Stacey Merritt

About Stacey

BSc, LSSM, ISRM, BTEC, RSA

My believe is: “Fitness through balance, core strength, flexibility and mostly enjoyment”

As a teacher/instructor who has worked in the fitness industry for the past 30 years, I have seen many trends come and go. As a result, I have developed my own philosophy regarding fitness training – I believe that really getting to know each client and, therefore, being able to assess their precise needs is the key to a successful partnership.

In my small, purpose-built studio in Rowlands Castle, Hampshire I have been able to follow my dream of teaching my own classes in my own studio. I teach Pilates and Yoga classes. Teaching my own, small classes means I can provide a more personal touch, I can get know clients well, give individual attention and even tailor classes to clients’ needs giving more specialised support where required.

I also do Personal Training for clients which gives a very specific and personal training programme.

Sports/Remedial Massage is another way I can support my class participants and assist other clients who have more complex issues which benefit from this type of therapy.

Background

From early childhood I have always been involved in many sports but mainly hockey, gymnastics, dance and horse riding, so it felt like a completely natural progression to work as a gym and class instructor. I spent several fantastic years travelling and working around the World. On the East Coast of Australia I worked as a Studio Instructor for 6 months teaching large classes of up to 150 people. Later, I travelled to the USA and taught in various venues in New Orleans, LA and San Diego.

Qualifications

Upon my return to England I took a degree in Physiotherapy at Brunel University in West London and then worked for the NHS for 2 years. I carried on working in the Fitness Industry part time but eventually I gave up Physiotherapy to go back to my first love of teaching fitness.

I qualified in Pilates in 1999 with the Pilates Institute UK studying one of the first teacher training courses run by Michael King, the founder and Director. Michael was, and still is today, a leading name in the world of Pilates and Fitness. I started teaching Pilates in London alongside other classes. Later I qualified in Pilates Reformers and, in 2004, I took a Pilates Solution Course Level 3 (RSA/OCR – recognised governing bodies). I regularly update my skills and knowledge through Continual Professional Development (CPD).

I am a Les Mills instructor and am qualified in various programmes but I concentrate on Body Balance in particular which includes elements of Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates. I started teaching Freestyle Yoga after qualifying with Jayne Nicholls, founder and owner of GXT. I furthered my yoga practice by taking a course with Sun Power Yoga in 2017. Qualified in June 2018 in Classical Yoga School (CYS) in Addlestone which is teaching the Astanga style of Yoga.

In 2023 I have returned to MSK (muscular/skeletal) Physiotherapy treating clients injuries/problems at my private studio and also at Reactivate Healthcare in Waterlooville.