Melissa
Pasadena and West San Gabriel Valley: Alhambra, San Gabriel, Monterey Park, South Pasadena, Pasadena, Altadena, Temple City, Arcadia, Monrovia, San Marino, La Canada, El Sereno, Rosemead, El Monte
Melissa is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer, Senior Fitness Specialist, and fitness instructor, and has been involved in the fitness industry for over 20 years. She is also Arthritis Foundation certified, and holds a certification in Neuromuscular Facilitated Stretching. Melissa specializes in Aquatics, as well as teaching Senior Fitness, TRX Suspension Training, Indoor Cycling and Stability Ball Training. She has taught various group fitness classes at local gyms and the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center. For many years, she did this part-time while working at a full-time corporate job in the entertainment industry.
After nearly 18 years in the very high pressured and stressful corporate world, she often said that the only thing that kept her going was being able to leave the office to go teach her classes and workout. Although she was successful in her corporate career, over the years it became more draining. She knew there was something missing; that she needed to do something more meaningful, with a purpose, where she could help people.
In 2012 Melissa became a full-time personal trainer and fitness instructor. She now works for multiple gyms and senior facilities, and has her own personal training business. She does one-on-one personal training, as well as small and large group fitness classes. Although Melissa’s clients and students range in age from 16 to 90-years-old, she has a passion for working with seniors. The majority of the population she works with is over age 60.
Growing up, she had a very close relationship with her grandparents, and always said they were her favorite people. Some of her fondest memories include having her grandfather teach her how to be an all-star softball player. She also enjoyed playing tennis with her grandmother and helping her in the garden and kitchen. They were always very active together, but as they got older, and began to slow down, Melissa helped take care of them. She wanted to give back the love and support they provided to her in her youth.
As she began her full-time career in fitness, Melissa soon realized that working with seniors, and helping them live healthy, active and quality lives was her purpose. She often tells them that she’s not there to make them look like Arnold Schwarzenegger, but instead will help them to be able to play with their grandkids without pain!
Keeping people moving, even when they have limitations, is one of the keys to longevity and quality of life. Melissa has worked with clients and students with issues such as knee and hip replacements, frozen shoulders and rotator cuff tears, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s, and both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. She works with them on strength, mobility, balance, flexibility and a range of motion exercises. Since Melissa also has arthritis, she can personally understand the sporadic nature of it, and that people can have good and bad days. She has genuine empathy for them, and will adapt or modify her client’s workouts when needed to accommodate their discomfort or limitations.
It All Begins With a Consultation with Lori
Kind Words from our Clients
Mary
Lori's principles of dynamic stretching revolutionized the way I approach stretching. I've seen a great increase in flexibility and have even built additional strength using her techniques.
- Mary
- Mary
Steven A. Vasilev
- Steven A. Vasilev MD MBA FACOG FACS FACN ABIHM ABOIM
Mary
- Mary
Rolanda
– Rolanda
– Rolanda
Deb
- Deb
Tammy
- Tammy
Jackie
– Jackie
– Jackie
Tristan
- Tristan
Ann
Gratefully,
Ann
Scott
- Scott
Judi G.
Lori and her team provide personal training for my elderly mother who has Alzheimer's and dementia, as part of her overall care. They customized a program addressing her needs, including balance and mobility. She really likes her two trainers and looks forward to her sessions. I highly recommend Lori Michiel Fitness!
- Judi G.
- Judi G.
Deb
My struggle area right now, Lori!
You are such a blessing and like your sign in the video in the background, I do 'give thanks' for you and your dedication to all of us who are trying to do the best we can with our bodies...no matter where we are and at what stage of health we are in!
Love your heart to serve, my friend!
- Deb M.
Kimberly
- Kimberly, Personal Assistant
Pam
I am very thankful for finding you and for your willingness to work with me! You are a wonderful person and I appreciate you very much.
- Pam
- Pam
JL
- JL
Susan M.
- Susan M.
Rene Russo
Your fitness program has really helped my mom!! I saw her this week and she is stronger and her balance has really improved. She got up from her chair so much easier!!!
Best news, she's very happy that she started working out and she adores Sam and Rita.She actually looks forward to it.
It's great to have a job that makes a difference in people’s lives. What a blessing you have been to all of us. Thank you so so much for all you do.
Best wishes to you for a beautiful new year.
Love,
Rene Russo, Actor
Love,
Rene Russo, Actor
Fabiola
Blessings, Fabiola, Personal Trainer
Bryan
- Bryan
Barb Weitzberg
– Barb Weitzberg
Ann (Maine)
-Ann (Maine)
Karen
Lori,
Thank you so much for your awesome presentation at Senior Congress! Your passion for what you do was clear and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it! We so appreciate the time you took out of your busy schedule to join us and share your insight with our attendees.
With gratitude,
Karen
Cameron Edward Benton
- Cameron Edward Benton
Sherri
As a Personal Trainer, I appreciate that you trust my skills and give me the freedom to create the best personalized training programs for our clients. Since you too are an excellent Personal Trainer, and stay up-to-date with current trends and fitness education, we're able to collaborate to determine the best approach for our clients. It's a great working team! Thank you for the opportunity to work with you.
- Sherri
Julie
- Julie
<
<
Rebecca
- Rebecca
Sam Strain – Trainer
Customer care is of the utmost concern to her. She is very knowledgeable about personal training and the workings of the functional human body from a bio-mechanical point of view. She is compassionate about all her clients as they all get her personal touch.
I would feel most comfortable recommending her to anyone that is in need of her services.
Respectfully,
Samuel Strain II NASM/CES
Rico
My mom is doing very well. She’s getting back into her ceramics studio and making more stuff and seeing her friends.
- Rico
Rebecca
After my mom’s strokes, we knew we needed to help her become active and improve her balance. She didn’t have a good habit of any exercise and none of the local senior classes were appropriate for her.
I’m so glad we called Lori Michiel Fitness. Lori came to the house, met with my mom, listened to her needs, took a careful medical history and matched her with a trainer. He is a wonderful trainer who comes to the house three times a week to help support mom’s recovery. The trainer really understands senior fitness. He gives the whole family peace of mind that we are doing what we can to prevent another fall and keep mom active. Lori checks in with us regularly to make sure the therapy continues to be appropriate for mom. We’re very grateful to her.
- Rebecca, San Marino
Charles Savinar
- Charles Savinar
Julia Nelson
- Julia Nelson, CA Licensed Professional Fiduciary
D.P.
- D.P.
Ethel
- Ethel
Elena
- Elena, Teacher
Jill M. Brink
- Jill M. Brink, Ph.D, Geriatric Care Management, Aging Interventions
- Jill M. Brink, Ph.D, Geriatric Care Management, Aging Interventions