Dawn Bland

I began my fitness journey after the birth of my second son 9 years ago.  I started taking a pilates class at a local women's only gym and absolutely loved it.  I started taking other classes such as step aerobics, yoga, circuit training, boot camp, water aerobics, spinning, etc.  After only a few months the lead instructor at the gym approached me about teaching classes as well.  I begain training under her through the next year.  I took my group fitness instructor exam through AFAA within the year and have been teaching group fitness classes since then.  Two years later I decided I wanted to add personal training to my career as well and again trained under my co-worker and took my exam through AFAA.  I was offered the oppurtunity to work with AFAA doing training workshops for both group fitness and personal training but declined since my children were very young at the time and it involved weekend travel.  I continued for several years at a larger gym teaching a range of fitness classes and worked with a range of class participants.  I initiated and began my own youth fitness program at Elizabethtown Swim and Fitness Center.  It was very successful.  I worked with 3 years olds up to 12 years olds in a variety of fitness activities.  From there I spent a year teaching Health and P.E. at a local private school.  My classes ranged from the preschool children up to highschool on a daily basis.  My goal was to teach the children that exercise was fun and that being healthy started now for them.  After moving to the small town that I live in now, I opened my own personal training studio.  My schedule grew beyond what I could personally handle so I expanded the gym to include a 1500 square foot aerobics studio.  I currently teach multiple classes per day at capacity.  I also provide online classes where I upload my live fitness classes weekly and personal training videos for both men and women.  My classes include a variety of exercises that I incorporate from different exercise styles.  I include dance fitness, pilates, yoga, weights, step aerobics, kickboxing, core training and more.  Class participants range in age from 9 years of age to 76!  I have a unique ability to make everyone feel welcome, relaxed and comfortable and to modify any class or exercise depending on who is in the class and what is needed.  I also focus on everyone having fun.  I use a variety of equipment and incorporate partner exercises and even dance!  I am able to teach any class, any age and with any equipment available.  My passion is health and fitness and I would love to share that with as many people as possible.