Meet Instructor Krista Leopold - another of our winners in the Ultimate Instructor Profile contest! Pedal-On members will recognize Krista as GroupFitPower.
Welcome to the Jungle - An introduction to Tabatas is a well thought out profile that you can use to bring this form of very high intensity training (HIT) to your studio.
A little bit about me….
I started in fitness as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer. I've taught nearly every style of group class that has been available in the 13+ years I've been teaching. I also have a dance background and have served as group fitness program director in two of the largest clubs in our area. I live in Charleston, SC with my husband Jason and our two children. When Jason and I were dating, the majority of our "dates" were at the gym, where we'd spend our time together lifting weights. Match made in heaven!
It might not come as a surprise, then, that as a fledgling instructor, my classes fell solidly in the category of "aerobics on a bike." Fortunately, that attitude didn't last, thanks to the incredible team I joined from the beginning. I credit my turnaround and growth as an instructor to my mentor, Spinning® Master Instructor Luciana Marcial-Vincion. Luciana's patience and example have shown me that there is a much better way to both ride the bike, and to deliver class experiences that students want to be a part of.
I'm now a Star 3 Spinning® instructor with a passion for challenging my students to find something meaningful in every pedal stroke. I regularly schedule event rides that explore the mind-body connection. It seems I'm not the only one on a quest for truth and purity and the bike is a wonderful way to explore these concepts. However, the profile I submitted for the Ultimate Instructor Class Profile contest is not one of those rides. The Tabatas profile addresses our students' demands for high-intensity workouts (we have a large Cross-Fit population here in the Lowcountry), but does it in an educational and all-inclusive way. It is exciting and intense and a great challenge for both instructors and students. Just make sure you warn them that it is coming!
Krista teaches at Charleston Ride
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Originally posted 2012-07-15 06:52:00.
John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
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Thanks Krista for a fantastic profile. I condensed this down to fit a 45 minute class and my members have loved it. I have taken it for two different classes to date and got the same response…they “Loved to hate it!!. I spent three weeks preparing the class for the grand finale.
Both classes comprised of varying fitness levels together with beginners and participants who should not be working at such high intensities for medical reasons. I emphasised the importance of being honest with where they are at on the scale and attack the profile accordingly.
This was one of my favourite classes to take. The combined enthusiasm with which everyone approached the challenge was so satisfying. The build up over the three weeks prior had everyone excited before the class about what they were about to attempt. Giving everyone “permission” to work at the level they are prepared for whether it be an all out max effort or just a slight increase/decrease in intensity allowed everyone to walk out feeling successful and a little more educated on another method of improving their fitness. Thank you once again and I will be adding this to my repertoire!!
Fiona! Thank you for your kind words and I’m so glad to know that you were able to use the profile. I love that you built them up to it, not only in one hour, but over a series of classes. That takes patience and is a testimony to your coaching that you were able to build them up so steadily.