Emily Parkes - Owner/Instructor/Personal Trainer

Emily Parkes is the owner and creator of Fifty 5 Fitness, a business that specializes in fitness classes and personal training for women ages 55+. Emily received her Kinesiology degree through the University of Winnipeg in 2007. Since then she has become a Certified Seniors Fitness Instructor through the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging at Western University. She is a Certified Functional Movement Specialist (FMS), Certified Kettlebell Kickboxing Instructor (KBKB Canada), and a Certified TRX Trainer. 

Ever since Emily was little she has loved to move. Instead of watching tv, you could find her in the backyard, running, cartwheeling and dancing around. Her love of movement took off when she began taking dance classes at the age of 5. Developing her dance repertoire in ballet, jazz, tap , lyrical and musical theatre, she went on to take 25 years of dance lessons at many schools throughout Winnipeg, including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Emily began teaching dance at the age of 17 and taught for 15 years at Karen Luba School of Dance. 

While obtaining her degree at University of Winnipeg, Emily took many classes that focused on activity and aging. After University she became the Director of Recreation at the Portsmouth Retirement Residence. This is where her love for teaching senior fitness grew. 

In the summer of 2017 Emily opened Fifty 5 Fitness. Drawing on her expertise in activity and aging, she has designed all classes offered at Fifty 5 Fitness. Each class offers non-impact cardio, full body strength training, balance exercises, mobility work and stretching. She has created a workout space where no woman feels intimidated, overwhelmed or out of place. Her goal in class is educate each client on how to move safely and effectively. Helping each client come out of class feeling healthy, happy and confident! If Emily is not in class teaching, you can find her teaching one-on-ones with her personal training clients. 

Tara Silvaggio - Instructor

Hi I’m Tara! 

Movement has been an integral part of my life for over 50 years. As a former professional ballet dancer, studio owner, and teacher; proper form, placement and alignment have been key to remaining relatively injury free.

I have had the opportunity to dance, teach, coach and mentor throughout North America and into South America and Europe. 

I have always been passionate about finding the joy in movement while building strength and mobility and I love showing others how to do the same.

In my spare time I like to go on long road trips, climb mountains, surf, and spend time with my family and two pups. I dedicate a lot of my time to volunteering for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Women for Wishes - Winnipeg chapter of Make a Wish Canada. Both organizations are very near and dear to my heart. 

Fun fact - I am a true crime junkie and I like nothing more than pizza Dateline date night! 

Come move with me!

Tracey Craigon - Instructor/Personal Trainer

Keeping active has always been a priority for me simply because it helps me to experience a greater quality of life in every way. Knowing and understanding the benefits of regular exercise (especially strength training for women) feeds my passion to help others on their fitness journeys. Particularly as we mature, it is important to keep moving and build/maintain strength to keep doing the things that contribute to our quality of life. Physical strength also helps people become more resilient mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually.

My educational background includes a degree in Recreation Studies, training as an English as an Additional Language (EAL) instructor, and recent certification through the Manitoba Fitness Council (MFC) as a Group ResistanceTraining Instructor. In addition, I am also a certified Personal Training Specialist with Canfitpro as well as a licensed instructor for Strong Nation and Zumba Fitness. I enjoy using my combined training and experience to provide fun, effective, and creative training sessions. Currently I teach the 55 Strength class at Fifty 5 Fitness as well as the Form Full Body Strength Express class at Form Fitness.

Teaching fitness classes at a few different gyms in the city keeps me pretty active; but when I am not teaching, I also enjoy hiking, cycling, swimming, dancing, and resistance training. I look forward to meeting you and "getting it done!" in this fun, friendly fitness studio.

Luana Whitbread - Instructor/Personal Trainer

Hello—my name is Luana Whitbread and I am thrilled to be a part of the Fifty 5 Fitness team!

I am a registered nurse and for the last 25 years have specialized in care of the older adult. I am also a certified fitness instructor and personal trainer with specialty in the active older adult.

I am very excited to be teaching “The 55 + Balance” and “The 55 Express”. In these classes we will be focusing on functional fitness---working muscles groups required for everyday activities, balance, and flexibility.

Lori Acquisto - Instructor

Hi, my name is Lori!

I have been an instructor at 55 Fitness for the past 2 and 1⁄2 years. My love for health and

fitness runs deep and it is my life passion. I believe that we all have the choice in how we age.

The like minded members at the studio come together to age well and have a great time along

the way and I am thrilled to be a small part of it.

On a regular basis I teach the 55 Strength and The Metabolic Mixer both are strength classes,

but I lean toward the Metabolic Mixer as it is the class that pushes our limits. The goal in this

class is to lift as heavy as possible. When I see the members push themselves and accomplish

new milestones, that brings me pure joy.

My classes are known to be a “bit harder” than the average, that is because I want us to see

what we can do and not limit ourselves, growth is made when you don’t limit yourself.

In my class you can expect high energy and a good time.

I look forward to seeing you all in class!

Taylor Gray - Instructor/Personal Trainer

Hi, I’m Taylor!

I have been a certified personal trainer since 2015, helping women build confidence and strength, both mentally and physically! I hold a Bachelor of Kinesiology and am currently pursuing my Education degree with the goal of becoming a Physical Education teacher. Movement has always been a huge part of my life, from playing sports to weightlifting, running, and pursuing any new physical challenge that comes my way! Exceeding self-imposed boundaries both mentally and physically is driven by my passion for movement.

I am all about FUNctional fitness, training that makes you feel strong, challenges your limits, and prepares you for everyday movement. Whether it’s weight training, cardio, or functional exercises, I believe in pushing past self-set barriers and making fitness enjoyable.

When I am not teaching you will still find me moving in some way, especially outdoors! I am also a basketball coach, I love cats and wholeheartedly believe I could live off peanut butter!

My mission is to empower women of all fitness levels to stop overthinking things and move by focusing on strengthening their mindset and growing their confidence starting from the inside. My Motto is Eat your carbs, MOVE your body, & be NICE to people!

My commitment to supporting women is what led me to join the Fifty 5 and Form fitness team, where I champion the ethos of 'women supporting women.' I believe that all women are powerful, strong, and independent, capable of taking on any challenge regardless of age.

My goal is to get as many females as possible to move, placing emphasis on progress over perfection. I am excited to help you reach your fitness goals and push you further than ever before!

Daniel Lac- Instructor/Personal Trainer

Daniel was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, immersing himself in a wide array of sports as a well- rounded athlete. Daniel continues to build on a successful career in health and wellness over the last 12 years. His love for teaching group fitness exploded when he started teaching strength, HIIT, and stretch & relaxation classes at the YMCA.

He is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist with the NSCA that specializes in mobility, joint health, functional training, and exercise physiology. Daniel is a Functional Range Mobility Specialist (FRCms) which has equipped him with helping others improve their mobility, muscle & joint imbalances, and quality of life. Daniel believes that movement is medicine and aims to help others reach their potential by supporting their lifestyles while moving pain-free.

During his university studies, Daniel took courses examining activity, aging, and was fascinated by the body's ability to resist certain changes associated with aging. He also worked with various population groups with special needs, physical limitations, and brain & spinal injuries. Most recently, he has a laser- focused vision on improving women’s health due to the complex nature of physiological changes that occur along with aging. Whether that be improving pelvic floor control, buffering against age-related sarcopenia, and reinforcing bone mineral density while improving balance to minimize fracture risk.

Daniel always meets his clients where they are to ensure that they always leave feeling even more amazing than when they came in! Fitness is a positive force for transformation and Daniel looks forward to the opportunity to meet and work with you!