Trainers

Maria Santoro
Master Trainer

Maria Santoro is one of New York's most highly regarded fitness specialists and licensed massage therapists. Her experience includes being a Tier 4 trainer and Mentor at Equinox Fitness Club and their exclusive club "E". Maria also teaches courses for older adults, postural analysis, gait analysis and foot & ankle clinics. As a massage therapist, Maria performs a wide variety of massage techniques -- everything from Swedish and Shiatsu massage to joint mobilization, pelvic stabilization and muscle energy techniques.

Maria was hired by the US Army to act as a fitness trainer at the Point, a hotel fitness club on the US Military Base in Seoul, Korea. Her duties involved personal training, group fitness and yoga instruction earning her the promotion to Lead Athletic Trainer/Coordinator.

Maria's experience as a fitness specialist has lead her to teach certified programs for the American Council on Exercise and the American Red Cross. She has completed several marathons including New York City, Boston and Big Sur. She is also a part of the medical team for the New York City marathon, as well as the Lake Placid Ironman competition. And if that is not enough, she is also a black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do.

Maria has worked with a full spectrum of people and displays enormous enthusiasm, concern and commitment for all her clients, regardless of age, disability or limitation.

Maria takes a holistic perspective to fitness training, and creates programs that promote an awareness of the need for fitness, the life changes to meet it and the ability for every individual to connect the mind and body - thereby offering total fitness.

Education
Bachelor of Science Degree
Hunter College Pre-Medical
Marymount College, Fitness Program
Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy-LMT

Certification
ACSM-HFI: 11 yrs
ACE Personal Trainer: 13 yrs
NSCA-CSCS: 7 yrs
Medical Exercise Specialist, Aquatic Exercise Assn: 13 yrs
Motherwell & AFAA Pregnancy Certifications
Iyengar Yoga & Be Yoga Teacher
Power Plate - Power Plate International