Lea Schneider
Experience/Certifications/Education: BA UMass, Dartmouth. I have worked in the fitness industry for 15 years as a Group Exercise instructor and I am also the Group Exercise Coordinator. I hold certifications with ACE, Spinning Star 3 level, BodyPUMP, BodyFLOW, Yogafit Level 2 & CPR/First Aid.
Classes I currently teach: Spinning, BodyFLOW, BodyPUMP
Interests: Running, traveling, music and being with family & friends
Why I love Fitness: I love fitness because of the health benefits, energy & physical results achieved. The most rewarding part of my job is helping others realize those benefits of fitness. I feel privileged to work in this capacity.
Sue Greaney
Experience/Certifications/Education: I have been teaching group exercise at Hampshire Hill for 10 years. I hold certifications in Primary Group Exercise with AFAA, Spinning, Kickboxing, BodyPUMP, BodyFLOW, BodySTEP and BodyCOMBAT. I am also a Certified Personal Trainer.
I have a BA in Psychology from Williams College.
Classes I currently teach: Spinning, BodyPUMP, BodyFLOW, and Boot Camp classes.
Interests: I have many, but my primary interests are photography, watching my kids play sports, and, of course, all kinds of fitness.
Why I love Fitness: What's not to love?? As a participant, Fitness makes me feel healthier and stronger. As an instructor, I love to help people realize goals that they never thought possible.
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Jennifer Johnson
Experience/Certifications/Education: Yoga Fit Level II, BodyFLOW Certification.
Classes I currently teach: Fitness Yoga, BodyFLOW
Interests: Anything and all fitness!! I also enjoy being crafty (scrap booking, stamping, knitting etc.) with my kids.
Why I love Fitness: Being active is a huge stress release for me…trying to keep up with 2 small children is quite stressful!! Fitness helps keep me sane and I just love to workout!!
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Claire Bacher
Experience/Certifications/Education: I have been teaching group exercise for 15 years. ACE certified for Group fitness, and certified to teach Body Pump. BA from St. Lawrence University in Technical Theater.
Classes I currently teach: Retrorobics, BodyPUMP, and Forever Fit
Interests: Skiing, Tennis, reading trashy novels.
Why I love Fitness: Because it makes me feel good!
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Nancy Brouillard
Experience/Certifications/Education: I have a BS in recreation. I have taken various yoga classes for the past 8+ years, and taught aerobic classes for 12+ years. I have been teaching yoga for over 2 years. I’m AFAA certified and have taken Yoga Fit level 1 and an Ashtanga Yoga teacher training with David Swenson.
Classes I currently teach: Yoga Flow
Interests: Besides teaching and taking yoga I’m a stay-at-home Mom raising 2 daughters that includes multiple soccer teams and a swim team. I run every morning with our dog, Tucker. Downhill skiing is our family sport. We have season tickets at Mad River Glen and spend most weekends in VT skiing, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
Why I love Fitness: Fitness keeps me sane in a very busy world. Yoga is both relaxing and invigorating. Yoga combined with running every day gives me a well rounded routine to keep me in shape so I can keep up and keep ahead of my family.
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Beth Black
Experience/Certifications/Education: B.S. Biochemistry, MT A.S.C.P., ACE certified in Group Fitness & Personal Training, Spinning, BodyPump, Youth Fitness, Stability Ball. I’ve been working in the Fitness industry for 15 years.
Classes I currently teach: Forever Fit Program, Spinning, BodyPUMP, Stability Ball.
Interests: I love to work in my gardens.
Why I love Fitness: I love to help people be the best they can be!
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Kani Nicodemus
Experience/Certifications/Education: 3+ years teaching group fitness. Certifications in BodyCOMBAT, BodyPUMP, BodySTEP, Spinning, step, kickboxing and mat science. Education- BS in Business Administration.
Classes I currently teach: BodyPUMP, BodySTEP, Spinning,
Interests: Healthy cooking, the Mets, cruise vacations, sharing time with good friends and any kind of group exercise - teaching or taking classes.
Why I love Fitness: Fitness is key to a healthy lifestyle. It helps the mind, body and soul get through the challenges of life. Exercise has always been an important part of my life. Having the opportunity to teach and motivate others how to find new strengths within themselves is one of the best gifts someone can give. I am proud to be a group exercise instructor and hope to help you achieve the level of fitness you desire.
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Joanne Leedy
Experience/Certifications/Education: B.S., Springfield College. Certified by ACE Group Exercise & Personal Trainer. IDEA Certified Personal Trainer. Stott Certified Pilates Mat & Reformer. Physical Mind Pilates Mat. Over 25 years experience in the fitness field including Fitness Director; development and administration of fitness and pilates programs for adults and seniors; leading group classes in aerobics, step, strength training and pilates for YMCA’s private clubs, corporations and senior living facilities; personal training.
Classes I currently teach: Pilates Mat and Reformer – small group and Personal Training, Strength for Seniors, Forever Fit Group Exercise.
Interests: My family, husband and 3 sons, & Johnny (my chocolate Lab). Hiking, camping, skiing and travel.
Why I love Fitness: I firmly believe that through fitness I help people improve the quality of their lives.
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Terry Clark
Experience/Certifications/Education: I have been an instructor with the H.H. team since 1994. I hold certifications with Les Mills in BodyPUMP & BodySTEP, also with Madd Dog for Spinning. I have taught a diverse range of exercise mediums over the past 12 years. From beginner to advanced you will always feel comfortable attending one of my classes.
Classes I currently teach: Spinning
Interests: I am an avid road cyclist and participate in annual fund raisers and rides with my husband and friends weekly, spring through fall. I love to cook and I enjoy reading articles about nutrition and trying new recipes. I also enjoy in-line skating, x-country skiing, a good bottle of wine, and foreign films.
Why I love Fitness: Keeping active and healthy is not only fun, it improves your quality of life. I love to see the results with the members who participate on a regular basis, not only in a physical way but also the way they become more self confident. I believe that everyone should incorporate physical activity into their lifestyle. Make it routine… like eating or sleeping.
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Beth Civiello
Experience/Certifications/Education: B.S. in Nutrition from the University of Vermont 1989. Master of Science degree in Communication from Boston University 1993. Spinning certified since August 1999. BodySTEP certified since April 2004. BodyCOMBAT certified since August 2006. Personal Training Certified.
Classes I currently teach: Spinning, BodySTEP, Hampshire Dome Boot Camp, One on one and small group personal training.
Interests: I enjoy cooking, baking, scrap booking, spending time with my family and traveling
Why I love Fitness: I love fitness because you can share it with others, challenge yourself by staying current with it and work hard at it to become strong both mentally and physically. Exercise has a way of empowering, energizing and refocusing you, which can only come from pushing yourself to a new level.
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Roque daSilva
Experience/Certifications/Education: Certified Personal Trainer, BodyCOMBAT, BodyPUMP, BodySTEP, BodyFLOW, BodyATTACK, RPM, Spinning, Thai Boxing Master, Muay Thai Master.
Classes I currently teach: Spinning, BodySTEP, BodyCOMBAT
Interests: Soccer, Volleyball, all things exercise!
Why I love Fitness: I am a very passionate coach and like to translate my exercise knowledge in a group setting. I like how exercise can change your life. As an ex-professional soccer player, I know first hand the benefits of exercise for all, not just athletes. I believe a strong mind builds a strong body.
Cyndi Maston
Experience/Certifications/Education: AFAA Certified since 1987. BodyPUMP, BodySTEP, AEA Certified. Bachelors Degree in Business and Recreation. Associates Degree in Travel and Tourism.
Classes I currently teach: BodyPUMP, Boot Camp, Retrorobics, BodyFLOW
Interests: Skiing, camping, traveling, gardening, crafts, spending lots of time with my family.
Why I love Fitness: Because it’s energizing and fun. I enjoy developing new routines to continually challenge myself and my participants.
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Michelle Luks
Experience/Certifications/Education: Instructing at Hampshire Hills for six years. BA, Saint Anselm College. Certifications: ACE Group Exercise, STAR 3-Mad Dogg Athletics Spinning, YogaFit Level 4. RYT Yoga Alliance, Polar Heart Rate Specialist.
Classes I currently teach: Spinning
Why I love Fitness: I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the lives of the members here at Hampshire Hills. I am humbled by the fact that I’m allowed to travel along the fitness journey of so many extraordinary people. The joy for me is simply the connection that is present with the participants in each and every class.
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Susan Guetling
Experience/Certifications/Education: B.S. in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Major: Dance. Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Ballroom dance instructor 1980-87 for children & adults. Previous Group Instruction includes aerobics, step, aqua, yoga, pilates, and bodyPUMP
Aerobic Fitness Association of America (AFAA) since 1989. Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA) since 1997. BodyPUMP, BodyFLOW, ZUMBA. American Council on Education (ACE) Personal Trainer since 2001. Yogafit Cerification since 2002. STOTT Pilates Certification since 2004.
Classes I currently teach: Yogilates, Pilates Mat, BodyPUMP, ZUMBA, BodyFLOW, Pilates Reformer
Interests: Anything to do with health and fitness.
Why I love Fitness: I believe that fitness is the base for good health. If you have your health, then you have a start for happiness.
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Wendy Mace
Experience/Certifications/Education: 20 year staff member at Hampshire Hills.Started teaching Group Exercise in 1988. AFAA certifications in Group Ex, Pre/Post Natal, Personal trainer. Certified in BodyPUMP, BodySTEP, BodyCOMBAT. Certified in BOSU. Certified in Mat Science I. Fitness Resource advanced specialty program in Diet & Nutrition Education.
Classes I currently teach: BodyPUMP, BodySTEP, BodyCOMBAT, BOSU, one on one and small group personal training.
Interests: Cooking, eating, music, hiking, snowshoeing
Why I love Fitness: What’s not to love?! I started weight lifting back in 1984 to enter a body building competition and I was hooked. Weight lifting made me strong both physically and mentally. It inspired me to change my career to fitness and become a group exercise instructor. Fitness keeps me young, feeling great and has kept me in a healthy environment where I can stay involved with some truly amazing members and co-workers at Hampshire Hills.
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Chris Lake
Classes I currently teach: Spinning- 5:00 pm Friday Nights (start your weekend with a BANG!) Bodycombat- 6:00 pm Tuesday Nights (Hang on for a HUGE calorie burn!)
I am also a Bartender @ Tiebreakers Restaurant at Hampshire Hills (For a healthy dinner after class)
Interests: When I am not working my full time sales job in the construction industry, teaching my classes at the club, or bartending at Tiebreakers on the weekends, you can find me right back at Hampshire Hills training for my next road-race or Triathlon. I am so excited about all the cross-training opportunities that exist right here at the club. Hampshire Hills is becoming my second home. My true passion is always in racing either road running races or sprint, olympic, and half-iron man triathlon distances. Last year I completed the Ford Iron man in Lake Placid, NY 2009 and will be doing it again this summer. I also found a new hobby in long distance, open water swim races 4-10 miles long.
Why I love Fitness: I love fitness, and being fit, for all of the possibilities it has opened up in my life and others around me. It has given me the confidence, drive, and stamina to believe that no goal is too far off the radar for me to achieve. Aside from feeling great and a continued sense of youth, it allows me the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and all the activities I have a passion for.
Like many others, I was not always fit and living an active lifestyle. Knowing what I know now, and feeling like I do every morning, being fit has become my new habit that I could never break. And lastly, being in the fitness industry teaching and helping others reach their fitness goals, is simply one of my biggest satisfactions in life! Like I always say gang..."KEEP COMING BACK!"
Sherri Penkacik
Experience/Certifications/Education: ACE certified Personal Trainer & Group Fitness Instructor; AAAI-ISMA certified Personal Trainer, Level II Weight Training certification; STOTT PILATES™ Apprentice Instructor with over 200 hours of coursework, trained in essential, intermediate, advanced Mat; essential, intermediate, advanced Reformer; essential and intermediate Cadillac, Stability Chair and Barrels; and Injuries and Special Populations. MadDogg Athletics certified Spinning® Instructor; YogaFit® Instructor Levels 1 and 2; AFAA Mat Science trained; Kickboxing certified Instructor; AEA Fitness certified Instructor; Resist-a-Ball® certified Instructor Levels 1 and 2 with specialty course in Pilates on the Ball; Previous Group Instruction has been in Jazzercise®, hi-lo impact, kickboxing, BOSU®, stability ball, plyometrics, Body-bar®, resistance band and strength training classes.
Classes I currently teach: Spinning, Pilates, SpinPilates and Pilates reformer.
Interests: Cycling, oil painting, decorating, listening to music especially jazz, Bible studies, and any reading I have time for, especially fitness and nutrition related.
Why I love Fitness: As I was pursuing a career in electro-optical engineering, I discovered the exhilaration that a great cardio workout class can bring. I was hooked and started teaching fitness classes part-time and still love sharing the knowledge I’ve gained through courses and working with clients one on one as well as in group settings. I have seen such great improvement in my own postural alignment, core strength, and body awareness as a result of my STOTT PILATES™ training. I’m passionate about helping our members build their own balanced and aligned body that looks fit, feels revitalized and moves with ease.
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Tom Sapienza
Experience/Certifications/Education: Hampshire Hills Director of Operations since 1992. CPA with a BS in Accounting and MBA from UConn. Spinning Instructor since 1996 - currently licensed by Mad Dogg Athletics.
Classes I currently teach: Spinning
Interests: Family. Fitness of Mind, Body, and Spirit which includes learning, improving, helping, movement, organic/natural food, and faith in God. Also enjoy reading, snowshoeing, biking, functional exercise, the Yankees, and Springsteen.
Why I love Fitness:I have been involved in sports and fitness as a hobby my entire life. Fitness for me has always been a 24/7 lifestyle and has helped define who I am. To be employed full time in the fitness industry since 1992 has been a great blessing. Working to make a difference in peoples lives through my role at Hampshire Hills is a humbling and rewarding experience that I would not trade for anything. I am proud and thankful to be included with such an incredible contingent of Group Exercise Instructors.
Kate Nelson
Experience/Certifications/Education: BS in Information Technology from UMass Lowell, Associates in Business Administration. Primary Group Exercise AFAA Certification, FiTour Personal Training and Pilates Certification. I have been teaching fitness since 2006.
Classes I currently teach: ZUMBA
Interests: I love to be active! Recently I coached for Groton Dunstable Varsity Cheerleading. I have been training with my dog, Mikey, to get AKC Canine Good Citizen certified. I enjoy spending time with Mikey, scrapbooking, exercising, decorating; especially for holidays such as Halloween and Christmas
Why I love Fitness: Fitness makes you as a person feel good, and me as an instructor, feel good that I can help someone else feel better about themselves. There is no better feeling than a great workout that boosts your spirits or takes you into a better mood! The strength and power we gain from fitness empowers us to push ourselves to be the best we can be!
Jessica Harvey 
Experience: Certification in Zumba Basic Level 1 and Basic Level 2 and currently working toward ACE Group Fitness Instructor certification.
Classes I currently teach: Zumba
Interests: I enjoy gardening, reading, painting, cooking and photography. Above all else, I love spending time with my husband and three daughters. My family is my rock.
Why I love Fitness: It is very rewarding to see participants come back week after week, helping them feel and look better, and to watch them master a move they did not think they could do. Being a part of that means the world to me. I love the way I feel after class ...energized, focused and ready for anything!
