Staff Spotlight: Isabel Boike
What are your credentials?
I’ve been in the customer service industry for 15 years and the administration field for 9 years. I’ve had a vast array of different experiences from server, barista, leasing consultant to assistant manager, all strengthening my communication and management skills.
What do you love most about working in the fitness industry?
As someone who just overall enjoys working with people, it’s been amazing to be able to be part of something that really does change and evolve people’s lives. Fitness is a journey for everyone and being able to be a support system to all of our clients is a gift. Everyone has highs and lows and, while I love celebrating the highs with you, I also love being able to find a way to help make any lows a way to re-motivate and grow.
What separates you from others in the fitness industry?
I’ve been in various different fitness environments throughout my life and I’m blown away by the amazing trainers we have on our team. I’ve felt something so genuine from each of them, been able to relate to and laugh with all of them and it brings a sense of security when it comes to working with them. Each one of them is passionate about their clients, determined to make sure each and every person they come in contact with are able to take something away from each experience and make the journey about each individual. You’re really a unique person to our trainers, not just a name on a list.
What is your favorite area in fitness and why? (Strength Training/Marathon Running/ETC.)
I personally really love strength training and, more recently, Functional Patterns. I’ve never been much of an endurance athlete so finding other ways to keep myself moving has been a big experiment. I do feel like I’ve found my groove with lifting and working with my amazing trainer, Amy, in Functional Patterns.
What is your favorite training modality? (Kettlebell/TRX/ETC.)
I don’t know what my favorite is, to be honest. I guess it depends on the day. If I’m feeling some adrenaline and need to let out a little more gusto, I’d go with Kettlebells and the squat rack. If I’m feeling calmer and more focused, I love the TRX and some club work. One thing that will always be part of my fitness routine is Medicine Balls. They’re versatile, fun to work with, and can be done with a partner or alone.
What do you consider to be the greatest accomplishment of your life?
I’ll go down a cliché but very true road. My greatest accomplishments in my life are my children. I have always wanted to be able to have the chance to be a mother and now that I am, it’s the best thing in the world. My kids are so young and have a lot of growing to do, but I am so lucky to be able to know them, be able to be the one to teach them and set an example for them.
If you had to choose one exercise for somebody to do what would you pick and why?
Back to my love of Medicine Balls, one of my all-time favorite exercises to do is with a partner. I’m a social exerciser so when I get the chance, I love a good 2:1 Medicine Ball circuit with some sit-up tosses, slams and log tosses. You just can’t go wrong with that!
What’s your secret to staying in shape?
I definitely don’t have a secret as it’s a constant effort for me, being at home with my kids all the time. I will say that, as simple as it is, being out in my garden and working daily to make improvements is what keeps me moving. I can take an hour to do a workout a few times a week, but for me it’s a bigger challenge to keep moving in between workouts. Doing yardwork is very physically laborious with lots of lifting, squatting, shoulder movement and small movements. It’s hard work, definitely gets me sweaty and I can absolutely feel some muscle soreness afterwards so I’m happy with it!
What’s your favorite workout song?
Right now, my favorite workout song is probably Con Calma by Daddy Yankee. My son and I do a lot of dancing together and he’s been very into Raeggeton lately, which I’m very happy to encourage. Since you can’t help but want to move to that kind of music, it gets me going right away.
What are you passionate about? What are your hobbies and interests?
I’m a bit of a movie fanatic. My dad is a film professor, among other things, and always made movie-watching a fun experience. My sister and I are also big on quizzing each other on movies, music and other arts like that so I always keep brushed up. I’m a visual artist so I’m always working on something, whether it be sewing, quilting, painting, drawing or just rearranging my home. I love music, dance, singing and, of course, spending time with my good friends and entire family.
What’s one thing that surprises people about you?
I have a few answers to this question, but I think the one I’ll put down is that, beneath my outgoing, boisterous, energetic, bubbly personality, I’m actually a particular, more type A person. I’m very detail oriented, particular about small details, and sometimes go through things with an EXTRA fine-toothed comb. I can definitely be laid back and silly, but I’m not a fan of chaos and clutter and things out of place in my environment.
What’s your favorite T.V. show?
This is difficult for me to answer as I’ve got a few. I’ll go right in and say that my all-time favorite show is Friends. It’s just so silly, easily relatable and just about anyone can watch an episode or two and get some good laughs out of it. I do highly recommend watching all 10 seasons in order though! Then we’ll make Friends references forever!
If you could only pick one thing to eat for the rest of your life what would it be?
I’d have to say pasta. I’m going with the general food, pasta because I can’t decide whether it would be my husband’s Tortellini Ai Formaggi, my mom’s mushroom stroganoff, my dad’s homemade pesto, or my friend’s lasagna. I love pasta.
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring 3 things with you what would they be?
My husband, my son and my daughter. Anything else wouldn’t be worth not having them with me.