Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Weeke.
Vanessa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started training at a private gym after college and was introduced to Pilates there as well. After 4 years, I was ready to grow more in my field of work and moved to Houston, Texas. I started at Lifetime and soon became the manager of the Pilates Program. I continued to train and learn management skills for 4 years there until I was ready to go out on my own.
I had always either seen people weight train or do Pilates separately but never together.
I wanted to create a workout that combined strength training and Pilates into one. So I started my own business in 2017 and have been working to meld the two worlds together and continue to educate both sides about the benefits of each.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Being a woman in the fitness world has been tough. Men don’t think we can handle their weightlifting workouts or they think Pilates is only for women. It’s hard to gain respect in this field as a woman. The world of strength training has a set following of people, as does Pilates, but those people rarely cross over into each other’s worlds. So it has been a process of getting each to try the other and then showing them how they can be combined into one workout.
As you know, we’re big fans of Illuminate Pilates and Training. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a Pilates Studio that combines strength training with Reformer Pilates. We are certified in both Pilates and Personal Training.
We are a small woman-owned business that is bringing a new type of workout to the fitness industry. We pride ourselves on being dual certified in two different types of exercise that focus on quality over quantity for our clients.
We are educated to work with beginners to exercise, pre and post rehab, athletes, and everything in between. We focus on alignment, educating clients on form and muscle activation while giving them a fun and challenging workout.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m very shy and get nervous around people.
Pricing:
- Private sessions $90-$100/hour
- Duo sessions $55-65/person per hour
- Small group/classes: $25-$40/class
- Prices based on frequency per week and packages purchased
Contact Info:
- Website: illuminatepilates.com
- Instagram: illuminate_pilatesandtraining
- Facebook: Illuminate Pilates and Training
