Nancy Ticali

Fitness has been an integral part of my life since I was a young girl.  I grew up taking dance classes and from there, I started teaching dance to young children, teens and adults.  I was encouraged by others to get certified to teach fitness classes in the health club settings.  So 30 years later, I  can say that I still enjoy teaching a variety of classes and touching others' lives.

When I first started out, my forte was teaching step cardio classes.  I currently enjoy teaching step classes to beginners and newcomers to step (baby step class) and more complex choreographed classes to my advanced members.  Having a background in dance has truly been helpful in regards to teaching step class as well as ballet barre and hi lo cardio classes.  Teaching these types of classes just came naturally to me.  My knowledge of dance and how the body moves, ways to stretch the body and proper form was certainly an advantage.

In addition to my dance classes and step classes, I have been teaching body sculpting classes as well.  I enjoy using weights and instructing others on how to use them to build muscle mass and definition.  My most recent classes are challenging, however, intended for all different levels of participants because many different modifications are offered so all can feeel successful.  These classes are my bootcamp and my insanity classes.  

During the daytime hours, I enjoy teaching elementary school (5th graders) and in the evenings and on weekends, I keep very busy teaching my group fitness classes.  Being a teacher has definitely worked hand in hand with instructing group fitness classes.  It has helped me to scaffold steps, add modifications for those that need and offer variations for those members that need to be challenged.  It has also helped to build my confidence in presenting myself in front of large groups of people.

Being a group fitness instructor has been so satisfying throughout the years.  There is no better feeling than having others tell you that you made their day and that you have changed their lives.  I am truly appreciative of my ability and talent to help make a difference in today's world.