Let’s Move Quad Cities celebrates the spirit and determination Quad City area residents take to promote movement and fitness. Bettendorf Family Y Pilates instructor and personal trainer, Heather Ohlensehlen, 45, shares her passion for inspiring everyone to greater levels of fitness!
Inspiring Others is Why I Move
by Healther Ohlensehlen, Personal trainer, LesMills certified Body Attack, CXWORX, and Body Pump instructor, Pilates instructor, cycling instructor, and a cardio and strength instructor
Were you an athlete, or involved in physical activity throughout your life?
I have always played sports growing up. I played volleyball and swam through high school and then continued to swim in college.
What has been your journey to fitness?
When I graduated from college, I pursued a career in advertising.
I continued to play club volleyball and I coached for a club swim team.
After giving birth to my second child, I started taking fitness classes at the Y. I realized that the Y had the perfect opportunity to combine a career with my passion. I have never looked back. Every day I wake up thankful for what’s in store!
Tell us about your journey to fitness!
I love a healthy lifestyle and I LOVE to workout!
My goal is to inspire others to feel the same way.
From the beginning level to the experienced level, we are all in this journey together, and everyone should feel accomplished.
How many classes do you teach in a week? Don’t you get tired??!!
I teach 10 classes a week, and no, I rarely get tired. The members motivate me!
How do you prepare for classes?
I enjoy what I do, therefore I think about my classes a lot!
Every class is planned with a main goal in mind.
Because I have many different fitness levels in class, I will cater the class for each level. My motto is that everyone is included!
Is this your full time occupation or do you balance these sessions with family or other work/community activities?
Fitness is one of my priorities. I am also a wife and a mother of a 16-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son.
What is Pilates and can anyone do it?
Pilates focuses on strengthening the core. Pilates is a class that almost anyone can attend, some notifications may apply.
What inspires you most about your students?
I am inspired by my students’ smiles!
Working out is hard and time consuming, but then I see them smiling because they are having fun, and making friends, and accomplishing their goals. I am truly inspired!
How has group exercise changed in your career?
Group fitness is much more inclusive now.
The classes at the Y may be focused towards a particular goal such as cardio, strength trading, core work, etc, but not towards a particular gender.
What is your advice to someone who needs a little motivation to get moving?
My advice to someone who may need a little motivation is to experience many different types of classes. Different things motivate different people.
When not in class, what else do you enjoy in your life?
Fitness is my second love, my first love is my family. When I am not at the Y or planning classes, I am spending time with them!
February 22, 2016 at 3:45 am
I had many instructors in my life….Heather is the most inspiring, she is the best ! Very professional, very friendly – always with a smile on her face !
February 22, 2016 at 7:18 pm
Heather is an awesome instructor! She motivates and inspires us to do our best.
February 23, 2016 at 9:14 am
I love taking Heather’s class. She always asked you to “bring it” and give at least 100%. Her enthusiasm is contagious and her classes are always full. I’ve never had an instructor inspire me as much as Heather. We love her!
February 23, 2016 at 2:06 pm
From Heather: I am so appreciative and thankful for everyone’s responses! I am also appreciative and thank for the Y members! Because of them, I am able to do what I absolutely love every single day! Thank you for that!!!!!
February 25, 2016 at 8:54 am
Heather I love take all 3 class am in .I absolutely love working out with you
February 26, 2016 at 3:56 pm
Heather is an excellent instructor, I enjoyed her classes both mentally and physically. “Heat-ther” you are the best.