Sunday Spotlight with Nicole Doenges

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and got all of their last minute shopping done. Christmas in 5 days!?!?! Crazy right?!?!  There are still a ton of opportunities to get in some workouts this week before traveling, cookie eating and wine drinking. Since you all have worked so hard this year, join me this week (Monday 5pm Barre at Merritt Canton and Tuesday night 5pm Body Barre at Merritt Canton) for special treats...because...well...you are #KINDAwesome!

#STRONGandKIND

Now time for our Instructor Spotlight....

SB Barre instructor Nicole Doenges

Where do you teach and when?

Monday mornings at Fort Ave Merritt, Monday evening at the Under Armour Performance Center, Wednesday evening at Fort Ave Merritt and again on Friday morning at UAPC

A tip for staying motivated during the holidays.

It’s leggings season! Motivation enough! I like to remind myself there’s rarely ever a time I regret working out, so just go and get it done.

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

So many things! I love having new people in class and seeing them come back for more. Also love seeing my regulars, especially in the 5:45am classes!

Any tips for first timers taking barre?

Don’t be shy! Come hang out up front so you can see what’s going on. Ask questions– there are no silly questions in barre – I promise! When I first started taking SB Barre, I wondered why my standing leg was burning during barre exercises – I finally asked if that was normal and Hillary [hey girl!] told me – uh yes! Keep it up!

Favorite snacks for traveling

Pre-workout meal/snack:


I drink lemon water before the morning workouts; if I have a workout later in the day, I’ll just make sure to eat Greek yogurt with fruit or some almond butter with half an apple for a little fuel.

Yummy Honey Bee Acai Bowl from Pure Raw Juice

Favorite recovery meal/snack:


All the protein. Either a shake, eggs, oatmeal, or at dinner time, a grilled piece of

chicken with some sweet potatoes..mm..









You never leave home without_______:

My “china go-bag”  a little kit I started packing for my trips to China for work. It keeps EVERYTHING. Advil, chapstick, extra earbuds, hand sanitizer, lavender face oil, shout wipes…anything I need in a pinch!



What’s in your gym bag? 

Must must must have my dry shampoo and sea salt spray. Obsessed with Oribe texturizing spray – smells amazing. I keep a curling iron in there too for beach waves, body/face wipes, water bottles and extras of everything. I’m one of those people that buys duplicates and keep all the extras stashed in go-bags so I can’t get caught off guard!


Favorite workout gear, water bottle, etc.:

I am lucky to work for Under Armour – currently obsessed with our StudioLux Artsy leggings and any of our graphic tanks. I’m going through a phase where when I’m not wearing a UA tank, I’m sporting a fun random tee with the neck cut and sleeves ripped off.

Favorite barre move:

Pretzels! Standing, sitting… they’re the best.

Favorite quote:

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they worked on it every day.”

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

Working, traveling – either for work or fun, running, or making some crazy food or craft somewhere with friends. Latest crazes – chunky knit blankets, DIY limoncello and kombucha. I’m so random.

Share something fun/interesting about yourself:

I make shoes for a living! I always thought I wanted to be an architect, but hated math and was scared I’d make a building collapse if I screwed up a drawing by 5 inches, so in high school decided I’d be a graphic designer instead. I eventually made my way over into product at UA, and now I take the designers’ vision and figure out how we’re going to actually build it. Ironically, I’m kind of a shoe architect now!


Don't forget to share your favorite workouts, events and what you loved about 2015 for an upcoming post. You can also share what you'd like to see in 2016. 

Happy Holidays!

Emily