal trainer who focuses on resistance, hypertrophy, & strength training. I also host a great Boot Camp class in the spring/ summer with two other trainers who specialize in body weight training & HIIT training while I focus on Speed, Power, & Agility.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a 90’s baby who was born and raised in the heights of Jersey City. I have my Bachelor in Fashion Studies & minor in Art & Design. I am the owner of my own streetwear brand named De La Rue Apparel.
What form of training/wellness do you specialize in?
Besides offering personal training, I also offer nutrition programs for those seeking to lose body fat and those seeking to put on weight.
How would you describe your approach to health and wellness?
My approach to health and wellness is simple, focus your training and diet to be sustainable. Life is full of ups and downs, but your health and wellness must never suffer given any circumstance. We must be consistent to our eating habits and training.
What is your favorite part about working in the health/fitness world?
My favorite part of working in the Fitness World is the honor to change people’s lives in the right direction. I love pushing limits, and making people feel like they have just pushed a mountain!
Where can people find you?
I train clients at my home gym, their home gym, and out of Total Fitness Health Club in North Bergen, NJ. The best way to reach me will be to email me RamonYunesJr@gmail.com or book your session using the link – https://TrainwithRamonyunes.as.me/
@susanteefitness
What’s your name and what do you do?
I’m Susan Tee and I’m personal trainer and single mom to three great and now grown up children and one amazing grandson born and raised in Hoboken.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’ve been in fitness for over 25 years.
What form of training/wellness do you specialize in?
I teach boxing/ yoga and cross training.
How would you describe your approach to health and wellness?
My approach to fitness is about being mindful of what you need both physically and mentally. Fitness isn’t just about getting a tight ass, it’s about getting your head out of it, The physical body is the first thing that attracts people to you, but it’s not what keeps people in your life, so I work to help people create strong minds and strong bodies, to be happy with who they are and not only what they look like, and hopefully they can share that with the world
What is your favorite part about working in the health/fitness world?
My favorite part is watching the transformation of people and when the not only see it but feel it, when they have that aha moment and realize being fit isn’t just a physical thing but a mental thing as well. Working out is the best gift you can give yourself
Where can people find you?
I have a small studio in Hoboken.
@danachaufitness
What’s your name and what do you do?
My name is Dana Chau and I have been a fitpro for 18 years.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am 49 years young and was born and raised in NYC. I currently am a JC Heights resident and a dog mom to 2 senior pups, a Pekingese named Mooshu and a Maltese/Bichon mix named Sassy.
What form of training/wellness do you specialize in?
My path to becoming a fitpro was not intentional. It was a passion that I luckily had the opportunity to turn into a career. While working as a marketing professional for 10 years, I felt something creatively was missing in my life. Being a former dancer, what brought me happiness was taking my favorite dance classes at a well-known fitness club in NYC. This led to opportunities to do promotional work for the fitness club which eventually inspired me to become a fitness instructor. I loved the way my favorite instructors encouraged me to be my best self and I wanted to be able to do that as well. So at the age of 31 when I was at a crossroads in my life (breakup, laid off from my corporate job), I took a risk and made sacrifices (moved in with my mom) to become a full-time fitness instructor and personal trainer. It was a hustle and still is (especially now due to the pandemic), but after 18 years..I am still loving and enjoying every moment of it!
And when I am not teaching or training, you can find me training to become a dog groomer at my mom’s dog grooming salon in Hoboken.
How would you describe your approach to health and wellness?
I currently specialize in Barre and Pilates. But I also train and teach other modalities – total body conditioning, cycling and dance. My exercise philosophy comes from a belief in NO WASTED ENERGY! It is one thing to physically be present, but you also have to be mentally and emotionally present. It is important to set an intention behind each and every movement rather than just going through the motion. At the same time, it should be FUN! I always ensure my classes have 5 main components: fun and challenging workouts, energy, motivation, community, and great music!
What is your favorite part about working in the health/fitness world?
My favorite part of being a fitpro is inspiring and motivating my clients to be their best selves both physically and emotionally. I am a champion for my clients.
Where can people find you?
I am currently teaching online classes and recently launched a new program called Barre⭐️Social, a monthly curated barre hybrid program designed to help rockstar women attain their fitness goals and feel good in their bodies while making it feel like they are at a party.
Website: https://www.thetalenthack.com/me/danachaufitness
IG: https://www.instagram.com/danachaufitness/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/danachaufitness1
@bodyfitbayonne
What’s your name and what do you do?
My name is Frank Marino and I am the owner/operator of Body Fit in Bayonne,NJ.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I have been in the fitness industry for about 15 years. I took my childhood love for sports and athletics and turned it into a career in fitness. I am also a father of two amazing boys and a Firefighter for the City of Bayonne as well.
What form of training/wellness do you specialize in?
I am a certified personal trainer for specializes in HIIT training. HIIT training is high intensity interval training alternates periods of intense training with shorter periods of rest. I do this through one on one training as well as small group training mainly in forms of boot camp and boxing/kickboxing workouts. My program is designed to burn the most amount of fat while keeping/gaining as much lean muscle as possible.
How would you describe your approach to health and wellness?
My approach is very positive. I know some people may dread a daily workout especially one that requires a ton of effort so my job is to make it as different and as fun as possible. Every session with me is a like party that you do not want to miss out on. I want my clients to check Instagram and get FOMO when they see what we did in class that day. Not wanting to miss out on a days workout is motivation enough to get in and get it done. Making making fitness fun is a high priority for me.
What is your favorite part about working in the health/fitness world?
My favorite part of servicing my clients is seeing the progress they make and then their reaction to it. Whether it’s developing better form during certain exercises or not having to take as many breaks as one used to, it’s things like these that puts smiles on their faces which in turns puts one on mine. Loving what you do is probably the most important decision one can make in their professional life. I am lucky enough to love both of my careers. Each include being able to help people and I could not ask for anything more.
Where can people find you?
You can find me @bodyfitbayonne and @frankmfirefit on IG. Here to answer any questions you may have. I will tell you more about the studio whereabouts as well as offer you a free trail for either one on one or a small group class.
@fleur.fitness.hb
What’s your name and what do you do?
Heather Burdett, I’m a NASM Certified Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach. I’m also the manager of SW3AT Sauna Studio in downtown JC.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’ve struggled with weight & body image all my life. When I was younger I played softball & swam competitively and was always a little “thicker” than everyone else. In 2014, i lost 63lbs in 4 months on a VERY restrictive 500 calorie/day diet, only to gain it all back over the next 5 years. That diet however opened my world up to educating myself on food, nutrition & exercise. I found a love of fitness and have not looked back, earning my certification in November 2019.
What form of training/wellness do you specialize in?
I specialize in strength training and I also have specialty certifications in ProNatal fitness, TRX training and working on my certification in Corrective Exercise.
How would you describe your approach to health and wellness?
I believe that fit comes in all shapes & sizes. I believe that training is therapy for the mind as well as the body. I believe that healthy looks different on every body. My goal is to empower men & women and boost confidence through strength training. There are a lot of stigmas in the industry that “fit” should look a certain way and I want to crush the stereotype. I focus on correcting form in the beginning, then working with progressive overload to build strength. I educate on nutrition choices, and focus on using food as fuel. I find when my clients focus is getting stronger, and learn about food & nutrition, weight loss & healthy habits follow.
I work with the client on THEIR goals, not what society is telling them they should do. Personal training should be PERSONAL…a cookie cutter meal plan or workout regimen that works for one person, may not work for the other 9 clients that come through your door. A good trainer recognizes that.
What is your favorite part about working in the health/fitness world?
They say when you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. I truly feel this statement. I did the corporate 9-5 gig for 20 years before realizing that helping & educating people on health & wellness was my passion. I have turned that into my work & I absolutely love it! The check in call you get from a client who has struggled with their own body image their whole life & they are finally wearing that 2 piece they didn’t feel comfortable wearing. When a client hits a personal best & tags you in the video that they are proud to share that moment to the world because they have worked SO hard for it. Those are my favorite parts about working in the industry – when they accomplish every goal they set for themselves & you were a part of it 💜
Where can people find you?
I’m currently training clients privately, in home or at the local gym (I am able to rent space from World Boxing Gym & Grassroots as needed). I also do virtual & online training/coaching.
@peelfit
What’s your name and what do you do?
My name is Renee Peel, and I am an NSCA Certified Personal Trainer/Coach and a Lululemon Ambassador. Prior to the pandemic, I was working with clients one on one through my own business Peelfit Training. I was also the Strength and Conditioning Manager, and an instructor at Work it Out Studio in Hoboken as well as a Fitpro Instructor and Fhitting Room in New York City. Currently, with both studios closed, I am coaching small groups and classes virtually through Zoom as well as my private clients both remote and virtual.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a wife and mother of 2 and live in Hoboken NJ for almost 14 years! I did not always love fitness or working out but fell in love with it after giving birth to my first child almost 10 years ago! After giving birth I struggled with being a new mom, the lack of sleep, the way I felt about my body and truly had such little motivation. I forced myself to walk into a gym and started working with a trainer despite how out of place I felt there! After a few months, I started to fall in love with the community! It was the only “me” time I really had and it felt amazing! I started feeling strong and confident again and this brought about my passion for fitness and wanting to help others feel this way! Soon after, I decided fitness was my true calling! I left my job as a fashion buyer and took the leap into full time health and wellness!
What form of training/wellness do you specialize in?
I specialize in functional strength training, pre and post natal training and Kettlebell training.
How would you describe your approach to health and wellness?
Well my motto is: Train Smart, Live Strong, Play Long! I believe that training should improve the quality of your life. In other words, training should help you reach your goals, fit into your lifestyle, be well rounded including mobility, stability and strength. It should make you feel strong and confident, and keep you going and playing and doing the things you love most for the long haul!
What is your favorite part about working in the health/fitness world?
The people and the community! I love being a part of people’s fitness journeys! I love empowering other humans to go for it and feel good! I also love the sense of community it has always given me!
Where can people find you?
You can find me in the Zoom Room for now! Go to Peelfit.com to sign up for one on one coaching, Bodyweight and Dumbell classes (starting first week of Feb) and small group kettlebell sessions weekly!
@joshteves24
What’s your name and what do you do?
Joshua Teves. Strength Coach, Owner of the IPA Gym, and Personal Trainer.
What form of training/wellness do you specialize in?
Our training specializes on the needs of your typical millennial: weekend warriors looking to improve their rec game on the courts, new mothers looking to get back to their pre-baby bodies, and all types of boys & girls that just want to get strong for the daily beatdowns of life
How would you describe your approach to health and wellness?
Health & wellness should be the simple and straightforward. Everyone knows what to do. There are no secrets; there are no shortcuts. We are there to guide you to the things that you know you are supposed to do
Work attire consists of shorts and sneakers. You come to work where people want to be and want to share in the same pain and suffering of the workout. Afterwards, you get hang out with your community that ultimately become your friends.
Where can people find you?
You can find us on the IPA Gym’s IG: @ironboundperformance for fitness, health, and nutritional information. Be on the lookout for our eventual reopening!
