STUDIO OWNER // form full bodY STRENGTH EXPRESS // FORM TRX // form barre //
emily parkes
Emily Parkes is the owner and creator of Form Fitness, a boutique fitness studio that puts form first! She helps clients exercise safely and effectively, while forming healthy habits, connections, and results.
Emily received her Kinesiology degree through the University of Winnipeg in 2007. Since then, she has become a Certified Seniors Fitness Instructor through the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging at Western University. She is a Certified Functional Movement Specialist (FMS 1 & 2), Certified Kettlebell Instructor (Kettlebell Kickboxing Canada), and a Certified Fitness Consultant with the Manitoba Fitness Council.
Emily has been training clients of all ages for the last fourteen years. Her first studio, Fifty 5 Fitness, successfully engages clients aged 55+ and helps them to be fit at their age. Emily loves to teach all types of group fitness classes including bootcamp, kettlebells, step, barre, strength & conditioning classes.
Emily developed a passion for FORM during her 25 years of dance training and 15 years of teaching ballet and pointe. She always says, “anyone can exercise and get a workout in, but over time, if we don’t exercise with correct form, injuries are bound to occur”. Emily has created the new FORM FITNESS studio to help minimize injuries during exercise, keeping clients moving for years to come!
STUDIO Manager //
lisa nield
What is your favourite FOod?
I love pasta! And anything I don’t have to cook!
Where is the most interesting place you have been in the world?
I love Europe. I lived for nearly a year in Edinburgh, Scotland and loved it!
What is your current favourite TV show or Movie?
Love watching Big Bang with my kids or Law and Order.
What do you do for exercise?
I do personal training with Emily every Friday and attend classes when I can (when the kids are in school!). I make sure to get over my 10K step goal everyday!
form barre // FORM BARRE FLOW // FORM FULL BODY STRENGTH EXPRESS //
tara silvaggio
Hi, I’m Tara!
Movement has been an integral part of my life for over 50 years. As a former professional ballet dancer, studio owner, and teacher; proper form, placement and alignment have been key to remaining relatively injury free.
I have had the opportunity to dance, teach, coach and mentor throughout North America and into South America and Europe.
I have always been passionate about finding the joy in movement while building strength and mobility and I love showing others how to do the same.
In my spare time I like to go on long road trips, climb mountains, surf, and spend time with my family and two pups. I dedicate a lot of my time to volunteering for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Women for Wishes - Winnipeg chapter of Make a Wish Canada. Both organizations are very near and dear to my heart.
Fun fact - I am a true crime junkie and I like nothing more than pizza Dateline date night!
Come move with me!
form barre // FORM BARRE FLOW //
TINA GIGLIOTTI
Tina has been an avid barre-lover since the first time she stepped into the studio back in 2015! Since then she has taken over 1300 classes and counting! She loves the burn and shake!
In 2022, Emily convinced Tina to train to continue sharing her love of barre with others by becoming an instructor at Form Fitness/Fifty5 Fitness.
Tina loves teaching Form Barre and Form Barre Flow classes, and hearing feedback from clients! Her classes are challenging, but fun, and you can always expect a great playlist!
Tina works full time as a registered Architect and partner at Northern Sky Architecture Inc., and in her spare time loves walking her greyhound, spin classes, baking, and spendings summers at the lake with a good book to read.
Tina is currently on a maternity leave but she is excited to get back to teaching once her new baby is settled!
form barre // FORM FULL BODY STRENGTH EXPRESS // FORM FULL BODY STRENGTH CIRCUIT //
tracey craigon
Keeping active has always been a priority for me because it helps me to experience a greater quality of life in every way. Knowing and understanding the benefits of regular exercise (especially strength training for women) feeds my passion to help others on their fitness journeys. Particularly as we mature, it is important to keep moving and build/maintain strength to keep doing the functional things that contribute to our quality of life. Physical strength also helps people become more resilient mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually.
My educational background includes a degree in Recreation Studies, training as an English as an Additional Language (EAL) instructor, and recent certification through the Manitoba Fitness Council (MFC) as both a Group Resistance Training instructor and a Group Cycle instructor. In addition, I am also a certified Personal Training Specialist with Canfitpro as well as a licensed instructor for Strong Nation and Zumba Fitness. I enjoy using my combined training and experience to provide fun, effective, and creative training sessions. Currently do personal training with clients and I teach a regular TRX Strong class at Fifty 5 Fitness on Saturday mornings. You will also see me filling in to each some of the other classes at the studio, including Strength Circuits, Barre, Kettlebells and The 55 + Balance.
Working as a full-time Educational Assistant at a K-12 school and teaching fitness classes part-time at a few different facilities in the city keeps me pretty active; but when I am not teaching, I also enjoy hiking, cycling, swimming, dancing, singing, learning languages, crafts/ art and resistance training. I look forward to meeting you in this fun, friendly fitness studio!
METABOLIC MIXER //
lori acquisto
Hi, my name is Lori!
I have been an instructor at 55 Fitness for the past 2 and 1⁄2 years. My love for health and fitness runs deep and it is my life passion. I believe that we all have the choice in how we age. The like minded members at the studio come together to age well and have a great time alongthe way and I am thrilled to be a small part of it.
On a regular basis I teach the 55 Strength and The Metabolic Mixer both are strength classes, but I lean toward the Metabolic Mixer as it is the class that pushes our limits. The goal in this class is to lift as heavy as possible. When I see the members push themselves and accomplish new milestones, that brings me pure joy.
My classes are known to be a “bit harder” than the average, that is because I want us to see what we can do and not limit ourselves, growth is made when you don’t limit yourself. In my class you can expect high energy and a good time. I look forward to seeing you all in class!
FORM FULL BODY STRENGTH CIRCUIT // FORM FULL BODY STRENGTH EXPRESS // METABOLIC MIXER //
TAYLOR GRAY
Hi, I’m Taylor!
I have been a certified personal trainer since 2015, helping women build confidence and strength, both mentally and physically! I hold a Bachelor of Kinesiology and am currently pursuing my Education degree with the goal of becoming a Physical Education teacher. Movement has always been a huge part of my life, from playing sports to weightlifting, running, and pursuing any new physical challenge that comes my way! Exceeding self-imposed boundaries both mentally and physically is driven by my passion for movement.
I am all about FUNctional fitness, training that makes you feel strong, challenges your limits, and prepares you for everyday movement. Whether it’s weight training, cardio, or functional exercises, I believe in pushing past self-set barriers and making fitness enjoyable.
When I am not teaching you will still find me moving in some way, especially outdoors! I am also a basketball coach, I love cats and wholeheartedly believe I could live off peanut butter!
My mission is to empower women of all fitness levels to stop overthinking things and move by focusing on strengthening their mindset and growing their confidence starting from the inside. My Motto is Eat your carbs, MOVE your body, & be NICE to people!
My commitment to supporting women is what led me to join the Fifty 5 and Form fitness team, where I champion the ethos of 'women supporting women.' I believe that all women are powerful, strong, and independent, capable of taking on any challenge regardless of age.
My goal is to get as many females as possible to move, placing emphasis on progress over perfection. I am excited to help you reach your fitness goals and push you further than ever before!
FORM FULL BODY STRENGTH CIRCUIT // FORM FULL BODY STRENGTH EXPRESS //
daniel lac
Daniel was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, immersing himself in a wide array of sports as a well- rounded athlete. Daniel continues to build on a successful career in health and wellness over the last 12 years. His love for teaching group fitness exploded when he started teaching strength, HIIT, and stretch & relaxation classes at the YMCA.
He is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist with the NSCA that specializes in mobility, joint health, functional training, and exercise physiology. Daniel is a Functional Range Mobility Specialist (FRCms) which has equipped him with helping others improve their mobility, muscle & joint imbalances, and quality of life. Daniel believes that movement is medicine and aims to help others reach their potential by supporting their lifestyles while moving pain-free.
During his university studies, Daniel took courses examining activity, aging, and was fascinated by the body's ability to resist certain changes associated with aging. He also worked with various population groups with special needs, physical limitations, and brain & spinal injuries. Most recently, he has a laser- focused vision on improving women’s health due to the complex nature of physiological changes that occur along with aging. Whether that be improving pelvic floor control, buffering against age-related sarcopenia, and reinforcing bone mineral density while improving balance to minimize fracture risk.
Daniel always meets his clients where they are to ensure that they always leave feeling even more amazing than when they came in! Fitness is a positive force for transformation and Daniel looks forward to the opportunity to meet and work with you!
FORM barre // FORM barre flow //
keelia buchanan
Keelia is a certified yoga instructor and barre instructor. She loves teaching barre because she gets to choreograph reps and sets to the beat of the music.
This past year, she also completed her training to teach our 55 Strength and Kettlebell classes. If you love great tunes, "pulses", and a rewarding yoga-inspired stretch after working your body hard, then you will enjoy her Form Barre classes!
Keelia's fitness journey began many years ago due to personal health concerns. While fitness continues to be an integral part of her medical journey, she is a big advocate for injury prevention and respecting what your body needs in a workout - some days, showing up is the victory!
As a student services teacher by day, Keelia loves to ensure that everyone has what they need to feel successful during the class. She will often check in throughout and is happy to chat before or after a workout to discuss variations and alternative supports for injuries and proper alignment.
STUDIO yoga //
nicole megarry
What is your favourite FORM class to teach?
Yoga!
What is your favourite FOod?
Macarons from Chocolate Zen Bakery or Jenna Rae Cakes
Where is the most interesting place you have been in the world?
Edinburgh, Scotland
What is your current favourite TV show or Movie?
Superstore
What do you do for exercise when you’re not teaching?
Yoga and strength training at home with my baby and dogs.
Describe your Instructor teaching style:
My teaching style is playful and energetic while focusing on alignment and stability. My classes integrate movement with music, and I love a good playlist. I encourage my students to work hard, and enjoy helping people experience the joy and release that yoga can facilitate by sharing my passion for the practice.