Instructors

Chris Brush, Owner & Instructor

Opening a fitness studio that blends fitness, dance and overall conditioning has been a long term goal for Chris. Her childhood exposure to dance, specifically ballet, has fueled her interest in movement. Beginning with the aerobics explosion, Chris began teaching group fitness classes and has continued training in this ever changing field. Teaching for former studio owners, Jeanne MaGinn of Muscles and Carol Murphy of FitLIfe/Reebock/YMCA, gave her a solid foundation for recognizing local trends and needs of the area's fitness enthusiasts. During this time, Chris was also certified in Rep Reebok, Stability Ball training, AFFA aerobics, and Reebok Step. Currently, participation in Zumba, TRX and many dance adult dance classes gives her first hand exposure to many popular exercise offerings.

Most recently Chris trained with and taught for Ryan Heminway, owner of Pilates of Pittsford. Her 5 years of exposure to the Stott Pilates philosophy has allowed her to bring this experience to studioMOVE! Chris will further her Pilates experience by attending workshops and continuing education on Pilates and complimentary excercise options.

Chris is currently teaching Pilates Mat, for beginners and int/advanced, Butts & Guts, and soon... TRX!

Dylan Chase

Nikki Bittner, Instructor

Nikki Bittner, a Rochester, New York native, attended Pittsford Sutherland High School and Elmira College, where she earned her degree in Marketing. Inspired by the birth of her son, Nikki became passionate about health and fitness not only for herself but as well as for others. Soon after, she became a certified personal trainer. Nikki has her own business, NBTraining; Personal Training, BootCamp and the Fit Challenge for individuals, groups and companies.

Julie Van Benthuysen, Instructor

Julie is certified in mat-based IM=X Pilates (Integrated Movement Exercise), an elite fitness formula that marries the muscle toning and lengthening benefits of pilates with strength and cardio training to increase flexibility, endurance, and core and spinal strength.

She is also a certified Yogafit instructor, teaching adult, teen and tween yoga classes in the vinyasa (flow) style. YogaFit (“Yoga for the Fitness Industry” ^TM) is designed to improve the health, performance, and mental acuity of athletes or individuals interested in improving their level of fitness.

Julie lives in Pittsford with her husband and three sons.

Heather Whitenack

Originally from Pittsford, Heather moved to Boston where she graduated from Babson College with a BS in Business Management and also received her personal training certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Heather’s extensive professional dance training, as well as her experience at a health club and personal training studio, helped her to open a successful personal training studio in Weston, MA. Heather recently moved back to Pittsford, after living in Boston for the past 8 years, and looks forward to sharing her passion for health and fitness with this community.

Certifications/Completed Coursework: NASM Certified Personal Trainer; CPR/AED Certified via American Heart Association; Client Assessments, Biomechanics & Metabolism; Client Relations & Business Management; Practical Applications of Explosive Lifting and Advanced Strength Training; Flexibility; Program Design: Recovery; Boot Camp Workout Drills; Integrating Diet, Exercise & Lifestyle Change; Exercise & the Aging Baby Boomer; Training the Core: A Strong & Healthy Back; Designing Weight Management Programs: Women, Exercise and Metabolism; Body Training Systems- Group Step, American Academy of Sports Dietitians and Nutritionists: Nutrition Specialist, Principles of Movement-Based Training, Lower Extremity Injury Prevention, Non-Traditional Strength Training, Cardiovascular Training, Licensed Zumba Instructor

Jan Gates

A Pittsford native, Jan has been teaching and directing programs in the fitness and wellness field for many years. Previously she was Group Fitness & Wellness Director at the JCC for over 15 years and most recently Health Club Manager at Woodcliff. She holds a Masters degree in Education, is certified by AFAA (Group Exercise), Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and has trained at Stott Pilates in Toronto. She is currently working on her advanced yoga teacher certification and programming for special populations. Jan is also a certified personal trainer, spinning instructor and a Reiki Master. In addition to teaching, she enjoys fitness coaching, giving workshops and designing individual fitness programs.

Her playful and often humorous style invites students to explore their bodies from the inside out and realize that it is never too late to start an exercise program and make progress! Her professional mission is to help people feel strong, fit and healthy on all levels- body, mind and spirit.

A resident of the Corn Hill area of Rochester, in her spare time, Jan enjoys biking, kayaking, skiing, photography, gardening, quilting, and travel.