DANCE FITNESS

For Lynne, having fun with fitness through dance has been a driving force her entire adult life. Dance is a joy that she wants to share with students and for them to experience! She has extensive experience as a fitness professional and became an ACE certified group fitness and personal trainer in 1994 and 2002 respectively. She and her Dance Fitness partner, Kristi Coltharp, have been volunteering to teach their class for many years, in order to make it affordable for all who want to participate.

She received a degree in Park Management from Colorado State University. Work as a park ranger brought her to Sitka in 1979 and she has spent over 25 years working as a park manager. For eleven years, when her two sons were young, she was a successful professional potter and is still known for her pots with unique, intricate wildlife designs. Currently, Lynne works as the Executive Director of Sitka Trail Works. Lynne spends her “spare” time gardening, hiking and biking, creating quilts with wildlife designs and spending time with her family and friends.

SPINNING®/ROCKFIT

I came to Sitka from the Bay Area in 1997 thinking that I would stay for a year, now 20 years later I am still living here with my husband and 2 boys Bryce and Nolan. I started out at Raven's Way before going back to school to get my BSN, and now work in the ER at Sitka Community Hospital. I have played sports and worked out for as long as I can remember and it is a huge part of my life. I took my first spin class here at the Hames Center and loved it! It has been a blast teaching! I have always been a weight lifter but didn't discover Rockfit until I took the class at Hames. I was hooked. I love the camaraderie of the group environment, the high intensity and the diversity of the workouts, and pushing myself harder that I ever have before. I see every day in my job the importance that exercise and functional movement have on a good quality of life and that has been a great motivator for me to get certified to be an instructor.

CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER | PILATES | INTERVAL TRAINING | TABATA BOOTCAMP | SPINNING®

Originally from Pennsylvania and most recently Morro Bay, California, Sue loves the outdoors! She enjoys hiking, biking, running, and anything that gets her outside. She has been working in the fitness industry for over 14 years. Her fitness experience has certified her to teach different types of fitness classes like Tabata Bootcamp™, Kickboxing, and Spinning ®.

She is also a Certified Yoga Instructor. What she enjoys most about fitness is helping people feel successful and healthy in their bodies and everyday lives.

ZUMBA®

Kate DesRosiers (Petraborg) was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 7. Since then, it quickly became a high priority to focus on nutrition, health, and overall wellness!

As a lifelong Sitkan, world traveler, gardener, gatherer, and animal lover(2 dogs, 1 cat, and a few naughty poultry....) finding balance and creativity through Dance came as a great surprise to her!!

Motivating others to step outside of their box, let loose and find their own passions- inspired her in November 2016 to become a certified Zumba instructor.

Try a class, you might just Dance away all your troubles from the week!!!

GROUP FITNESS TRAINER | CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER

Jo was born and raised in Sitka, and has spent the last 7 years studying and working in Bellingham, WA. Her passion for movement began with dancing at Sitka Studio of Dance at age 4, and keeping up the active, outdoorsy lifestyle of a Sitkan. After a high school spine fracture and rehab, Jo was inspired to study Kinesiology, Pre-Physical therapy in order to learn how to help others improve their lives through optimized movement capabilities. Her specialties include functional training, senior fitness, and behavioral weight loss training. She is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist.

When not in the gym, you'll see Jo dancing, hiking, biking, or playing disc golf (ask her what that is!).

SPINNING® & Total Body Conditioning

Cindy started on a banana seat, moved on to a unicycle, and now rides her bike almost everywhere. She's brought her outdoor passion indoors to the Hames Center, where she teaches three Spinning® classes a week, emphasizing deep workouts with low joint impact - and now Total Body Conditioning too!

Cindy earned her Spinning® certification after 10 years of being a student in various Spinning® classes nationwide. It was during a class with a muscled triathlete and an overweight woman (with a cane) riding side-by-side that she realized what a broad spectrum this program can benefit, and knew it was something she wanted to share.

After years working as a recreation director and a lifetime as a music lover, she found spinning to be a perfect combo of a passion for fun, fitness, and music. Cindy also enjoys hiking, snowboarding, kiteboarding and living in the most perfect place on earth with her husband and "Sitka family."

SPINNING®

Bridget came to Sitka in 1993 as a Jesuit Volunteer and fell in love with the mountains, the forest, and the ocean. She tries to have as many adventures in this beautiful place with her husband, Randy, her children, Connor and Lola, and her adventure buddies. She works as a Physical Therapist at Sitka Community Hospital, a job which allows her to help people help themselves through exercise and hands on treatment. As a SPIN instructor, she likes give people an opportunity to see what their body is capable of! She is a huge Hames Center supporter and appreciates a place where people can connect, exercise, and have fun!

SPINNING® | TRX

Colleen’s lived in Sitka for 46 years. After five years of being a Spinning® enthusiast, she made the leap to instructor in May of 2014. Since that time she has successfully achieved her Spinning® Star Level Two credential. Colleen enjoys empowering her riders to work hard and get the most out of their ride both physically and mentally in a safe manner; all while being totally cognizant of their unique capabilities. Colleen not only instructs Spinning® but takes classes too and says Hame’s Spinning® instructors are some of the very best.

Colleen’s sports background includes gymnastics, cheerleading, drill team, softball, golfing and a former member of the New Archangel Dancer’s®. She loves the great outdoors that Sitka affords those that are lucky enough to reside here, from hiking, boating, camping, fishing (both sport and commercial), and golfing to name a few.

When she cannot be found at Hames Center she may be out slamming salmon with her husband Roger or spending time at their second home in Hawaii.

CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER | TRX

Growing up on the ocean surfing, fishing, and diving in sunny Florida, Dawn has a huge passion for anything aquatic and outdoors. She’s done everything from working in the TV industry in New York City to teaching SCUBA in Roatan, Honduras. Which is where she met her husband, a lifelong Sitkan. As an adventurer and lover of the outdoors, it’s only natural that Dawn has been drawn to the fitness industry. As a certified Personal Trainer, she is excited to be helping others obtain their goals and get stronger every day. Dawn brings energy and some Florida sunshine to her fun, upbeat, fast-paced classes.

When not working, you are likely to see Dawn out on her paddle board, fishing and hunting. She might also be high up on a mountain with her two four legged “kids”, Koda and Fathom.

SPINNING®

Emma moved to Sitka in 2018 from Ketchikan. She is originally from Wisconsin and loves all things dairy related, especially cheese. She has always loved the outdoors but her passion for cycling in particular started in college when she became a spin instructor and started road racing for the UW Cycling Club. Six years later she still loves spinning and biking just as much as ever. When she is not on two wheels she can be found volunteering at the fire department as a firefighter/EMT, spending time with her three pets or working towards her Masters in Health and Wellness Management. Emma will be teaching a 45 minute gentle spin class geared towards beginners, individuals and active older adults. She is excited to continue to help people in the community of Sitka reach their fitness goals and have fun while doing it.

SPINNING®

Erin moved to Sitka in 2006 with plans to spend a year, maybe two, here. However, she met her husband Eric just two months after driving off the ferry. Erin, Eric and their son Ever have since established some serious roots on this beautiful island. She fell in love with Spin after encouragement from a friend and fellow Spin instructor to give a class a try. Erin became a certified Spin instructor after spending several years on the bike as a student. What she values most about Spin is that it is both a group and individual exercise experience that is highly adaptable and accessible. Erin loves teaching new and seasoned students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Erin loves the opportunity to meet up with her parents, both avid cyclist, for mountain biking adventures.

SPINNING®

Carly moved to Sitka from Minnesota! When she's not on the spin bike, you can find Carly on the water or in the woods - fishing, hunting, outdoor adventuring, and traveling are at the top of her to-do list. Carly's addiction to group exercise began while she was attending college at the University of North Dakota. It didn't take long for her to realize that spin class was the best way for her to get a solid workout in and still have time for class, studying, and work. Carly found herself doing all she could to plan her daily class and work schedule around spin class - it was then that she realized, this could be my work! Since then, she has been teaching group exercise (primarily spin) on and off for 9 years! What Carly loves most about spin class is even if you’re not quite in workout mode when you get to the gym - when you hop on that bike, it's go time! We are all in it together - dim the lights, crank the tunes, let's go!

FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH

Born and raised in upstate New York I went to Northeastern University in Boston before transferring to the University of Oregon to earn my degree in Exercise and Movement Science. I came to Sitka in 1997 to be the Baranof Barracuda Swim Club Coach. I have since earned my Master’s Degree and have been teaching Physical Education in the Sitka School District since 2004. Sports and fitness have always been a huge part of my life. I have competed in swimming, basketball, softball, and rowing. My love of sports and fitness has inspired me to teach both children and adults. I have been teaching Functional Strength classes on and off again since 2003. In my down time I love to travel, coach, and spend time with my family. Please come join me as we work together to improve our health!

SPINNING® | TRX

Michalene is addicted to Spinning®! When she took her first Spin® class, She snuck into class petrified of the unknown but as soon as the class began she felt comfortable and from that moment she knew she was hooked for life. The dark room and pounding music allowed her to lose herself in her workout. Spinning® has been such a lasting lifestyle change for her, the next step was to become a Certified Spin® Instructor. She's been very excited to translate her love of the sport as a client to that of an instructor. Her goal is to lead a fun high energy class and for everyone to leave sweaty! She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, traveling, and of course working out!

POWER PILATES

I have a comprehensive 800 hour certification in Pilates through Balanced Body. I did my training in Atlanta with one of the best studios in the state. I further taught all levels of classes with diverse Pilates machines and tools including Reformer, Tower, and Chair. I love teaching and watching my students succeed in their movement goals. I look forward to teaching one of my favorite classes, Power Pilates, in Sitka. My husband and I moved here in 2018 with our two children and we are so excited to make Sitka our home.