John Sitaras
John Sitaras was born on Greece's eastern Aegean island of Chios
before relocating with his family to Brooklyn, New York. John showed
an early interest in science when he attained a 2-year Medical Science
degree from the Clara Barton School before moving onto Brooklyn
College, where he pursued a major in psychology and minors in Physical
Education and Health and Nutrition.
John, however, soon decided to translate his love of bodybuilding into
a full-fledged career. After placing 4th in an All Natural Body
Building Championships at the early age of 19, he took a leave of
absence from his studies to pursue the sport professionally. After an
intense 2 years of training, his future in the sport was cut short by
a tragic accident, leaving John hospitalized and wheelchair-bound for
many months.
With his hopes of a career in professional bodybuilding dashed,
Sitaras turned to the world of personal training. Despite several
successful years training at top-rated gyms and at private residences
on both the east and west coasts, the industry's lack of science-based
methodology and training protocols was so disappointing as to force
John to consider leaving the personal training world altogether.
Fortunately, though, Sitaras chose to improve the industry instead. He
teamed up with American Academy of Pain Medicine at Lenox Hill
Hospital where John spent 18 months learning the system for treating
acute and chronic pain, muscle spasms, and pre-post-rehabilitation
protocols.
John also used this time for his own research and development to tie
his knowledge of personal training and bodybuilding to advanced
methods of preventing and treating injury. This is the cornerstone of
the Sitaras Method. Utilizing an extraordinary comprehensive
evaluation system (which can take anywhere from 6-12 full sessions),
John makes a detailed assessment of 5 categories of physical fitness:
body fat composition, cardio-respiratory ability, flexibility, muscle
endurance, and muscle strength. Taking these factors into account,
along with any known preexisting conditions, John creates a full
fitness regime from his template of free-weight, bodyweight, and
machine-driven exercises, tailored specifically for each client. His
main goal is to develop muscular balance in his clients, which is the
foundation for more specific goals such as aesthetics, strength and
flexibility gains, or developing a more powerful athletic ability.
Joe Meagher
Joe has had a passion for fitness from an early age. At 17, he earned a four-year tuition scholarship to the University of Massachusetts. While At UMass, he excelled in the School of Public Health, studied as an EMT, taught large discussion groups as a TA, and eventually graduated with honors in Kinesiology. He also played outside-center on the University's Rugby Football Club.
Since graduating, Joe immediately moved to NYC to immerse himself in the fitness field, taking every opportunity to work with athletes and adults of all skill levels. He focuses most of his workouts blending skill and strength development with an emphasis on balance, coordination, and flexibility.
Lisa Pisicchio
Lisa Pisicchio began her fitness career as an exercise physiologist in 2001. As a child, Lisa had always been active with cycling, dancing, and swimming. She knew from a young age that she wanted to help others understand their bodies from a scientific perspective.
Lisa obtained a B.S. in Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology from Hofstra University in 2001. She continued to broaden her exercise knowledge with a certification in pilates in 2003. Since then, Lisa has also added yoga, stretching, and mindful breathing techniques to her repertoire.
Sitaras Fitness welcomed Lisa to our team of top personal trainers in 2010. She is dedicated to designing individualized fitness programs for her clients to achieve optimum health.
Matthew MacGregor
Safety, consistency, and a progressive plan of action. Matt learned firsthand that these are the core principles of success in any serious exercise routine.
At an early age, Matt struggled with his weight, always wanting to better himself but never knowing how to get there in the proper manner. After a battle with an eating disorder nearly left him hospitalized, he knew he desperately needed to turn his life into a healthier direction. Through the proper research, the correct exercise regimen, and the willingness to dedicate to a true change, Matt transformed his body, and indeed his entire life. This change inspired him to help others, and he began his journey as a personal trainer at the age of 19. In the ten years since, he hasn't looked back.
Matt relocated to New York City in 2012, pursuing his dream of helping as many people as possible in making their fitness goals a reality.
Curtis Clemens
Curtis received a Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Recreational Leadership from Unity College in Maine. He is certified in ACE and NASM. He has been a personal trainer with Sitaras Fitness for over 12 years.
Curtis grew up in Amherst, Massachusetts. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys adventurous activities such as rafting, kayaking, skydiving, scuba diving, hiking, hunting, camping (summer and winter), cross country skiing and rock climbing. He believes that training in the gym allows us all to do greater things out in the real world that most would not consider or couldn't do physically.
Curtis was very heavy most of his life and lost 50 pounds during his freshman year of college which put him on the path he is on today.
Alfie Simms
Alfie is a member of the International Sport Science Association and has worked over 15 years with entertainers, young athletes and pro players. During that time he worked with numerous Fortune 500 corporate executives in the New York area and abroad. He has both played and coached basketball and continues to be a strength and conditioning coach. His ability to work with our young athletes from various sports and cultural backgrounds has been paramount to his results driven philosophy.
Alfie started weight training/bodybuilding at the age of 16 when he was 168 pounds. He fell in love with training because he was playing basketball and training made him a better player. He played basketball for the Gauchos organization and for Columbus High School. Alfie has also worked as personal security to three time middleweight champion Iran (The Blade) Barkley and Will Smith. He has been a personal trainer to Sean Diddy Combs and GM Stanley Cup winner Neil Smith.
Alfie has worked at Sitaras Fitness for nearly 12 years. He feels that dedication, discipline and the proper nutrition is the foundation for a better fitness lifestyle.
Dr. Joshua S. Dines, MD
Sitaras Fitness has partnered with Doctor Joshua Dines, a renowned orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery to create a direct referral system as a 'members only' amenity. Dr. Dines, who specializes in sports medicine and shoulder surgery, will provide priority consideration to any Sitaras Fitness member in need of his vast expertise and access at HSS.
Dr. Dines has dedicated his career to understanding and treating sports injuries with a particular interest in arthroscopic reconstructive surgery of the shoulder, elbow, knee and ankle. He is an Assistant team physician for the NY Mets, an Orthopedic Sports Medicine Consultant for the New York Rangers, and a consultant for the LA Dodgers. He was previously the doctor for the US Davis Cup tennis team and currently serves as a consultant for USA Tennis.