Personal Trainer Bios
Zac Bailey
Education:
B.A. Exercise Science with an emphasis in Health Promotion from Central College in 2008.
Background:
Originally from Milford, Iowa. 2003 graduate of Okoboji High School. Scorpio.
Related Experience:
Athletic Background:
2006 Division 3 track and field All American
3x track and field state champion Okoboji High School
55m School Record holder, Central College
Strength and Conditioning Internship in 2006 under 2008 Division 3 Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Jake Anderson.
Favorite Quote:
“Anyone can work hard in the beginning. It’s those who work hard when it gets really tough that find the separation between those who are mediocre and those who are champions.”
Rachel Davis
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Movement and Exercise Science from the University of Northern Iowa
Experience: 4 years of dance instruction, choreography, and performance
Background: Rachel grew up in Charles City, IA with her mom, dad, and older brother. Growing up she was involved in studio dance for 12 years then continued in college by joining the dance company at UNI. Rachel has always had an interest in fitness and nutrition.
Related Hobbies: Dancing, Exercising, and doing outdoor sports and activities with friends
Mantra: Live like it’s your last day, love like you’ve never been hurt, and dance like no one is watching!
Rory Ford
From Newton, Iowa
Graduated from Wartburg College with a degree in Fitness Management
Apex Certified
Love sports or anything outdoors
Kate Gerard
Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer
Experience, Education and Training Beliefs:
AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor, and APEX Fitness Systems Certified Personal Trainer, and has been employed by ActivEdge (formerly Aspen Athletic Club) in Cedar Rapids since January of 2003.
I have been instructing Group Fitness classes for 18 years, teaching a wide variety of formats which I thoroughly love! I have been a Personal Trainer for seven years, and enjoy working with people from all walks of life with differing fitness levels, health conditions, and individual goals.
I have additional certifications in Yoga, Pilates, Body Pump, LeMond Cycling, BTSF Kickboxing, Turbo-Kick, BOSU, Resist-A-Ball, SilverSneakers I, II, II, and APEX BodyBugg. I also hold a 4th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon-Do, a martial art in which I competed throughout Iowa and the Midwest, and taught classes for several years.
My passion as a Personal Trainer and Instructor is helping people of all ages gain confidence and feel better about themselves by achieving their fitness goals and improving their health through proper exercise and nutrition. I believe that “health” is a balance of the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of ourselves which are the cornerstones of the foundation for living a quality and fulfilling life.
My philosophy regarding living that quality and fulfilling life is to make our overall health and well-being not only a priority, but a lifestyle, and to enjoy the journey on the path to achieving our goals, whatever they may be.
I have a wonderful son who lives in Minneapolis, and two beautiful dogs. I love walking my dogs, and I enjoy the outdoors, traveling, music, reading, eating healthy, delicious food, hiking in the mountains, attending church, and studying the Bible.
Tony Matteson
From Thor, IA
Graduated from Iowa Central Community College with an AA degree. Transferred to UNI and graduated with a degree in Health Promotion.
I love watching various sports, especially football and soccer. In my free time I enjoy playing XBox 360.
Mantra:
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But, I cannot accept not trying.” – Michael Jordan
Kyle Petersen
Education:
BA Fitness Management – Wartburg College
APEX Certified
Interests:
Fitness, football, golf, poker
Training Philosophy:
The “why” is more important than the “what”. Anybody can blindly throw together a series of movements, sets, reps.
Jeff Rierson
Amanda Rouse
ACSM-Certified Personal Trainer
APEX & BodyBugg Certified
Certified BODYPUMP Instructor
BA Fitness Management – Wartburg College 2008
- 2+ Years experience in Personal Training and Group Exercise
- 2 years experience competing in softball at the collegiate level
- Competed in 2008 DAC Sprint Triathlon, Denver CO
- Particpates in several local 5K races
I am passionate about health and fitness and love sharing my knowledge and expertise with various members of the community. If your fitness goals are to lose weight and look better in your clothes, I am the trainer for you. I will challenge and encourage you to meet your health and fitness goals whether you are an experienced exerciser or are just getting started!
Gary Rowray
Nathan Specht
College: Wartburg – Fitness management
Been a personal trainer here at aspen for over 2 years
Hobbies: Running marathons, coaching wrestling, boating, anything outdoors
Quote: So you wish to conquer in the Olympic games, my friend? And I too, by the Gods, and a fine thing it would be. But first mark the conditions and the consequences, and then set to work. You will have to put yourself under discipline; to eat by rule, to avoid cakes and sweetmeats; to take exercise at the appointed hour whether you like it or no, in cold and heat; to abstain from cold drinks and from wine at your will; in a word, to give yourself over to the trainer as to a physician. Then in the conflict itself you are likely enough to dislocate your wrist or twist your ankle, to swallow a great deal of dust, or to be severely thrashed, and, after all these things, to be defeated.
