Candie Zar

A woman with wavy, light brown hair taking a selfie while holding a green juice in a glass bottle, standing indoors near a black wall with pink orchids and reflective windows showing trees outside. 
Founder, Head Instructor

At SWC, fitness is about more than calories burned or a number on a scale.

It’s about building a stronger body, a healthier mind, and a happier life.

For over 20 years, I’ve studied fitness, movement, strength training, Pilates, women’s health, and the connection between exercise and emotional well-being. Every workout I teach is thoughtfully designed for the female body, combining strength, cardio, mobility, balance, and core work in a way that is both effective and sustainable.

I believe women need more than just movement. We need muscle. We need strength. We need healthy bones, hormones, confidence, energy, and resilience for every stage of life.

Every exercise, every sequence, and every class is intentionally programmed. Nothing is random. Each movement prepares your body for the next, creating workouts that are safe, efficient, challenging, and empowering.

But what makes SWC truly special is our community.

This is a place where women of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels come together to support one another, encourage one another, and grow stronger together. Whether you’re walking into your first class or your thousandth, you’ll be welcomed, challenged, and celebrated.

My goal has never been perfection, rather to help women feel strong, capable, confident, healthy, and proud of themselves.

Because when a woman takes care of her body, she shows up differently in every area of her life—as a mother, wife, friend, daughter, professional, and most importantly, as herself.

At SWC, we’re not just working out.

We’re investing in our future health.

We’re building strength for life.

We’re creating confidence through consistency.

And we’re becoming the strongest version of ourselves—one workout at a time.

Gaby Nassimiha

Close-up of a smiling woman with long dark hair, wearing diamond jewelry and a light-colored top.
Close-up of a smiling woman with long dark hair, wearing diamond jewelry and a light-colored top. 
Instructor

Gaby Nassimiha has been a group fitness instructor at SWEATWITHCANDIE for nearly six years. At 24 years old, she is also a certified personal trainer and graduate student pursuing her Master’s in Nutrition at Adelphi University after earning her bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University. She is currently working toward becoming a Registered Dietitian, with plans to specialize in women’s fertility, hormonal disorders, PCOS, endometriosis, and reproductive wellness.

Gaby believes fitness is about far more than burning calories; it’s about building confidence, resilience, and discovering what you’re truly capable of. Her classes combine strength training, cardio, mobility, and balance to help you become stronger both physically and mentally. Whether you’re lifting your first dumbbell or pushing toward your next personal best, her goal is for every woman to leave class feeling more empowered, capable, and confident than when they walked in.

Known for her encouraging coaching style, Gaby creates a welcoming environment for everyone; from complete beginners to experienced exercisers looking for a fresh challenge. She is passionate about helping clients evolve not only in their fitness, but also in their mindset, proving that true strength extends far beyond the workout itself.

Her mission is simple: to help you build a stronger body, a stronger mind, and the confidence to carry that strength into every aspect of your life.

Shaina Makhany

A woman with black hair, smiling and wearing a white sleeveless top, sitting in an indoor setting.
A woman with black hair, smiling and wearing a white sleeveless top, sitting in an indoor setting. 
Gymnastics Instructor

Shaina has been doing gymnastics for over 13 years and has been coaching children for the past 9 years. She started Gymnastics with Shaina in June 2020, combining her passion for gymnastics and working with children to create a welcoming program for children of all ages. Through a motivating and encouraging environment, she helps children build confidence, develop new skills, and foster a love for movement. She also teaches Mommy & Me classes that encourage early motor, social, and language development through play. Her goal is for every child to leave class feeling stronger, more confident, and excited to come back.

Yona Arounian

A smiling woman with long, curly dark hair sitting in a car, with green trees visible through the window.
A smiling woman with long, curly dark hair sitting in a car, with green trees visible through the window. 
Instructor

Yona Arounian started working at SWC 4 years ago. As one of SWCs most loyal and dedicated members she took her love for lifting weights and brought it into every class with a focussed and intentional determination. She teaches heavy sprint workouts, as well as her famous Sculpt & Tone workout with lights weights & a Pilates block which stresses the smaller muscle groups. YONAs afro style music, fierce presence, and poised power brings everything to another level of workout.

Diana Hakimi

Close-up photo of a smiling woman with long blonde hair, wearing gold hoop earrings, inside a vehicle.
Close-up photo of a smiling woman with long blonde hair, wearing gold hoop earrings, inside a vehicle. 
Instructor

Diana is a mom of four who believes that growth begins the moment you step outside your comfort zone. She vouches that real change doesn’t come from staying comfortable; It comes from showing up consistently. Fitness isn’t something she ever squeezed into her schedule; it’s part of who she is. Through the many years Diana has been part of SWC and the workout world she has learned and proved that getting older doesn’t mean getting weaker. It means finding new ways to become stronger.

Diana’s classes are upbeat and music driven. Using light weights, a Pilates ball, and resistance bands; the small stabilizing muscles that help create a long, toned physique, improve posture, and strengthen your core are targeted. Every class is designed to leave you feeling proud of what your body can actually handle.