by Milinda Atallian
There is something to be said for familiar faces in places you frequent. Especially in a gym setting, consistency is everything. Having cheerleaders and mentors who see you and the challenges you face at every stage of your journey can make all the difference in your success. The HAC is lucky enough to have fourteen group fitness instructors who have been on staff for 15 years or more, supporting thousands of members through each challenge they’ve faced and overcome. The members of the HAC have experienced them for so many years that they now consider them part of their extended families – and certainly their friends.
Leading group fitness classes is about much more than your level of physical fitness or ability to memorize choreography. It takes a certain amount of personality, bravery, willingness to teach, willingness to learn, charisma, confidence, and the desire to inspire others to be the best version of themselves that they can be. The dedication of these instructors to group fitness has helped to set the bar high for all who have followed in their footsteps. But something lit the spark that began their fitness instructing careers. These amazing instructors agreed to answer some questions about their jobs, and here is what they had to say.
Amy Archer (30 Years)
What changes have you seen within the fitness industry over the past 15+ years?
Les Mills’ programming has changed the way we teach and learn. The research that backs their programming makes classes safe and fun for everyone. I do miss the old-fashioned step classes. The individuality, routines, and music selection of instructors made the classes challenging and fun.
What keeps you inspired to continue teaching?
It only takes someone saying how much fun they had, what a good workout it was, or the benefits they see in themselves to make me happy to come back the next week.
Amy Archer holds the title of longest-standing group fitness instructor at HAC.
Stephanie Jacobs (26 Years)
What is the first format that you got certified in?
My first certification was a general fitness certification, and I taught step classes. Over the years, I got certified in kickboxing, CardioSport, and multiple Les Mills formats. The kickboxing certification was taught by a professional kickboxer who wanted to train me and put me in a ring to compete! (I declined that offer!)
When you are not teaching, what is your favorite class to take and why?
I wish I had the time to take many other classes! When I get the chance, I like taking Mind/Body classes since that is a format I don’t teach. By taking a format I don’t already teach, I am able to relax and not think about what comes next!
What keeps you inspired to continue teaching?
The members keep me inspired. I want to provide a great class each and every class I teach. I love watching members improve their fitness levels. I love hearing the success stories and knowing I can impact their success.
What changes have you seen within the fitness industry over the past 15+ years?
Lots of changes over the years! That is part of the reason I like the Les Mills formats. I know Les Mills performs a lot of research and provides education on the changes that are constantly evolving in the fitness industry. I have watched the focus of group fitness shift from purely cardio (the days of aerobics classes) to adding more strength training into the choreography.
Beth Engler (26 Years)
Beyond instructing, how do you stay connected to the members during your
classes?
Eye contact, smiling, and the occasional bad joke.
What keeps you inspired to continue teaching?
The members. In my classes, the people are always helping each other. They help the new person. They aren’t territorial about a certain spot or piece of equipment.
Gina Reich (25 Years)
What is something that you admire about another instructor’s teaching style?
There are many different teaching styles, I can’t pick one that I like more than another. All of the instructors at HAC make their job look easy because they love their job and it shows.
What keeps you inspired to continue teaching?
HAC is loaded with awesome instructors, personal trainers, management, and those behind the scenes. Together, they make HAC a fun place to work.
In addition to teaching Group Fitness classes for members, Gina works for EPIC Delaware, an organization that facilitates social fitness opportunities for people with disabilities. She also carries out her EPIC work right here at the club.
Bob Davis (22 Years)
What is something that you admire about another instructor’s teaching style?
Naturalness and voice articulation.
What keeps you inspired to continue teaching?
The enthusiasm of my class participants.
As a seasoned yoga instructor, Bob is most fond of classes that provide a well-rounded experience, from the workout itself to the instructor’s tone and style.
Ricardo Narvaez (21 Years)
What keeps you inspired to continue teaching?
How great participants feel and continue to improve after taking my classes. I have enjoyed teaching Pilates and Yoga classes for over 25 years.
Beyond instructing, how do you stay connected to the members during your
classes?
Always make myself available for anyone who might have questions.
Ricardo’s first certification was in Pilates and Yoga, which is why Ricardo is so well-versed in both formats!
Conci Rosa (19 Years)
When you are not teaching, what is your favorite class to take and why?
There has to be a very good reason for me to miss Amy Kuplinski’s Intense Intervals class on Wednesday morning. I never know what she has in store for us, but I know it will be challenging, fast-paced, and well-planned.
What is something that you admire about another instructor’s teaching style?
I love the encouragement and modifications that Milinda, Renee, and Greta are always providing. Not only are they demonstrating the moves, but they are coaching participants in both physical and mental aspects. I love Tina’s energy in Step, and I wish my knees allowed me to do more of it!
What is your favorite format to teach?
I love to teach Tabata or bootcamp-type classes. I love the flexibility that high-intensity interval training allows when targeting various body parts in short intervals.
What keeps you inspired to continue teaching?
The friendships I have made with the instructors and the participants keep me motivated and accountable. When I moved back to Delaware after living overseas for six years, it was my membership at HAC that helped me with the transition the most. I knew when I walked in there, I would not only see familiar faces, but I was so excited to meet many more. Now that both my children are in college, I hope to be able to sub more classes as my calendar has more empty spaces!
Outside of the Les Mills classes that are choreographed, the HAC offers many “freestyle” classes that our talented instructors craft together themselves. This takes time, effort, and aforethought, but many of our instructors who teach both Les Mills classes and freestyle classes appreciate the freedom of doing their own thing.
Amy Kuplinski (17 Years)
What is something that you admire about another instructor’s teaching style?
Stephanie works hard to learn choreography, and it shows. She is always able to maintain focus.
Beyond instructing, how do you stay connected to the members during your
classes?
It’s important to get to know them on a personal level. Then, there’s always a connection. Joking with participants is a regular occurrence during class. I always want class to be fun!
What keeps you inspired to continue teaching?
I’ve been there a long time and would miss the members if I stopped. I love the teaching aspect. My full-time job is in fitness, so I can share that knowledge with HAC members.
How many certifications do you hold today?
- NASM-CPT
- BodyPump
- Strength Development
- TRX
- TRX RIP
- SCW Kettlebells
- Functional Movement Screen 1 (FMS)
- NASM CPT Women’s Fitness Specialist
- Institute of Motion Applied Health and Human Performance Specialist 1
Beyond her high standards of coaching/teaching, you can often find Amy K. connecting with members outside of class, in the café, and even at an occasional happy hour that she puts together for her class regulars.
Amanda Axe (17 Years)
What is your favorite format to teach?
I enjoy teaching more of a traditional barre class. My approach to teaching barre is rooted in tradition, focusing on classical techniques and principles. This traditional style emphasizes precise form, alignment, and controlled movements, staying true to the time-honored methods of ballet/Pilates/yoga.
When you are not teaching, what is your favorite class to take and why?
I love taking other barre classes! One of the most enriching aspects of being an instructor is the opportunity to learn from other barre instructors. Each instructor brings their own unique style and perspective to their classes, which significantly shapes the experience for members.
What keeps you inspired to continue teaching?
It has been a great joy teaching at HAC! I began in the café the first day HAC opened their doors. It was during my time in the café that I started to explore my love for fitness more seriously. What began as a personal interest in exercise soon evolved into a deep-seated passion for group fitness. The more I engaged in different fitness classes and routines, the more I realized how much I enjoyed the energy of a group setting and the motivation it provided. Transitioning to group fitness has been a dream. I’m inspired by our amazing members, it has been a pleasure getting to know so many. As I continue on this journey, my goal remains to inspire and nurture a love for movement. Through barre, I hope to instill a sense of grace and strength in each of my students, helping them to not only enhance their physical abilities but also to appreciate the artistry of dance in their daily lives.
Musulain Toomer (17 Years)
When you are not teaching, what is your favorite class to take?
I love Zumba. I love to dance and learn different genres of dance. Dancing makes me happy and alive.
What keeps you inspired to continue teaching?
The people. I am so inspired by so many of our members. I look forward to going to work every day. Seeing the smile on their faces brings me joy. Listening to their stories makes me want to be a better instructor.
What inspired you to become a group fitness instructor?
I fell in love with fitness when I was 18 years old. I saw how it made me feel and the benefits it provided. I wanted to share my love for fitness with others in the hopes that they feel amazing as well.
Helena Mills (16 Years)
What inspired you to become a group fitness instructor?
I always loved taking fitness classes and wanted to share how fun it can be and possible to fit into our busy lives in some shape or form to stay healthy.
What changes have you seen within the fitness industry over the past 15+ years?
More at-home workouts, more gyms opening up now as fitness industry recovers from COVID, more interest in less strenuous programs like body balance with a connection to mental health.
What keeps you inspired to continue teaching?
The incredible feedback from participants, their passion and energy, and the incredible support from all involved at the facility
Rita Crowley (15 Years)
What inspired you to become a group fitness instructor?
I was working out at Pike Creek Fitness and found that group classes taught me so much and motivated me so much more than working out by myself. I looked up to the instructors’ knowledge regarding form and the care they showed to the participants. After a couple of years of attending classes, I realized that I, too, had the skills and desire to help people get and stay fit.
What changes have you seen within the fitness industry over the past 15+ years?
I’ve noticed that functional training is really important in today’s world, and it makes sense! There are a lot more exercise apps, exercise tracking apps, and many more offerings for group fitness classes. Twenty years ago, Step, Strength and basic Spin classes prevailed, and now Les Mills has so many more offerings.
What keeps you inspired to continue teaching?
HAC speaks for itself….The members, the employees, the facility, and HAC’s commitment to the community…It is a class act and has changed so many people’s lives for the better over the past 17 years. HAC has every age group covered with offerings from infants learning to swim to youth classes to classes for people of age and everyone in between. HAC has a plethora of opportunities to get and stay fit. How much healthier our community is because of HAC!
Jess Bannan (15 Years)
What is your favorite format to teach?
This is tough. I love BodyCombat. It was my first Les Mills certification, and I feel like a bada** when class is over. Plus it provides me an outlet to foster my alter ego 🙂 But I do love teaching Barre. It’s a completely different challenge. Sometimes, I sweat more in a Barre class than I do in a cardio format. I can feel the effects of the class right away. Plus, I can create my own music playlist. Gathering requests from participants or allowing for some self-expression.
If you’ve taken one of Jess’s amazing Body Combat classes, you know that she is a sweet yet fierce straight shooter.
What changes have you seen within the fitness industry over the past 15+ years?
The waves of “fad” exercises are sometimes funny. It’s like watching the “Evolution of Dance” comedy skit. The saddest change was the shift to online classes during the pandemic. Listening to instructors react to emojis floating across their screens isn’t motivating or inspirational. (Honestly, if you’re doing the workout, how are you able to send a smiley face???) To me, group fitness is about socialization and motivating one another to go beyond what you thought you were capable of.
What keeps you inspired to continue teaching?
The members. Their stories, questions, energy, and song/exercise requests. There are days I just don’t feel like it. We all have them. But showing up to a class, being around others, and feeding off the energy of those around me shifts endorphins into overdrive, and then I don’t want to leave.
Tina Occhilupo (15 Years)
When you are not teaching, what is your favorite class to take and why?
Barre or Yoga. Because I need stretching and Yin. I’m old now.
If you have ever had the pleasure of taking Tina’s classes, you know that no matter how many years she has under her belt, she is young at heart, spry with her moves, and always puts on a show for her participants.
Beyond instructing, how do you stay connected to the members during your
class/es?
Telling stories or cracking jokes.
Tina is a real-life rockstar on the weekends and often sings to her class.
What keeps you inspired to continue teaching?
Definitely the positive feedback and smiling faces!!
If you haven’t already taken a class taught by one of these dedicated instructors, you should! With years of experience, knowledge, continued education, and a wealth of information, you will walk out of their class knowing that you were taught by someone well-versed in what they do.
Beyond that, their passion has been perpetual for over 15 years, and their loyalty to HAC and its members is commendable.
Thank you for your many years of group fitness instruction. The HAC is lucky to have you. We acknowledge you and appreciate everything you have and will continue to do to add value to our wonderful club.
