Dory Berman, Water Fitness Director
Once upon a time there was a curly haired girl named Dory who had a two-pack-a-day cigarette habit. A smoker for 13 years at age 23, she realized her life-style HAD to change. A friend dared her to join a health club, which was a big deal since she had always ridiculed health clubs, viewing exercising indoors as a complete waste of time. A few months into her membership, Dory reluctantly joined an aerobics class. After a lot of struggling, as most do, with the moves, directional changes, and generally keeping up, she eventually got the hang of it. More importantly, Dory saw an incredible change in her body, her attitude, and her energy. Six months later Dory became a certified aerobics instructor.
Dory has been teaching group exercise for nearly 29 years. She loves all forms of group exercise, but is most passionate about water aerobics. Join Dory for a spirited, joyful water workout at Waverley Oaks. Or attend BodyPump with Dory as she leads you through one of her favorite Les Mills programs with energy and enthusiasm. Come find out why Dory loves what she does so much!
Jim Costa
As a former marathoner and triathlon participant, Jim’s training experience runs the gamut from working with individuals just beginning to train to highly experienced athletes. He believes in a sensible and moderate approach to exercise. Education combined with an individual’s physical or water training experience dominates his training regimen. Emphasizing awareness of one’s breathing and movement, he helps his clients get the most benefit out of their work. He likes to encourage smarter, kinder and more diverse workouts that are tailor-made for an individual or a group. A moderate intensity, enjoyable brand of exercise that brings fitness within everyone’s grasp.
Jim has a passion for water and fitness training having worked professionally since 2000. He is certified as an Aquatics Instructor by the AEA and the AFPA. Additionally, he is a Certified Aquatic Therapist from the Aquatics Therapy and Rehab Institute. For dry land fitness he is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the NSCA, ACSM and NASM as well as a Certified Personal Trainer from the AFPA. In addition to these certifications, he is a Certified Group Exercise Instructor from the well as a Certified Yoga Instructor. Prior to launching his career in physical fitness and water training, Jim received his BA and MBA degrees from Boston College and worked as a marketing professional. These certifications demonstrate Jim’s commitment to safe and healthy exercise.
Allison Moreland
I’ve been working in aquatic fitness for more than 10 years. I have been part of the health and fitness industry for even longer. In my younger days dance and traditional aerobics were a great source of enjoyment and learning for me. After a number of years of high impact exercise I began to experience problems with my hip joints. As I got more involved with aquatics I was able to get back into the exercise programs that always brought me joy and I rediscovered how different forms of exercise, especially water, are therapy to so many people who have joint, muscle and mobility challenges.
When I began working at a fitness club I got to go to all the aqua aerobics and arthritis classes. I loved it! At one point, our instructor, who was pregnant, was instructed to go on bed rest for the rest of her pregnancy and the director of aquatics asked if I could cover her classes. I never looked back!! I got certified and I’ve been teaching ever since and loving every minute!
I always loved the water. Even before I was swimming I loved going to the pool with my parents. As a kid, my family called me ‘the fish’. I went to the pool every day all summer long and on occasion I would get to swim indoors during the winter. I started swimming laps but got bored because I was doing the same thing over and over with only slight variation. I couldn’t stick with it. As I grew older access to a pool dwindled but once I had kids I found a pool and went back with them in tow and spent the summer at the pool.
I also love aqua aerobics because there’s music!! Music uplifts you and makes you want to move and by the end of the class you’re asking yourself, “Where did the time go?” It just flies by! However, the best part of aqua aerobics is the community of students and it makes all the difference! We’ve become friends who care about each other and care about getting and staying fit. Join us for getting fit, having fun, and making friends!!
De Springer
Certified in Water Fitness, Aqua Arthritis, Barre and a swim lesson instructor, I have been an exercise enthusiast since I began running track at age 10. Evolving with the gym culture in NYC in the 90’s, I took classes 6 days a week at The Vertical and Equinox Clubs and took ballet and modern at The Martha Graham and Peridance Studios where I was introduced to Pilates and Gyrokinesis. A running injury dove me into the pool for healing and it was in aquatics that I was able to synergize many favorite movement modalities. I thrive on the continual physical education that teaching requires and taking class reinforces. I am committed to my class participants’ learning, too, passing on current best practices. When asked what I find most rewarding about the work my answer is that, “my 90 year olds keep coming”.