Strength Training Decoded:

The Intersection of Science and Practice

In July of 2013, Joy moved, with her family, from New York to Sacramento, California to join Nora St. John and the rest of the Balanced Body team to work on developing curriculum and educational programming. Joy has been teaching Pilates teachers since 2002 and in the health and wellness industry since 1996. Joy earned her master’s degree from Columbia University in Applied Physiology. As a lecturer she presents at conferences and studios across the country and abroad and with Balanced Body, she is a regular at most Pilates on Tours. In addition to her degree Joy is PMA certified, A.C.S.M. certified and is able to provide ACE credits for students who take her classes. She is a fully qualified Balanced Body Pilates Instructor and teacher trainer, CoreAlign and Bodhi Suspension System master trainer and a graduate of the PhysicalMind Institute. Joy was also trained on the GYROTONIC,® Level I and the Ladder. In 2011 Joy founded Body Wise Connection, a not-for-profit which works with women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Body Wise Connections sole purpose is to remind women that even in the throes of a diagnosis and treatment for cancer the body can heal and strengthen. Body Wise Connection works to restore physical self-awareness and empowerment through gently, rhythmic Pilates based movements. Though Joy is no longer in New York, Joys work has expanded to include all cancer patients regardless of the primary cancer diagnosis. Joy believes that movement changes lives and that education is the key to unlocking potential. Joy is thrilled to be working with Balanced Body on the shared mission of elevating mindful movement as a component to long term health and wellbeing.

Helen Vanderburg is the founder and owner of The ACADEMY, a premier fitness, spin, and yoga studio. With a passion for empowering others through fitness, she has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading fitness educators. Helen has been recognized as Canada’s Top Fitness Educator and was awarded the prestigious Canfitpro Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. She also received accolades as IDEA Program Director of the Year, Fitness Presenter of the Year, and Top Global Industry Contributor. In addition to her studio work, Helen has served as a trusted consultant for leading fitness brands such as NIKE, Total Gym, BOSU, Schwinn Cycling, and Core Health. As a past elite athlete and world champion synchronized swimmer, Helen brings a wealth of experience to her sessions. She is currently the Fitness Education Coordinator for Balanced Body®.  

As seen on the TODAY Show—Dane is a Certified Personal Trainer and Performance Enhancement Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and has held almost every job in the fitness industry from mopping floors, to personal and group training, all the way to regional department management. 
A former collegiate and professional football player, nowadays Dane impacts HUNDREDS of people in private and group training classes in Atlanta, GA and THOUSANDS of people across the country as a TV fitness coach on platforms such as Daily Burn, Total Gym TV, My Fitness Pal, and QVC.