With her passion for spinning, fitness, and always having a good time, Nancy Katinas is by far one of the best spinning instructors. As a regular at The Revolution indoor cycling studio, I have had the opportunity to spin with Nancy and it is an inspiration to watch her do what she loves with her fun personality. This week, I sat down with her to get the inside scoop on her life as the owner and an instructor at The Rev!
Her Campus: Did you always want to manage/own The Rev and be a spin instructor?
Nancy Katinas: No, I went to school for a Bachelor’s degree in Earth Science and then went on to get a Master’s in Reading Education. I was a school teacher for six years until I had my second child. After, I starting working at gym for the free membership, but then started to get certifications. My spin class was so popular because there were no other options outside of the ‘box’ gym. A client suggested I open my own business, so the first studio started in Clifton Park with our partners, who were attorneys. We paid and did everything 50/50; however, last summer, we just outgrew each other. Now, it’s just me and my husband.
HC: What’s the hardest thing about being a woman who manages/owns a business?
NK: I don’t think there’s any disadvantage in being a female running a business. Maybe if my kids were younger, daytime parental roles could be a problem, but I don’t see any disadvantage. Personally, I am excellent at promoting and running my business, but I do wear a lot of emotion and in business it’s all numbers, so as a woman, I am more emotional in that sense.
HC: What’s the best part about being a spin instructor and owner of The Rev?
NK: I get to write my own schedule as the owner, which I love. I also love picking the music as an instructor, and I love knowing that I get to drive my classes with my own emotions from that day. Being the owner, I love the fact that I get to pass the torch off to my other instructors. I sometimes get burned out from planning constantly, so letting my other awesome instructors delegate is so much fun. It’s so great to have a team that supports your dream and are able to delegate.
HC: Do you see yourself expanding your brand/business in the future?
NK: My husband and I are thinking about expanding into the Capital District in the near future. But, I can’t jinx it, so that’s all I can say for now!
HC: Where did the brand start and how did you expand to Loudonville?
NK: We started in Clifton Park, we’ve been there for seven years, and Loudonville came up because our landlord built the plaza with me in mind. He knew I’d be a tenant, and Fancy Shmancy was supposed to be a separate building, but they ended up being right next door…but it all worked out!
HC: How do you think fitness can impact collegiettes’ lives?
NK: I think it’s a great stress relief for collegiettes in dealing with college life and living on their own for the first time. It’s so hard to make good eating choices away from home, so kids are making unhealthy choices because they’re young and on their own. It’s easier to eat pizza then make a salad. You’re constantly studying and carrying so much stress, but with some students, they have a lot more free time than in high school so they have the ability to put in the effort in and live healthier. But students aren’t going to do it if it’s not convenient. Fitness, more specifically spin, is great for students who just want a balance in their lives–it’s fun, social, and blasting music.
HC: When you’re not spinning or at The Rev what are you usually doing?
NK: I have three teenagers who all play sports, so I support and watch them as much as I can. I also do weights at another gym, but I love to read and mostly relax with my family.
HC: Why do you think your business does so well? What’s the best part about it?
NK: My husband and I–mostly him–had to learn how to take risks so we could hit home runs after taking that risks. Even if it’s not always a home run, it’s still usually a hit. The easiest part of my business is teaching the classes; it’s harder to get the brand out there, but the apparel part of it is so much fun. When picking my instructors, I pick the ones with the X Factor, you know…big people, small people; they do not have to look the same, because people can be fit no matter how they look. I look for the people that make it fun and believable. That’s what makes my business a step above a gym. We’re affordable and believable. You get what you pay for.
For more information on The Revolution indoor cycling, visit http://myrevnow.com/