Emily Stubler is one of the toughest fitness instructors around, and Penn State is lucky enough to have this hardcore athlete teaching classes right here on campus. A junior majoring in advertising, Stubler manages to balance schoolwork while teaching eight fitness classes a week and interning for the football team. She is known for her insanely hard classes, and she is ready to change the way Penn State students look at health. This instructor is prepared to leave you feeling breathless.
HC: What motivated you to become a fitness instructor?
Emily: While playing soccer in high school, I tore both of my ACL’s and decided to quit. I had actually never been in a gym before I came to Penn State, and I just fell in love with it. I didn’t even want to play soccer anymore. I decided I needed to get more into the wellness part of working out as opposed to the competitive side. Two of my sisters were trainers here, and that’s how I heard about it.
HC: How do you come up with different ideas for your intense classes?
Emily: I start with a scratch piece of paper and write down what I want to do with the class, and then I try it out myself in my living room. If it feels too easy, then I organize it and modify the moves to what I want.
HC: What’s your favorite class to teach?
Emily: Calorie Killer is my favorite because it’s one of those classes where a person can truly feel a difference in just one week. With this class, it’s so much easier to push someone past their limits. I remember the people who come to my classes and I’m able to tell them when they need to up their weights. It’s a really hard class, so it makes me proud when I see people who can finish it.
HC: Who is the person who inspires and motivates you the most?
Emily: My physical therapist back home really took an interest in me when I tore my ACL’s and she inspired me to do well. She did a lot of sports specific training and helped me to get back in shape for my senior year of high school, my first full season of soccer. Because I was well enough to play, I scored the winning goal for the state championship. It was the highlight of my career. When I go home, I still get a lot of ideas for my classes from her.
HC: What is your greatest achievement?
Emily: Making it into the Penn State Fitness program as a fitness instructor is my biggest achievement because it’s one of the most elite. It’s a huge dedication to a healthy lifestyle change, and I hope to keep fitness as a part of my life. While I don’t plan on making a career out of fitness, I would like to work for a company with an on-site gym and possibly teach a class before or after work.
HC: Do you have any words of advice for college girls looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle?
Emily: My biggest piece of advice is to do all things, good or bad, in moderation. Drinking should obviously be done moderately, but even working out shouldn’t be done excessively. I’ve seen too many girls who work out too much, and this leads to eating disorders and problems with self-image. One of the things our fitness coordinator stresses is that we’re here for you guys. At the end of the day, we have to express to you what is healthy. You won’t see any trainer standing in front of a class that doesn’t look healthy. But when you are working out, don’t be afraid to push yourself. At the end of the day, if you push past your limits you feel better about yourself both physically and mentally. Your workout is your time to be selfish, and your body can do more than you think it can.
Come try out one of Emily’s classes! Here’s her schedule:
Monday: Kick Boxing – 4:15
Tuesday: Boot Camp – 4:15
Wednesday: Cycling – 5:15
Thursday: Total Muscle Conditioning – 3:30, Boot Camp – 4:15, Abs – 5:30
Friday: Abs – 4:00, Calorie Killer – 4:30
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