Group Exercise Instructors


Amy

Amy Fitness

Amy is a consumer of all things fitness, she loves the industry and strives to help people feel stronger in their bodies. Using simple movements with control, she practices the principles of Pilates in her classes. Trained in Pilates Mat and Barre, she’s been teaching at various locations since 2017. Amy enjoys cheering for the Hudson Pirates, her son is involved in most sports and her husband coaches there as well. Amy enjoys family time and walking her dog, a cavachon named Bailey.  


Bobbie

Bobbi G pic





Bobbie is a 2020 graduate from Iowa State University, who studied Animal Science but also has a raging passion for human exercise. Bobbie teaches Cycling and Chisel at the Cedar Falls Recreation and Fitness Center aside from her full time job in the construction field. Outside of work, Bobbie enjoys horseback riding, long walks, and hiking with her family; including her big white dog, “Buck”.


Candace

Candace





Candace has always had a passion for fitness. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science from William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey and is most recently certified through NASM. She has over 20 years of experience as a personal trainer, along with teaching a variety of fitness classes in New Jersey, California and Iowa. Candace enjoys working with all ages and abilities, and believes it is never too late to get started in a fitness program!


Cindy

Cindy
If you hear "Woo Hoo", you know Cindy is in the house!!! Cindy has been teaching at the Rec for 2 decades and a variety of Cedar Valley establishments (Unique Physique-who remembers that one?, Sartori, Covenant, Kosama, and more) over 3 decades! She earned her BA and MA from UNI while raising a family and doing Tae Bo! Retiring in June 2019 from 33 years of teaching middle school special education for AEA and Waterloo Schools, she was usually found starting and ending her days with fitness classes. Cindy stays certified in Group Fitness through NETA and has picked up other specialties along the way. While away from the Rec, she is a Zyia Independent Representative, travels with her husband and plays a lot of pickleball. She subs everything except Zumba and presently teaches Fusion (Pilates/Core work with Chisel-weights, band, TRX, balls), Stretch, and Kickboxing with bags and gloves. Just remember, you are only a newbie once. WOO HOO!!! 


Emma

Emma




Emma believes that having the ability to move your body is a gift that we should celebrate! Emma graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She has been an ACE certified personal trainer for 3 years, is mindfulness certified and working towards her yoga and life coaching certifications. Her passions for the mind, body and spirit have led her to start Holistic Life Connections LLC. Emma currently teaches the circuit weight class at Cedar Falls Recreation. Come join her for a positive workout experience! Outside of work, Emma enjoys spending time in nature, crafting, and hiking :).


Helen

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Helen discovered fitness classes in college and has continuously taken and/or taught them ever since! She has been certified in group exercise, kickboxing, kettlebells, cycling, trx, yoga, insanity, piyo, and dance. She holds a Ph.D. in psychology and is a Professor at the University of Northern Iowa. In addition to coaching a variety of exercise classes at Cedar Falls Rec, she teaches dance classes locally and leads an adult dance troupe that performs at community events. In her spare time, she loves being outside--running, biking (mountain, trail, road, and snow), hiking, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.  


Jessie

Jessie

My name is Jessie, and I was born and raised in Cedar Falls. So the Cedar Falls Rec Center is like home to me! My husband and I have 4 kids ranging from 17 to 7, and we love our family time. Anything that is active outdoors is my thing. Teaching yoga has brought me much joy and I love sharing the practice with others, watching them grow in their flexibility, strength, mentally and emotionally. I am grateful to be teaching yoga here at the Rec center. Hope to see you on the mat. 


Kim

Kim

Kim roller-bladed her way through college — putting so many miles on her skates she had to replace the brake pad at least once every semester. During that time, she earned a BA in Individual Studies in Performance and an MA in English. In the nineties, Kim gave up her wheels in exchange for cardio kickboxing. At one point, she owned seven Tao Bo workouts on DVD and could complete any one of them by memory. Fast-forward to 2010: Kim earned (and maintains) her group exercise certification with AAFA and started teaching kickboxing (cardio and heavy bag) and weightlifting at The Training Center in Cedar Falls. In 2015, Kim joined the teaching staff at the Cedar Falls Rec. Center where she teaches low impact aerobics and subs for anything but yoga. Outside of fitness, Kim is an adjunct faculty member of the Languages and Literatures Department at the University of Northern Iowa where she has taught composition and literature since 2005. Kim is also an active player in the Cedar Valley's Community Theatre scene and has been on stage for CFCT, WCP, Red Herring, Cellar Door, NEIA Shakespeare Company, and Scene D. Two of her roles at Waterloo Community Playhouse (WCP) have earned her a nomination and a finalist nod in the Iowa Community Theatre Association's Annual Awards for the category of Best Supporting Actress.


Kim

Kim Kerr		Kim has been teaching high school and higher education for over 30 years! She has been an associate professor in UNI's Physical Education Teacher Education program since 2017. She taught at Ball State University and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville before moving to Cedar Falls. Kim earned her Ph.D. from Purdue University in Kinesiology and Gerontology. She graduated from Western Illinois University with a B.S. in Physical Education & Social Science and then went on to obtain her M.S. from Western Illinois in Physical Education - Sport & Exercise Behavior. Kim also holds certifications in Yoga Fit and Schwinn Power Cycle; she has been teaching fitness classes since 2014. Kim considers herself an autonomous exerciser as she has been a daily mover most of her life! She has ran competitively for ~40+ years and now enjoys jogging with her canine companion! She also enjoys cycling (a few triathlons), swimming (almost daily), walking/hiking, Yoga, table tennis and Pickleball. A few of her favorite things include spending time with her spouse and her canine kids, good music, camping trips, and COFFEE!


Lana

Lana




Lana is a passionate biker, she started doing RAGBRAI in her mid 40’s and has now participated in 25 and completed all but one. After that incomplete ride across Iowa, it was discovered that her heart needed repair. An angioplasty and four stents later, and the ride goes on.
While attending spin class in her late 60’s, Lana made a decision to become a certified spin coach and instructor and with that knowledge came the opportunity to help others know that neither age nor health should stop anyone from being their best. Lana got Schwinn certified and later added a NETA cycling certification to her wall.
Lana raised four girls and three boys and then was blessed with 17 of the best grandchildren and six great grandkids. Like most Grandmas, she knits! She also sings lead in Sweet Adelines chorus, alto in church choir, and plays F and G in a handbell choir. She has a part-time job at Caring Transitions (an estate cleanout and sales company). And she paints!


Megan (MJ)MJ Photo





MJ is our Recreation & Fitness Center Fitness Coordinator. She is a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Licensed Zumba Fitness Instructor, Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapist, and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-500) who enjoys helping others thrive in a positive, encouraging, welcoming, and non-judgmental environment. MJ has been teaching group exercise for over a decade in the Cedar Valley and loves to have fun and help people smile! Megan also serves as the Fitness and Wellness Coordinator for the City of Cedar Falls where she is an active leader on our City Wellness Committee and oversees the Group Exercise, Personal Training, and Massage Therapy programs.


Sam

Sam


Sam graduated from UNI with a major in theatre performance and theatre for youth. She is certified as an E-RYT 200 (experienced registered yoga teacher) and Barre Above instructor. Sam teaches yoga, kids yoga and barre at the Rec. When she is not teaching, you can find her hiking, performing, paddle boarding, roller blading and soaking up moments with her man and pup! Sam loves to introduce new and funky movement patterns in her classes. She will meet you where you are at and push you to be the best version of yourself! Join her on the mat!  


Staci

Staci





Staci graduated with her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Northern Iowa in 2015.  She has been a longtime employee of Waterloo Schools, where she shares her passion for literacy in her role as an elementary literacy coach.  Staci's love for teaching and fitness are united as a fitness instructor at the Rec. At the Rec, Staci teaches TKO Kickboxing and subs often for cycling.  When she's not teaching, she loves spending time with her family, playing sand volleyball, biking (you can see me often on the trails with my 2 year old son), running, and traveling.  Come give TKO a try!  We use thai pads, mitts, and gloves to tone your entire body while helping you relieve your stress!