Hi! I’m Mer, Head Instructor & Founder of The Playground.
When I became a yoga instructor in 2015, I loved it.
But I quickly realized there was so much my yoga certification hadn’t taught me – and I didn’t feel qualified to help my clients with their real, specific human needs.
On top of that, I was experiencing pain of my own. I had seen doctors and physical therapists, but couldn’t alleviate my chronic hip pain.
This began my journey of deep learning, from studying human anatomy and becoming a certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist to earning my Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from Columbia University.
I even fixed my chronic pain!
(It turned out, I needed to stop overstretching in yoga and build muscle in my hamstrings – a revelation that became the basis for my new strength-focused approach.)
After earning my Master’s, I felt more and more frustrated by the misinformed workout offerings I was seeing all around me.
They weren’t supported by science and most of them relied on negative messages around body image as the primary form of motivation.
This led me to build The Playground: a universally accessible space that treats movement not as a punishment or chore, but as a joyful experience that can strengthen your body & mind.
No trends. No fads. Just safe, effective workouts that are backed by science & expertise.
Your physical and mental health are incredibly important to me, which is why I’m committed to continuing my education & providing you with the highest quality of evidence-based workouts.
Not your typical “sweat ‘til you wanna die” workout
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More reasons to move with Mer
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Download directly to your device
Stream classes from anywhere in the world
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At home, the gym, at work, or whenever you want to build strength in a safe and sustainable way.
Download to your phone or tablet so you can stay active even if you don’t have an internet connection.
100% done for you — no thinking required!
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No more excuses, guessing, or feeling overwhelmed. Know exactly what to do and when so you can stay consistent & make progress toward your goals.
Accessible for ALL levels — beginner to advanced
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Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your fitness goals to the next level, you’ll find what your body & mind need on The Playground.
Feel stronger, more mobile & more confident in just 4 weeks
Get the daily workouts and movements you need to build functional, full-body strength that will last you a lifetime.