Sue is a graduate of The University of Akron. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Education along with an Associate Degree in Business Management. Sue brings 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. She started as a group fitness instructor over 19 years ago and during that time developed and managed group fitness programs. She has a national certification from American Council on Exercise (ACE). She has specialized training and certifications for Strength Training from BTF-PowerFlex and a Kickboxing certification from Gorilla Sports. In addition to instructing a variety of class formats, she has developed and managed Corporate Fitness programs for local corporations.
JJ Fyffe
Spinning
Jennifer Judy-Fyffe (aka JJ) has long been an outspoken advocate for group exercise since the 80's (when headbands and leg warmers were actually in fashion). She was always active exercising in a group setting whether it was cheerleading, aerobics classes, or the intercollegiate fencing team at Miami University of Ohio. After graduating with a B.S. of Science in Business Administration in 1992, she started teaching group exercise professionally at several clubs around Akron, Ohio. Hi/Lo & weight bearing classes were Jennifer's primary focus. She expanded her certifications to include Kwando, step, Yoga, Bootcamp, Urban Rebounding, and hip hop. She currently holds a certification with A.C.E Group Exercise, YogaFit, and Spinning®. In 2003, Jennifer achieved her M.B.A from the University of Akron. She continues to expand her fitness knowledge with continuing education classes in exercise physiology and class technique training.
Jennifer's experience includes two years as a Group Exercise Manager for Bally's Total Fitness. While there, she participated as a member of the Bally's Total Fitness Team for four years. This team was a group of instructors that took physical fitness out into the community to educate as well as promote a healthy lifestyle.
RPFitness welcomed J.J. in 2007. Her focus is primarily spinning and muscle classes. She is passionate about the benefits of cross training and staying active. It would not be surprising to see her running a few quick miles, sneaking into a yoga class or participating in CrossFit boot camp trainings.
As a full time career professional, Jennifer had been with Today's Bride Magazine & Shows for the past 16 years. Today's Bride helps engaged couples plan their dream wedding by connecting them with local wedding professionals. Jennifer was promoted to Bridal Show Manager in 1998 in which she heads up the largest bridal show in Ohio. It seemed like fate when her wedding knowledge as well as love of fitness all came together as she married her husband Matt Fyffe in 2004. Ironically she met him at the gym.
JJ has a way of instilling her three main philosophies to her students:
Practice the power of living in the present.
Do not try to control the uncontrollable; control your reaction to it.
Make a habit of creating change. If you don't change something, nothing will change.
The one thing that will never change is JJ's true passion for what she does. She will forever be a group exercise trainer. JJ is proud to see her students push themselves to reach new levels and create positive changes for their life. JJ is a well respected advocate of the fitness community. Her expertise and love for what she does is truly evident.
Tara Schweitzer
MuscleFlex
Tara Schweitzer obtained her group exercise certification in 2005. After enjoying her own workouts from great instructors for over nine years, she decided she wanted to share her love of fitness with others. Tara has also been a legal secretary for over 12 years and is employed at the law firm of Hill Hardman Oldfield, LLC in Akron. She enjoys starting each morning with spinning or running before she heads off to work. Tara has recently found a new passion for trail running and enjoys the obstacles of the outdoors. She occasionally appears with a few scrapes and bruises to prove it! Tara is willing to try just about anything and diversifies her workouts with many of the other classes offered at RP to build strength, endurance and prevent injury. In her spare time, she enjoys family gatherings, dancing and sipping a martini or two with friends (and sleep!). Her favorite quote: Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.
Kerri Conti
Voted "Most Athletic" of my St.Vincent-St.Mary senior class playing Volleyball, basketball, softball, and swimming in the summer, I was always Active. In 1993 when I was training to become a group exercise instructor for Bally Total Fitness, I was hit by a car while walking to my Art History class at the University of Akron. The result was a tibia plateau fracture in my left leg supported now with a titanium plate and eight screws. Four months until I could walk again and over one year before I could run, I was determined to be active again. Despite the negative comments that I would never be the same, I started teaching aerobics in 1995. In 2003 I started competing in triathlons and, to my surprise, winning. Fast forward seven years later to 2010, dizzy spells, massive head pressure, along with other symptoms called for CAT scans and MRI's of my head to determine I had aqueductal stenosis with mild to moderate hydrocephalus (partial blockage in the aqueduct causing cerebral fluid to back up in the third ventricle of the brain "water on the brain"). On June 29th 2010 I had brain surgery at the University Hospital in Cleveland, OH. The Neurosurgeon drilled through my skull to create another opening in my third ventricle to bypass the aqueduct that was partially blocked. Five weeks later I placed 1st in my age group and 2nd woman overall (20 seconds behind the winner) at the Greater Lakes Cleveland Triathlon. The week after I placed 1st woman overall at the Vermillion Triathlon. At the end of August I placed 1st in my age group and 4th woman overall out of 1050 women at the Chicago Triathlon. I am now gearing up to race in the USA Triathlon Nationals in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on September 26th. If I place there, I will go to Beijing, China to compete in the World Championships.
Nikki Joy, Director of Exercise
Cardio Fusion, Step, Cardio Kickboxing, MuscleFlex
Nikki attended the University of Akron where she studied accounting and currently works for REM Ohio which is the State of Ohio housing assistance program for people with special needs. Nikki began teaching fitness classes in 1994 and is certified through BFIT. Nikki has developed one of the largest followings at RPFitness, specializing in HI/LO, Step Aerobics, and Cardio Fusion. She is currently working toward her High Intensity Personal Training Certification and provides weight loss coaching and meal planning.
Amanda Jesko
Spinning, Zumba
Amanda graduated from Mount Union College in May 2007 with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Sociology. Currently, she is working at Summit Academy Elementary in Akron, Ohio. Amanda began her fitness instructing with Spinning, becoming Mad Dog certified. Amanda is AFAA certified in Group Exercise and Kickboxing as well as Zumba certified. Amanda teaches Spinning and Zumba at RPFitness. Along with Spinning and Zumba, Amanda is teaching step aerobics, kickboxing and various weight training classes throughout the area.
Jeanne Berry
Zumba, Pilates
Jeanne doesn't exactly appear like what you're accustomed to seeing when you look at photos of fitness instructors. But don't let the gray hair and less-than-perfect skin fool you because, this old gal's got game! She is a nationally certified group fitness instructor, specializing in Pilates Mat & Reformer and Aerobic Dance.
Jeanne's Pilates certification is through Balanced Body University, recognized worldwide for excellence in Pilates education. For the mat certification alone, extensive study in anatomy, plus over 100 hours of course work, and written and practical testing is required before BBU certification is granted.
Jeanne combines Latin dance steps with fitness moves. We call it Zumba; she calls it "exercise in disguise" because you're having so much fun you may forget that you're working out.
Jairo Cuestra
Yoga
Is a Colombian Yoga teacher, actor, Theatre director and actor training teacher. He successfully completed the Brahmrishi Yoga Teacher Training. In the training of Brahmrishi Yoga, there is a steady emphasis on therapeutic Hatha Yoga, a practice of meeting the needs of the students for health and healing. Whether the class is gentle, moderate, or challenging, the approach is one of holistic and gradual development. Mr. Cuesta has conducted Yoga sessions in Colombia, Italy, Poland and France.
As an actor training teacher he introduces his students to different techniques of body and movement awareness in witch he aims to integrate the mental and physical aspects of being into a cohesive and spontaneously functioning whole: Body-Mind Centering, Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais.
In his career as an actor, he collaborated with Jerzy Grotowski in the Theatre of Sources and the Objective Drama Program from 1976 to 1986, working in Poland, France, Italy, Mexico, Haiti, and the USA. He participated in preliminary workshops for The Mahabarata in Paris, under the direction of Peter Brook. Mr. Cuesta has been a guest artist at The University of Paris; the University of California-Irvine; The Colorado College; Eckerd College; Case Western Reserve University; Ashland University; and The University of Akron where he directed Samuel Beckett'sEndgame. Mr. Cuesta has conducted numerous workshops in Performance Ecology and actor training techniques around the world. He has performed with Teatro Libre in Bogota, Colombia, and co-directed (with James Slowiak) Moliere's The Misanthrope. For NWPL, Mr. Cuesta has directed The Dybbuk and has performed in Mothers Work, The Recital of the Bird, Epiphany I, The Phantoms of King Lear, The Book of Saints and Martyrs, Woyzeck, Electra, HamletMachine, Love in the Time of Lunatics, Deathwatch, Angry Gods and Lost Marbles, Frankenstein, Alice...Down the Rabbit Hole, and Action. He is co-author (with James Slowiak) of Jerzy Grotowski (Routledge, 2007).
Kristy Kenna
Step, Boot Camp & MuscleFlex
Kristy graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelors degree in History. Prior to attending OSU, she received a partial basketball scholarship to Millersville University, but a knee injury ended her basketball career. She started as a group fitness instructor over 13 years ago and is AFAA certified. She also has certifications for Strength Training from BTF-PowerFlex and a Kickboxing certification from Gorilla Sports. Kristy teaches step aerobics, Boot camp and Muscleflex. When she is not busy teaching classes, she enjoys marathon running, golf and her four children. She ran the 2008 Akron Marathon in 3 hours and 39 minutes which qualified her to compete in the Boston Marathon. In 2009, Kristy ran and completed the Boston Marathon while she was 14 weeks pregnant.
Michele Hardman
Step Aerobics
For many years Michele was such a fixture at the gym, the manager of the group fitness program suggested that she turn her drive into something more. Michele thrives on helping others to achieve their fitness goals, too. Michele Hardman has been a group exercise instructor for 10 years specializing in Step aerobics. Michele has a national certification through the American Council on Exercise, a Powerball certification and BOSU certification through BTF/Crunch, and has completed a Level One Kettlebell Certification through Kettlebell Concepts.
Michele lives in West Akron with her husband, Kevin, and has 2 children.
Andrea Keller
Zumba, Hi/Lo, Step Aerobics
"The first time I took an aerobic class I was hooked!"
Andrea started teaching group exercise in 1993 and is nationally certified by the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). Andrea specializes in Zumba (certified), Step Aerobics (certified) and High Low. Andrea has participated in various fitness workshops through AFAA including: resistance training, yoga, step, mat science #1 and #2 and indoor cycling. Andrea has also received CPR/AED certification from the American Red Cross. Andrea enjoys listening to music and incorporating it into building her workout routines. Away from the gym, Andrea loves the outdoors, gardening, walking and hiking the beautiful metro parks, even ice skating at Big Ben in the winter. This summer Andrea is going to challenge herself by bike riding the towpath trail.
Garrett Pavlovicz
Garrett graduated from the Ohio State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering, specializing in environmental studies. After graduating college, Garrett started to become more in tune with his physical fitness - working out 5 times a week and mapping out a daily eating regimen. While reading the online health articles everyday during lunch, he started seeing more and more articles about yoga. After reading a particular article about how yoga was being used as conditioning by soldiers in the military, he finally thought to give it a try. Being tentative at first, he started with a "gentle yoga" class. He left feeling completely energized, yet relaxed. Once hooked on yoga, he slowly started to increase the frequency and the level of his practice. Intrigued by the different styles of yoga, he has taken classes in Anusara, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kripalu, Restorative, Power Vinyasa, and any other style he could find. During a workshop he took, the instructor said to the class (many of whom were fellow yoga instructors) "Many new people will come to your yoga classes looking for some sort of physical fitness, but they will only stay and keep coming back if they find something more." Living proof of that statement is Garrett. At first he used yoga as a means to supplement his weight training, but now the strength, flexibility and balance he gains from practice (not to mention the improvement in his posture and the disappearance of his lower back pain) is just the icing on the cake. The true benefits gained from yoga are the mental clarity and the spiritual awakening that arises during practice. The way he feels about yoga is the opposite way he feels about smoking - he knows too much about smoking to ever start doing it, and he knows too much about yoga to ever stop doing it. Garrett is honored to share his knowledge and the benefits he has received from yoga with his students.
David Murray
Yoga
Eight years ago, I came to a shocking realization: either someone had stretched my legs or my flexibility had greatly diminished. As I sat straining, trying to reacquaint myself with my toes, the collective consciousness inspired me to begin my yogic journey. Having a gorgeous wife and two beautiful and talented daughters, I needed to find a class that fit into my very busy schedule. It was there that I was first introduced to Hatha yoga. As I went through the various contortions, I discovered that in fact many areas of my body had lost their flexibility. Years passed and the aches and pains that had been my constant companions had been utterly vanquished and my journey was leading me in a new direction. I began studying the teachings of the Dalai Lama and various yogis. With a heightened sense of awareness of the magnanimous benefits of yoga, I embarked on a certification curriculum that would provide me with the opportunity to share my vast knowledge and experience with others. After receiving my certification in January of 2009, I began teaching my very own restorative yoga class the following April. My class level ranges from beginner to intermediate, as I would not want the class level to exceed my own abilities. And so, with passionate determination and smoldering good looks, I promise to help those who attend my class achieve increased flexibility, improved balance, and strengthened concentration.
Jon Fiume
Kickboxing
Jon Fiume currently serves as the Vice-President of Retail Operations and Natural Products for Ritzman Pharmacies Inc. Ritzman has 8 pharmacies located in the greater Akron area. Besides pharmacy, Ritzman specializes in natural products including vitamins, herbs, and homeopathics. Currently, Jon oversees the daily operations of the chain. Jon attended John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio graduating with a degree in Spanish and Marketing. He is also a licensed Massotherapist in the state of Ohio, the President of the Health Commission for the city of Akron, and a certified group fitness instructor currently teaching kickboxing for RPFitness.
Jon possesses an extensive background in both retail and natural products. He has attended various natural health seminars nationally, has participated on industry boards and has spoken on a national level regarding the integration of natural products with traditional pharmacy. In the past he has assisted with expeditions to the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest to learn more about the medicinal properties of botanicals as well as the culture. He has been part of the natural products industry since 1990. During that time, he has operated in all facets of the industry from marketing and product sales to staff development and education. In his spare time Jon enjoys traveling, running, tennis, Pilates, aerobics, kickboxing, writing, and serving on the Board of Trustees of the Akron Art Museum. Jon currently resides in Akron, Ohio.
Kimberly Read
Kickboxing & MuscleFlex
Kim has been in and out of our doors for over 23 years and considers herself a true exercise fanatic. She graduated from the University of Akron in 93 with her BS in Elementary Education and has gone from teaching children to leading group fitness classes. She is currently working towards her group fitness certification with AFAA. Her current focus on kickboxing and muscle flex, but hopes to incorporate additional formats in the future. "My workouts are just as much for my spirit as for my body. Being around positive people helps keep me motivated and engaged. It's amazing what other people can do for your soul." When not at the gym, Kim enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She has been married to her husband, Scott, for 15 years and they have two boys, Garrett and Brandon. She loves running, water skiing and snow skiing.
Brandye Dague, Boot Camp & Hip Hop Cardio
At age three, my parents put me in gymnastics and I have been active ever since! I was a gymnast for 10 years, made the team at age 4 competing on a regional level. Years later I coached small children for a year. I also played Softball and took Jazz as a young child. I enjoyed school activities like; theatre, volleyball, basketball, powder puff football, track and field and weight training. I took an extreme liking to “street” dance, spent many hours/days putting together dance routines, performed in school talent shows and from there began teaching, voluntarily, at a local dance studio. I put a group together, called Street Dancers, and we continue to perform locally. My adult years have consisted mostly of Weight Training along with some Kick Boxing and Yoga. I have been studying nutrition, independently, for 9 years. I joined RPFitness in November 2010 and teach Boot Camp and Hip Hop Cardio.
Jen Underwood (Coming Soon!)
Lizzie Jesko, Spinning, BLT, Core Abs
Lizzie joined the RPFitness team as a Spinning instructor in February 2010, and currently teaches SPIN, BLT, and Core classes at the club. She is MADD DOGG certified, and has obtained her Group Fitness certification through AFAA. If not found on the Spinning bikes (or behind the front desk), you will most likely see Lizzie running the roads and trails around Akron or on the treadmills in the cardio room. Since graduating from college, Lizzie has taken an interest in marathon running and has completed a number of races including the Cleveland, Akron, and Boston Marathons. Most recently, Lizzie finished the 2011 Akron Marathon as the 3rd place overall female. Lizzie always brings a high energy and positive attitude to her classes and tries to show that not only working hard but having fun will bring the best results! Lizzie graduated from Ohio University in 2009 with degrees in Finance and Management Information Systems, and is currently working at Beacon Financial Group in Cleveland, Ohio.
Ron White, Yoga
Ron began his yoga practice twelve years ago when he was teaching several other forms of fitness and needed the cross-training for what he thought was only flexibility. He relaized the total value of yoga with mind, breath, body, and spirituality as a holistic approach to fitness and well-being. He was certified through Bally's and went further to get certification with Expert Rating Global Certification. Realizing the need to teach many different body types in larger yoga classes, Ron egan to practice with as many instructors as possible throughout Ohio and on the East and West coasts. He has studied popular flows developed by main stream yogis such as Baron Baptiste, Manuso, and Rodney Yee, in order to weave a common thread throughout his teaching.
