GEM Fitness

The Start of GEM Fitness

Theresa Cordova and GEM Fitness

After spending nearly 20 years in the fitness industry as a dedicated personal trainer and educator in exercise sciences, I had a profound realization. Through the years I have witnessed countless individuals struggling in the gym due to the lack of proper guidance, fear of getting injured, and making mistakes while exercising. I knew there had to be a better way to offer support and empower people on their fitness journeys.

Driven by my passion for helping others and my experience and knowledge in exercise sciences, I embarked on a mission to create a revolutionary solution. Thus, GEM Fitness was born – a Guided Exercise Membership program designed to provide unparalleled support and excellence in exercise prescriptions.

With GEM Fitness, I aim to address the unique needs and challenges faced by individuals seeking a positive change in their lives through fitness. The program's foundation is built on the belief that every person deserves expert guidance and encouragement to achieve their full potential.

At the heart of GEM Fitness rests my vision to offer a safe and welcoming space where members can embark on their fitness journeys with confidence. I recognize that personalized guidance and attention are essential to achieving sustainable results with positive adaptations.

Through GEM Fitness, I along with my team of passionate and dedicated trainers offer expert exercise prescriptions with a client-defined approach that encompasses physical and mental well-being. Members are empowered to embrace their fitness goals without the fear of getting injured, judgment, or failure.

The name "GEM Fitness" is the acronym for Guided Exercise Membership and was chosen to reflect the precious nature and strength of each individual. Like gems, everyone possesses unique qualities and with proper instruction, their potential is waiting to be unveiled.

As GEM Fitness continues to grow, my unwavering commitment to excellence and genuine care for every client and member remains the foundation of the program. Every story and every client’s experience fuels my passion and dedication to making a lasting impact on the lives of others.

Join us at GEM Fitness, where your fitness journey begins with a healthier, stronger, more confident you.

About US

Theresa Cordova MS, CPT, RTS, MAT

Theresa Cordova is a driven professional with over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, serving as a leader, educator, and advocate for personal training and exercise science. She is the Founder and Owner of GEM Fitness, where she pioneered the Guided Exercise Membership program, providing unparalleled support and expert exercise prescriptions tailored to individual needs. In 2006, Theresa started Changes for Life, offering integrated health and wellness services, from personal training and coaching to community-based group fitness and education. In 2016, she founded Fit for Life, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting lifelong wellness through engaging physical activities for all ages and abilities. Her background includes a pivotal role as Partner and Director of Certification at the Academy of Applied Personal Training Education (AAPTE), where she helped achieve and maintain the national accreditation for personal trainers. Her expertise in resistance training biomechanics, exercise physiology, and movement education drives her mission to empower individuals to lead a healthier more active life through movement.

Thomas Martinez CPT

In addition to his role as a Personal Trainer and Coach at GEM Fitness, Thomas serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Program Director of Fit For Life, where he plays a key role in developing and overseeing programs that promote fitness, health, and wellness for people of all ages. A certified personal trainer and mixed martial artist, Thomas is passionate about helping individuals make meaningful changes in their lives, adopting healthy habits that improve both physical and mental well-being. He has a special passion for working with individuals with conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, using his expertise to improve their quality of life through movement and fitness. Thomas is also Otago trained and certified in GiGi’s Fit training, equipping him with the tools to support a wide range of clients. By incorporating the discipline and strength principles he’s learned from mixed martial arts, he helps clients become mentally and physically stronger, enabling them to move more freely and function better in everyday life.

Andrea Racanelli MS, CPT,

Andrea, a long-time lover of fitness, is a Master Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, and Small Group Training Coach on Long Island, New York. Andrea strives to find creative strategies to encourage those with orthopedic challenges (like herself) to reach the best physical, mental, and emotional versions of themselves. Her certifications include CPT, NASM; TRX, Suspension Training and Rip Training; CrossCore, Suspension Training; and Bell Mechanics, Level 1 Kettlebell Training. Her specializations include Cardio Dance and Foam Rolling. She is blessed to share a life with her husband, Nick, and their two spectacular daughters, Gianna & Gioia.

Eileen Golon

Eileen has pursued an interest in health and wellness for most of her life. This led to a career in Social Work where she received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Welfare from Adelphi University, she is licensed in New York as an LMSW. Eileen is a 200hr Trained Yoga Instructor and a CPT. She has a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) certification. Her expansive work with the family disease of addiction, recovery, self-care, and self-esteem, helps in building and creating new behavioral patterns, of calmness, and peace with various populations. Eileen is able to combine Therapy and Yoga bringing lasting balance to the lives of her clients. Additional yoga certifications include yoga for special needs, children, chair, and restorative. Eileen uses her MBSR training to help focus herself and others on being present in each moment, and to live a mindful existence. She enjoys spending quality time with her family, playing with her puppy, and taking advantage of as many opportunities as she can for physical activity.

GEM Fitness Fitness Program

Guided Exercise

The Guided Exercise Membership offers a unique and empowering fitness experience.

Experience the power of autonomy with professional support. Guided Exercise allows you to feel confident in your workouts while receiving expert guidance and support from our certified professionals. With this program, you have the freedom to exercise independently, following your personalized fitness plan, and access to professional support and modifications anytime you need.

Guided exercise programs are individualized exercise prescriptions specific to your needs, abilities, and designed to address your specific goals, whether it's weight loss, strength building, flexibility, or overall fitness improvement.

They are designed to keep you progressing through exercise, feeling good.

These programs are reviewed and updated weekly to ensure ongoing progress.

A DIFFERENT Kind Of Gym | GEM Fitness | Welcoming | SUpported and EXPERT-GUIDED Exercise