Today we’d like to introduce you to Gianna Latona.
Hi Gianna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I moved to San Diego at 22, I had no idea what I was going to do when I grew up- but I always knew I wanted a career in fitness. In helping others feel good about themselves. At 24 I was introduced to Pilates and completely fell in love; I like to say that was my gateway workout. I became certified and completely threw myself into teaching as many hours as I could. I learned to create my own style (kick-ass and contemporary!) as well as how to accommodate clients with injuries from rotator cuff tears to degenerative disc disease and everything in between. After a few years of teaching and managing Pilates studios, COVID turned my world upside down. Right away I began teaching mat Pilates classes via Zoom for donations to anyone who wanted to join, as well as virtual mat sessions for my private clients who still very much needed to continue to maintain the health of their ailments. Even teaching as much as I could, I found myself with more free time than I’d ever had since entering the fitness world and wanted to take full advantage of it! I became a certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach through accredited organizations and thus formed a new business of my own. I began training clients not just virtually, but in parks and in their homes with equipment, I like to refer to as my traveling gym. Nutrition is always something that I have been interested in personally since I have a family history and have experienced GI issues. Being able to share that information with my clients and formulate programs for them to really complete their health goals has been so rewarding and I am so grateful for the obstacles that have allowed me to end up where I am today!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey so far has certainly had its ups and downs. I had an amazing opportunity to manage multiple studios nearly right after being hired for my first teaching job; although I did learn a lot, I was completely overstressed and underpaid. I am grateful however for the experience I gained, including knowing when my plate is too full. Then COVID threw a huge wrench into the plans I thought I had for myself and my future in teaching Pilates but I am so thankful that during that time when everything seemed to be unknown, I feel like I found something else I truly love doing. Splitting my time between training clients from home, at the studio, and outside has had an enormous impact on my quality of life. Being outside in the beautiful San Diego weather really has a way of keeping me sane. Sometimes all we need is a little Vitamin D and the sea!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I spend my time fairly evenly between teaching Pilates, teaching weight lifting and HITT workouts, and creating different nutrition programs. I love a challenging, sweaty workout and enjoy when my clients show up to work hard! I’m known for a butt-kicking reformer class but I also specialize in rehabilitation and maintaining strength for rotator cuff and shoulder impingements, shoulder, hip, and knee replacements, spinal fusions, and degenerative disc disease. I very much enjoy the camaraderie and fast pace of conducting group classes but there is nothing better than a client letting you know how much better they feel after last seeing you. I think what sets me apart from others is my versatility; I can create a challenging and dynamic workout to promote muscle tone or hypertrophy, I can create a nutrition plan to help you effectively reach your weight loss or muscle-building goals, or I can help you to manage pain and promote strength through an injury or ailment.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
What may surprise people about me, is that although I played soccer my entire childhood, I never really “worked out” until I found Pilates. When I went to college and didn’t have soccer practice to keep me in shape, or any knowledge of what to do at the gym, I gained almost 20 pounds my first semester. For the next 4 years I intermittently would go to 24 hour fitness and run on the treadmill or walk around feeling completely lost and intimidated only to walk back home feeling defeated. When a friend introduced me to Pilates it opened a whole new world for me. I knew this is what I wanted to do and opened the doors to enjoying all kinds of exercise and movement.
Pricing:
- In-home or Outside Mat, Reformer, Personal Training: $80-$100 for 60 minutes
- Virtual Mat Pilates/Personal Training: $60 for 60 minutes
- In Studio Reformer Session: $95 for 50 minutes
Contact Info:
- Email: giannaravaglioli@gmail.com
- Website: livfitbygianna.com
- Instagram: @glatona
