This week for Her Campus Campus Celebrity, we decided to check out sophomore Olivia Rovelli and get the inside scoop on what it’s like to be a fitness instructor at Wake Forest. Olivia, originally from Connecticut, is in her second year at Wake Forest and working towards a major in BEM and minors in Spanish and Communications. On top of her impressive course load, Olivia finds time to teach Spin classes at Wake Forest’s Miller Center. We sat down with Olivia to find out more about what its like to be a fitness instructor on a college campus!
HC: How did you get started teaching group fitness classes? What is the application process like?
OR: “This is actually my first year teaching group fitness! I’ve always loved group fitness classes but I got really into Soulcycle last year. So when I started attending the Wake cycling classes, I thought this is something I can definitely see myself doing and absolutely loving. My goal was to inspire other people to love cycling and to learn that working out can be both fun and fulfilling.”
“I applied early last spring through the Miller Fitness Center. The training process lasted eight weeks but was very manageable. As a cycling instructor, I was required to take a minimum of two cycling classes per week. There was also a course taught once a week by two upperclassmen group fitness instructors that prepared us for the AFAA Group Exercise test at the end of the eight weeks. The test included a written portion on basic health and exercise science and a physical portion in which we had to perform basic fitness exercises and demonstrate our knowledge of the human body. I also had to become CPR certified. The class is offered through Wake or anyone can take it over the summer.”
HC: What do you like most about being a group fitness instructor at Wake?
OR: “It’s the best feeling seeing Wake students and teachers leave class happier and healthier. I teach Monday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday mornings at 7:15 a.m. Even though 7:15 a.m. is brutally early, everyone starts their day on such a positive note. Exercising releases endorphins that leave the body feeling more energized and stress-free. Seeing my students leave class in a better mental and physical state is incredibly rewarding.”
HC: What is the most challenging aspect?
OR: “Cycling is all about the music. I have an obsession with dancing and music, so creating a playlist is always a blast. Sometimes it’s difficult to find songs with a steady beat. Class is divided into hills, jumps, and sprints. So I need to find slow-paced songs for the hills, songs with a strong and steady beat for jumps, and songs with a fast-paced chorus for the sprints. I also like to have variation within each playlist. If I play Flume I need to balance it off with some Daddy Yankee! I try to find music that will appeal to everyone and love taking song suggestions for future classes!”
HC: Can you see yourself continuing as an instructor after Wake?
OR: “I can definitely see myself teaching classes or working for a health and/or fitness company some day. I am extremely passionate and want to reach out to as many people as possible to share with them my love of health and fitness.”
Olivia’s passion for fitness is inspiring and contagious. Make sure to check out one of her classes at the Miller Center and try it for yourself!