Instructors

Personal

• I have been married to Ron Anders for 17 years and we have three children: Joshua, 13; Patrick, 11; Camille, 8
• Certified Group Fitness Instructor through AFAA Also certified in Zumba, Pilates, Body Pump & Cycling
• B.S. Auburn University, Elementary Education

Some things that make me "unique"

• Former AU Cheerleader
• Personal trainer on the Pilates Reformer
• My other dream job would be to own a clothing boutique.
• I love to shop!!!!
• I grew up on a farm in South Alabama

Why I joined HP?

I have always been active and enjoyed working out. I have been a member of several gyms in town, but HP is hands down the best! I love that my kids are welcome, and we can enjoy the gym as a family. Everyone is always so kind and welcoming. The facility is top notch as well. Just a great overall atmosphere.

Why did I start teaching?

I was attending a few classes at HP several years ago and said to a few friends, "I can do this". My children were finally at an age where they were not so needy and I decided to go for it!!

I knew I would love it and would want to get certified in many things. I love all my classes in such different ways. Zumba allows me to just let go and have fun. It is so rewarding to see people working out and laughing at the same time! I have a ball watching everyone dance. What a great class! Pilates is such a science, I am not sure I will ever stop studying the method that Joseph Pilates began so many years ago. I love to help people feel better. Pilates offers so many benefits to healing the body. Body Pump is rewarding and so much fun to teach. People love this class and I am grateful to be a part of it. 50+/Low Impact was my first class to teach, and I will always have a special place for this group. They have watched me and helped me grow as a teacher.

I love my job and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be involved with such a great group of people!!

Member since 2003; HealthPlus Instructor since 2007

Personal

• Married to Duane (also a HP member!) and we have two children: son, David, 3; daughter, Kirby, 2
• Originally from southeastern Virginia, I graduated from Christopher Newport University with a degree in environmental biology
• Worked as an aquatic toxicologist before we relocated to Auburn in 2003
• I now ?stay home? with our children when not working out or teaching at HP!

"My Fitness Story"

One of the first things my husband and I did when we moved to Auburn was join Health Plus. We had heard from many people that next to Auburn football, HealthPlus was one the best things Auburn had to offer, a state-of-the -art fitness facility with a truly family- oriented atmosphere.

My passion throughout childhood was sports, particularly soccer. I can't remember a time when I didn't play as a child. I played all through high school and college, and for years after my soccer career was over I spent most of my time running to stay fit. But after college managing my weight became more of an issue and although I exercised regularly and watched my diet I could never reach my fitness and weight goals.

I gave birth to my first baby and 6 months later I was pregnant again. I stayed very active through both pregnancies (running, doing the elliptical, etc) and although I managed to loose the "baby weight" very quickly, I still couldn't seem to make a dent in the extra weight I had put on after college. I just accepted that this is what happens when you?re getting older and have had children and tried to let it go. In the meantime I developed plantar fasciitis in my feet. Over the next few months I began to realize that running and or even doing the elliptical as my exclusive form of exercise was not an option for me anymore. I was devastated!

My husband ?dragged? me into a Boot Camp class with him. I loved it. The next day I took Lori Fuller's Body Toning class and after that I was hooked. It was so motivating being in a group. It was like working out with my teammates again. Everybody was working so hard and the instructors made the classes so much fun that the time just flew by.

Why did you get certified to teach and what keeps you motivated to continue?

I finally worked up the courage to take Turbo Jam with Christy Coleman and that was "the class" that got me thinking that I?d like to try to become an instructor. Being a former soccer player I loved the kicking and punching. The intensity of the workout and the music was so much fun and Christy was amazing. It wasn?t long before I approached Christy about becoming an instructor. She was thrilled to hear I was interested and since then she has been my mentor and become such a dear friend to me. And the same can be said for all of the group fitness instructors at HP! I have learned so much from all of them!

Last summer I got certified to teach Body Pump. I used to hate lifting weights. You had to drag me kicking and screaming into a weight room. Not anymore!! After spending a weekend going through the grueling Body Pump certification process with the other instructors, I realized how empowering and fun that lifting weights could be. Now I love teaching group fitness. The members are so inspiring and so much fun. Everyday they show up and work so hard and I love feeling like I play a small role in that.

While I love teaching Turbo Jam and Body Pump, I have to comment on a class I don?t teach but absolutely love. Zumba is my "fitness dessert!? I am not dancer. I can dribble a soccer ball but when it comes to dancing I have 2 left feet, but I LOVE THIS CLASS!!!!!!! The instructors (Becky Anders, Sean MacDonald and Christy Coleman) are so much fun and the music and steps are challenging but hardly impossible. I say to myself after every class, ?how can working that hard be so much fun.? If you haven?t tried it, you should!!

My most memorable accomplishment was finding my way out of the Great Dismal Swamp in the middle of the night without a flashlight...long story... But in terms of fitness, I believe that "group fitness completely changed my body and my mind". After giving birth to 2 kids in less than 15 months I was not only able to lose my baby weight but I am now 15 pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight. I am more fit than when I was as a student-athlete in college and I give all the credit to the group fitness programs and instructors at HP!

Words of Wisdom

"The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion when no one else is watching" - Anson Dorrance ... University of North Carolina, Head Coach, Women?s Soccer - commenting on Mia Hamm?s work ethic.

Instructor since 2001; HealthPlus Instructor since 2004

Personal

• Married to Mark for 9 years and have 4 children (Katherine 5, Charlotte 3, John 2, Jack 2)
• From Aurora, IL, a suburb of Chicago; lived in Chicago, West Lafayette and Indianapolis, IN
• Attended Purdue University for B.S. Chemical Engineering (1997) and M.S. Mathematics Education with Thesis (2002)
• I have taught mathematics at the middle school and high school levels, as well as mathematics education methods courses for elementary school teachers.

Some things that make me "unique"

• I was born in Heidelberg, Germany
• I am half Asian ? my mother is half Korean, half Japanese. All of my mother?s relatives still live in Japan. I have been to Japan twice.
• I teach Step, Body Pump, Cycling, Boot Camp, and Water Aerobics.

Why did you get certified to teach and what keeps you motivated to continue?

Almost 10 years ago, something kind of happened to me - I found fitness. Or maybe it found me. I had been active in high school, but that fell to the wayside in college. In 1998, my friend asked me to join Woman?s Workout World with her as a special ?Two For? Deal. I attended a few step classes with her, and I decided that it was kind of fun to dance around to the music. However in 2000, shortly after I got married, I felt this need to motivate and challenge myself a little more. I remember feeling a little scared in one of my first step classes at a co-ed gym. What would I do if I got there late and had to set up in front? Was everyone looking at me? The answer was NO. I actually began building friendships with the people in my class, becoming friends with both girls and guys in the class. And, luckily, I had amazing instructors, people who really motivated me to do my best in class and to help me forget I was working out. That was the BEST part: I forgot I was working out.

Soon after that, I was attending all sorts of classes besides step: toning, kickboxing, cycling and boot camp. Then, I began running on the treadmill. Within the first year, I lost 20 pounds. Within the next two years, I lost another 40 pounds. I hadn?t EVER been so fit in my life. Meanwhile, my instructor friends noticed that I caught on quickly to routines and proper form alignment. They encouraged me to train with them, and as a consequence, I became certified and started teaching step and toning. At that time in my life, I was teaching 3-4 days per week, but also taking other classes 2-3 days during the week. In graduate school, with no other responsibilities, I was able to afford that time. Then Mark and I moved to Auburn.

When we moved here, I was 7 months pregnant with my first child. I only renewed my workout regimen when Katherine was 7 months old. I was looking to teach and after I toured HealthPlus, I didn?t even look at any other gyms. The facilities here are fantastic (they were still relatively new at the time) and so unbelievably clean compared to other gyms. So I began teaching in May 2004. I continued teaching while I was pregnant with Charlotte in late 2004/early 2005 and also with John and Jack in 2006. Since then, I had never completely lost my ?baby? weight, until now. A combination of individual training (running/elliptical training) and a variety of classes (step, cycling, Body Pump, boot camp, and TurboJam) helped me lose that weight all over again. I didn?t think I could do it again, but I did. To all of the mothers (and everyone else) out there: YOU CAN, TOO. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication and will-power, especially since there are days when you will think of every excuse not to come, but you can do it. You need to do it! Make fitness a part of your daily routine and see how it can change your life.

Working out and motivating others to work out is my part-time job, but it will forever be my 1st priority to myself, besides my husband and children! It absolutely keeps me sane everyday!! I am forever grateful to those who motivated me to make a lifestyle change. I only hope I am able to motivate all of you in the same way. And finally, a big thank you to all of you who have encouraged me along the way. You?ll never know how much you?ve made a difference in my life!

Instructor since 1995 at HealthPlus 2004-2005 and 2007 to now

Personal

• Maried to Bret and have 5 children: Taylor, Rachel, Ben, Catherine, and Claire
• Certified through AFAA (Group Fitness and Weight Training), Turbo Kick, Zumba, Body Pump and AAAI Personal Training
• BS from Auburn in Physical Education

Some things that make me "unique"

I have a love for adventure and have gone scuba diving, sky diving, bungee jumping, rock climbing, have climbed a waterfall and have jumped off cliffs in Jamaica.

Why I joined Health Plus over other gyms

I have worked at other gyms, but have never found one as inviting and family-oriented as Health Plus. The facility is top-notch and the personnel are all service-oriented. It is clear that EXCELLENCE is the number one goal at Health Plus in every area.

Why did you get certified to teach and what keeps you motivated to continue?

I kind of stumbled into becoming an aerobic instructor. I started off as a film and broadcasting major at Alabama with the goal of becoming an anchorwoman on TV. I quickly changed my mind when I met Bret and we got married after my sophomore year. I transferred to Auburn and decided Education was a more suitable field of study. Unfortunately, I discovered during my internship that I HATED teaching PE. Raising a family became my new career choice.

After two children, I needed something more-- sanity. I joined a tiny gym and took some aerobic classes. Soon I was asked to try teaching. (They were desperate for instructors.) I bought some videos and memorized routines in order to learn how to teach a class. (Little did I know how that would benefit me later.) After a couple of years, I happened to see an ad in a Fitness magazine that aerobic certifications actually existed. I saved my money and got certified in Group Fitness through AFAA and was hooked. Every year after that, I would get another certification...kickboxing, weight training, personal training. Then I discovered aerobic conferences--WOW-- I had found my niche!!! I would spend a long weekend every summer taking all kinds of fitness classes from morning till night from the world's premier fitness instructors. I was in Heaven!!!

Then it dawned on me. I wanted to be a presenter--not on the grand level of a conference, but on the community level. I wanted to inspire the folks at MY gym the same way I was inspired by the "top dogs" in the fitness industry. When my focus shifted from "teaching a class to get my workout in" to "teaching a class to inspire others", I became more motivated to stay cutting edge (getting certified in Turbo Kick, Zumba and Body Pump) and to work harder to create a fun fitness experience. So, YOU, members are my motivation and inspiration!

Some of you have asked me how I can be so energetic and upbeat. Well... I LOVE my job and all of you who make it so enjoyable!

How I got here...

It has been 15 years of suffering from chronic pain in my lower back and dealing with all the issues that surround chronic pain and I eventually had a spinal fusion in 2000 from S-1 to L-4. Which worked as well as fusion does...Until 3 years ago when pain, fatigue and the demons we sometimes fight with chronic pain started coming back and my outlook on life was not what I had expected.

Exhausting all the fixes, including the pain meds, injections, new experimental fixes and physical rehabilitation. I found a total rehab “group boot camp” by chance that treated all of me, mentally & physically and got me on my feet again with energy I’ve not experienced since playing multi sports as a teen. Seeing and working with the others in severe chronic pain as a group I learned 1st hand just what we really are capable of if we learn and are not afraid to try.

Upon my return from “boot camp,” I went directly to HP to find a knowledgeable staff and the tools needed for my own physical rehab of aquatics, cardio, stretching & professional assistance.

I joined Health Plus as a member and immediately began attending classes and most of the aquatics programs, which were outstanding! My health continued to get better as my pain continued to diminish and I HAD to figure out a way to help others experience the success as I was having.

Why not try to teach!!!???

Through further research and attending aquatic rehabilitation workshops for certifications ATRI, AFAA (ongoing) including the Arthritis Foundation, I applied for an opportunity to begin teaching aquatics and they gave me the chance I needed.

"That is how I got here!"

• I want to make a difference, help those wanting more and to learn from YOU and ENCOURAGE others to be their best and feel great about themselves!
• To have fun in the process and listen to you as to how I can improve your health.

I’m so thankful to have the opportunity with the HealthPlus organization and they help me everyday with my own health and I want to try and give something back!

I’m so thankful to have the opportunity with the HealthPlus organization and they help me everyday with my own health and I want to try and give something back!

If you do something…Make it count!

• Married to my college sweetheart & best friend, Mark, for 14 years
• We have two boys: Brooks, 9, and Brady, 6 1/2
• I love watching my kids play sports (football, basketball & baseball) and attending AU sporting events with my family!
• I also love volunteering at my sons’ schools, at our church (Cornerstone Church). I also feel blessed to “give back” to our amazing community through various service projects.
• Marketing Director for the Sports Academy (indoor sports training facility) which we own with Steve and Beth Kisor
• Work part-time for HealthPlus coordinating the Wellness e-magazine, e-newsletter and other marketing projects
• BA in Public Relations/Journalism with a minor in marketing from AU (’91)

My Journey

I was a very "active kid" as a cheerleader, basketball and softball player. After college, I started running and taking group fitness classes as a way to stay in shape and to relieve stress from being a marketing and salesperson in Corporate America!"

After my first son was born in 2000, I discovered that coming to the gym was the key to “survival” for busy “stay-at-home moms!” My kids have so much energy that I feel like staying active helps me keep up with them and we all get along so much better when I’ve exercised!! I also love to eat chocolate, anything sweet and lots of carbohydrates so I have to work out to balance out my poor eating habits!!!!

After being a member at several other gyms in town, I won a free three-month membership at a school silent auction. Since I had set a new goal of completing a Sprint Triathlon in 2006, I needed a gym that I could train for my swimming, running and biking all in one place. After just one visit to HP, I was hooked! I loved the quality of the facility, the cleanliness and the encouraging teachers!

I read a flyer one day about becoming a group fitness instructor and my free membership was soon going to expire. Torie Rabren and I decided to try it together so we learned from Robin what was required. To be honest, becoming a certified teacher was much more challenging and time consuming than I ever could have imagined. I felt like I had gone back to college & stayed up late at night to study again! It was the only time I could "squeeze it in" as a mom!

But, I "persevered" and I excitedly passed my certification in 2007. I’m glad that Becky Anders, Torie and I did it together as we encouraged each other and we had lots of fun times during the process.

In 2008, I passed the certification for Body Pump, which was the most physically and mentally challenging thing I had done since giving birth to my sons!!! Even though teaching Body Pump is time consuming since we continuously have to learn new choreography, I do LOVE it! I have seen such great physical results so quickly, not only in my own body, but in the members too!

Last year, Robin Kurtz asked me to consider getting certified in yoga. I had never even attended a yoga class so I thought she must have been pretty desperate for a teacher (and she was since Amy was going on maternity leave!) Since I have lots of energy, I didn’t think that I was going to like it and it would be too slow for me. After taking a few classes, I was surprised at how difficult that yoga can be and I became very interested in learning more about the practice. Once again, I "persevered", studied a lot and in the process, I feel in LOVE with yoga! I wish I had incorporated yoga into my weekly fitness routine many years ago and I feel that every person, no matter what their age or fitness level, needs a little yoga in their life! Not only is it relaxing, it is extremely challenging and essential to improving your flexibility, coordination and strength.

I’m so glad that I stepped outside of my “comfort zone!” I would suggest that everyone does the same, especially when it comes to fitness. Try a new class (yoga, perhaps?), challenge yourself to run a race, learn how to swim --- just find a program that works for you and that keeps you interested and then "persevere!!" You won’t regret it!

I appreciate all of the encouragement that the members have given me along this journey! You make it so much fun to teach because of your friendship, determination and smiles! You inspire me!

Water Aerobics Instructor since 2007

Personal

• Originally from Tallassee, Alabama
• Married for 11 years to Larry
• Adopted two children from Russia in November 2003; Anna, 10, & Andrew, 7
• Two other "children" are Winnie and Pooh (Labrador Retrievers)
• Graduated from Alex City Junior College and Auburn University with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Special Education and Rehabilitation
• Besides working at HealthPlus, she also works part-time at "Four Paws" Boutique, an animal daycare and grooming service. Began working there because of her love for dogs

Some things that make me "unique"

• Maria was born deaf but this has never stopped her from participating in things she enjoys and reaching her goals
• Swam on the Auburn University Swim Team for 2 years
• Member of the American Taekwondo Association attaining a fourth degree black belt
• Has participated in numerous runs from 5K's up to half marathons, a few triathlons and swim meets with the Masters Swim Program

Why did you get certified to teach and what keeps you motivated to continue?

Decided to become a member in 2005 at HealthPlus and later to become a water aerobics teacher because of the pool and her love for swimming.

Maria also enjoys some of the other classes at HealthPlus like spinning, Body Pump and Boot Camp. She also works out on her own running on the treadmills and swimming

Maria enjoys teaching because of the friendliness of the co-workers and members

Group Fitness Instructor since 1999. HealthPlus instructor since 2008.

Personal

• Married to Joe Hunter for 5 years and have 2 children - Dylan, 5 and Noah, 3.
• We also have 1 dog, a Boxer named Dega.
• Originally from Atlanta, GA.
• I graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Exercise Science.
• I work as the Client Services/Marketing Coordinator in the Toxicology department at East Alabama Medical Center.

My Journey

I have always been fairly active. In high school I played soccer and cheered, and once I got to college, I started running and playing intramural flag football (girls and co-ed). As soon as I graduated from Auburn, I started working at a fitness club at the front desk and as a personal trainer. In my own personal work outs, I decided to try the group fitness classes. I started with a Step class?it did not go well! I ended up leaving after about 15 minutes because I didn?t know the steps and I felt very uncoordinated! The aerobics director worked with me a little bit and talked me into trying again. The rest is history!! I ended up getting certified to teach group fitness, followed by a BODYPUMP certification in 2002 and RPM (spinning) certification in 2004.

My biggest struggle came with my first pregnancy, which was considered high-risk. I had to cut-back on my exercise routine, and though I continued to teach BODYPUMP, I had to greatly reduce the weight I used. Because of this, and some rationalization of what ?eating for two? actually meant, I gained almost 50 pounds. Getting back into working out was really hard. Being heavier put a lot of burden on my joints. I also tried to jump right back into my ?old routine? and eventually, experienced some over-use injuries I had never dealt with before. It was very discouraging, but I just willed myself to NEVER GIVE UP! Though I never got back down to my pre-baby weight, I got my body fat percentage lower than it had ever been before. This set me up well to safely continue to workout and maintain a healthy weight during my second pregnancy.

Because of my personal journey, I try to incorporate several principles into every class I teach:

• I want YOU to LOVE group fitness as much as I do. Someone spent extra time with me to make sure I loved it ? please know I am available for the same!!!
• I try to encourage YOU to NEVER GIVE UP! I have been in the position of feeling like it was hopeless and I want you to know YOU CAN DO IT!
• I want YOU to have fun and to not feel like I have wasted your time. I know if it?s not fun, you will not want to do it. I will try to make sure you get your moneys?-worth!

I truly appreciate the opportunity to teach at Health Plus and to be a part of Your Journey!

Personal

• Born and raised in Auburn, Alabama
• Bachelor degree in Health Promotion from Auburn University
• Certified through AFAA since 1991
• Certified in Body Pump
• Interesting fact: My parents owned Heartstrings.
• Best trait: 3 Awesome kids! (Jorja, 13; Sawyer, 12; Levi, 9)

Why I became an instructor

I became interested in aerobics classes in my early years of high school. I joined KAZ fitness center in the late 80's and LOVED step aerobics! I was hooked. I became certified through AFAA in 1991 and I have been teaching ever since. I have taught just about everywhere in Auburn: EAMC hospital (before there was a HealthPlus), Kaz, The Racquet Club, Cory Everson's, Giles Gym, Gold's Gym, and HealthPlus. While living in Valdosta, GA, I taught at the local YMCA and became the aerobics director for this outstanding facility. I later was asked to help plan and implement programs for a new fitness center at the Valdosta Country Club. This was a great learning experience and where I learned to love power yoga!

My family then moved to Lima, Peru for 2 years serving as missionaries. What an AMAZING place to live! If you ever have an hour, I could tell you some incredible stories of living in Peru, including experiencing the BIG Earthquake of August 2007!

Now here I am, back home in Auburn and really home here at HealthPlus.

What keeps me motivated?

Having instructed for nearly 18 years . . . I must love it! My main reason for teaching/exercising is to help stay in shape and relieve stress. And . . . the best way for me to be motivated to exercise is to have a room full of people depending on me to show up! So, you guys are the reason I don't sit home and eat brownies all day. Yes, you the members are what makes teaching worth the time, effort, money, and energy to come to the gym everyday. HealthPlus has the best staff around and superb members, hands down! Thank you for making my job fun. Now, let’s get busy shaping up!

Personal

• Instructor since 1981
• Group Fitness Director at HealthPlus since we opened
• Group Fitness Certified in 1988
• Psychologist in private practice.
• Originally from Boston, MA
• Moved to Auburn in 1992 from Flagstaff, Arizona
• I have been married to Gilbert for 16 years

What makes me unique?

• We have a one-eyed dog named Lucky!
• We have 6 cats: Hydrox, Autumn, Calicat, Morris, Sox & Stripes. Two live at my office and are training to be therapy cats.
• I have a 8 year old bunny at my office named Honey. She is calico!
• I have run 15 marathons and countless triathlons.
• I am a Weight Watchers life member currently "out on leave!" I’m going to return before my membership expires.
• My dryer shrinks my clothes on a regular basis. Funny, Gilbert's don't shrink… Odd, huh?
• I am writing a book called, "It's not what you got that's the problem, it's what you didn't get."
• Body pump is my new excitement and I love teaching it and taking it.
• I hope to retire when I am 80 and take my last 20 years to rest.

Why I got certified to teach?

Because I can’t dance well but always wanted to so I thought that teaching Hi-Low impact aerobics would be the next most satisfying thing to do!

What motivates me to keep teaching?

The Members! The changes they make, the goals they achieve and the enthusiasm they share!

Words of Wisdom

"Your mother was probably right…mine was!"

HP Instructor since September, 2008

Personal

• Hometown: Pellham, AL
• Senior at Auburn University-Majoring in Human Development & Family Studies
• Have a grey cat named “Spud”
• Love Mexican food, especially Acapulco’s Mexican Restaurant
• Hoping to attend Auburn Nursing School in the Fall of ‘09

Some Things that Make Me “Unique”

Why I joined HP over other gyms?

I decided to join and start teaching at HealthPlus because I have heard so many great things about it. I have noticed that the staff truly goes the extra mile to maintain group fitness. Small issues do matter here and everyone is needed to keep the team at its best. Also, the members are always friendly!

Why did you get certified to teach and what keeps you motivated?

I first wanted to get certified to teach group fitness when I watched all the instructors at the YMCA in Birmingham where I used to work. It looked like a lot of fun and I thoroughly enjoyed attending their classes. Ever since I got certified, it has improved my fitness levels and self-esteem. It makes me want to come to the gym more often. I enjoy helping people and I hope to have the opportunity to do so for the rest of my life!

Member since 2007. Instructor since June 2008

Personal

• Married to wife, Ha, for 15 years and have 4 girls (ages 7 – 14)
• Originally from South Florida (mostly Miami)
• My “real job” is an Internet software engineer for a company based in Utah

Some things that make me "unique"

Before I came to Auburn I was a professional wedding photographer. When I was 19, I worked as a photographer on a cruise ship and I visited countries all over the world before I was 20.

My Story

I joined Health Plus in 2007 to lose some weight and build muscle. I went through the fitness exam, learned how to use the machines and got my work out assignments. I did them faithfully for a few months but the routine started to wear thin so I lost interest. I was working out by myself in a room full of other people who were also working out but everyone else was doing their own routine. The staff was friendly, but I just felt like I was trying to climb a mountain without any help. I came to the gym less and less and by the end of the year I had stopped completely.

In January 2008, I made that “familiar” New Year’s resolution to get into shape so I started coming to the gym regularly again. I decided I would try something new to see if it could hold my interest. I began attending some of the group fitness classes that fit my schedule. First, I tried SuperSculpt with Susan because that seemed the most “manly” choice at the time. I was surprised by how hard it was. I was able to challenge myself in that class and it made me want to increase my weights on the gym floor when I worked out by myself.

I started to attend Boot Camp with Torie and Laura and Circuits with Patrick, Laure and Lyndsey. These classes were incredibly fun! They challenged me to push myself to the edge of my abilities repeatedly. I felt like I had accomplished something and I would be feeling it later. The other class participants were being put through the same thing so I could talk to them about it and test myself against them. I wasn’t in it alone and that meant a lot to me. Each of these instructors are overwhelmingly friendly and positive. I wanted to go to class just to hang out with them because they were fun to spend time with. All these factors “hooked” me on to group fitness.

I started coming to group fitness classes around my weight lifting schedule. I asked someone at the front desk what Zumba was and she pointed me in the direction of the instructor, Becky Anders, who “happened “to be walking by at the time. She told me that it was like a “latin dance” class so I figured I would give it a try even though I didn’t think I could dance!

When you start a class like Zumba or Turbo Jam, you always feel self-conscious about what you look like. But, the honest truth is that no one cares. They are either watching the instructor or themselves in the mirror. Becky was great and I really enjoyed the music so much that after the hour was over I was covered in sweat and I hadn’t even realized I had been working out. For me, Zumba proved to be a fun and energetic alternative to running on the treadmill. I enjoyed it so much that I came to every single class they had. Becky and Christy were so kind and entertaining that they made the classes irresistible.

As the months went by and I became more confident I slowly moved toward the front of the class. Being one of the only men to regularly attend I was easily recognizable by the other members. Robin, the manager of the group fitness instructors, said to Becky that they should ask me to teach. I’m still not sure if it was meant to be a joke or not, but Becky was surprised when I agreed that I just might be interested. I even surprised myself!

As fate would have it, the month that I joined as an instructor the rest of the instructors were scheduled to have a three day training for Body Pump. I’d never heard of it, but I looked it up online and didn’t think it was really for me. However, they had one spot left open for training and I figured it couldn’t hurt to see what it was about. I was wrong. It did hurt. Body Pump training was grueling and it was the hardest I’d worked for any job. But when it was all over, I discovered that it really was fun. It ended up taking the place of my weight training in the gym. It combined weight lifting with group fitness and for me it was a perfect solution to feeling isolated out on the gym floor.

Now after months of trainings, fitness certifications and hospital orientations, I can say that it’s all been worth it. I can only hope that I am now inspiring others to have fun and to not take working out so seriously. I try to take something that is difficult for so many people and turn it into an experience that will be entertaining. I want people to feel good about what they’ve accomplished so they will come back again the next week and beyond. I know that all of the other instructors I had at Health Plus did that for me and I hope I can do the same for other members.

Instructor since 2007

Personal

• Senior at Auburn University majoring in Exercise Science (Pre-Physical Therapy)
• Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa
• My family now lives in Denver, Colorado
• I would like to go to Physical Therapy School when I graduate somewhere on the beach!

Some things that make me "unique"

• I transferred from the University of Denver and played Division 1 Lacrosse there for 2 years
• I have travelled to many different places in the world but my favorites are Botswana and Australia
• I teach Boot Camp, Water Aerobics, Cycling, and Body Pump. Teaching has been the best job I have ever had!

Why join HP over other gyms?

I decided to teach at HP because I really felt that every person in the gym(members and employees) made me feel appreciated! I feel at home when I am at HP and it is such a welcoming place that I feel as though I can teach to the best of my ability.

Why did you get certified to teach and what keeps you motivated to continue?

I started taking group fitness classes after I stopped playing lacrosse because I did not like to workout by myself; I was always with my team. I absolutely loved group fitness, especially cycling and so I decided that I would give teaching a try since I thought I could be very motivating. I got certified in cycling first and taught at the University of Denver for 1 year. Then I moved to Auburn and was hired at HP for cycling, but I also learned to teach water aerobics and boot camp which was so exciting! I think the instructors at HP are fantastic and I have learned so much from every single one of them. Taking the Body Pump certification with everyone has shown me just how motivated we all are and I love the challenge!