About Heike Yates | Midlife Fitness Coach & Pilates Expert
From Burnout to Breakthrough: My Journey to Becoming a Midlife Fitness Coach
I started out in a 9-to-5 job, chasing security but craving freedom and purpose. After years of preparation, I left corporate life and landed in Washington, D.C., where I began crafting a life on my terms—filled with movement, passion, and possibility.
How Fitness Changed My Life—And Sparked My Mission
I gained 50 pounds during my first pregnancy. But through regular exercise, I didn’t just lose the weight—I discovered my calling. Helping other women feel strong, confident, and in control lit a fire in me that never went out.
Certifications, Challenges, and a Career in Motion
From bodybuilding and Ironman training to recovering from injuries and mastering Pilates, I’ve lived through the physical ups and downs of midlife. Along the way, I earned certifications in strength training, Pilates, nutrition, and more—so I could serve my clients with expert care.
Creating Fitness Solutions That Actually Work in Midlife
In 2012, I opened my boutique Pilates studio in Silver Spring, MD, and in 2017, I founded Pursue Your Spark—offering online fitness and nutrition programs designed specifically for midlife women.
One of my proudest accomplishments is developing Pilates with Resist-A-Ball, a creative and joint-friendly approach that’s now part of all my programs.
Motherhood, Motivation, and the Spark That Keeps Me Going
Leaving my job to become a stay-at-home mom wasn’t easy. I lost my sense of financial independence—but I found fitness. And in doing so, I found me again. Since 1992, I’ve been empowering women and men in midlife to reclaim their strength, health, and spark.
Today, I Help Midlife Adults Feel Stronger, More Balanced, and Energized
I work with busy women and men in midlife who want to age well, stay active, and feel good in their bodies—without spending hours at the gym or following restrictive diets. Through a blend of Pilates, strength training, and real-life nutrition strategies, I help you create a lifestyle that supports how you want to feel every day.
In 2012, I opened my boutique Pilates studio, and my passion continued to grow. In 2017, I founded Pursue Your Spark, offering signature online courses for women only, such as the Pursue Your Spark Blueprint, among others.
Accredited with:
Curious How I Can Help?
In-Studio Training in Maryland
My in-studio training in Maryland is designed for midlife and older adults who want to stay active, ease joint pain, and build lasting strength and balance. With personalized Pilates (Reformer and Cadillac), strength training, and practical lifestyle strategies, we’ll create sustainable habits that support your health and help you feel good in your body again.
No bootcamps. No pressure. Just real support and lasting results.
Online Training Anywhere
Designed for busy midlife women and men, my programs offer expert fitness and nutrition guidance that’s flexible, sustainable, and easy to follow. We’ll build real-life strategies that help you get stronger, feel more energized, and stay consistent—without the overwhelm.
Train on your schedule. Feel better in your body. Thrive in midlife.
I have been doing Pilates for several years with Heike Yates. She is an excellent instructor, ensuring she is focused on the person she is teaching at that very moment. Sometimes I go out of town and miss her, and while I enjoy her vacation, I am very pleased to get back with Heike to do Pilates!
Alison S.
BEYOND THE STUDIO…
I love the outdoors, and that’s where you will find me most of the time.
Spending time with my two kids makes my heart sing (even if they live on opposite sides of the world).
Becoming a first-time grandma is incredible, and I thought I was all cool about it.
I have been known to say, “Exercise is good for you.” (Okay…I say it a lot).
Food is important to me, but I prefer it when my husband cooks for me.
My positivity and energy are contagious.
