Cyndi Maston

Walk into Elevate on any given day and listen for a few minutes. Chances are good you’ll begin to hear it — someone moaning about her sore glutes, screaming quads or aching biceps, while someone else expresses disbelief that he managed to knock out one more burpee or two more push-ups at the end of a 45-minute class. Wait a little longer, and you’ll probably hear them utter one word: Cyndi.

Cyndi Maston has a reputation for dishing up some of Elevate’s most challenging classes, and after nearly three decades in the fitness industry, there’s no question she knows how to work a body out.

You’ve been working in fitness for a long time now; how do you maintain your enthusiasm and keep your classes fresh?

Exercise is something I’ve always loved. It’s fun to go to conferences, gather ideas and then make them my own.I enjoy guiding people through their fitness journeys. I want clients to enjoy their workouts and get a different workout in every class, and I try to hit all their muscles every time.

 What changes have you witnessed over the years in the way that people get fit?

When I started in the fitness industry 30 years ago, instructors didn’t have to be certified. Eventually, some of the gyms started putting together their own certification programs, and then the industry began to offer certifications as well, which was good. Every certification you receive provides more training and offers more ideas.** Obviously, there are many different ways to work out, but whatever new course or type of exercise I learn, I customize and adjust it to my clients’ needs.

Speaking of clients, you have a reputation for leading classes that are quite challenging, yet people return week after week. How do you strike the balance between getting the most out of people and scaring them away?

There are those people who don’t come back, but that’s okay, because a hard-core class is clearly not a good fit for them. I make it a point to know my classes – what people are looking for and the level of difficulty they can handle. I love the challenge of giving people a workout that really tests them and works them as hard as they want to be worked. For example, I know that the people in my 5:45 a.m. class love to be pushed, so I’m always thinking about ways I can tweak exercises to make them a little tougher or different.

 It’s important to remember, however, that whatever the exercise, there are always options. And I don’t want people to stop – ever – I want them to modify the exercise or slow down, but keep going.

I have always loved group classes – they’re my favorite. There’s so much more motivation in a group…the collective energy just sucks you in and carries you along. When you’re working hard with other people, it motivates you to do the best you can.

What, in your opinion, are the elements that make up a great workout?

A full-body workout – a mix of cardio and strength training – is the best. I like to give clients a well-rounded experience. And the second element is familiarity. I find it extremely helpful to know my clients when planning a class – it helps me to gauge the level of difficulty I should program into the exercises.

What would you say to those who argue they aren’t fit enough to go to the gym or work out regularly?

Oh, come on, let’s go! Seriously, it’s just not true. Everyone had to start somewhere, and everyone can work out – the exercise just has to be appropriate to their level of fitness.

When you’re starting out, you need to concentrate on your form and understand the point of the exercises, and you need to go more than once a week. Embrace the process, commit to it and you will see results.

** Cyndi’s certifications: AFAA Certified since 1987; Les Mills BodyPump; Les Mills BodyFlow; CXWORX; Outdoor Boot Camp; Pilate’s Mat work Specialty Certifications; Certified Personal Trainer; YogaFit Instructor; TRX; CPR.

 

If you spend any time at all around Elevate, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Kelly St. Cyr. And before you see her, you’ll probably hear her, shouting encouragement to a private training client, urging members of a Spin class to dig a little deeper, or just sharing a laugh with a fellow club member. Kelly’s smile and positive personality are part and parcel of Elevate, yet just a few years ago, you wouldn’t have found her anywhere near a gym.

Q: As little as five years ago, fitness, exercise and eating healthy weren’t a part of your daily routine, and now you’re a fitness instructor and certified personal trainer. What started you on this journey?

A: I have two kids and one day I realized that I was a bystander in their lives. When they were playing, I was sitting on the sidelines because I wasn’t in good enough shape to join them. The only time I played with them was when I could sit on the floor, and then it was tough to get up. I decided I wanted to be more actively involved in their lives, and I knew the only way I could do that was to become healthier and fitter.

The team at Nutrition in Motion helped set me on the path to health. They taught me how to eat foods for fuel and educated me as to how to eat well. Then I began to feel great by putting good foods into my body.

Q:  What was the scariest part of starting to work out?

A:  To be honest, I wasn’t scared to start working out at all. I’d been doing a bit of dance exercise, so I’d broken the ice in that way, and then I met Jeff Cushman, a great trainer who also works at Elevate. He changed my fitness life – he set me on the path to success, encouraged me and taught me how to train safely and effectively. And now he’s a colleague at Elevate!

Before too long, I started taking Spinning classes and I really enjoyed them – it was a great cardio workout that didn’t kill my knees like running did. Then I began to think, ‘I could teach these classes.’ I knew I didn’t look like the typical Spinning instructor, but that just fueled my ambition to try, because I want to show people that ‘fit’ can come in many different shapes and sizes. So, I got my Spinning certification, and then my personal training certification, and here I am!

Q:  What are the biggest changes you’ve noticed since committing yourself to a fit lifestyle?

A:  Honestly, I still struggle to see changes in my body – I’m not where I want to be, but I’m not where I used to be either.I feel so much better. Before I started working out, I didn’t think that I felt badly, but now I realize that I did.

The biggest changes I’ve experienced, however, have been mental rather than physical. I’m a lot stronger person – I need to be there for my clients and for myself. It sounds crazy, but bicep curls have helped my brain. When you are working out and you get to the point of exhaustion and think, ‘I’m done, I can’t do anymore,’ and then you manage to do two more, you’ve just grown a little bit.

Q: You’re clearly a very positive person and a big advocate of support and encouragement. How does that attitude synch up with the environment at Elevate?

A: I know it sounds like a cliché, but Elevate is special – it’s not your typical big-box gym. When I walk through the doors, I don’t feel like I’m in some sort of competition and I don’t feel embarrassed. I just feel like I can be who I am, at my level, on that day.

I always tell my students, ‘Don’t compare yourself to others. It’s you against yourself, and no matter where you are in your journey, you’re going to inspire someone else.’ Everyone at Elevate is rooting for each other – it’s just a fantastic environment.

Q:  What would you tell people who say, ‘I’m just too out of shape to work out’?

A: You have to allow yourself to be a beginner. Find your strengths – because everyone has them – and also find what you need to work on. I try to show people their strengths and encourage them to build on their success, even though progress may seem slow in the beginning. I like to focus on ‘non-scale victories,’ and by that I mean don’t focus on losing weight alone. Think about how you feel and enjoy growing stronger, becoming more flexible, noticing that your clothes are a little looser this month than last.

Whatever you choose to do, stick with it and challenge yourself. Make the commitment, but also allow yourself the time to grow and change. It’s worth it!

Walk through Elevate’s doors on any given day and you’re likely to see Jeff Cushman’s smiling face behind the desk or out on the floor leading a class or personal training session. A fitness veteran with a B.S. in Health Fitness and more than two decades of experience under his belt, Jeff brings an energetic blend of hard work and infectious enthusiasm to every fitness encounter.

Q:  You say that you enjoy helping people get fit so that they can live happier lives. In your experience, what’s the biggest obstacle to people getting into shape?

A:  The number one reason is education, without a doubt. Many people would like to get in better shape, but they have questions about how to do it safely and effectively – for their age group, current fitness level, possible injuries (if any), etc. If they don’t know how to get the information they need, they’re much less likely to commit to exercising as well as much more apt to get injured.

Many people also find the gym intimidating, so they come in a few times, run on the treadmill and lift a few weights, and then never come back because they don’t get any direction or guidance on what to do.

That’s why Elevate’s Small Group classes are so great. They’re a very affordable alternative to personal training and small enough to give participants some accountability and personal supervision by the instructor. When I’m teaching a small group class, I can keep an eye on every person in the room and help them with modifications to exercises, corrections to form and general encouragement.

Q:  Speaking of encouragement, your classes are great – high energy and a lot of fun. As an instructor, how do you maintain your enthusiasm class after class, year after year?

A:  I work off the people in class – I get a lot of energy back. That’s also the job; you’ve got to bring it to every class because you have to be able to motivate people at some level. If I don’t make the workout fun and engaging, people won’t come back.

It’s also incredibly gratifying to watch people grow stronger and more self-confident with every workout.

Q:   What’s your favorite thing about working in the fitness industry?

A:  Seeing people improve. I make my clients’ lives better every day – whether it’s helping them get a little more cardio into their day, relieve some stress, work through an injury, lose weight or gain self-confidence.

Q:   What are the top three things you think that people should know about exercising?

A:   1)Everyone can do it. Everyone can work out at some level, whether it’s walking in the neighborhood or working out at the gym. The key is to find the activities that work best for you.

2)  You need guidance. Everyone needs to find a workout that works for them. You need to look at what you enjoy, what you’re trying to accomplish, what challenges you have, and where you’re starting from. To get a good exercise program going, you need to educate yourself, and that’s where a good instructor can really help.

3)You need to make it easy for yourself to exercise. By this I mean you’ve got to make your workouts as easy as possible to complete – find a gym that’s convenient to your home or office; lay your gym clothes out the night before; find an accountability buddy – whatever it takes to help you establish a routine and stick to it. From time to time, we’re all guilty of making exercise too much work, but if you want to stay fit and healthy, you have got to move!

Sue Greaney

When it comes to fitness, there isn’t much Sue Greaney hasn’t seen or done. An instructor for over two decades, Sue brings experience, enthusiasm and a ton of hands-on experience to every class or personal training session she offers at Elevate.

She recently took a few minutes out of her day to share a bit about her background and motivation.

Q:            What was it that initially drew you to the fitness industry?

A:            Three little kids! I participated in sports throughout high school. After I had my kids, I continued to work out. It always felt really good, and I jokingly told my husband that when the kids were in school, I was going to work out all day every day. At the time, however, I had no idea I’d become a fitness instructor.

But when the kids started school, I started working out at Hampshire Hills and discovered spinning. I liked it, decided to get certified to teach, and I was on my way.

Q:            You’ve been teaching fitness courses for 21 years now – how do you maintain your enthusiasm and keep bringing energy to your classes year after year?

A:            I never stop learning. I love going to conferences and getting certified in new things.**

It’s important to change up your routine from time to time – it keeps things interesting and helps you remain engaged. I get bored just like everyone else does, so I’m always trying new types of exercise or twists on old standbys like the BOSU and Step.

Q:            What, in your opinion, is the most important thing for people to know about exercising?

A:            You’ve got to do it! Consistency is key, and it’s important to find things that you love, or at least like well enough to stick with over the long haul. I always tell my students that while you may not love exercising, you’ll always love the way you feel afterwards.

It doesn’t matter how you move – dance, walk, bike, hike, run – you’ve just got to move!

Q:            How would you respond to those who say, ‘I’m not athletic,’ or ‘I’m not coordinated’ or ‘I’m not a gym person’?

A:            So what?! You don’t have to be coordinated or athletic to work out. You don’t have to be flexible to do yoga. You just have to be willing to try, and then find an activity you enjoy.

            In my book, ‘Can’t’ is a four-letter word for ‘will not try.’

Q:            If you could encourage people to do one thing for themselves, what would it be?

A:            Step outside of your comfort zone – it’s the only way you’ll get fitter. If you don’t try something, you won’t know if you like it or can do it. Don’t play it safe!

Q:            When it comes to gyms, what do you think makes Elevate special?

A:            There’s a real family atmosphere here – everyone’s very warm and welcoming. When you join Elevate, you become part of a community that includes individuals from every fitness level.

            I also like the gym’s smaller size because it enables me to get to know everyone who trains with me. This familiarity allows me to provide more personalized, and effective, instruction. For example, I know if a member has an injury and needs an exercise to be adjusted in some way.

            People also cross-train more here than at any other gym I’ve worked at – our members tend to really mix it up, doing P90X one day, Spinning the next, and maybe doing yoga after that. They’re very well-rounded in their approach to fitness.

**Sue’s list of certifications reads like an exercise phone book: Group Exercise Instructor (AFAA); Personal Trainer (AFAA); Advanced Personal Trainer (Fitness Resource Associates); Les Mills BodyPump; Les Mills BodyStep; Les Mills BodyCombat; Les Mills BodyFlow; Les Mills Bodyside; Les Mills CXWorx; Thomas the Promise Kickboxing; YogaFit Level 1; YogaFit Level 2; YogaFit Level 3; YogaFit Level 4; YogaFit Level 5; YogaFit Seniors; YogaFit Pre-natal/Post-partum; YogaFit Anatomy & Alignment; 200-Hour Yoga Alliance Approved Teacher Training Cert.; YogaFit Restorative Yoga; YogaFit YogaSweat (hot yoga); Spinning Star 3 Instructor; Silver Sneakers Muscular Strength and Range of Movement; Primary Pilates (AFAA); Pilates Mapwork Specialty Certification; TRX; PiYo LIVE; INSANITY LIVE; P90X LIVE; PILOXING BARRE; CPR/AED.

 

written by Lori Ferguson www.writerloriferguson.com

Elise Huffman – Elevate Instructor & Personal Trainer

Elise Huffman hasn’t always been a regular gym-goer. In fact, she says, she didn’t get into fitness until she was 41 years old. Prior to that, Huffman says she approached exercise like many do — joining a gym, going for a few months and then dropping out, yo-yo dieting all the while.

Those days are over. Today, Elise is an NSCA Certified Personal Trainer; a certified instructor in Pound Fit, PiYo, Piloxing SSP, and Piloxing Barre; and a certified Girls on Guard self-defense instructor. Her new mantra: Fitness is empowering and women over 40 can be fabulous.

Elise recently took a few minutes out of her day to talk about her journey to health and her desire to help others achieve their fitness goals.

Q:            What is it you like about working out?

A:            I wasn’t an active child – I didn’t play outside and I wasn’t involved in any sports. By the age of 40, I was overweight and unhealthy and I knew it was time to make a change. I started watching what I ate and working out by myself every day, using Leslie Sansone’s ‘Walk At Home’ program. I kept at it and eventually I lost 70 lbs.

Then I started working with a personal trainer who introduced me to weight lifting and other forms of exercise. I discovered that my body was strong and could do much more than I had realized. I learned how to do new things and do them well, and it was empowering!

Around age 40, a lot of people start slowing down and their lives begin to get smaller, but for me, life began at 40, and I believe it can happen for others. Our 40s are a good time to make life bigger, because we’re old enough to appreciate what we’ve got.

Q:            You’ve employed healthy eating and exercise to come back from an illness, too, right?

A:            Yes. I suffered from hypothyroidism, and when we relocated from Texas to New Hampshire several years ago, the stress of the move got the best of me. I was bedridden for 6 months and had zero energy. I regained the entire 70 lbs. I had lost – it was awful and very depressing, as I had worked really hard to lose that weight and get fit.

            Then someone told me about ‘The Right Weigh,’ a program offered by Nutrition in Motion in Bedford. I really didn’t want to go on another diet, but I also knew I wasn’t healthy and had to do something. So, I reluctantly joined the program and after a few weeks, I knew I had made the right decision.

The program is amazing – it addresses the whole person and forces you to look at yourself inside and out. Suddenly I had a team of people – a nurse practitioner, a registered dietician and a mental health counselor – dedicated to helping me realize success. And I have! Since May of last year, I’ve lost the 70 lbs. that I gained plus another 15. I’ve gone from 217 lbs. to 130 lbs., and I’m the fittest I’ve ever been.

Q:            As a fitness instructor and personal trainer, what’s your philosophy in working with people?

A:            My emphasis is three-part: safe, smart and progressive. First and foremost, I want my clients to know that their safety is my paramount concern — I always have their best interests at heart. I also want to be smart about our time together. I like to be specific with clients regarding their goal and the steps we will take to achieve it. And finally, I like my workouts to be progressive, not only from Day 1 to Day 30, but also over the course of every class. I go into every training session with a goal in mind and then work throughout the course of the class to achieve that goal.

Q:            Anything new you’re particularly excited about?

A:            Yes! I’ve just started teaching a new class at Elevate, Barre Bells, and it’s great! It’s a full-body workout and it’s tough. We use the barre and light weights/high reps to work the entire body over the course of the hour. It’s hard when you’re in it, but you feel really good when you’re done!

Q:            What message would you like people to carry away from your classes and training sessions?

A:            Women over 40 can still be vibrant and sexy and learn new things. You don’t have to be invisible! I would love to see more women my age finding themselves and embracing life.

Find your joy, whatever it is. Be proud of who you are and live life on your own terms!