Travis Standiford, New Group Fitness Coordinator at Midtown Chicago
He’s Midtown Athletic Club in Chicago’s new Group Fitness Coordinator, and is about to become a Les Mills GRIT National Trainer. Travis Standiford brings his passion for transforming lives, years of expertise, and big personality to the club as the exciting Fall Group Exercise Schedule prepares to launch on October 1.
Q. Tell us about your background.
Travis: I’m originally from Kansas City and just moved to Chicago a few months ago. While I was always involved in athletics as a child, it wasn’t until 2010 that my relationship with true fitness began. A close friend of mine made a drastic change in his lifestyle, and this had a great impact on me. I went to the gym, and soon fell in love with the changes I was able to make to my body.
Q. What made you decide to pursue the fitness industry as a career choice?
Travis: In 2011, I challenged myself to build as much muscle as I could over the course of three months. I showed my progress to a YMCA manager in Missouri, and this manager asked me if I was interested in becoming a personal trainer.
I obtained my ACE Personal Training certification, and worked for the YMCA both as a trainer and a boot camp instructor, which was my first foray into group fitness.
When I took the Les Mills BODYPUMP master training for the Y, I loved it, and began the permanent switch to teaching group fitness. I wanted to inspire and empower people with this format, and help members believe that they can change their lives as I did.
Q. So, you’re a big fan of Les Mills?
Travis: Yes! After that first BODYPUMP master training class, I obtained 7 additional group fitness certifications, and 6 of them are Les Mills. I was invited to a national competition for Les Mills called “The One,” and was selected as one of 7 out of 30,000 instructors to perform a track in front of audience in what was similar to an American Idol competition. The company selected one person to represent Les Mills in Sweden, and I was honored to have made the Top 3.
My role at Midtown is an opportunity to work both with Les Mills and in the perfect setting to deliver fitness to as many people as I can.
Q: What do you hope to bring to the Group Exercise offerings at Midtown?
Travis: My primary goal is to understand what energizes members here. I want to increase participation in group exercises classes and introduce members from the tennis side to all that we have to offer in group fitness. There are so many changes coming to this club, and the energy is phenomenal.
Q: What classes will you be teaching?
Travis: GRIT, BODYPUMP, Cycle Sprint, a new format called VOLT Powered by MYZONE, and also a Kickboxing class.
Q: What does your favorite workout look like?
Travis: I like putting in a Les Mills release, going hard, and being fully exhausted afterward. I also enjoy weight-lifting, loaded bar, body weight movements, and a hard core workout.
Q: What do you say to members who are too nervous to take a Group Exercise class?
Travis: First, look at the schedule and find something that sounds fun. Exercise should always be something you enjoy. Then, remind yourself that everyone was once a newbie. The instructors understand this, and the more experienced members welcome the newbies because they knew what it was like to be one.
Q: Why do you think group fitness has become so popular over the past few years?
Travis: Group exercise is a choreographed workout. People don’t need to think about reps, weight load, or minutes, because the class is already set up for you. Group exercise classes are also a place of positive encouragement, and coaching is included. The fact that group exercise is not a solo experience and that fellow participants help and push you is appealing to people.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about your new role?
Travis: I have a wonderful opportunity to transform so many members’ lives. The club transformation project is so exciting, and I’m looking forward to leading the charge. It all starts with our incredible new schedule that I cannot wait to launch.
The new Group Exercise schedule drops October 1.
Get ready!