Welcome to Solo Fitness

	EACH PROGRAM IS AS INDIVIDUAL AS YOU ARE

Our Staff
The Solo Fitness staff is a diverse group of certified exercise professionals, massage therapists and nutritionists. They have in-depth experience and special expertise in addressing life changes associated with aging, menopause, heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and orthopedic concerns. Additionally, each specialist has a specialty, which is a large factor in determining his/her placement with a client.

Solo Fitness is committed to having the most fully-trained, up-to-date staff possible. Continuing education is an integral part of each trainer’s professional development (click here to learn more about our exclusive Training the Trainers program). Please take a moment to meet our staff:

Marc Andresen American Council on Exercise Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist, Certified Fitness Specialist from Raritan Valley Community College, International Sports Sciences Association Certified Personal Trainer SPECIALTY: Strength training and rehabilitation from injury	Allison Becker, RD Allison is a Registered Dietitian who focuses on lifestyle changes to optimize each individual’s nutritional status. Her specialties include weight loss, diabetes management, allergies and food sensitivities, as well as maximizing optimal nutrition when coping with various diseases and or treatments. She graduated from Syracuse University with a BS in Nutrition then went on to complete her Dietetic Internship from New York Presbyterian Hospital. Allison is a member of the American Dietetic Association.	Sylvia Betesh, RD Sylvia is a Registered Dietitian who focuses on making realistic lasting lifestyle changes to optimize health for clients of all ages. She trained at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, Columbia Presbyterian and Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. Sylvia believes in science and research based nutrition and is certified in childhood and adolescent weight management. Her specialties are oncology, cardiology, weight loss, pre-post natal nutrition and pediatric and adolescent nutrition.	Sue Brown American College of Sports Medicine® certified personal trainer, B.Sc. Wellness Therapies from CUNY, certified in massage therapy, Zero Balancing, Reiki II. Specialties: Total body conditioning – aerobic, strength, flexibility; active older adults and exercise for arthritis; relaxation stretching.
S. Cantor American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer SPECIALTY: Focuses on tailored and motivating moves from strength training to Ballet for a balanced and complete workout.	Casey Connely National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer (NASM), AFAA Group Fitness Instructor. In addition, Casey has been a group instructor for strength and conditioning classes, Pilates at the Boston Ballet School and is an outdoor boot camp instructor. Specialty: functional training, core training, strength training, agility Flexibility and balance	Gena D'Ambrosio BS in Health, Fitness and Social Issues; ACE Certified Personal Fitness Trainer (CPT); Marymount Manhattan College (CPT), IDEA Elite Trainer. SPECIALTY: Strength Training, Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation, Stability and Coordination, Stretching, stress management, and meditation.	Kristin Degrout Kristin has completed training in the Nia Technique (dance/martial arts/healing arts), Pilates, and Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga. A natural athlete with injuries, Kristin safely leads clients through movements that simultaneously strengthen and stretch the body. She educates clients about how to move the body mindfully from within, focusing on deeply developing core muscles (especially pelvic diaphragm and abdominal muscles), that are often very weak in new moms. Kristin offers music to energize and create joy in group and one-on-one sessions. Areas of Expertise: soloPop
Samantha Fast, RD Samantha is a Registered Dietitian, and holds a Masters degree in Clinical Nutrition from NYU. She was a dancer for most of her life, and believes in a strong connection between nutrition, fitness, and overall health. She has practiced Medical Nutrition Therapy in clinical and community settings and particularly enjoys providing nutrition education to all populations with various interests and nutrition needs. Her current focus is in working with pre- and post-natal women, infants, and children.	Rachel Fischler, MS, RD Rachel is a Registered Dietitian and holds a Master’s of Science degree in Nutrition Education from Columbia University. Rachel has experience within the nutrition field in both clinical and non-clinical settings and has worked in hospitals, long term care, community nutrition, research, and counseling in a women's wellness center. Rachel specializes in weight management in both adults and children, pregnancy and menopause, and helps treat medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and gastrointestinal disorders. Rachel’s counseling technique emphasizes behavior modification in order to ensure lifelong success in meeting goals and overcoming personal barriers.	Reyna Franco, MS, RD, CDN, CPT Reyna is a registered dietitian with a MS in applied physiology and nutrition from Columbia University. She combines a holistic approach with science-based nutrition and exercise research. Areas of expertise include nutrition for diabetes, heart disease, GI disorders, pre and post natal, renal, weight loss, and sports nutrition. Her clients range in age from young children to older adults. Reyna is also the renal dietitian and the cardiac rehab nutrition educator for New York Downtown Hospital. She takes pride in her work and is an enthusiastic coach. When Reyna is not counseling clients, performing workshops or writing articles, you may find her bicycling, running, swimming, skiing, or rock–climbing.	Ingrid Griffith American Council on Exercise Fitness Instructor; SPECIALTY: Midlife fitness, body sculpting/alignment flexibility, strength training.
Leah Keller Pre- and Postnatal Fitness Educator, Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Running Coach. Certifications include American Council on Exercise (ACE), Mad Dogg/Johnny G. Spinning, and Tupler Technique Certification. SPECIALTY:Pre/Post natal exercise programs to ease pregnancy discomforts and facilitate quick, complete postpartum recovery. Leah also incorporates cardiovascular, resistance, flexibility and core training on an individual basis.	Karen Mann Karen Mann received her Pilates Certification from the well-respected Kane School in NYC. It is a rigorous training program combining the classic principles of Pilates with a modern, clinical perspective on the human body. She, also, received a certification from the Hunter College Fitness Instructor Program which teaches heavy dosages of Anatomy, Exercise Physiology and Nutrition along with various exercise disciplines. She has further attended courses focusing specifically on the Anatomy and movement of hips, knees & feet. She has a BA in literature.	Maddie McGee American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer; Equinox Fitness Training Institute; National Academy of Sports Medicine SPECIALTY: Core Stability, Prenatal and Post Partum	Kate Melei, MS, RD, LD Kate is a Nationally Registered and Licensed Dietitian. She specializes in Medical Nutrition Therapy for chronic disease management, weight loss of all types, eating disorders, allergies, and much more. She also holds a Masters of Science in Sports Medicine. She is nationally published on the Style Network's program, Ruby. She enjoys creating realistic meal planning for busy life styles at affordable costs. Her passion lies in finding nutritional change through redefining the ground work of food knowledge and one’s personal need.
Sara Phillips American Council on Exercise Certified; pre/post natal fitness; National Circus School of Paris (trapeze & acrobatics); SPECIALTY: Incorporates yoga, Pilates, dance and Alexander Technique to achieve low back and core strength and flexibility.	Lee Noonan, LMT Among “The Best the City has to Offer “– according to New York Magazine of massage therapist, Lee Noonan. Her treatments are specific to the needs of each individual and are a unique combination of Eastern and Western massage techniques, reflexology, trigger-point therapy and energy balancing. After helping people to restore wellness for over three decades, Lee has acquired a profound understanding that allows her to synthesize a treatment session to address symptoms, as well as their possible origins. Lee’s work induces a state of psychic peace and deep physical relaxation.	Vivian R. Rodriguez Certified Personal Trainer from the American Council on Exercise, National Academy of Sports Medicine, Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. Hatha Yoga Certified from the Integral Yoga Institute. Mat Pilates Certified from the Physicalmind Institute. For the past 15 years, Vivian has been specializing in: alignment, core strength, functional training incorporated with Pilates and Yoga. She also focuses on working with seniors and those with osteoporosis.	Lisa Ronco MS, RD, CDN, CHHC Lisa is a Registered Dietician and graduated from NYU. Her clinical work was at Bellevue Hospital Center and NYU Medical Center. She is certified from the American Associate of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) as a Certified Holistic Health Counselor (CHHC). Her study of Ayurveda Nutrition integrates her belief in combining Western and more modern Eastern philosophies for helping her clients reach optimal health and wellness.
Karina Roudneva American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certified Personal Trainer, 1999; Pre-Post Natal Fitness Instructor (Tuppler Technique Certification); BA in Physical Education (St.Petersburg, Russia)Originally from Russia, Karina was a professional rhythmic gymnast for 12 years before becoming the head coach of a competitive rhythmic gymnastics team in New York City producing multiple members of Regional team and Junior Olympic medalists.Specialties: improving flexibility, coordination and strength, balance training, pre-post natal, seniors and those with back and joint problems.	Josh Ryan Certified Personal Trainer from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Post Rehab & Special Populations Certification from the Manhattan Sports Medicine's S.M.A.R.T. (Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Training) SPECIALTY- Functional Resistance Training, Circuit Training, Boxing, Balance work and Flexibility.	Stella Shepard (Hoffman) Graduate: Mommy and Me Yoga, various music classes. SPECIALTY: Running, jumping and laughing. While many trainers make use of 30 pounds weights, Stella IS the perfect 30 pound weight. Only available for sessions when not napping.	Marni Shepard (Hoffman) The latest and youngest addition to the Solo Fitness family. Right now Ms. Marni is under the tutelage of her older sis, Stella. But soon she will be available to train you... on how to be a kooki 3 year old!
Katerina M. Sisco Katerina comes to us with over 16 years of Yoga teaching experience. Originally from Eastern Europe, Katerina is certified from the Integral Yoga Institute where she teaches various forms of yoga from advanced levels of Hatha to meditation. She has extensive experience teaching individuals currently facing health challenges due to cancer, Alzheimer’s, HIV and Parkinson’s disease.	Adele Loux-Turner Is a certified hatha instructor from Integral Yoga Institute since 2001. She also holds a BFA in modern dance (SUNY Purchase), and certifications in prenatal and children's yoga. Adele's classes balance relaxation/stress relief with challenging postures and Vinyasa.	Jill Wais National Association of Sports Medicine; Marymount Manhattan College Fitness Specialist. Jill comes to us a seasoned personal trainer. With over 8 years of hands-on experience. She adds understanding of the body, function analysis and relaxing techniques.	Janice Wen, MS, RD Janice is a Registered Dietitian with a Masters in Nutrition and Public Health from Columbia University. She completed her clinical dietetic training at NY Pres Hospital of Columbia and Cornell and has worked in many community nutrition organizations developing nutrition education programs for the community. Janice is an active member of the American Dietetic Assoc. and the Greater NY Dietetic Assoc. Her areas of focus are Weight Management, Disease Prevention, Cardiovascular disease/Hypertension, Celiac Disease/Gluten Intolerance, Digestive Disorders, allergies, and General Nutrition and Wellness. Janice provides sound nutrition that is realistic and practical and tailors nutrition programs to each individual’s needs.
Alphonso White is an American Council on Exercise (ACE) and IM=X Pilates Certified Personal Trainer with over 10 years of experience. SPECIALTY: weight loss, fitness, strength training, and flexibility.	Mark Wolz Mark teaches hatha yoga in a range of styles from gentle and restorative to challenging vinyasa and advanced poses. He received training through Integral Yoga Institute and Om Yoga. His practice includes therapeutic yoga, and he is a certified practitioner of Thai yoga massage.