About Us

Karen Riccio – Owner / Trainer

Karen has been involved in fitness her whole life. She became quite serious about it when she studied karate, achieving the highest level brown belt when she was six months pregnant with her first child. She discovered Pilates after the birth of her second child and found it to be ideal because of its emphasis on core strengthening and realignment. Karen continued practicing Pilates until the day her third child was born and resumed her practice within six weeks following the birth. She finds it to be one of the most efficient methods of exercise because it simultaneously encompasses strength, balance, flexibility and coordination.

With the support of her family, Karen pursued the professional study of Pilates at The Pilates Academy International in Manhattan with the goal of opening her own studio. She is certified in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Tower and Cardiolates. In addition, she has a special interest and is continuing training in Pilates for athletes. Together with her partner, Michele, Karen hopes to provide the community with an unparalleled facility where clients can achieve a full body awareness which will be useful in all aspects of their lives.

Michele Martino – Owner / Trainer

After years of working with a personal trainer, Michele became interested in Pilates as an addition to her vigorous workout routine. Pilates seemed to be the answer she was looking for when searching for the right mind-body exercise to add to her health and fitness regimen. She felt it was restorative, yet matched her on-the-go personality. She knew she wanted a career in Pilates after visiting Pilates on Fifth, a penthouse studio in Manhattan that was an energetic, yet soothing environment that had a strong impact on her. Michele actually gave up the real estate appraisal business that she had owned and operated since 1992 to open The Pilates Absession with her long time friend and now business partner, Karen Riccio.

Michele’s husband Peter and three children, Paul, Jessica, and Christina, were very supportive of the new business venture and patient during her extensive training program. She trained at the renowned Pilates Academy International in NYC. Her passion for Pilates will make this a lifelong area of study. To date, Michele is certified in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac and Tower. She is looking forward to helping her clients strive for and reach new goals as she herself has done.

Denise Ferrante – Trainer

Denise discovered Pilates soon after the birth of her son in 2003, when she found it an ideal postpartum regimen. Her love of fitness and dance encouraged her to seek training and certification in Pilates. She went on to complete her training and certification through the internationally renowned Pilates Academy International in New York City. Denise has obtained her training and certification in several courses and a variety of equipment, including Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Tower, Chair, Barrels, & Cardiolates. She strives to help her clients reach their goals by creating fun and challenging workouts individualized to their needs.

Jennifer Zimmer – Trainer

Having been an athlete and into fitness since she was a young girl, Jen became tired of the redundant work involved in health club fitness training. After having three children, Jen tried Pilates and found it very challenging and unlike any training she had done before. Through her Pilates training, she discovered imbalances in her body, tightness in her muscles and changes she needed to make in her posture. She was intrigued as these corrections to her posture added greatly to the quality of her workouts, and Jen was then motivated to become a Pilates instructor. She was certified through Pilates on Fifth in Manhattan in April of 2009 and has been teaching Pilates ever since.

Melissa Lynch – Trainer

Melissa tried many different workouts after having her four children. When The Pilates Absession opened in 2007, Melissa became one of its first customers. Pilates was unlike any other workout she had tried, and she loved the personalized environment of a private studio. After three years of taking classes and private training sessions, she decided to train at Pilates on Fifth in Manhattan, as all the instructors at The Pilates Absession have done. Now, with her experience as both a client and an instructor, she is able to tailor all her clients’ workouts to help them achieve their individual goals. She guarantees that each of her clients will become as ABSessed with Pilates as she has!

Mina Lorusso – Trainer

Mina, a graduate of Rutgers University School of Business, has studied dance for more than twenty years, with a strong emphasis on jazz and tap. She performed as a member of the New Jersey Starlights in a variety of venues, and she has taught all styles of dance to children and adults. Mina discovered the healing benefits of Pilates after having two knee surgeries. From this experience, she developed a passion to teach Pilates and became certified in Mat and Reformer using the Stott Method at South Shore Pilates.