Get to Know the Group Fitness Instructors at the ARC!

Tracy Blakely (Kickboxing and Sculpting)

Tracy is a professional dancer, student and group fitness instructor. Her satisfaction and success in life comes from the constant growth surrounding Her. Tracy elevates by her ability to touch lives on and off the stage and inside and outside the gym!

Ron Dukes (Cardio Kick)

For the past 10 years, Ron Dukes has worked in the Fitness industry on the local, collegiate, national and international level. Ron is also a 5-time National Sport Karate Champion and in 2002 Ron held the title of Regional and National SportAerobic/Fitness Champion. A natural athlete, Ron holds a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and Kenpo Karate, a Brown Belt in Shotokan Karate, currently holds the rank of formado in the Brazilian art of Capoeira and before retiring, held a kickboxing record of 4-1(3KO’s) Ron is also no stranger to the spotlight, appearing on local television & radio shows and performing with the Zen One Dance Collective, ASCAB Capoeira, SIS Fitness and the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Ron also holds fitness certifications from ISCA, AAAI/ISMA, and Turbokick.

Pam Grosso (Spinning and Yoga)

Pam has been a fitness enthusiast for many years, belonging to many gyms and taking many different classes. Seeking a change in her professional career, Pam left the world of commercial property management to pursue something she was more passionate about - teaching. Pam obtained her certifications in yoga, spinning, pilates and personal training and began teaching 6 yrs ago. Her personal philosphy is to find balance in life and to keep the mind,body and spirit active. She encourages her clients to stay motivated with their program and to try new classes or activities to keep themselves moving and to prevent burnout.

Kevin Brackens (Boot Camp and Extreme Abs)

Kevin spent 5 years in the US Army as an Airborne Infantryman and Drill Instructor. After leaving the Army, he pursued training in Adventure Racing. He turned pro in 2 years he has raced over 40 races from Florida to Maine (3 marathons, 6 triathlons, 2-24hr mountain bike races, 3-40+hr races and numerous 6, 12 and 24hr endurance races in the disciplines of canoeing, kayaking, mountaineering, cycling trail running and navigation). He has designed and directed 10 Triathlon/ Adventure Races. He has also instructed skills in mountain biking, white water rafting, orienteering, snowboarding, cross country skiing, backcountry living skills and white-water and ocean kayaking. Since 2003 he has instructed over 400 Fitness Boot Camps and other group fitness classes, ranging from Extreme Abs to GUTCHECK (advanced training) in the woods. He is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Sport and Recreation Administration at Temple University

Jessica Schocker (Spinning)

Jessica is an outdoor fitness enthusiast and seeks to bring the excitement of the outdoors to her indoor spinning classes. She likes to spend her weekends and free time traveling to climb mountains, going for long runs and bike rides, being with friends, reading, and cooking. She also practices Bikram Yoga. In the "real world,"
Jessica teaches in the College of Education at Temple University, where she is working full time on a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. Before coming to Philadelphia, Jessica went to college at Lehigh Unversity and taught high school in the Lehigh Valley. A teacher at heart, Jessica loves to challenge those who take her spinning classes and enjoys helping them meet their personal fitness goals.

Marie E. Pierre (Spinning, Pilates and Butts and Guts)

Marie's is a fitness enthusiast that has been teaching fitness for 6 years. Certified Personal Trainer, a Spinning Instructor, a Yoga Instructor, a Pilates Instructor, and specializies in training Pre-natal, Post-natal and Cancer Patients. Marie possesses a strong desire to help others achieve there fitness goals. From Cancer Clients, Prenatal clients to clients that want to maintain a healthy life by incorporating an overall total workout that includes cardio condition (spinning/ steps), muscle strength and conditioning (weight lifting/ body toning), and an overall well being mind and body (yoga/ Pilates).