Kay Aplin, Owner

Kay came to the fitness business with a Masters' degree in Management from the University of Houston and a 15-year career as a professional dancer and ballet company director/choreographer. In 1998, Ms. Mays designed and built the Family Fitness facility in Lake Jackson, responding to a need in her community for a full-service health club.

She has been recognized by various fitness industry organizations as one of the leading female entrepreneurs in the country and by the Brazosport Chamber of Commerce as owner of one of the "Ten Fastest Growing Businesses" in her region.

Kay has been presenting motivational lectures to community and national organizations on fitness awareness and lifestyle changes for years. At Family Fitness, Kay personally directs the yoga and pilates programs. She is a certified Pilates instructor. Kay continues to travel and consult with other wellness facilities on program enhancement and community outreach, importing her own special style of non-intimidating exercise with a large dose of Southern hospitality.

Dwight Perry, General Manager

If a long and varied work history is critical to management in the fitness industry, then Dwight Perry, our General Manager is certainly qualified. He has an extensive financial history in the oil and gas and construction industries. He spent a number of years in the startup business as a consultant and principal in the computer training business.

He attended the University of Houston for 10 years working on a degree in Accounting. During this same time, he was employed as a full time accountant and very involved with a young, growing family.

He moved to the Lake Jackson area in 1999 and started a consulting and tech support business. He was associated with FitLinxx, Inc and traveled the Sun Belt as a system support engineer. This is how he was first associated with Family Fitness.

When the Controller position at Family Fitness came available in May, 2007, he started as a full time employee. He was promoted to General Manager in January, 2010.

According to Dwight, “he is always available to members and staff. If there is anything I can do to help with your fitness goals, please contact me.”

Kari Chupp, Program Director

Kari has been with Family Fitness since 2001 and currently serves as the Program Director. Her certifications include AFAA Personal Trainer, AFAA Group Fitness, SCW Aquatics, Stamina Pilates Reformer, Les Mills Body Pump, RPM & Body Flow, Zumba and SCW pre-post natal Certification. She has a great passion for sharing her knowledge of health and fitness with anyone seeking a better quality of life.

When not teaching fitness classes and personally training clients herself Kari directs all of the fitness programs and group exercise classes offered at Family Fitness. She is always on top of what is happening in the fitness industry and loves the challenge of keeping things in the club innovative and challenging to the members, trainers and instructors. "Aside from raising my 3 amazing boys, this is what I was born to do! I love living the fitness lifestyle and helping others learn to do the same," says Kari.

As a Personal Trainer, she pushes and motivates her clients to that next level and believes anyone can reach their goals with the proper resources and a positive mindset. Kari designs training programs that are unique to each client, teaching safe and effective exercise techniques, encouraging sound nutrition habits and helping each client to have a positive self image.

In addition to personal training, Kari teaches a variety of group fitness programs. A few of her personal favorites would include Body Pump, RPM, Body Flow and Zumba! She loves the energy that comes with a group setting and motivates her classes to push though barriers they thought were impossible!

Jeff Meyer, Front Desk Manager

Originally from Jeffersonville, IN; Jeff comes to Family Fitness having previously owned and operated a personal training and aerobic studio in Dallas called Body Strategy (1989-95). Jeff was then recruited to fill the role of program director at Crossroads Gym in Dallas, as that fitness facility expanded to incorporate a strong group exercise program to meet its member’s needs.

Upon moving to Lake Jackson in 2005, Jeff was general manager at a locally owned and operated restaurant before returning to the very rewarding fitness industry.

Operations Manager, certified Les Mills Body Pump & RPM instructor, group exercise instructor (cardio kickboxing is a favorite of his), membership coordinator; each of these tasks keeps Jeff active at the club. “I like wearing different hats. It helps to keep the ‘big picture’ in the forefront of my mind as I interact with members of Family Fitness and our community.”

Amy Daspit, Kids Club Director

Amy Daspit has been the Director of the Kids Club since August 2007, and is an involved part of the Family Fitness Management Team. She has worked with children most of her career life and finds it immensely rewarding. She was a substitute teacher with AISD for 3 years, worked as a nanny with Mom's Best Friend for 2 years and was a pre-school teacher at Green House Learning Center.

Amy attended Southwest Texas State College pursuing a degree in Sociology and is currently enrolled at Brazosport College. She is very outgoing, enjoys working with others, and stays busy outside work with her husband, two children, and family and friends. She enjoys reading and all outdoor activities as hobbies.

Amy says, "Making a difference in a kid's life is the greatest reward."

Sasha Jaramillo, Human Resources Director

Sasha has been with Family Fitness since 2005. She started as a Membership Coordinator and was later promoted to our Sales Department as our Sales Manager. Sasha enjoys working with people and helping start membership and fitness goals. She handles all corporate and membership accounts. Sasha’s level of commitment and dedication to Family Fitness deserves great praise. She enjoys working with people and helping them to start their membership and fitness goals.

Reggie Baker, Personal Trainer

Reggie has worked for Family Fitness for since 2001. He is knowledgeable concerning all fitness programs at the club. He specializes in getting members set up and re-evaluated, along with adjusting their programs to help them achieve optimum fitness. Reggie makes it a point to understand each member's fitness needs and customizes a program for each individual. He has a great personality and works well with members of all ages. Reggie believes that a program followed with personal training and good nutrition will help any member achieve their goal.

Reggie has a strong background in fitness and sports and has achieved his own weight loss and fitness goal at Family Fitness. He understands that it's never too late to start a fitness life change and that every goal can be met with consistency and dedication.

Reggie is a Certified Personal Trainer and is available evenings from 4 until 10.

Crystal Lezak, Trainer/Group Exercise Instructor

Crystal has been a group exercise instructor at Family Fitness since it opened in 1998. She comes to us with a background in dance, as well as athletics. She played volleyball in high school and college. Upon graduating she played competitively in a Houston area women's and co-ed league.

She is AFAA Personal Trainer and Group Fitness certified, Keiser Power Pace, SCW Aquatics and Stamina Pilates Reformer certified. She is also a Les Mills Body Pump Instructor. Crystal teaches an array of classes, ranging from Cycling, one of the most popular classes, Step Aerobics, and Muscle Conditioning.

Crystal has a unique ability for bringing variety, creativity and intense challenge to her classes. She is a dynamic instructor with a flare for motivating the "un-motivated." Her playfulness and outgoing personality make her a definite asset to our group fitness and training programs.

Manjiri Paradkar, Group Exercise Instructor

Manjiri began teaching group fitness and received her primary group exercise certification from AFAA in year 2003. Since then she has continued her education in fitness by completing AFAA’s Mat I certification, Yogafit Level I, II and III as well as Pilatesfit certification. She is also a Les Mills Body Pump Instructor. Manjiri came to Family Fitness in search of an opportunity to teach Yoga, her personal favorite class format. Manjiri also teaches Pilates, Step, Strength training and Low impact aerobics.

Manjiri has a Master’s degree in Genetics from Clemson University, SC and recently started working for Dow Chemical.

Fat Walts, Trainer/Group Fitness/Pilates

Fat started her fitness career in January 2006. She is a certified AFAA Group Exercise Instructor, NETA Personal Trainer, and Certified Pilates instructor. She is also a Les Mills Body Pump Instructor. She has attended various workshops to further her knowledge in the fitness industry. She moved to Texas in 2000 and has fallen in love with the warm and friendly people here.

As a group instructor, Fat enjoys teaching a variety of fun, safe, non-intimidating classes such as Kickboxing, Step, Hi-Lo, Spinning, Muscle Conditioning and Fit Circuit. Fat is highly motivated , enthusiastic, encouraging, and full of energy Whether or not you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced exerciser, you will fit right into one of Fat's classes. "If you want to be fit your in" and "as long as your moving, you're in" is what she will tell you.

As a Personal Trainer, her own passion for a healthy lifestyle is her best credential to helping people attain their goals. She believes that Attitude, Commitment, Drive and Consistency are the keys to one's individual wellness for a lifetime change. She is very dedicated in reaching out to people, keeping them motivated, and helping them stick to a routine of staying healthy and fit.

Rebecca Baldridge, Personal Trainer/Group Exercise

Rebecca has been employed with Family Fitness since October of 2006. She has a passion for the fitness industry. She currently has her personal training certification through N.E.T.A. and her certification through A.F.A.A. is pending. She is also a Les Mills Body Pump Instructor. As a new mom, Rebecca has a special interest in pre-post-natal exercise and is currently pursuing her certification in this field. Some of her other special interest areas include: Pilates Reformer, Yoga, and Strength Training.

Rebecca is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and believes in building a strong core. Her philosophy of exercise is that it should be functional and beneficial based on an individuals lifestyle.

Tom Williams, Personal Trainer

Tom comes to Family Fitness with an extensive background in health and fitness. He was a two year letterman in high school and played baseball at the collegiate level.

As a Personal Trainer he has trained a number of high school and college athletes as well as non-athletes. He has worked along side with the trainers of the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Texans. Tom was a guest host of the Houston Texans Fitness Show on the radio. While training his clients Tom stresses safety and technique to improve quality of life.

Toms Certifications include AAAI Personal Trainer Certification, ISMA Certification, NASM Certification and is Stretch and Flexibility Certified.

He is available evenings and weekends to help you meet your fitness goals.

Angie Keefe, Group Exercise Instructor

Angie has been an aerobics instructor for over seven years and has recently joined the Family Fitness Team. She recieved her group excercise certification through AFAA in 2000. She is also a Les Mills Body Pump Instructor. Angie has always enjoyed living a healthy lifestyle which led her to complete a Bachelor's degree in Health, Promotion and Wellness from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

At Family Fitness, she enjoys teaching an array of classes which include: Fat Burner, Step, Muscle Conditioning, Bosu, Cardio Training, and a Senior Fit class. Angie loves getting to know the members of her classas and helping them to stay focused on a healthy and fit lifestyle.

Pinky Patel, ActivTrax Team Leader & Trainer

Pinky Patel began working at Family Fitness in April of 2003. She started working as a front desk associate, and fell in love with the health and fitness lifestyle. She then broadened her talents and began fitness training. With her AFAA Personal Training Certification pending, she is continuing to learn more about fitness and nutrition on a daily basis.

Pinky is the team leader of ActivTrax, a customized program that is uniquely created for each individual based on his or her strength, experience and goals. Pinky is also available as a sales coordinator, helping new and current members with their membership needs.

Pinky is knowledgeable with all Family Fitness programs and is available to help at any time and has her own 5 K Club class. She is a people person and is always happy to help anyone in any department.