This Campus Celeb takes care of residents in Mountaineer Hall while also keeping us in shape at the Quinn Center! Miss Katie Long is a Junior Music Therapy major that spends her time as a Resident Assistant, a Group Fitness Instructor, and a hardworking student. She is from Charleston, South Carolina but loves being in Boone!
Q: As an exercise instructor and an RA, how do you balance being a student and being so involved?
A: Time Management! I’m a student first and an RA second. Group Fitness is not a job to me; it is a time for me to relieve any stress, forget about my day, and just have fun while getting a workout.
Q: What exercise classes do you teach at the Quinn Center?
A: I teach Total Body Sculpt and Body Rock.
Q: How do you come up with your routines and how do you find your music?
A: I don’t have a system for making my classes. I write down all of my plans each week and incorporate new powerful moves. I check health and fitness magazines as well as cool blogs to put together a fun and tough workout. I also ask my participants’ opinions because ultimately I’m there for them. As for music, I use a website called steady 130. It’s an hour of today’s top hits at a steady tempo. I would recommend it to anyone.
Q: Do you have any suggestions for people that are trying to lose weight and get in shape?
A: Make a plan and a schedule and stick to it! Appalachian has a variety of classes and activities so there is something for everybody. Also, don’t be afraid to push yourself; you are so much stronger than you think you are! Remember to take adequate time to rest and reward yourself. That is important as well.
Q: What is your favorite thing about what you do?
A: I love being around people and I get to do that as an RA, as an instructor, and in my major.
Q: How did you get your job at the Quinn Center?
A: I applied and went through a workshop and audition process, and eventually assisted another instructor. It’s a lot of fun and you learn a lot.
Q: What are your plans after you graduate?
A: After I graduate, I have six months of internship for my major. Then I plan to go back to school to get my doctorate and masters. I’ll hopefully still teach fitness classes on the side because I want to be nationally certified so that I can teach anywhere.