Meet one of our mega-instructors, Melissa!
Melissa is a native New Yorker who relocated to Houston in January 2017. Melissa grew up participating in various high school and college sports. After more than a decade of working in corporate America, she hung up her suits and pursued her true passion in health and fitness. A long time marathoner and triathlete, Melissa is addicted to conditioning her body and constantly pushing herself further. While rehabbing from knee surgery in 2016, she discovered Lagree Fitness in NYC as an alternative non-weight baring exercise. Quickly realizing Lagree offered a super intense workout combined with that “runner’s high” she craved, she immediately became hooked on the Megaformer. Since then, she has done everything she could to become a certified instructor. Melissa loves to help her clients reach their fitness goals and will always encourage you to push past your limits. This endurance athlete will surely give you the effective, heart pounding, high energy workout you need in your life!
We sat down with Melissa to get to know her more–here is a peek into our conversation:
Where are you from?
Brooklyn, NY
Its a toss up between Paris and Tuscany. Both blew me away in beauty, culture and FOOD.
Where and how did you first begin practicing the Lagree method? While rehabbing from knee surgery, I was on the hunt for a non-weight baring exercise that would challenge me as much as running, and Lagree hit that sweet spot. I feel in love with Lagree from my very first shake.
What about the workout got you hooked?
I loved seeing my body constantly challenged and changing (which is amazing as a mother of 2!) Unlike most fitness trends, you never plataeu or get bored. Every class is different, and every instructor offers their own, unique spin on each class. I love the variety and I love being able to advance the moves as I get stronger. Plus, regularly practicing Lagree has made me a stronger, more efficient runner. I am running significantly faster in my 30’s and much faster than I ever did a day in my 20’s — all thanks to my super strong core!
What is your go-to healthy snack?
My go-to favorite snack is a low-fat cheese stick and a100 calorie siracha almond pack or Mary’s Gone crackers with Whole Foods garlic and chive hummus. Both are savory, salty and low calorie!
What is your favorite body part(s) to work on the Megaformer? Any of my regular clients would agree, its always inner thigh and triceps. And always, heavy on the planks and core 🙂
Why should everyone try HIP? HIP offers a wonderful, welcoming community. You instantly will connect and become friends with your fellow HIPsters as well as each one of our awesome instructors. Everyone pushes each other and adds a fun energy to every class. HIP instructors also take a tremendous amount of time to getting to know their clients and building creative routines that keep us all having fun but also constantly challenged and BURNING!
Advice for a first timer?
Be patient with yourself. Just keep working through the 45 min and try and have fun! Then come back. I tell all of my first timers, it will take you at least 3 classes to get the basics down and flow through class seamlessly. I promise with every class it WILL get easier and you will get stronger, but like any form of exercise – you need to put in the work to see the results. Consistency is KEY!
Favorite exercise?
Super Lunge and scrambled eggs
Favorite music?
Indie pop – even if you don’t know the words, the beat is so fun and will keep you pushing through those endless lunges!
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