Mark Van Arsdale

MARK VAN ARSDALE is the Group Fitness Coordinator at Kirk Family YMCA in downtown Kansas City, MO. Mark was recruited to help open this $35-million flagship facility of the YMCA in September 2021, and has been central in its group fitness instruction, development, and planning. An instructor above all else, he currently anchors the evening group fitness schedule, teaching 6 classes per week, Mondays through Thursdays. His classes consistently have the highest attendance in the gym. In the summer membership survey, Mark was the most mentioned and highest reviewed instructor, with members saying he is “motivating,” “encouraging,” “knowledgeable,” “very welcoming” with “great energy,” and “cares about the people in his class.”

Mark specializes in cycle, resistance training, and yoga, but has also taught other group fitness formats, including TRX, aqua fitness, core, and boot camp. A lifelong cyclist, his experience in a Les Mills RPM class motivated him to become a group fitness instructor. After becoming an AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor, he quickly became certified in Les Mills RPM. Les Mills SPRINT followed immediately after, and Mark quickly began teaching cycle at his first gym, the Aurora Health and Wellness Center in Liberty, MO. Mark was asked to open and supervise the brand-new cycle studio at Kirk Family YMCA and was then certified in Stages Studio Cycling. He manages a state-of-the-art cycle studio that tracks individual performance in real time and gives feedback on the workout to participants in an interactive video presentation. Mark then developed his own freestyle class, POPcycle, which incorporates Stages Studio into an upbeat, accessible, beat-driven class.

Mark started his yoga studies many years in Rishikesh, India, living at an ashram for two weeks. His long passion for this discipline led him to quickly add yoga to his group fitness certifications, and his is currently certified in Les Mills BODYBALANCE, which he teaches weekly.

Finally, Mark added his most recent certification, Les Mills BODYPUMP, in 2022. His high energy, motivation and welcoming attitude was a great fit for weight training. This evening class quickly became one of the most popular at the gym and is currently the highest-attended class at Kirk Family YMCA.

Mark has continued his leadership role at Kirk Family YMCA as Group Fitness Coordinator. He helps the Healthy Living Manager, Carly Carlton, in recruiting and evaluating talent, creating a balanced and successful group fitness schedule, and helping manage GroupEx Pro. This fall, he will help with performance evaluations of other group fitness instructors.

Mark has been a performer all his life, and holds a Master’s degree in Opera and classical music. He lived in France for 10 years as a professional opera singer before moving to Kansas City. He still travels multiple times per year to Europe to perform in opera and concerts. When he is not singing or at the gym, he is a real estate appraiser and manages a portfolio of rental properties with his partner.

Mark believes that group fitness should be accessible, challenging, and fun. He looks forward to bringing his motivating energy to the Fit Bodies community!