Instructor Spotlight Returns with Hillary Gras

Before getting to our spotlight for this week, I would like to encourage all of you to take the time to get to know your instructors. Find them on social media, introduce yourself before or after class and when you see them outside of barre say hi. I try and keep you all up to date on fitness activities going on in Charm City, so don't hesitate to reach out to see which ones we are attending. I love interacting during class and would love to see more of you in other group fitness classes at Merritt or at various events in the city. Let's make this a goal for the rest of this year and for 2016!

Instructor Spotlight Returns

This week we are chatting with SB Barre instructor:

Hillary Gras

Where do you teach and when? 

SB Barre Merritt Canton Monday at 7:10pm, Wednesday at 6:00pm

Merritt Towson Wednesday at 6:00am

Alternate Sunday 10:45 am at Merritt Fort Avenue

Sunrise or Sunset for your workouts? 

Sunrise! I love having the quiet time for myself, before everyone else is awake, before social media starts interrupting the day and before the work emails come flooding in. 

A tip for staying motivated during the holidays. 

Get your friends and family involved! Sign up the family for a turkey trot, gift a few classes to your favorite studio to your friends versus presents they might not need. But above all, be flexible. Your schedule will likely change due to travel, holiday parties, etc. Take it as an opportunity to mix things up!

 As an instructor, what is your favorite part about teaching? 

I try to make my classes fun and light. (light-hearted, not the lightest weights!) My favorite part is just laughing with the ladies. Seeing them loosen up, forget about the stresses of life and just ENJOY the time makes teaching so special. Working out can feel like such a burden for a lot of people and knowing that I can change that - even for an hour? It’s incredibly rewarding.  

Favorite holiday meal: 

This strawberry spinach salad with coconut dressing that my mom has been making since I was a little girl. Also – do red and green peanut butter M&Ms from the Christmas candy dish count? 

Pre-workout meal/snack: 

I usually work out in the mornings, so it’s usually something light/portable. Half a quinoa bar or a piece of wheat toast with a little peanut butter.

Favorite recovery meal/snack:. 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Quest Bar!

You never leave home without___:

My iPhone (original right?),  a functioning Waze app (I have a terrible sense of direction), water bottle, sneakers (we take walking meetings at my job!) and hair ties.

 What’s in your gym bag? 

Water Bottle, Spibelt, IPad, Heat-protectant hairspray, coconut water hairspray (smell alone is heavenly), barre socks, regular socks, bobby pins and hair ties, hairbrush, ShowerPill body wipes, Bars, headband, iPhone charger and of course, deodorant!

Favorite workout gear, water bottle, etc.: 

SPIbelt for running. It’s the only thing that stays in one place!

Favorite barre move: 

Attitude hip leg lifts. You feel the burn in both 

your glutes!

Favorite quote:  

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” 

“Be someone you want to meet”

When you’re not at the barre, where may we find you? 

Exploring Baltimore and surrounding areas, volunteering with my sorority alumnae chapter, running, or in my kitchen for a marathon cooking session.

Share something fun/interesting about yourself: 

When I was 15, I left my home state of Vermont to go to boarding school and have slowly been moving south ever since – New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and now Maryland!

Thank you Hillary. We know that you will continue to be such an inspiration to not only the SB Team but to every one that you teach!