Our Expert Training Staff
Blake Ferris
A half century of participating in and coaching sports was the perfect training ground for Blake Ferris to perfect her skills on proper joint and muscle alignment. Numerous injuries during her own fitness career sent her down the path of learning more about anatomy, movement, corrective exercise, self-myofascial release (SMR) and preventing injuries. She is always seeking out more knowledge about kinesiology and functional aging.
Blake knows very well what it is like to become frail and lose your independence. In the early aughts, she developed a neuroimmune disorder after being sick with a virus—much like those with Long-COVID. She went form being extremely active with multiple recreational sports to being bed-ridden for months. She as was unable to walk or stand for more than a few minutes. The mysterious disorder confounded family and friends who thought tough love would motivate her to get up and get back out into the world. She slowly worked to regain her stamina for everyday activities like dressing, bathing, cooking, and cleaning. It took her nearly 10 years to find the right balance between being active and getting regular rest to avoid reoccurring, weeks-long bouts of debilitating symptoms. As she become more stable, she started working with a personal trainer—Joy Fletcher, in fact—to slowly rebuild her endurance, balance and stamina to broaden her sphere of living. Eventually, with the encouragement of other personal trainers, she became a certified personal trainer who focuses on decreasing limitations and increasing dedication to personal goals in fitness.
As a plus-sized trainer, Blake is an inspiration to others in our no-judgement community. She incorporates the most creative and fun, up-to-date, results-driven exercise routines to every class she teaches and every personal training session she leads. Her dedicated clients rave about their increased overall strength, more stable core, better balance, and feeling more agile while they experience less pain and stiffness in their daily lives.
Other notable accomplishments:
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer
- Co-founder & owner of Agile 4 Life Fitness (formerly known as Workout with-Us)
- Champion and coach in Swimming, Softball, Volleyball, Shot Put & Discus, Rugby, Triathlon and White Water Canoeing
- Emotional Intelligence Life Coach and Support Group Leader
- YWCA ISMs Public Speaker and Instructor (Exploring internalized racism, classism, ableism, sexism, ageism, etc.)
- LGBTQI and Disability Public Speaker & Advocate
- Whole and Natural Foods Cooking Class Instructor
Joy Fletcher
In her 30-plus years as a fitness expert, Joy Fletcher has focused most of her attention on helping thousands of women improve their own health and fitness. After joining the first women to participate in competitive powerlifting, Joy knew she needed to let other women experience the strength and confidence that comes with weight training without the fear of injuries. She developed some of the very first women weight lifting classes ever offered in co-ed gyms.
Now focusing her attention on studying the science of exercise and how it changes with age, Joy brings her cutting-edge knowledge and pioneering spirit to her classes. She understands that age matters and believes every adult over the age of 50 should have the strength and independence they desire while they learn to control the aches and pains of aging.
Joy’s fun and result oriented exercise classes for men and women 50 and older are a must-experience alternative to regular exercise. Her supportive commentary, expert cueing and attention to body alignment will have you reaching your goals while you begin to control the chronic problems that can lead to pain or injuries.
Other certifications & notable accomplishments:
- Co-founder & owner of Agile 4 Life Fitness (formerly known as Workout with-Us)
- WITS Certified Personal Trainer
- The BioMechanics Method Corrective Exercise Specialist
- Senior Fitness Consultant
- Bachelor of Science in Food & Nutrition
- Facilitator for YMCA's Lose to Win & Changes weight management programs
- Health & Fitness Program Developer
- Featured in Cleveland Magazine for offering the first women’s weight lifting classes
- Nutrition consultant for WTVI Public TV Station 16-week “Taking Shape” program
- Co-author for “WIN Program - A Strategy for Successful Weight Management”
- Nutritional Educator & organizer for Heart-Healthy-Cooking Classes
Lori Cable
Behind that soothing voice, fluid movements and gentle coaching you’ll experience in Lori Cable’s yoga classes, is a powerhouse of experience and knowledge. Lori transitioned a very esteemed dance career in New York into what has now been an 18-year profession as an ACE Certified Personal Trainer. In that time, she has helped thousands of folks, from ages 11 to 98, improve their fitness.
Her vast experience is a perfect fit for our over 50 group who may need modifications because of old injuries, painful or stiff joints and inflexible muscles. If you’ve ever wanted to try yoga or thought it wasn’t for you, Lori’s classes are a perfect place to start.
Most recently Lori has completed a 500-hour advanced Yoga Teacher Training with My Vinyasa Practice in Austin, Texas. Her other certifications include:
- ACE Group Fitness Instructor
- Yoga Alliance and Kripalu Yoga Instructor
- Let Your Yoga Dance Instructor
- Positive Psychology Coaching
- Health Coaching
- Chi Running
Lori also has a long list of fitness successes. She has run 10 half marathons and 1 full marathon; walked 500 miles of the Camino de Santiago; has biked 10 full century bikes rides through California; and 1 AIDS ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money for AIDS research.
