MIND OVER MATTER
In the words of Katelyn Kaese, beloved RISE Fitness + RISE Cycle instructor, teaching group fitness classes is essentially “energy management.” “Not to be cheesy,” Katelyn says, “but I really use the energy of the class to either push them harder or to pull the intensity back.” The Glen Ellyn, Illinois, native has always been a fitness fanatic, and she recently opened up about her journey into group fitness and gives us a sneak peek at her on-point motivational tactics.
RISE Fitness + RISE Cycle clients are lucky enough to sign up for a variety of classes led by Katelyn, including Barre, Fusion, Cardio Boxing, and Cycle. A self-proclaimed fitness fanatic — and former equestrian, and tennis and badminton player for Glenbard West High School — Katelyn fell in love with the then-new concept of barre fitness in 2006.
“I was visiting a friend in New York City, and we took a class at Physique 57,” the pioneer of barre fitness, she explains. Ever since, Katelyn has been hooked on barre and the results it delivers. In fact, she loved it so much that she became a certified barre instructor through Exhale Fitness in downtown Chicago.
But fitness wasn’t always on her radar. The Michigan State grad, who holds degrees in hospitality and business, worked for Kimpton Hotels as a meeting planner prior to shifting her priorities to motherhood. While her post-collegiate work took her to Washington, DC, Katelyn returned to her native Chicago to help open a new Kimpton Hotel and never left. And that can be credited to her now husband, whom she met on the elevator at their apartment complex; naturally, she was headed to an early morning workout class, and he offered her a ride to the studio. They moved to Glen Ellyn shortly after the arrival of their little guy in 2015. The Kaese family has since expanded their family to include a sweet little girl.
In the RISE Fitness + RISE Cycle community, Katelyn is adored for her challenging classes and motivational tactics – namely, her ability to push you to your limits while ensuring you smile as you do it. When asked how she does it, Katelyn responds, “I know what my clients are feeling, because I’ve been in their shoes.” To this end, she routinely takes classes at RISE Fitness so that she can, 1) be challenged in the way she challenges others, and 2) so she can see what the other studio instructors are doing in class to ensure her classes are complementary and not repetitive.
“I know to stay motivated that you have to push through the mental barriers,” Katelyn explains. “When it comes to challenging yourself, it’s mind over matter… and I’m inspired by the clients who show up each day, ready to not only improve their physical health but also their mental health.”
Thanks, Katelyn, for being our constant inspiration and deliverer of positive vibes!