Hi Lovelies!
Today I have something exciting to share with you. I was recently contacted by Women's Health Magazine to interview a finalist for The Next Fitness Star. If you're not familiar with the Next Fitness Star, here's some background.
Women’s Health started the Next Fitness Star competition in 2013 as a way to find the best, up-and-coming trainer who would become the next face of fitness. Women's Health awards the winner by helping them create, distribute and market the trainer's own DVD series.
Photo Credit: Women's Health
In January, after reviewing thousands of submissions, 5 finalists were selected for this year's competition. America can help choose the winner by voting daily for who they think should be The Next Fitness Star. In August, the 5 finalists will meet in New York City where an elite panel of judges including celebrity trainers & Extreme Weight Loss Hosts, Chris and Heidi Powell; Today Show Anchor, Natalie Morales, Today Show Contributor and trainer Jenna Wolfe and WH's Editor-in-Chief Amy Keller Laird will announce a winner. Imagine my surprise when I discovered one of the 5 finalists for the Next Fitness Star was a Phoenix local. Don't let her small size fool you! This lady is one badass when it comes to fitness. Allow me to introduce you to Nikki Metzger.
Photo Credit: Women's Health
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Nikki is a certified personal trainer who owns BODI, a high intensity bootcamp style gym in Scottsdale, Arizona. Nikki opened BODI 18 months ago when her husband (Nick) and her moved from Chicago. BODI offers two classes: Sweat & Strength. The combination of these classes are to get clients lean, strong and toned. Sweat incorporates cardio, plyometrics and jumping. Strength focuses on muscle burnout and weight lifting. BODI isn't a just any gym. It's a playground of battle ropes, tires, hurdles, agility ladders, pull up bars, medicine balls, dumbbells, jump ropes and more.
I had the opportunity to take Nikki's strength class and experience her approach to fitness first hand. The class was packed and boy do I know why! As a life long fitness fanatic, I rarely take group classes because they don't give me the strength or functional aspects that I need in my workouts or the modifications for my body either.
I can truly say BODI was the first group class that embodied all things I've been searching for in a group fitness environment. A mix of bootcamp, CrossFit and plyometric styles, Nikki's smart approach to quick, high intensity, effective functional workouts is one everyone should experience!
How did you fall in love with fitness?
I've been active my entire life being a dancer and playing sports. My goal ever since I was really young was to open my own dance studio, but as I got older my love for dance became a love of fitness. When I first began teaching fitness, I taught dance fitness then transitioned into weight lifting and bootcamps after discovering those were my passions. You will never find me running miles and miles or running a marathon.
How long have you owned BODI?
We opened BODI 18 months ago and it's the first studio I've owned. When I lived in Chicago, I was the general manager of a ENERGi, a large fitness studio.
What made you decide to open your own gym?
My husband, Nick and I randomly vacationed in Arizona 6 years ago and loved it. Since then, we've come to Arizona twice a year. We didn't want to live in the city anymore and we didn't want to move back to where our parents are from or deal with cold winters anymore. That's when we decided to move to Arizona. Before moving, I worked to open BODI from Chicago. We move to Scottsdale in December 2013 and opened BODI January 1st 2014.
How do you keep your classes different for your clients?
I'm such an ADD person that I have to constantly change it up. I try to think about what things the classes I've taught just did and what things they haven't done in awhile to design my daily training plans.
How many classes a week do you teach?
4 classes a day Monday through Thursday, 2 classes Friday morning and 1 Saturday.
What do your workouts look like?
The same workout I create for my classes. In fact, after I'm done teaching in the morning I do the workout of the day before heading home.
What's your biggest "aha" moment with fitness & diet?
As I've gotten older, I've gotten a better understanding of my body and what's realistic. I've learned eating a high protein diet and keeping my sugars low is what works best for me. I also discovered I don't have to workout every day and I eat more now than I did in the past. It's more about finding balance and understanding your body.
How did you become a next fitness star finalist?
I thought it was a great opportunity and I knew a girl who was in it last year, Amy Kaiser. I messaged her and asked if I should apply and she said absolutely! So I complied me workout Wednesday videos that I post on my social media added an cute intro and the next thing I knew I was
What's next for you? What do you want to do after Next Fitness Star?
Continue teaching at BODI. I will never be an owner who is not hands on teaching and interacting with my members. I love to see their bodies transform and confidence boost. I would love to open a bigger studio in Old Town Scottsdale. I would also love to expand my reach online.
What do you like to do outside of working out?
I love hanging out with my husband, Nick. We like to drink wine, go out to dinner, hike and golf. We picked up golfing when we moved to Arizona and let's just say we have a lot of work to do. We're not good, but we're working on it. We feel like we should golf because we live in Arizona!
What advice do you have for someone new to fitness?
Try a bunch of different studios and activites before committing to one to find out what works best for you. Everyone has to start somewhere. Find something fun. As long as you're having fun, that's all that matters.
Why vote for Nikki? Because she's the Next Fitness "It Girl." She's a ball of energy, a ray of inspiration and a true fighter. She will also whip you into shape and make you sweat! Vote for Nikki to be the Next Fitness Star here and help her dream come true! Also, tune into the Today Show in August to find out who is named the Next Fitness Star.
[Tweet "Vote for Nikki @WomensHealthMag @ScottsdaleBODI #TheNextFitnessStar"]
Thank you Women's Health for partnering with me to share Nikki's story!
What advice do you have for someone new to fitness?
Lots of Health, Food & Love,
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Linking up today with Amanada for Thinking Out Loud
Disclaimer - While I was provided free workouts in exchange for this post, all statements and opinions are my own.
Jill @ Champagne for Everyday says
This is sooo inspiring!! I want to be an entrepreneur really badly one day, and I always think it would be a fitness stdio. When I try to come up with the missing ingredient from the wildly popular studios I've been to in NY/SF, it's usually the fact that it's all strength or all cardio (barre/spin). I always think that offering both for a prescribed amount of days per week would help get women in way better shape than one or the other...sounds like Niki is nailing that with BODI!! She should definitely do an e-book! If I am ever down that way I will check it out for sure 🙂
Megan says
I was impressed with BODI and I'm a tough one to impress when it comes to fitness. Jill, you should totally open your own studio! I see you doing it. You could have fashion shows there and I could supply the muffins! Wouldn't it be fun if some of us lived closer? We could collaborate on so many things! 😉
Jill @ Champagne for Everyday says
Oh man YES!! You're a genius. Nutrition would actually be an important thing to educate the gals on, and I would need you there supplying samples so that everyone would believe how delish clean eating is 😉 It's on the bucket list!
Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks says
This was so fun! Thanks for sharing!
Kelly Potts says
It was so great to meet you in class!! Glad you loved BODI - Nikki is by far the best trainer around!
Megan says
You too girl! Hopefully I can make it back again.
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
Cool interview! I love seeing women pursue their goals and owning their own business endeavors. Sometimes you just have to go for it. 🙂
Megan says
I know! It's so inspiring to see other women make their dreams reality.
Jamie says
I always tell my friends it's not going to be easy, and it's not always going to be fun, but in the end, it is SO worth it. I suggest making a big long-term goal, but also many smaller milestone goals. Once you start accomplishing the smaller goals, it makes the process seem more manageable.
Megan says
It never feels fun in the beginning, but it always turns into something fun in the end. Making a long-term goal is great because it motivates you to keep going during those rough moments.
Gretchen | Gretchruns says
So cool you got to try her class out! I actually got to talk to another finalist from the Pittsburgh area. She's living in California, so unfortunately I didn't get to meet her in person. This is such an awesome contest that Women's Health hosts and I love how we get to meet such inspiring women!
Megan says
How cool that we both were able to interview them? I really like how Women's Health has real people in the finals and not a made up fitness model. They are truly inspiring women who are geeked out on fitness.
Erin@BeetsPerMinute says
What a great opportunity for you both! I'm going to be starting my own bootcamp this fall, so I'd love to find out more about Nikki's workout philosophy!
Megan says
Your own bootcamp Erin? That is amazing!!! I'm so excited for you. If you want more info on her classes check out her website http://www.scottsdalebodi.com she's got great workouts there that she posts & you can contact her directly with questions too. Can't wait to hear more about your bootcamp!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
Awesome, her classes sound challenging but and amazing! My advice for anyone new to fitness is to start slow, have fun, and be consistent above all else 🙂
Megan says
Her class was hard! I wish I lived closer to her studio so I could go more. And yes consistency is key!