Club Pilates

Staff Bios

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  Abby Phelps

  Studio Owner and Pilates Instructor

  Abby is a lifelong athlete who has always loved the energy and camaraderie of group fitness. When she wanted a career change from the business world, Club Pilates was a natural fit with her motivation to "do well by doing good". She's thrilled with the excitement Chicago has shown for Club Pilates and feels lucky she gets to call this her job! Pilates' focus on shoulder stabilization and core strength has eliminated the back problems she faced after her first child (and now she has three to carry around!) Abby went through Club Pilates's certification program in 2016 and loves being able to connect with members both as an owner and teacher.

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  Linda Silbert

  Lead Pilates Instructor

  Linda’s love for Pilates began over 30 years ago while attending classes at the studio where Joseph Pilates first taught in New York City. After two daughters and a move to Chicago, Linda became a Certified Pilates Instructor studying with Michele Larsson and completing the Core Dynamics Pilates training program in 2000. She works with numerous Chiropractors and Medical Doctors and incorporates rehabilitation into her Pilates teaching. Linda has completed additional Pilates workshops focused on Scoliosis, Osteoporosis, Prevention of Sports Injuries, Pelvic Floor Strength, and Recovery from Strokes. She appreciates how Pilates has helped her clients become more confident with postural changes, reduced stress and avoidance of health issues, increased energy, understanding the importance of breathing, and improving their self-image. Linda is thrilled to bring her enthusiasm and experience to Club Pilates.

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  Allison Heinz

  Pilates Instructor

  Allison fell in love with Pilates in 2013, while taking a Tower class with a few dancer friends in college. She had been an athlete her entire life, but found a new strength and spinal support in Pilates. After a few years of touring as an actor with a Children's Theatre Troupe, she settled into the Chicago theatre scene and found Club Pilates. She decided that combining her love of the stage and fitness would make teaching Pilates an absolute joy. Allison achieved her certification through the Club Pilates Comprehensive Teacher Training program. She is overwhelmed with the kindness and welcoming support that the Club Pilates community has shown her.

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  Annie Gemkow

  Pilates Instructor

  Annie was first introduced to Pilates as a dancer with Ballet Chicago. When she left the dancing world and got more serious about Pilates, she knew she'd figured out her passion in life. She completed her Pilates Certification with Balanced Body and has taught Pilates in multiple countries. Annie has taken additional Pilates education focused on pre/post-natal, Pilates for runners/ surfers/ dancers, ACL/MCL rehab, and spinal mobility. She taught Pilates in Southern California for six years before moving back to Chicago to be closer to family. Besides Pilates, she like to dance, surf, ski, play guitar and is an avid marathon runner having completed over 125 races. She is a true testament to the fact that Pilates is a great complement to running!

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  Linda Miglieri

  Pilates Instructor

  After graduating from Purdue University, Linda worked for years in the corporate world with a career in medical and pharmaceutical sales. She also volunteered at Northwestern Hospital, engaging with patients on their road to recovery, but her happy place is the lakefront running path where she can be found year round. This love eventually sparked her curiosity in Pilates as she wanted to incorporate balance with all the running. She found Pilates brought strength, length, and mind body awareness. The instructor who introduced her to Pilates eventually became her Master Trainer at Club Pilates! Linda's passion for Pilates drove her desire to become an instructor and help others discover the same mind body success. Linda graduated from the Club Pilates comprehensive 500-hour Club Pilates Teacher Training program.

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  Rebecca Bradford

  Pilates Instructor

  Rebecca is originally from Buffalo, NY and recently moved to Chicago from NYC. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BFA in musical theatre and received her Pilates certification from Pilates Academy International at Pilates On Fifth in 2016. Rebecca has danced since a very young age and grew up taking Pilates as part of her dance training. As a parallel career, she also performs in musicals in the Chicagoland area. She loves how the Pilates method creates strength and flexibility in the body that helps improve performance in every day life. She loves to create fun, challenging workouts that help improve her clients' strength, posture, flexibility and allows them to feel great in their own bodies!

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  Carolyn Variano

  Pilates Instructor

  Carolyn fell in love with Pilates the moment she walked into an intro class at Club Pilates, Lincoln Park, in 2017. A self-confessed fitness and health enthusiast, Carolyn discovered in Pilates the essential foundations – and complement – to her fast-paced HIIT and weight-lifting classes. Her Pilates training has taught her about body mechanics, proprioception, and how to train supporting muscles to create a strong body from head to toe. The community she found at Club Pilates reinforced her love of exercising in groups and being motivated by others. As a teacher, Carolyn hopes to share the deeply inspiring, challenging, and transformative experiences she herself found at Club Pilates.

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  Samantha Sassone

  Pilates Instructor

  Sam was introduced to Pilates in 2018 when her mom convinced her to tag along to her Club Pilates class back home in Connecticut. The two continued going to class together daily and Sam quickly became addicted, which led her to enroll in the Teacher Training program just five months later. Sam has always been a runner and attended a ton of spin classes, and she loved the way Pilates complimented that. She quickly saw the benefits of Pilates through her improved core strength, posture and form, enabling her to run faster and further. Sam is excited to bring her experience and enthusiasm from the East Coast, which has made Chicago feel like home!

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  Devin Kelly

  Pilates Instructor

  After teaching yoga for 8 years, Devin decided to give Pilates a try when a Club Pilates opened at the end of her block. After one class, she was hooked, and signed up for Teacher Training. She enjoyed the strength she gained through Pilates, and the low impact workout and mind body connection the reformer offered. Devin especially appreciated Pilates when she was able to continue to do full body workouts after a running injury that left her unable to do other forms of exercise. The modifications Pilates offered to her meant she did not need to lose the strength and flexibility she had gained! Devin completed her certification through the Club Pilates Comprehensive 500-hour Teacher training program and is excited to be part of the team. She also received her BS in Rehabilitation Sciences and Disability and Human Development from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is currently earning her Master’s in Social Work from DePaul.

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  Corryne Graf

  Pilates Instructor

  Coming Soon*

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  Elena Lypnytska

  Pilates Instructor

  Bio Coming Soon!

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  Beth Grant

  Pilates Instructor

  Bio Coming Soon!