Gigi's Pilates Studio & Personal Training

MEET OUR TEAM

If you’re like most people, you want to know you’re getting the best when it comes to helping you maintain you and your family’s health and fitness. We want you to get to know all the staff at Gigi’s Pilates Studio & Personal Training, so you can select the trainer best suited for your needs. We have instructors to fit all ages and any fitness level who will help you achieve the results you want. Instructors are properly trained, certified and guaranteed to be the cream of the crop — hand-picked by Gigi and Rodney Filer, co-owners of Gigi’s Pilates Studio & Personal Training. Stick with one trainer or choose to mix and match for a great, all-around fitness regimen.

And fitness is just the beginning. Gigi’s Pilates Studio & Personal Training offers the services of a registered dietician, culinary chef and nutrition coach in our new Nutrition Kitchen, plus massage therapy, and much more.

Whether you want to work out like a pro athlete with former Iowa Hawkeye, NFL and AFL veteran Rodney, or prefer the core and muscle strengthening of Pilates with Gigi or one of our other instructors, we want you to stop in and talk to us! No matter what your health, wellness and fitness objectives, we can help you achieve your desired results!

GIGI FILER

Gigi is one-half of the heartbeat of Gigi’s Pilates Studio & Personal Training. A Des Moines native and fitness expert with more than 18 years’ experience, Gigi’s passion for fitness began early when she earned her Bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Iowa State University. Since then she’s added certifications as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor from the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), and the International Sports Conditioning Association (ISCA).

Of course, Gigi also is a certified STOTT PILATES™ instructor trainer — one of only a handful in the state of Iowa who trains the trainers — and is a certified breast cancer exercise specialist with the Pink Ribbon Program.

Don’t let Gigi’s trim physique and consistently happy demeanor fool you … she’s personally familiar with the struggles of being the “big girl,” and once you get to know her, you’ll know she is actually part fitness guru and part mental health expert. Gigi cares about the whole you and is willing to go the extra mile to help you not only feel fit and healthy, but help you transform your internal mental mantra to enable and empower you to take the steps necessary to commit to making changes in your life. Whether it’s your weight, your career or your family life, Gigi knows and believes that all you need are the tools that help you succeed. That’s what she does every day for her clients and it is her greatest reward.

RODNEY FILER

Rodney, the other half of the heartbeat of Gigi’s Pilates Studio & Personal Training, is originally from Texas. As a young man, Rodney used his athletic ability to escape the Houston ghetto, playing football as a star running back and linebacker at University High School in Waco. Because of his underprivileged childhood and the huge role fitness played in helping him rise above his humble beginnings, Rodney developed a passion for children and fitness. He was recruited by Hayden Fry to play football for the University of Iowa from 1993 to 1997 where he studied elementary education and art history. After graduation, Rodney signed as a free agent with the San Diego Chargers and played as a running back/fullback for the Chargers from 1997 to 1999 and the New York Jets in 2001 and 2002. After his NFL experience, Rodney joined the Arena Football League and has played with several AFL teams around the U.S. for most of the last 10 years. He currently is a running back/full back for the Iowa Barnstormers. And, of course, with all this in his background, Rodney became a personal trainer, as well.

Rodney is an International Sports Conditioning Association (ISCA) certified master instructor trainer, specializing in boxing and kick boxing, plyometrics and speed and agility training exercises. And, proving that he’s truly a well-rounded renaissance man, Rodney also is a STOTT PILATES™ trained mat and reformer instructor.

When he’s not playing football or at Gigi’s, Rodney serves as the speed and agility coach for the Iowa Lightning football team and a motivational speaker. But, true to the roots of his passion, Rodney’s proudest extra-curricular activity is as the co-founder and vice president of the Empower to Play Foundation, a non-profit organization whose goal is to expose young athletes to levels of training, mentorship and empowerment to build confidence and self-esteem that otherwise might not be realized due to socio-economic factors. Rodney, along with trainers including Tommy Boone, currently are working with the Central Iowa Boys and Girls Clubs to bring the positive practice of lifelong activity and nutrition to Des Moines’ at-risk youth.

TOMMY BOONE

Tommy, 21, is one of the newest additions to Gigi’s Pilates Studio & Personal Training. Tommy recently became a National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT) and International Sports Conditioning Association (ISCA) certified personal trainer. He grew up in a small town just outside of Raleigh, North Carolina. Tommy also is the culinary chef (the “food dude”) in Gigi’s new Nutrition Kitchen, because he’ll soon be earning his AAS degree in culinary arts from Des Moines Area Community College. Tommy combines his fitness knowledge and his nutritional and cooking skills for a one-two punch that helps clients jump start their health and wellness. Tommy has traveled a long road back from depression and drug addiction by using fitness and exercise as a positive outlet and now he wants to help others, young and old, benefit from what he’s learned. He recently ran his first half marathon and is currently training for two more. Along with Rodney, Rebecca and Daniel, Tommy is working with Des Moines’ youth through the Empower to Play Foundation. Come be inspired and learn, as Tommy has, that “anything is possible … never give up on yourself!”

ROSIE CORDARO

Rosie, a young 61, is a STOTT PILATES™ trained instructor and breast cancer exercise specialist. An instructor at Gigi’s since 2006, Rosie specializes in equipment-based Pilates instruction, but when she’s not working clients on the reformer, she’s helping keep Gigi’s ship-shape as the business manager. Rosie became hooked on Pilates as a way to help her manage the symptoms of menopause. She found Pilates successfully helped her body fight the aging process and now Rosie shares her dedication to fitness, helping clients of all ages become the best they can be. Oh, yeah … we can’t not mention that Rosie is Gigi’s mom!

PAULA CLARK

Paula, 56, has done it all in the industry during her more than 35 years as a fitness professional. She definitely is one of our seasoned veterans. Gymnastics, aquatics, aerobics, ballet … with all the requisite certifications, and then some. Paula has a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education from Yankton College (South Dakota). She’s a STOTT PILATES™ certified instructor levels 1 and 2. Paula also is certified as a personal trainer from the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), the International Sports Conditioning Association (ISCA), the National Arthritis Foundation for the PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise), and much, much more. As a personal trainer, Paula can whip you into shape in the studio, the gym or the pool!

KATIE CROUCH

Katie, 24, joined Gigi’s Pilates Studio & Personal Training in 2010. A native of Des Moines, Katie discovered her love for Pilates and dance in college, first at Cottey College in southern Missouri and then at the University of Iowa, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance. Katie is a STOTT PILATES™ trained mat and reformer instructor, as well as a Zumba® certified instructor, and spends her days guiding clients through a variety of workouts that also includes aqua, core and senior citizen classes.

NATALIE DEMING

Natalie, 22, is one of the newest additions at Gigi’s, having joined the training staff in the summer of 2010. A lifelong athlete and sports enthusiast, she recently earned her Bachelor’s in exercise science with a minor in psychology from Central College in Pella, where she also was a varsity softball pitcher for four years. Natalie is a first-year student at Des Moines University working toward a Doctorate in physical therapy and Master’s degree in health care administration. Natalie hopes to combine her sports background passion for fitness with her physical therapy and personal training skills to help others not only rehab from injuries, but also help prevent them from ever occurring.

CANDICE FANTAUZZI

Candice, 26, has been an Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) certified personal trainer since 2006. When she joined Gigi’s Pilates Studio & Personal Training, she also became a STOTT PILATES™ certified mat and equipment instructor. Candice is a Des Moines girl, having grown up on the south side. She says, “I have always been an active out-of-doors person doing anything outside rather than in. After recognizing how exercise benefited me both physically and mentally, I decided I wanted to help others feel the same benefits.” Candice enjoys helping her clients feel great so they can do the things they enjoy better.

LISA LEWIS

Lisa, 26, is a STOTT PILATES™ certified Instructor Trainer, as well as an International Sports Conditioning Association (ISCA) certified personal trainer, and a certified breast cancer exercise specialist. An Iowa City native, Lisa started studying dance at the age of 3 and continued on to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance with Honors and Highest Distinction from the University of Iowa. Lisa began taking Pilates to supplement and benefit her dance performance, but loved it so much she pursued her certification upon graduation and has been with Gigi’s for more than three years. In addition to working at Gigi’s, Lisa currently dances and performs professionally with Hurley & Dancers in Des Moines and teaches dance to a variety of levels and ages, including a special wheelchair dance class.

KATHRYN MANDSAGER

Kathryn, 52, is one of our seasoned veterans. While she’s only been with Gigi’s Pilates Studio & Personal Training since 2009, she’s been teaching fitness classes for 26 years and STOTT PILATES™ for seven years. Kathryn has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wartburg College and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska (Omaha) in health, physical education and recreation, specializing in exercise science. In addition to being a certified STOTT PILATES™ instructor, Kathryn is certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Kathryn is an exercise enthusiast away from the studio, too. Proving that you’re never too old to embrace health and fitness, she loves biking (maybe you’ll see Kathryn doing her 16 th RAGBRAI this summer), running, kickboxing or rowing, and has done several marathons and triathlons in the past. Kathryn credits Pilates with making it possible to continue doing all these activities relatively injury free. Discover the secret Pilates plays in lifelong fitness and take a class with Kathryn!

LINDSAY SCHWAB

Lindsay, 25, is a small-town Iowa girl from Corwith who’s definitely well-traveled. She began dance lessons at age 5, which led her to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in dance and communications from the University of Iowa, where she was first introduced to Pilates. After college Lindsay moved to New York City to continue her dance career, but also trained and received her STOTT PILATES™ certification in Tribeca, New York. She then accepted a job in Chicago at Elements in Motion where she completed her large equipment and injury and special populations training. Ever the academic over-achiever, Lindsay returned to Des Moines in June 2009 to start working at Gigi's and getting another degree — this time a Master of Science in Teaching degree from Drake University in elementary education. Lindsay feels “incredibly lucky to work with people doing what I love. My clients always make me laugh and inspire me to become a better teacher.”

KATE SHAFER

Kate, 36, joined the staff at Gigi’s Pilates Studio & Personal Training staff in 2010. She is an International Sports Conditioning Association certified personal trainer, taught cardio kickboxing for three years, and will earn her Aerobics and Fitness Association of America certification in August 2010. Before transitioning into a full-time fitness career, Kate worked as an academic advisor at her alma mater Iowa State University for eight years (she has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from ISU). Her story is familiar. Like many others, Kate didn’t pay attention to her health and fitness during college and the situation worsened after having two children. In 2006, at 240 pounds and a size 24, she started her fitness regimen and lost 110 pounds through diet and adding kickboxing to her routine. Kate is extremely excited to help others make positive changes in their lives so they can feel as wonderful as she does!

KRISTINE SPOTH

Kristi, 55, has been one of Gigi’s Pilates clients for several years. A native of Ames, open heart surgery helped her focus on heart-healthy eating. She’s always enjoyed food and cooking, an interest that compelled her to become a registered and licensed dietician, with degrees from Iowa State University and graduate school and an internship at the University of Alabama (Birmingham). Kristi claims Pilates is the first exercise she enjoys enough to keep doing over a long period of time. Kristi will be joining Gigi’s Pilates Studio & Personal Training as the registered dietician/program director in the new Nutrition Kitchen, along with Tommy, culinary chef (and personal trainer) and Rebecca, food and nutrition coach (and personal trainer).