If you’re a regular at Elevate, you know John Faggiano. A wiry guy with an impish grin and an encyclopedic knowledge of music, he can regularly be found leading a challenging session of Spin, a small group class or a personal training session. 

It’s evident that John’s comfortable and happy in the gym, but it’s a passion-based pursuit that he’s only returned to in recent years. 

Q: Much of your professional life was spent in the musical field – you played drums professionally for many years and taught drums and percussion. What made you decide to become a personal trainer?

A:  My two passions have always been music and sports, so it was a pretty easy decision. I started working out when I was young. I’ve always enjoyed exercise – I came from an athletic family and I was intrigued by TV fitness personality Jack LaLanne. I even own the Charles Atlas course – remember the guy on the back of the comic books who promised to keep you from being a weakling who gets sand kicked in your face?

 As a kid, I was active in the Boys Club gym programs, and in high school I wrote workout programs for friends.

I started college as a physical education major, then decided to pursue my love of drums and music instead. I ended up working in music – performing and instructing – for most of my adult life. As I got older, however, moving back toward working in fitness seemed like a natural progression.

Q: Do you find there are similarities between teaching music and teaching fitness courses?

A: Absolutely. In both cases, you must understand pedagogy. Whether you’re teaching a person to play the drums or to get in better shape, you must have the knowledge to put that individual on a path that leads to improvement.

I’ve trained musicians in groups for years, so leading a small group class or a personal training session in the gym is a natural fit for me. I’m comfortable being in front of people and I know how to run a class effectively and motivate participants. It’s a delicate balance – you’ve got to give your students enough to satisfy them, while also keeping them hungry for more.

Q: What do you view as the most important components of any workout experience?

A: A great workout is the primary thing, as well as a desire to come back.

I’ve learned a great deal through watching other instructors at Elevate. They’re very good at what they do, so I’ve picked up a lot of tips.

Q: What should someone coming to one of your classes expect?

A: Plenty of attention to detail in terms of form! I try to give people in my classes a lot of individual attention, address any questions or injuries they might have, that sort of thing. When you’re taking a class with me, I want you to get a great workout, have time to recover and walk away with information you can use outside the gym.

Q: If a person can only do one thing a day to improve her fitness, what would you recommend she do?

A:  Walking is great exercise and something you can do anywhere, and push-ups are a terrific, go-to exercise, as they involve the entire body.  If you don’t have a lot of time, intensity in your workout is the key. If you want to realize metabolic changes in your body, intensity trumps duration. It also helps to be clear on your goals – are you working out to lose weight, stay healthy, maintain flexibility, lessen stress? Regardless of your reasons, you need to take a holistic approach to fitness.           

Being healthy and fit isn’t just about going to the gym and working hard, you also need to think about nutrition and your attitude. It’s one big package.

 

Melissa Hopf is well-known to most of the Elevate community. A popular Spinning instructor and former gym co-owner, Hopf is renowned for her themed Spin playlists and challenging workout calendar – it’s hard to find a weekend where she isn’t competing in some sort of Fun Run or team challenge.

But surprisingly, Melissa hasn’t always felt at home in the gym.

Q:  You haven’t always been a person who exercises regularly. In fact, until a few years ago, you didn’t work out much at all. What changed?

A:  I really don’t know. About 10 years ago, I realized that although I was having a lot of fun, I was uncomfortable in my body. Then I saw an ad for personal training in The Hippo Press and thought, ‘There’s got to be a better way to feel.’ So I signed up. That got the ball rolling, and then about five years ago I discovered Anatomic, the predecessor to Elevate. The most significant part of my transformation began when I started working out here.

Q: What was the most surprising change you experienced when you began working out regularly?

A: I noticed a mental change right away. When I first started exercising, I went into every situation thinking, ‘I can’t do this.’ But then I began working out and discovered that I could do many things, both mentally and physically. I continue to build on that knowledge as I take on new challenges.

Q: Working out is one thing, but becoming an instructor is another level of commitment altogether. What moved you to take that next step?

A: I’m shy and reserved and while I began to enjoy taking classes once I started exercising, it never occurred to me that I would ever want to teach.

But when I started Spinning, I fell in love with the music and the focus on individual effort and thought teaching was something I could do. I have always been a lover of music – the way it can trigger memories, enhance a mood, elicit emotion, etc., so I love that I can use it as a tool in my classes. Whether I’m using songs with uplifting or motivational lyrics or just a driving beat, the playlist is extremely important to me, and I hope that shows.

I also felt teaching would challenge me to come out of my shell a bit more, which it has.

Q: How do you motivate yourself when you just don’t feel like working out?

A: I really try to focus on how good I will feel when the workout’s done. I know that when I exercise, I feel better — mentally and physically – so that’s where I concentrate my attention.

It’s also important to work out in a supportive environment, which is why Elevate is so great. You know when you walk in the door that there are people you want to see, and they want to see you as well. That’s huge. It’s like a whole community of workout buddies.

I’ve also done a lot of reading about the effects of exercise on depression and anxiety and have learned that exercise can be as effective as antidepressants in treating both conditions. So, I keep that in the back of my mind, too.

Q: How has your life changed since you committed yourself to a healthy lifestyle?

A: I have more self-confidence. I’ve lost that ‘I can’t’ attitude because I’ve seen what my body can do. I’ve learned that I am responsible for my own health and well-being. If I don’t put in the work, nothing will change. It’s fun and motivating to work out with others, but in the end, it’s a solo endeavor. The outcome you realize is a direct result of the dedication and work you put into your routine.

And of course, the physical changes have been big, too, which is rewarding.

My family is not an active, healthy group of people, something that’s made me acutely aware of the importance of taking care of my body now, so that I will be healthy in the future. It doesn’t need to be all about going to the gym, either – you just need to move.

Q: What, for you, makes Elevate a special place?

A: Its size, the members and the sense of community that permeates the place. Everyone there has an attitude of inclusivity – every member is welcomed and encouraged, no matter the level of fitness. It’s not the type of gym where you just pay your dues, take your class and leave. It’s a social place where people genuinely care, and every member wants every other member to succeed.

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!