STUDIO OWNER // instructor // personal trainer //
emily parkes
Emily Parkes is the owner and creator of Form Fitness, a boutique fitness studio that puts form first! She helps clients exercise safely and effectively, while forming healthy habits, connections, and results.
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 1 & 2), Certified Kettlebell Instructor (Kettlebell Kickboxing Canada), and a Certified Fitness Consultant with the Manitoba Fitness Council.
Emily has been training clients of all ages for the last fourteen years. Her first studio, Fifty 5 Fitness, successfully engages clients aged 55+ and helps them to be fit at their age. Emily loves to teach all types of group fitness classes including bootcamp, kettlebells, step, barre, strength & conditioning classes.
Emily developed a passion for FORM during her 25 years of dance training and 15 years of teaching ballet and pointe. She always says, “anyone can exercise and get a workout in, but over time, if we don’t exercise with correct form, injuries are bound to occur”. Emily has created the new FORM FITNESS studio to help minimize injuries during exercise, keeping clients moving for years to come!
STUDIO Manager //
lisa nield
What is your favourite FOod?
I love pasta! And anything I don’t have to cook!
Where is the most interesting place you have been in the world?
I love Europe. I lived for nearly a year in Edinburgh, Scotland and loved it!
What is your current favourite TV show or Movie?
Love watching Big Bang with my kids or Law and Order.
What do you do for exercise?
I do personal training with Emily every Friday and attend classes when I can (when the kids are in school!). I make sure to get over my 10K step goal everyday!
instructor/head personal trainer
daniel lac
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!
instructor/personal trainer
tara silvaggio
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!
instructor
TINA GIGLIOTTI
Tina has been an avid barre-lover since the first time she stepped into the studio back in 2015! Since then she has taken over 1300 classes and counting! She loves the burn and shake!
In 2022, Emily convinced Tina to train to continue sharing her love of barre with others by becoming an instructor at Form Fitness/Fifty5 Fitness.
Tina loves teaching Form Barre and Form Barre Flow classes, and hearing feedback from clients! Her classes are challenging, but fun, and you can always expect a great playlist!
Tina works full time as a registered Architect and partner at Northern Sky Architecture Inc., and in her spare time loves walking her greyhound, spin classes, baking, and spendings summers at the lake with a good book to read.
Tina is currently on a maternity leave but she is excited to get back to teaching once her new baby is settled!
instructor/personal trainer
tracey craigon
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 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 and certification through the Manitoba Fitness Council (MFC) as a Group Resistance Training Instructor and Registered Personal Trainer. Currently I am studying to become a mental health and addictions specialist. I enjoy using my combined education and experience to provide fun, effective, and creative sessions. I teach a variety of classes at the Fifty 5/ Form Fitness studio and love working with clients one-on-one or in small groups to help them reach their fitness goals.
When I am not teaching or coaching, I enjoy hiking, cycling, dancing, crafting, painting, and cooking. I look forward to meeting you!
instructor
lori acquisto
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 alongthe 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!
instructor
keelia buchanan
Keelia is a certified yoga instructor and barre instructor. She loves teaching barre because she gets to choreograph reps and sets to the beat of the music.
This past year, she also completed her training to teach our 55 Strength and Kettlebell classes. If you love great tunes, "pulses", and a rewarding yoga-inspired stretch after working your body hard, then you will enjoy her Form Barre classes!
Keelia's fitness journey began many years ago due to personal health concerns. While fitness continues to be an integral part of her medical journey, she is a big advocate for injury prevention and respecting what your body needs in a workout - some days, showing up is the victory!
As a student services teacher by day, Keelia loves to ensure that everyone has what they need to feel successful during the class. She will often check in throughout and is happy to chat before or after a workout to discuss variations and alternative supports for injuries and proper alignment.
instructor/personal trainer
Jonathan Jones
Jon Jones is a certified personal trainer with over 10 years of experience in the fitness industry. He has worked in a variety of roles, including Head Coach, Personal Training Manager, and Fitness Program Coordinator, helping clients of all levels build strength, improve conditioning, and move better. Most recently, Jon developed STAYUP™ - A program focused on helping older adults improve balance, strength, and confidence in their daily movement.
His coaching style is rooted in functional fitness, focusing on practical, results-driven training that translates into everyday life. He’s passionate about creating a supportive, high-energy environment where clients feel challenged, confident, and motivated to reach their goals.
instructor/personal trainer
Kristen Hiebert
I’ve been working in the health and fitness industry for almost 20 years as a massage therapist, fitness instructor, personal trainer, and now a nutrition and health coach. Helping people feel strong, capable, and confident in their bodies is something I truly love; it’s why I do what I do. I believe that strength training is one of the most powerful tools we have as we age. It’s not just about lifting weights, it’s about building resilience, supporting our bodies, and proving to ourselves what we’re capable of!
In my classes, you can expect a focus on proper form, building strength, and being challenged in a way that feels supportive; not overwhelming. I’ll always encourage you to push your limits, but also to listen to your body and work at a pace that feels right for you. I love seeing those moments when something clicks- when a weight feels lighter, a movement feels stronger, or confidence starts to grow. That’s what it’s all about.
You can expect a welcoming environment, a bit of humour, and a class that leaves you feeling stronger than when you walked in. I look forward to seeing you in class!
instructor
Tracy Edmonds-Leckie
Tracy started her teaching journey after falling in love with barre. She loves the energy in a room where people are leaning into their strength together and moving to the perfect playlist!
Tracy loves travelling and has an endless bucket list. When not dreaming of the next travel destination, she loves spending time with her family and getting doggy cuddles.