Meet the Trainers
Julie Gronquist - Owner
Certified Personal Trainer/Pilates Instructor
Julie Gronquist received her B.S. in Kinesiology with a minor in Coaching and Nutrition from the University of Minnesota. She started out in the fitness industry in 1993 teaching floor and aqua aerobics, and is certified through ACE (American Council on Exercise) as a Group Fitness Instructor.
Shortly after her group experience, Julie started to work one-on-one with individuals and became certified through ACE as a Personal Trainer and ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) "The gold standard of certifications" as a health fitness instructor. Because she wanted to work with wide variety of clients, Julie also became certified from Healthy Expectations as a Pre/Post Natal Specialist and received a certification from AAHFP (American Academy of Health Fitness Professionals) in Post Rehabilitation. Julie is also certified to teach Pilates, and was trained in the STOTT® Conditioning Method in both Mat and Reformer. In addition, she attended the Massage Therapy program at Sister Rosalind's in St Paul and received training in Neuromuscular Therapy.
Julie has worked at a variety of facilities from large chain health clubs to a small independently owned clubs as both a personal trainer and manager. Because of her diverse background, Julie is able to work with a wide variety of clients. She specializes in assisting clients with weight loss and post rehabilitation of injuries. She encourages her clients to recognize where they are starting from, and assists them to set realistic goals and reach them with education, motivation, and positive reinforcement.
Jamie R
Certified Personal Trainer & Customer Service Manager
Jamie is a Personal Trainer certified through ACE (American Council on Exercise) and is a member of IDEA Health & Fitness Association.
“I love to work with clients who have weight loss and or cardiovascular goals, those who need a boost of motivation and encouragement, as well as individuals who just want to be more fit and active. I believe in incorporating cardiovascular exercise, resistance training, flexibility, nutrition, behavioral modification, support, and empowerment into all of my sessions.
In my experience, clients say that a lack of time is the main reason they have difficulties making positive lifestyle changes. As a mother of 3, I understand how difficult it can be to juggle a career and your family, yet still have time to incorporate an exercise regime. Together we will work on personalized goal setting that will actually work with your busy life. Finding all the pieces to be healthy is no longer impossible because I will incorporate them all within our sessions.
I truly believe that anyone will increase their quality of life with added knowledge about nutrition, fitness, and how their body works. Allow me to help you on your journey to a healthy life.”
Sandra S
Certified Personal Trainer/Pilates/Yoga Instructor
Sandra holds a B.S. in Nutrition and is a Fitness Specialist and Nutrition Educator. She has been a Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Yoga Instructor and Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant for over 30 years. She specializes in helping individuals set and meet realistic health and fitness goals.
Sandra also works as a consultant and leads courses with Pilates Trainers, Personal Trainers and Fitness Instructors to further develop their skills in the fitness field. Her workshops and lectures for clients cover a wide range of topics that all include the value of good nutrition and moderate exercise. Her interest and passion for sharing her knowledge about wellness and fitness training make her a much sought-after presenter.
Wendy T
Certified Pilates Instructor
Wendy is originally from Minnesota but school brought her to the east coast. She continued her Dance and Movement Studies at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts and winning honors and prizes for both performance and choreography. Through dance, she found the magic and rewards of Pilates and began to pursue certification after her first session with a Reformer. She began teaching Pilates for dancers in New Jersey and New York in 2003.
Wendy is a STOTT Certified Pilates Instructor trained in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac/Tower, Chair, Prop Integration, Jump boards, Pre-Natal, Injury Prevention, Neuromuscular Stretch and Special Populations. She is also NASM Certified Personal Trainer and is PHI Certified.
With a kind and light-hearted manner, Wendy’s goals are to assist her clients to access their deepest stabilizing muscles for breath and movement for optimal alignment. After a session with Wendy, clients leave feeling longer, stronger, and free to do what they do best.
To Wendy, it's not a matter of what you are moving, it is how you move that results in feeling at the top of your game.
Lori L
Certified Pilates Instructor
Lori has over 20 years of movement experience as a Pilates Instructor, Massage Therapist, Dancer and Choreographer. She studied Massage Therapy at the Raj in Fairfield Iowa. She has trained numerous Pilates Instructors throughout the Minneapolis/St Paul metro area and has started and run Pilates programs around the Midwest. Lori has studied dance with Martha Graham, Loyce Holton, MDT and others. She has studied Pilates with master teachers all across the country including: Romana Krysnowska, Kathy Grant, Jillian Hessel, Michelle Larsson, and completed her teachers training at the Pilates Center in Boulder, CO in 1996.
"I love Pilates! I totally believe in its ability to completely transform one's body, mind and spirit.
Marie D
Certified Personal Trainer
Marie holds an M.Ed and a B.S. in Kinesiology. She has been a Certified Personal Trainer for over 12 years. Marie regularly attends fitness conferences, workshops, and classes in order to keep up with the latest research and the newest developments in the fitness industry.
Marie believes a client should come as they are, be who they are, and start their progress from where they are. “Clients reach their potential by taking small steps to achieve their goals. This builds motivation and confidence which resonates in all areas of their life: social, emotional, and physical. Clients then begin to lead a happier, healthier more vibrant lifestyle.”
Julia S
Certified Pilates Instructor
Julia is certified in Stott Pilates Mat and Reformer. Julia grew up in St. Paul and began dance training at a young age with Loyce Houlton's Minnesota Dance Theatre. She then embarked on a professional career with local dance companies, including James Sewell Ballet and Ballet of the Dolls. In 2004, she received the prestigious McKnight Dancer Fellowship Award. Julia also pursued a theatrical career, acting on local stages including the Jungle Theater, Chanhassen Dinner Theater, and the Loring Theater.
During her dance career she experienced a back injury that required physical therapy and included Pilates. It was Pilates that helped her to improve her dancing by creating a stronger core, greater body awareness, and balance. Using the Pilates techniques, Julia continued dancing well into her 40's. Because of her first-hand experience with the benefits of Pilate’s, she decided to become certified in Stott Pilates Mat and Reformer. She is delighted to work at Balance for Life, and to bring grace, breath, and stronger bodies to her classes and clients.
AJ N
Certified Pilates Instructor
AJ has loved movement ever since her mom placed her in her first dance class at the age of three. Since that first class, she has danced for Loyce Houlton at Minnesota Dance Theater, was an apprentice with the Nancy Hauser Dance Company from 1994 – 1996 and a former member of the company, received her BS in Dance with a concentration in Interarts and Technology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and a MFA in Dance with a concentration in Interdisciplinary Digital Media and Performance from Arizona State University. It was a natural progression to continue her studies in Pilates. To maintain her geeky techie side, she is co-owner, along with founder (and AJ's mother) of the automated publishing company, SANscript, LLC
AJ will help you achieve your fitness goals through the mind-body experience of Pilates. She loves working with people at all levels and understands the everyday struggle dealing with pain and limited mobility due to her own experience with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. She has found Pilates as one of the ways to keep her moving and pain free.
AJ holds certifications in STOTT Pilates® Mat work and Reformer and TRX® Suspension Training®. She has completed the coursework for her full certification in STOTT Pilates®, which includes Injuries and Special Populations, Advance Mat work and Reformer, and the complete Cadillac, Chair and Barrels repertoire. She also regularly attends STOTT Pilates® workshops to keep up with all the latest research and the newest developments in the Pilates industry.
Jochen S
Certified Personal Trainer
Jochen is nationally certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). He has been a fitness professional for more than 12 years working with hundreds of clients from all walks of life. Jochen's philosophy is that healthy aging is possible only through a commitment to physical activity and good nutrition. This goal is attainable for everybody. Jochen wants to share his strategies of fitness with you so that you too can feel good, look great and live a healthy life!
Denise B
Certified Personal Trainer
Denise has her B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota. She’s an ACE certified personal trainer and a certified TRX Instructor. She has worked in the fitness industry for the last 13 years. Denise also has a medical background and worked in Cardiac Rehabilitation and as a Pain Management Therapist for people suffering with neck and back injuries.
As a Mother of 2 young boys, I encourage them to be active on a daily basis. As I tell my clients, “It’s never too late to start exercising.” “The changes you make now in your life could make a big difference in your quality of life down the road.”
Denise enjoys working with all types of people from weight loss to rehab or someone trying to run their first 5k. She has a passion for running and has run 4 marathons and numerous other races.
Charlene S
Certified Personal Trainer
Charlene received her Masters degree and a BS from the University of Minnesota. She is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Health and Fitness Specialist, by the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Performance Enhancement Specialist, and by the American Council on Exercise as a Personal Trainer. She is passionate about health, wellness and understanding what you can do with your lifestyle choices to slow down the aging process.
She has worked with a wide variety of clients including those surviving cancer, diabetes, brain injury, bone density concerns and work related stress. Her training philosophy will always include the belief that "Your Health Is Your Greatest Wealth". She regularly attends the University of Minnesota Continuing Medical Education conferences and weekly seminars as well as the Minnesota Sports Medicine conferences for health professionals.
She has worked with some of the very best athletes in this state, including those who compete at the national and professional level. In her career she has earned many awards as a competitive athlete, including her professional level status as an athlete in 2000. She holds many awards at both the regional and national level in natural physique competitions.
She enjoys riding her bike all around the Twin Cities area, and she is a veteran marathon runner with lots of experience in the 10K and 5K distance races also. Charlene worked in a corporate position for 14 years prior to transitioning into her career as a health and fitness specialist. She is a busy mom with 2 kids who just love to see how far and fast she can ride her bike with them.
Carrie R
Certified Pilates Instructor / Personal Trainer
Carrie fell in love with Pilates many years ago when she started taking mat classes at her local health club. She received her Stott Pilates Instructor certification in mat and reformer. Carrie loves helping first-time Pilates clients “find” their core and discover the many benefits of Pilates. She believes that everyone, young or old, should practice Pilates because it increases core stability and improves postural alignment and muscle imbalances.
Carrie continues to expand her Pilates and fitness education through Stott Pilates courses as well as working towards a certification in personal training.
Christine H .
Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant & Customer Service Representative
Philosophy and Experience
Nutrition and wellness is my passion and I am always honored to help others to find their own personal strength in theses areas. My philosophy is based upon individualized sustainable nutrition and wellness, with a focus on whole foods and improving body awareness through mindfulness.
I have always had an interest in nutrition and wellness, but my real strength in helping others has come from my own struggles and successes with eating disorders and a distorted body image. Over the past decade, through a better understanding of nutrition, and learning to become more in tune with myself, I was able to create a better relationship with food, my body, and a more peaceful mind. The gratitude I have for my health motivates me to help clients find long-term success with nutrition and health goals.
Through my own experiences, I understand that for some, a nutrition session can feel like a judgment on who they are. Because of this I have made non-judgment and compassion a daily practice; I feel that along with my knowledge of nutrition, they are my best tools for helping others. Come as you are and let’s work together to find what you need to achieve your goals—for life.
Nutrition and Wellness Specialties
Sustainable Nutrition
Making Healthy Grocery Shopping Easy and Fun
Healthy Kitchen Reorganization (including non-toxic products)
Meal planning/ Recipe revamps and Healthy Food Alternatives
Keeping Healthy On-the-Road
Body Image/Disordered Eating
Mindful Eating/Meditation
On-the-Side
I am currently working towards an additional degree in nutrition and my dietitian’s license. My first degree is in English/Media Writing; I am also a freelance writer and artist. In my spare time I enjoy running, Pilates, kickboxing, hiking, travel, time with my beau and family, reading biographies and meditation—which keeps me balanced.
Chalayne P
Customer Service Representative
Kate F
Customer Service Representative
Hi, I’m Kate. I was born in Oklahoma and moved to Minnesota when I was about nine years old. I grew up in White Bear Lake and currently live in Hugo, MN. I go to Century College. I have a passion for health and to stay healthy. I am working toward getting my degree in the health field, or in oncology.
In 2008 my mother passed away from cancer and since then I have made it a lifetime goal to stay as healthy and physically fit. I have a 3 year old son named Peyton who I also teach to be healthy and explain to him how important it is.
In my spare time I love to hang out with my child, and my pug. I also enjoy doing yoga to help ease the stress of everyday life. I’m great with customer service and I’m excited to be a part of the Balance for Life Fitness Center as a Customer Service Representative.
Click here for Massage Therapist's bios
Julie Gronquist
Jamie R
Sandra S
Wendy T
Lori L
Marie D
Julia S
AJ N
Jochen S
Denise B
Charlene S
Carrie R
Christine H
Chalayne P