Barb Figurski

Barb is the owner of Balanced By Fitness.  She has a M.A. in Athletic Administration, an ACE Personal Training Certification, and 15 years experience in the fitness industry.

Barb was a fitness director for twelve years at Eastern Michigan and left there in 2008 to devote her time to running Balanced By Fitness. She started personal training in 1996. Along with many others Barb also was a personal trainer and fitness specialist for the CEO of Dominos Pizza, Tom Monahan. During the last 15 years Barb has also trained collegiate athletes in pre season conditioning at Western Michigan University, University of Michigan, and Eastern Michigan University.

Barb has completed 12 marathons including the Boston Marathon 2003, 2004, 2006. Along with numerous short course and sprint triathlons, Barb has finished the Lake Placid Ironman 2005 and the World Championship Half Ironman 2006.

Selected to particpate in Fitness Reality Show "Extreme Warrior" 2006.

Passionate about fitness and training.

Melissa Gerharter

Melissa lives in Dexter and has been teaching spinning for six years. She is a AFAA certified personal trainer. She has an MS in Nutrition and is currently working on her Registered Dietician's degree at the University of Michigan. She enjoys running races especially the 10K and half marathon distance.

Wanda Gunderson

Wanda has been teaching at Balanced by Fitness since September 2006. She also teaches Deep Water Aerobics and Total Body Conditioning through Dexter Community Education. She is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and a Schwinn Certified Indoor Cycling Instructor.

Wanda is a retired Naval Officer who served on active duty for 21-years. She's been happily married to her husband, Steve, for 26 years. They have two children - Jennifer - a sophomore at Hillsdale College and Larry - a junior at Dexter High School. In addition to working as a personal trainer, Wanda has coached softball, soccer, cross-country and track in the Dexter School District.

Wanda has been a runner since 1976 and loves to compete in road races, but also enjoys leisurely social runs with her friends! She has over 25-years of strength training experience and considers strength training for women to be her area of specialization.

"Being an active and fit person has brought joy and happiness into my life. My goal as a personal trainer is to share this love of exercise with other people and to guide them in meeting their individual health and fitness goals."

Dale Katchorek

Dale is an avid bicyclist turned Spinning Indoor Cycling Instructor. He maintains his Certification from Madd Dogg Athletics having taken continuing education courses in heart rate training, mind set, breathing, and training zone workouts. He has also extensively studied heart rate training on his own while preparing to ride his own century rides. This has led to his development of a Heart Rate Based training class designed to assist any rider from just beginning to well-conditioned to be able to ride a 50 mile ride with 12 weeks of indoor training. Dale starts this class in January and has the group ready to ride in April, just after the snow melts. What a great way to start the riding season strong with a great base to build on.

Dale brings a variety of experience and backgrounds - all of which prove to be assets. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Dale worked professionally in theatre (both on and backstage,) has high end furniture and bicycle sales experience, and provides professional expertise to a Michigan design company. He is an avid bicyclist and has been a member of the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society. Away from the Wellness Center, Dale works as a Realtor with Keller Williams in Dexter, where all of his previous experiences come into play. If you'd like to know about the hat - Just Ask!

Jennifer Phillips

info coming soon!