Meet Our FHITspiration: Jenn

Meet our latest FHITspiration, Jenn! Jenn started working out at Fhitting Room in 2016 and has remained a dedicated FHIXer even after a move across state lines. Fhitting Room has been a part of her fitness story for many years, and her recent 30-day hard challenge reignited her love for LIVE! classes. Read more about Jenn’s dedication to her fitness journey, her thoughts on balancing fitness + kids, and some of Jenn’s favorite Fhitting Room memories below. 

Please tell us a little about your fitness journey.
I always played sports and was active throughout my life. When I moved to the city after college – prior to the boutique fitness studio boom – I joined a gym and regularly did cardio and took group classes. I became a regular in some cycling classes and formed a circle of friends from class. From time to time, I took pilates, barre, yoga, and lifted free weights in the gym and always maintained a physique that felt good enough. 

How did you find Fhitting Room?
I found Fhitting Room in 2016 when I was 5 months postpartum with my first child. A few of my friends and I were on ClassPass and they took a Fhitting Room class and recommended I try it. I was hooked right away. Ironically, my first class was with Eric and I immediately recognized him from a NYSC kettlebell class from years prior. Training with Eric (and Dara!) meant that not only was I getting a great workout, but I was also learning all the proper form. In a few short months, I also got my husband hooked. I was taking 3 classes a week, and not only had my pre-pregnancy body back, it was leaner and more toned than ever before.

How have you managed to keep Fhitting Room part of your workout routine even after moving away from New York City?
One of the hardest parts about leaving the city was leaving our routine at Fhitting Room behind. My husband and I used to have “dates” where we’d go into the city to take a class. We were thrilled when we could take LIVE! classes at home especially during COVID. I joined a gym in New Jersey that I found to be similar to Fhitting Room (a silver medal!), and it was clear from the start that I was prepared for whatever exercises the trainer threw my way. We were ecstatic when Fhitting Room opened at Drop Fitness just 15 minutes from our home, and it quickly became part of our life again. Most recently, I have discovered a love for the early morning LIVE! classes. They hold me accountable and I love that I can do them in my home gym. 

What do you love about a Fhitting Room class?
Fhitting Room is just the cream of the crop when it comes to programming. The workouts are always meticulously prescribed for maximum results. I also have always loved the focus on form. Not only is each movement thoughtfully demonstrated, the corrections provided throughout always leave me feeling more knowledgeable and less prone to injury.

How does Fhitting Room help you train for life?
I am stronger physically since I started incorporating HIIT workouts in my routine. I am stronger mentally. I appreciate both the organization and segmentation of each work out. I think this is a parallel for life. Often if you think of a whole task, working out for 45 minutes, it may seem daunting, however when you break it up into manageable parts it actually allows you to work harder and focus more carefully on each part. 

What’s been something that you are proud of accomplishing since you started taking class?
I am truly proud of the knowledge base I have because of Fhitting Room. It has truly become a lifestyle for me. My kids have grown up watching me prioritize movement and fitness, and hope that is something they will take with them throughout their life. 

Do you have a favorite Fhitting Room memory?
When my daughter was young, my husband and I used to take Saturday morning classes, back to back, 9AM and 10AM. Sometimes that meant sprinting home, so the other could get to class on time. Later on, we would bring her, and do the hand off in person. One morning, Eric decided to push her through the studio in her red push car. It became something we talked about for years. 

Do you have any fitness goals that you are working on?
After the holidays, I always feel like I need a reset to get back on track. A group of friends decided we would do a 30-day hard challenge. This was designed to step up our regular fitness schedule by requiring 5 workouts and 5 outdoor walks a week. I had a few goals: 

1. Make a habitual change: I tend to go to bed later and sleep in. Since I needed to workout for one and half hours a day, I quickly realized I would need to get one done before my kids woke up. I started taking some 6AM classes on LIVE! and sort of fell in love. The days that my workout is done early frees up my mind and my day to tackle all my other responsibilities. It also, in turn, made me tired earlier, so I could go to bed at a decent hour. 
2. See a change: Stepping up my workouts, drinking a ton more water, and eliminating cheat meals allowed me to see some physical changes in a short period of time. 
3. Take time to focus on me: As a mom, we are always trying to squeeze in time for ourselves around our kids. This challenge forced me to spend a little more time taking care of myself and my health. The outdoor walks, in the freezing temps (!!) ended up being the absolute best part. I underestimated how much a walk can clear your head and reset the day. 

What made you decide to start an Instagram account dedicated to fitness?
I have always been fairly active on Instagram, however at one point it felt out of sync with my other “mom” content. I decided that I wanted a place to blog about my wellness, and fitness journey. I really believe it’s all about balance and I hope to show people that through my Instagram. I am not sure where this journey in fitness will take me, but I am tackling it on a daily basis.  

What motivates you to stay active?
My kids, health and aging! As I mentioned previously, I think it is critical that my kids create healthy practices in their lives. They see me in the gym and they want to join to help them get stronger for their own interests. I love being able to play sports and ski with my kids and I hope to be doing that for many years to come. 

I believe women underestimate the benefits weight training has on your bones and cardiovascular health. We joke that if you want to be able to open a jar at 80, better work on that grip strength now! 

Feeling inspired? Book your next class here!