Get to KNOW your coach - Sami

Sami started teaching classes at Studio ME back in February 2017. She has been an awesome addition to our team with her wealth of knowledge and experience. You will find Sami teaching STRONG, RowSTRONG, S.L.A.M. and RowENDURANCE.

Tell us a little about how fitness has played a role in your life?

"Ironically, fitness was not a huge part of my life until my early 20’s. Although I rode horses (hunter/jumper for anyone interested) for the majority of life and was in marching band during high school (harder than it looks, thank you very much), I was never much of an “athlete.” Then, while pursuing my BA, my health took a turn for the worse. Migraine headaches, constant colds and infections, considerable weight gain, etc. In my senior year, I finally decided that enough was enough. I hired a personal trainer and learned how to take better care of myself. I started getting sufficient sleep, eating healthy foods, and, of course, working out regularly. The change in my health was incredible! After several years of living a healthier lifestyle, I decided I wanted help other people make this shift as well."

What made you want to become an instructor at Studio ME?

"I actually started as a member! Although I was instructing classes at the University Recreation and Wellness Center, I LOVED kettlebells and wanted more kettlebell training in my life. Once I started taking classes at Studio ME, I also quickly fell in love with the strong sense of community at the studio. Many classes later, Megan found out I was an instructor and personal trainer and the rest, shall we say, is history."

 

What is your favorite exercise that you program into your classes and why?

"Hmmm. That’s a tough one. So many to choose from. But I think I will say walkouts/inchworms. It’s a full-body and functional exercise that seems easy until you do a bunch of them. If you’ve never done a walkout, come to my class! We do them for every warm-up!"

What is a fun fact about yourself that none of the members know?

"I don’t know how “fun” this is, but I’m a cancer survivor. On a more fun note, in addition to having ridden horses since I was seven, I also taught horse riding lessons for six years before moving to Minnesota."

Sami holds the following certifications:

• ACE Personal Trainer
• ACE Group Fitness Instructor
• FAI Functional Aging Specialist
• USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach
• TRX Group Exercise
• Schwinn Indoor Cycling