About Dakota Personal Training & Pilates

Penny Smart

Owner

I’ve been a fitness professional for the majority of my adult life. I’ve worked as a group fitness instructor, personal trainer and a presenter/educator for some of the finest gyms in NYC before becoming the proud owner of my own studio. I strive to address the individual as a whole including physical and nutritional well being, happiness, and overall level of energy. I keep my programs interesting using a variety of modalities including, but not limited to the stability ball, TRX, Pilates apparatus, Bosu ball, heavy ropes, and kettlebells.

Specialties

Interval training geared toward weight loss
Pre and postnatal fitness (including diastasis recti rehabilitation)
Pilates programs geared toward core strength
Senior programs (I’m a certified trainer for older adults)
Exercising with Fibromyalgia
Exercise for those with eating disorders

Certifications Attained

ACE-Group Fitness Instructor
NSCA-Personal Trainer
AFFA-Group Fitness Instructor
PIA-Pilates
Resist-A-Ball-Master Trainer (former presenter)
Cycling Instructor-Multiple Certifications
AED/CPR
Mat Pilates

Michael Veras

Throughout Mikes training career he has worked with a diverse population in achieving fitness goals and enhancing their lives. His tailor made programs use a variety of modalities keeping clients continuously engaged. Mike has completed extensive continuing education toward fitness and nutritional programming in optimizing body composition, core strength and mobility. His objective is to not only have clients look good, but to enhance energy levels and stay injury free.

Certifications Attained

Katia Araujo

Katia has extensive experience as a personal trainer and full-body strength, body sculpting coach. She has a degree in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition, she also has several certifications in full-body stretch and yoga.

Most recently Katia has worked with Master Jon Koga where she has acquired certifications of Koga Fitness, Koga Lift. These are combination workouts that include both conventional exercise routines with kickboxing cardio as well as yoga.

Katia has combined her knowledge of all acquired Exercise Education as well as different movement programs ( dance, martial arts, kickboxing, yoga stretch to provide her clients with the most effective training programs to address each client’s individual needs. Katia’s training routines are designed for all age groups. With all of her routines, she incorporates breathing techniques for relaxation, better muscle development, and definition to better achieve full-body wellness. Katia currently continuing education with NASM for acquiring CPT-7 certification 2022.

Specialties

Certifications Attained

Katherine Eadie

Personal Trainer

The simple tasks of healthy eating and consistent movement are either overlooked or over-complicated, typically in the form of fad diets and obsessive exercise routines. Habits that ought to improve participants’ health now deteriorate it, disillusioning them from a healthy lifestyle altogether. I’m here to demystify fitness. When you feel your best, you look your best. Food isn’t the enemy and exercise shouldn’t be a chore. I’ll teach you how to fall in love with both, prioritizing your health from the inside out

Specialties

Certifications Attained

George Garcia

I’ve been a personal trainer for nearly 25 years and have worked with everyone from teen athletes to seniors. I am a KBC Kettlebell coach as well as a certified boxing/kickboxing instructor. I also have specialties in pre/post natal, post-rehab in addition to strength and conditioning. Let’s work out!

Certifications Attained

Eric (Hang-Yu) Liu

Born in Taiwan, Eric (Hang-Yu) Liu was a 2016 Fulbright fellow. Before exploring Gaga in Israel with the sponsorship of Cloud Gate Dance Theater of Taiwan, he trained with National Ballet School of Iceland. In New York he studied at Gelsey Kirkland Ballet Academy and Joffrey Ballet School. Eric found his passion for Pilates from his dance training, believing that Pilates is beneficial to every ‘body’. In addition, Eric is a photographer, model and certified yoga instructor.

Specialties

Certifications Attained

Dylan Decandia

Dylan’s passion for fitness started at a young age. Growing up as an ice hockey, track and field,and lacrosse athlete his interests, naturally progressed into weightlifting and running. Dylan is a graduate of FTPI 600 hour master class program. Dylan started his career in personal training five years ago and continues to grow and learn more each day.