About Fitness Inside & Out

At Fitness Inside & Out, our well-trained and experienced staff is our most important asset. Since 1994, clients have trusted locally-owned and operated Fitness Inside & Out for personal training and post rehab care. Our personal trainers hold master’s or bachelor’s degrees in health science fields.

Fitness Inside & Out is owned by Mike Edwards, who holds a master’s degree in exercise physiology and has worked in clinical settings and with nationally competitive athletes.

What makes Fitness Inside & Out unique is that we have the ability to train a diverse client population. Our clients bring us total hip and knee replacements, rotator cuff injuries, and various back conditions. We have nationally competitive athletes with sports injuries and older clients with various health challenges. We do extensive evaluations on flexibility, cardiovascular health, strength, and balance. We emphasize chemical-free nutritional programs that focus on whole foods, organic foods, and seasonal menus.

Contact us at (239) 649-7181 or email naplesfitness@comcast.net


Mike E.Mike Edwards, M.S., EXPHYS

Owner/Manager

Mike received a master’s of science degree in exercise physiology and a bachelor’s of science in sports psychology from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Mike has experience in physical therapy and rehabilitation settings where he has worked with pre- and post-rehab clients, ages 8 to 92. He has more than 25 years of experience and specializes in working with retired clients. He has experience working with clients with total hip and knee replacements, rotator cuff injuries, and various back conditions.

He also works with many of the area’s top junior national tennis players on footwork, speed, power, and agility.   Over twenty Fitness Inside & Out clients have received Division I tennis scholarships and one has competed in the U.S. Open. At Fitness Inside & Out, Mike emphasizes whole foods nutrition and conducts classes featuring local and organic menus.


Bob Touchette, Physical Therapist

Bob is a Massachusetts native with a degree in physical therapy from the University of Connecticut.  Bob has more than 15 years experience and his career as a physical therapist has taken him throughout the United States, learning and teaching the skills of functional movement and injury prevention.

Before moving to the Naples area, he worked in Pebble Beach, Ca. and Pinehurst, North Carolina with special emphasis on golf fitness and sports performance training.  Bob is a certified golf specialist and has worked with members of the LPGA Tour and top amateurs nationally.  In his free time, Bob is a devoted golfer, enjoys tennis and snowboarding, and follows his New England Patriots and Boston Bruins.

Bob is focused on improving health and wellness and feels that improvement is obtainable by everyone with a little hard work.

Jon Bates, Personal Trainer, ACE, ISSA

Jonathan Bates,  has been in the health and fitness business for over twenty five years. He has worked in every aspect of the industry. Jon has been involved in sales, marketing and managing as well functioning as a fitness coordinator. Additionally, he was involved in opening the fitness center at Fiddlers Creek, a large upscale country club development in Naples. While at Fiddlers Creek he acted as Fitness Coordinator and Head Personal Trainer. His mission is to coach people and help them improve their relationship with their health and well being. As our life spans increase, his desire is to help his clients have an increased quality of life through exercise and proper nutrition. Certifications include: ACE (American Council on Exercise), ISSA (International Sports Science Association), AAA (American Aerobic Association), Madd Dog Athletics and The American Heart Association (CPR). Member of IDEA Health and Fitness Association.

Livio Ferrari, Personal Trainer, ISSA Master Trainer

Livio Ferrari has been involved in fitness as a trainer, rugby player, editor for Argentina’s leading bodybuilding magazine “Cultura Fisica”, former competitive bodybuilder, conditioning coach, group class instructor and managing his company Ferrari Fitness since 1999 in the United States.
 
Livio Ferrari has been working in the wellness industry since 1991. He has appeared in several local television shows, co-organized the Naples first Weight Loss Challenge, wrote Argentina’s first book on sport nutrition for fitness and several of his articles and reports have been published by national and local magazines (Flex, Muscle & Fitness and Naples Health).
 
For over 30 years, Livio Ferrari provides fitness programs that will suit your needs and get the results you want fast. He specializes in weight management, balance, power and strength and specific sports conditioning
 
ISSA International Sports Science Association Certified Personal Trainer & Master trainer .
NPTA National Personal Trainer Association: Master Fitness Trainer,
ISCF Institute Superior Cultura Fisica  (Physical education)
 
Anthony Vessecchia, Master Personal Training Certificate, TPI Certified Golf fitness trainer
 
Anthony first became a fitness trainer with International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) in 1996.  He guided high school athletes, competing NPC bodybuilders, and individuals who simply wanted to be healthier, through proper lifestyle style changes that included everything from daily nutrition to exercise regimens.
 
For the past twenty plus years, his clientele widely ranges from competing bodybuilders, Pro and Amateur Golfers, high school and collegiate athletes, and post-surgery patients. He has extensive knowledge in circuit training, small group training, and agility and speed training. His background of sport specific strength training includes volleyball, basketball, football, golf, kickboxing, and track. He has also coached football, basketball, and golf teams. In addition to a great background in fitness, he is greatly knowledgeable of dietary supplements and nutrition.
 
 
Elysia Dawn, Pilates Instructor
 
Elysia is a classical Pilates instructor trained in The Pilates Standard® method under the tutelage of Nora Gomez-Dears. Her background includes over two decades of Pilates training throughout her career as a professional ballet dancer, providing her with extensive knowledge of Pilates technique and its applied body mechanics. Elysia works with a clientele of diverse abilities – from beginners to professionals. She creates personalized sessions to meet their individual needs and goals with a focus on achieving overall wellness.
 
 
 

Joe Pitrone. BS,ATC, Physical Therapist

Since 2013 Joe has provided superior training in the areas of both preventative exercise and rehabilitation.  Traveling around SWFL, he’s experienced overwhelming success by creating custom plans for each of his clients.  Joe’s mission is to enable his clients to live long, healthy lives with optimum flexibility and mobility.  If you or a loved one needs to reduce pain, improve strength and balance, or improve golf-specific techniques, Joe can assist.  

 

Teofil “Teo” Nikolov, LMT (MA 28362) Teo Nikolov is Licensed Massage Therapist in Florida with over 25 Years of Experience.  Born in Europe where he obtained license as a Massage Therapist in 1995 at the National Sports Academy in Sofia –Bulgaria.  Upon moving to USA he attended accredited massage therapy school in Florida and got his National Certification and Florida License (MA 28362) in1999.  

  • Member of the Sports Massage Team for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA;
  • One of 100 worldwide selected members of “Athens Health Services Sports Massage Team” for the 2004 Olympic Summer Games in Athens, Greece.

Gus Bermudez , LMT Massage Therapist

Gus has been practicing massage therapy in Naples for the past 8 years, specializing in trigger point therapy, neuromuscular massage, sports massage, and medical massage. 

He received his massage education at the Bonita Springs school in 2013 and have various certifications in continuing education.  He also has a background in general medicine, attending  university in his home country of Uruguay. 

Gus resides in Naples, with his wife and two children.   His passion is to help heal people inside and out and I believe that self care is a must in today’s busy world.

Nickie Rivera, NASM Personal Training

Nicole Rivera played 4 years of collegiate soccer while obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. Nicole’s history of numerous injuries led her down the path of continuing education as a Physical Therapist Assistant. In her career as a therapist she has seen the importance teaching a functional framework for improving quality of life at any stage of someone’s health/fitness journey.

Having this background has driven Nicole to focus on functional training for overall improvement on body mechanics. This focus kick starts the transformation into many aspects of personal training like weight loss, muscle gain, sport specific training, agility training, mobility/balance training, and many more. Nicole will help guide your mind and body to be a safer and stronger YOU no matter your starting point!

Sandy Schulz, Pilates Instructor

Sandy is a PMA (Pilates Method Alliance) certified Pilates instructor. She completed her comprehensive teacher training through Power Pilates under the supervision of Kathy Van Patten, Nora Gomez Dears and Nancy Keating. She is a certified Post-Operative Breast Reconstructive Movement Specialist from The Pink Ribbon Program offering classes and private instruction for those recovering from breast cancer. In addition, Sandy is a licensed Pilates for Buff Bones® instructor, teaching a medically-endorsed workout that combines Pilates with bone-strengthening and balance techniques that are safe for those with osteoporosis. Currently, Sandy is completing requirements for the Pilates Masters Teacher Trainer Program through The Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado. Always continuing to deepen her understanding of the Pilates Method and enhance her teaching skills, Sandy regularly takes classes and participates in workshops and continuing education courses.

Nora Gomez-Dears, B.S. PhysEd, PILATES

Nora Gomez-Dears has served as the founder and director of Atelier Pilates since 2001. Atelier Pilates was a large Pilates teaching facility in Somerville, Massachusetts from 2001-2016. Under Nora’s guidance, hundreds of students in the U.S. and abroad received formal training in classical Pilates through Power Pilates and Buff Bones. Atelier Pilates also hosted well-known Pilates instructors through its 15 years in Somerville, Massachusetts. including Michelle Larsson, Lolita San Miguel, Alex Garcia, Amy Taylor Alperns, Debora Kolwey to name a few.
Atelier Pilates provided the most up-to-date instruction, equipment and licensed Pilates instructors in the New England area. Nora has now brought this level of expertise to Naples, Florida. The “new” Atelier Pilates in North Naples offers private and semi-private lessons. This private space allows students to work on individual needs without distractions or interruptions. Nora will develop a unique and customized program to enhance the client’s level of fitness, coordination, and injury prevention. It is Nora’s belief that a customized and supervised workout helps clients achieve their personal fitness goals.

Antioch University, graduate work in Dance Movement Therapy and Counseling, Psychology, 1999
Academy of Movement, Nashua, New Hampshire, founder/director, 2000 – 2010
PhysicalMind Institute, Pilates training/certification with Mary Bowen, 1997
Power Pilates Teacher Trainer, 2002 – 2010
The Pilates Method Alliance License, 2010 – current
The Pilates Center of Boulder, 600 hour teacher training program and Master program, 2011-2012
Classical Pilates Education Teacher Trainer, 2014 – 2017
Buff Bones Teacher Trainer, 2012 – current
The Pilates Standard Leading Education Advancement Program, graduate and continuing education provider, 2018 – current
The Pilates Standard Regional Director for the State of Florida, 2019

 Kate Kerwin, B.S. PhysEd, MELT

Kate Kerwin joined the Fitness Inside & Out staff for the 2016-2017 season.  Kate has more than 35 years of fitness experience, graduating from Springfield College with a bachelor’s of science in physical education. She started her career in the YMCA’s in New Jersey and Naples, Florida, and then moved on as the Director of Fitness at a private Naples Country Club for 20 years.  Kate specializes in working with mature adults who want to stay healthy, as they enjoy their Naples lifestyle.

Kate brings the MELT Method to Fitness Inside & Out. Certified by MELT creator Sue Hitzmann in 2009, this self-treatment program helps individuals eliminate chronic pain, and improve their posture, flexibility, and sleep patterns, while reducing stress and tension. She helps clients learn the MELT techniques using the MELT roller and small balls. Kate enjoys offering variety for her client’s workouts. She is also certified by the American Council on Exercise as a personal trainer and group exercise instructor as well as being certified as a Pilates instructor for mat, ball and Pilates equipment including Reformer, Tower, and Chair.

maristellaMaristella Battilana, B.S., AFA

Maristella received her bachelor’s of science in physical education at the University of Indiana in 2000. She obtained an associate’s degree as a physical therapy assistant from the University of Indianapolis in 1996.

She is an avid runner and works as a coach for joints and motion for marathon training. In addition to personal training at Fitness Inside & Out, she provides stretch classes and aerobic instruction at the facility. She has also worked in intensive care facilities providing therapy for geriatric populations. She is ceritifed through the American Fitness Association.

Sherida-2017Sherida Ostler, B.S. EXPHYS 

Sherida received her bachelor’s of science degree in exercise physiology from Brigham Young University in 1999. She is a certified personal trainer from the American Council On Exercise. Sherida worked as a physical therapy aide, helping seniors rehabilitate, during her four years of college. She teaches balance and posture classes. In addition, Sherida has worked as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer in Houston, Texas teaching a range of classes including senior fitness classes, Bosu, stability ball, step aerobics and boot camps. She is a specialist in working with senior clients and has received Silver & Fit certification. She moved to Naples, Florida in 2015.

 

Linda Shapiro, B.S.

Linda Shapiro earned a bachelor’s of science degree in Nutrition Food Science and Clinical Dietetics from Drexel University in 1978. She completed her dietetic internship at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She has practiced clinical nutrition in Philadelphia area hospitals and worked as an administrative dietitian for an institutional foods company.

Her passion is combining her love for recipes and cooking with planning quick, yummy and healthy meals that won’t break the bank. She has worked for seven years creating and/or assisting with the menus and recipes for several books by Ann Louise Gittleman, C.N.S. Ph.D.’s author of the award-winning New York Times Best Seller, “The Fat Flush Plan.”™

For the past eight years, she has provided Food Coaching and Personalized Meal Planning services for private clients. She also has helped parents learn to feed their children healthy food that is fun to prepare.

 

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