An Instructor's Heart
My desire to teach was inspired by many things... But most of all, I loved what group fitness did for me personally and I wanted to return the favor. It taught me resilience, perseverance, patience, focus, leadership, attention to detail, teamwork. I wanted to be an advocate in my community for living a healthy, active life and after all of my experience being in front of people (high school theatre and film class) I dove head first into teaching while in college. I loved what group fitness brought to the table; camaraderie, encouragement, competition, instruction, a positive environment, upbeat music, accountability, to name a few.
Now that I have been teaching group fitness for nearly nine years, my teaching style has certainly evolved and has been inspired by my own personal experiences, different uses of equipment, an abundant amount of reading, and other influential health leaders.
Various races with some very dear friends.
The biggest change is that I am currently not at a place where I am able to teach in a studio; a huge challenge that I am trying to take on with grace. It was very hard for me to let go of my stereo, headset and shiny wood floors once my son was born. I love being in front of people. I love creatively putting together new workouts, leading a group, calling out safety cues, addressing form, hearing everyone bitch and moan after a hard leg set, the smell of sweat, loud music... I love it all. Bring it on.
I am now teaching from behind a camera, through text in emailed workouts to clients and over the phone. On occasion, I work out with local friends and neighbors early in the mornings. This does not pay my bills; it is a labor of love and Time that I treasure. When you love something, you give freely.
Taught the 8am spin class at Siskey YMCA on my wedding day. I have run marathons with three of these girls, triathlons with a few and have taught classes to all of them. Surround yourself with the people that you want to be.
Another big change is that I am learning to teach people how to NOT rely on the gym or group fitness classes and instead to work out at home. Informing health enthusiasts just how little equipment you need to create a workout than can really push you and help you achieve your goals. That does not mean that I don't still LOVE group workouts... Just that I cannot do them these days and I fully recognize that many individuals (mom's in particular) have a hard time leaving children at home to get in a workout.
All that said. my how my "job" is changing!
nearly Nine years as a group fitness instructor in a studio
many years on the streets as an informal marathon/triathlon coach
now teaching from behind a camera how to workout at home.
I WILL NOT BE STOPPED!! I AM SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN A BIG PART OF MY JOURNEY THAT KEEP ME MOTIVATED.
Ivey was made to do this! She knows my limits and pushes me to be the very best version of myself. - Kathryn (Greensboro, NC)
Ivey makes each workout challenging, different, and fun! She's helped me become stronger and faster and has driven me to really want to make fitness part of my daily life. She holds me accountable and certainly makes those early morning wake up calls worth it. I love starting my day with Ivey! - Jill (Charlotte, NC)
Teaching and working next to Ivey as a fitness instructor was inspiring, encouraging and fun. She's always been very knowledgeable about health and fitness and the way the body moves to ensure results. Though we are peers, I definitely look to her as a leader both for motivation and a hard workout! - Rhandee (aka. future business partner, Nashville, TN)
As soon as I started training with Ivey in a group fitness setting and for triathlons, I knew that she would motivate me to stay on track with my goals. Little did I know that she would help me surpass them! I still implement the moves she taught me in class into my own workouts today! - Kaylee (Charlotte, NC)
Want to feel what it's like working with a top notch exercise instructor? Ivey is the best of the best. I'm a 51 year old woman that loves to exercise - Yoga, jogging, biking, circuit training... I've done it all. I've had the privilege to work out with Ivey a number of times. She prepares workouts that target the whole body and incorporate cardio. Many times I was ready to throw in the towel, but she was there encouraging me, "Come on Annie, 5 more, you can do it!" That push is just what I needed to finish. Whether you work with her one on one or with a group, with Ivey, you'll feel the burn, see results and want to come back for more. - Annie (Miami, FL)
Ivey is certainly one of the best fitness instructors that I have ever had. She motivates you to reach your fitness and personal goals through self empowerment and her own infectious positivity for life. Although her instruction has a no excuses type approach, after completing a workout I would always feel rejuvenated to conquer the day and beyond. - Samantha (Virginia Beach, VA)
IVB is such a powerhouse! She always motivated me to push through each challenge to better myself and my workout. By far the best instructor I have ever worked with. I love that she has jumped into social media with her daily workouts. For those of us far away with crazy schedules, I'm thrilled to be able to use her workouts anywhere, anytime. -Becca (Columbus, OH)
Why do I love teaching so much? We were only given one body. it is our machine. if we want to live to our utmost, ready to conquer all that life has in store, we must properly fuel and maintain this beautiful, perfectly designed machine. But where do you get a how-to guide? After my son was born, deer in headlights. there is no instruction manual on how to be a mother. Same applies to fitness. We don't get a book when we are born on how to take care of our bodies. There is so much (CONflicting) information out there and we have to kind of figure it out as we go.
i love to inspire. I love to educate. I love meeting people where they are and working with them to achieve their goals. I do this every day in my job in finance. Everyone has a different story and different goals. I love watching people meet and crush their goals. I am not the type of instructor that is going to put you in front of something that you cannot do and i will not leave you for dead. You will not grow if that is your current fitness environment. You will likely be injured from poor form, you will feel defeated and you will not see progress. I am also not going to pussy foot around. Everyone needs to be challenged to some degree to reach their goals... or they wouldn't be goals, now would they? Work hard, doing something that you enjoy.
I am hosting a workout this weekend for Charlotteans that want to come get a feel for what Ivey Baker Fitness workouts are all about! I put together Workouts each week that I send to clients to use either at their home or at the gym. Nothing worse than walking around the gym aimlessly not knowing what to do. These workouts may give you some inspiration!
Check the event post on my site and shoot me an email for details and if you want to join!