Personalized Fitness in Kirkwood
Pilates & Custom Fitness has a premier, locally-owned and operated studio in Kirkwood, MO staffed by certified experts with a passion for physical fitness and whole-body health.
No hidden fees, no crowds, no competition for equipment... Just you, your fitness goals, and our expert trainers.
-
1900 square foot upscale, custom studio
-
Functional fitness area
-
Dedicated Pilates area with Reformers, Towers, Mats & Chairs providing clients with a full range of Pilates functionality
-
Spacious, sparkling clean restrooms with a changing area
-
Convenient location & simplified set up — centrally located
-
Ample trainer availability, private appointments, and small group classes
-
Online scheduling and sign up app
-
Dedicated parking
Visit
200 S. Kirkwood Road, Suite 100
Kirkwood, MO 63122
call/text 314.607.8611
Located on the East side of Kirkwood Road (Old Rte. 66) between the intersections of E. Monroe Ave and E. Madison Ave.
We love
fitness training.
At Pilates & Custom Fitness, our experienced and certified trainers work with clients one-on-one and in small groups to help them meet and exceed their fitness and wellness goals. Meet them online for a ZOOM class, or book an in-studio class to meet them in person!
The best clients + the best setting + the best trainers in STL = The best results.
Heather Epperly
Founder and Lead Trainer
Pilates & Custom Fitness is led by Heather Epperly, a highly credentialed fitness expert and amateur athlete with 30+ years of experience serving individual clients, teaching small- group classes, and coaching for improved sports performance in golf and tennis.
Heather is sought after by St. Louis-area coaches, physicians, physical therapists, and even other trainers for the expertise she provides and the results she helps clients attain. She is nationally certified in Pilates, group exercise, yoga, Spinning, functional movement, and sports nutrition.
Pilates
Heather graduated from the Teacher Training Certification Program at The Pilates Center in Boulder, Co. — one of the most respected, comprehensive, and intensive classical Pilates teacher training programs in the world. She continues to work with the Center’s Host Advisor Program to assist students in becoming certified Pilates instructors.
She also completed the The Heritage Training with Cara Reeser and Laura Karpinski. This rigorous and selective post-graduate training program is named in honor of first-generation Master Teacher Kathleen Stanford Grant, who studied with the founder of The Pilates Method, Joseph Pilates.
“Pilates offers an amazing alignment practice to help my clients keep doing all of the activities they love to do best at any age,” says Heather.
Functional Fitness
Heather believes in integrating functional fitness into her clients’ lives for optimal wellbeing. She is an expert in how the body moves, having completed Level I of the Function Movement Screen with Gray Cook and Lee Burton. This nationally recognized screen helps clinicians scientifically recognize movement patterns that support work, sports, and daily activities and understand how those patterns play in our health and fitness goals.
Heather is a certified exercise physiologist with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), an advanced certification that enables her to expertly conduct and interpret physical fitness assessments and develop personalized exercise prescriptions.
Yoga
Heather is a certified Yoga instructor, having earned her 200 Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) yoga certification with the Yoga Source of St. Louis and her advanced 300 RYT yoga certification with Pam Schulte at Just Practice Yoga of St. Louis.
Golf
Heather is an avid golfer who looks forward to helping clients elevate their game. She earned her golf fitness training certification from Titleist and is currently partnering with Helen Kurtin of St. Louis Golf Academy to bring golf fitness training programs to Pilates & Custom Fitness.
Heather attends continuing education workshops and conventions throughout the year, keeping abreast of the latest science and fitness industry developments for the benefit of the studio's clients. She played Division I tennis for Missouri State University in Springfield and continues to compete in the sport. She lives in Des Peres with her husband and three children.
Our Staff
Jessica Kerckhoff
Certified Personal Trainer
Pilates Instructor
Yoga Instructor
As a former college athlete, Jessica has always made fitness a priority in her life and enjoys sharing her dedication to overall health with others. She began practicing yoga in 2005 on the advice of a friend who thought it might help with a running injury and was delighted to discover that it not only helped heal the injury, but also benefited many other aspects of her physical and mental well-being.
In 2013, she completed her 200 hour certification and in 2016, completed her 500 hour certification both in St. Louis. During these trainings, she developed a passion for vinyasa yoga. She became a personal trainer in 2017 through NCSA. Late in 2020 she began teaching barre and became a pilates instructor through Polestar Pilates in 2022.
She infuses her classes with an athletic style to give her students a unique and invigorating practice. She is also the founder of Kid’s Yoga, United, which provides mindfulness, yoga and meditation to children of all ages.
Annelle Sorkin
Certified Instructor
In 2003, Annelle's first classical Romana Pilates class sparked a transformative journey, unveiling a new level of strength and functionality. This experience led to a career shift, fueled by decades of diverse fitness lessons and scoliosis therapies.
After selling the family dietary supplement manufacturing business, Annelle spent 14 years as a Professional Volunteer at her children’s schools, until one school finally hired her for her talents. She enjoyed spending 7 years as either a Librarian Assistant, Substitute teacher, Admissions Coordinator, Chaperone and ending as Campus Store Assistant Manager.
Annelle embarked on her Pilates certification with Balanced Body in 2023. Inspired by classical and contemporary Pilates teachings, she guides others towards well-being through functional movements. Beyond the studio, Annelle embraces outdoor activities including skiing and hiking with her husband, three boys, and her beautiful, but neurotic dog. Her commitment to an active lifestyle aligns seamlessly with her mission to inspire others through the transformative power of Pilates.
Max Mayerle
Certified Instructor
Melt Instructor
-
Bachelor’s in Fine Arts: Dance Performance at Wichita State University
-
Pilates Education Institute
-
Melt level 1 Certified
Max started Pilates training while at the Kansas City School of Classical Ballet as a training
supplement. He continued to practice Pilates throughout his college career. Max loves helping
people, so he decided to get certified in Pilates so that he can help others improve their daily
life.
Max loves to hit the physical reset button to relax your body in a more ideal body alignment.
Then push the heavy weight to get awesome strength, bone density, and better mobility.
Outside of the studio, you can see Max reading books. He also loves walking his dog on trails
and parks. Like his dog, Max is also very food motivated, and can be found cooking copious
amounts of tasty treats.
Traci Ragsdale
Certified Instructor
-
Bachelor’s degree: Communications, Saint Louis University
-
The Pilates Center, Certified Pilates Instructor
Traci Ragsdale is dedicated to the practice of Pilates. She discovered the transformative power of Pilates in 2018, embarking on a personal health journey after her youngest child left for college. She experienced firsthand how Pilates enhances strength, posture, flexibility, stress management, and mental well-being.
Inspired by these benefits, she pursued formal training through The Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado, beginning her teacher training program in 2024.
A graduate of Saint Louis University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications focusing on Marketing, Traci brings a unique blend of communication skills and a passion for health and wellness to her teaching. Following college she worked in Television before beginning a career in early childhood education. She has been married for 33 years and is a proud mother of three children. Throughout her children’s education, she was actively involved in their schools, volunteering and cheering them on from
the sidelines. Since 2010, Traci has been committed to volunteering and fundraising for Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, a calling she continues to embrace.
Beyond her Pilates practice, she loves cooking and enjoys the challenge of creating healthy yet delicious meals. She loves to play golf, is passionate about all things related to health and wellness and never passes up an opportunity to take a long walk with her black lab Hazel.
Traci’s background and dedication to holistic well-being make her a compassionate instructor, committed to guiding others on their journey to improved health and vitality.
Emily McLean
Certified Instructor
-
Bachelor Degree in Accountancy (CPA), Miami University
-
Master Degree in Social Work, Washington University
-
The Pilates Center, Certified Pilates Instructor
Emily has many years of experience working at various local nonprofits in direct service,
technical and leadership roles, but her true passion is health, fitness, and nutrition. She has
always enjoyed trying new forms of exercise and found Pilates in 2014. From the beginning,
she was hooked. She connected with the controlled movements of Pilates, slow, deliberate,
and precision, which reminded her of her many years of ballet training. As Emily continued with
Pilates, she saw the benefits of that transformed her core strength, particularly hips and glutes,
and gains in flexibility and mobility. She experienced how Pilates improved her overall physical health, strength, and mental well-being. For many years, Emily wanted to become a Pilates instructor, and she took the leap in 2024 taking the Pilates Teacher Training through the Pilates Center in Boulder, Coloardo. Emily is excited to work with clients so they too can experience the many benefits of Pilates.
In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with friends and family, including her two young
adult children. She also likes to participate in different forms of exercise, reading, golfing, and
play with her dogs.
Mary Berberich
Certified Instructor
-
Pilates Certification, The Pilates Center, Boulder, CO
-
Bachelor's degree: Business Administration, University of Missouri-St. Louis
-
Master's degree: Leadership and Organizational Development, Saint Louis University
Mary has many years of experience working in the business world in various technical and leadership positions. In effort to improve her health, Mary began practicing Pilates in 2016.
After a few months of classes, Mary was hooked. In late 2017 she decided to take the Pilates Teacher Training through The Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado in order to help others improve their health and reach their fitness goals.
In addition to spending time with family and friends, Mary's free time is spent playing golf, biking, traveling and spending time at the lake.
Christina Castellano
Certified Instructor
-
Pilates certification: The Pilates Center, Boulder, Col.
-
Bachelor's degree: Psychology, Saint Louis University
-
Master's degree: Nursing, Goldfarb School of Nursing
Christina is currently pursuing a doctorate in Nursing Practice in Women’s and Mental Health from the University of Missouri — St. Louis. Riding and showing horses led her to take an active interest in creating and maintaining balance within her body. In 2007, Christina sustained a shoulder injury, and her physical therapist recommended Pilates. After a few private sessions, Christina fell in love.
Christina loves to hike and read. She's a MomsLine Volunteer for SSM and an outspoken advocate for perinatal and postpartum moms. She's a mom herself: "My oldest girls are born exactly (to the five-minute mark!) 18 months apart. My 7-month-old is a spitting image of my grandmother," says Christina. She has three semesters of coursework in her PhD of Nursing program to go before she starts her dissertation on social support and chronic stress in rural pregnant moms.
Molly Benton
Office Manager
-
Bachelor’s degree: Graphic Design, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Molly has 20+ years experience working in the business world. Prior to taking a few years off to be with her two small children, she worked in development as an event coordinator, raising money for a private non-profit hospital.
In addition to spending time with family and friends, Molly enjoys volunteering at her children's schools. Molly's free time is spent playing tennis, hiking, and being active indoors and out.
Jackie Shireman
Office Assistant
Certified Instructor
-
Fitness Instructor Training Program, McHenry Community College, McHenry, Ill.
-
American Council on Exercise
-
National Academy of Sports Medicine
-
Cancer Exercise Specialist
-
SCW Group Fitness
-
Medic First Aid Instructor
After 30 years in Association Management, Jackie changed careers to become a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor. She has worked in an Active Adult Community (Sun City) as Fitness Manager/Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor for the past 10 years. She especially enjoys working with those who are new to exercise or are returning to exercise after injury. She has also worked with the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association, teaching fitness and coaching Special Olympics Volleyball for 4 years.
Jackie is married to Larry, a tennis pro, and enjoys keeping track of their 8 children and 10 grandchildren. They moved to St. Louis from Crystal Lake, Illinois, to be close to their two granddaughters in Kirkwood.
Ginny Westermayer
Office Assistant
-
Information Technology Certificates from St. Louis Community College and University of Missouri – St. Louis
-
Two-time recipient of the YWCA Women’s Leadership Award
-
Dale Carnegie Professional Development Series
A lifetime resident of the Kirkwood area, Ginny has worked in the corporate world for over 40 years, most recently at Maritz.
Ginny has been taking classes at Pilates and Custom Fitness since the studio opened. With her retirement from corporate life, she has chosen to focus more on her health. Working at the studio, where she assists Molly, allows her to stay active, in touch, and inspires her to stay fit.
In her spare time, she travels extensively, often visiting her son and daughter-in-law in Dallas. She enjoys biking, hiking, walking, reading, being creative and spending time with friends and family.
Shannon Colton
Certified Instructor
Shannon is a native to the St. Louis region but misses the time she lived on the Central
Coast of California. She lives an active lifestyle; hiking, white water rafting and camping.
In her downtime she loves spending time with her husband and family, as well as her
first grandchild!
Shannon’s early interest in how the body works led her to a Masters degree from
Washington University in Occupational Therapy in 1996. This was followed by specific
practice and board certification in treating the upper extremity in outpatient therapy for
28 years.
Shannon has practiced Pilates for 2 decades. As her family grew older and moved into
their own lives, she found a natural translation of her career into a contemporary Pilates
certification and instructorship. Historically, her commitment to body health has also
included varied forms of yoga, spinning (instructor), and weightlifting. Her lifelong
movement practice has kept her, and others, strong and capable of avoiding injury as
well as improved quality of life. Her encouraging words of support will inspire your
success both in and out of the studio as she firmly believes that daily movement –
especially through Pilates – builds strength and mobility.