Team HGX – Group Exercise Instructors

Brittany Tate is a Certified Zumba Instructor and Integrative Health Coach. I have been in the health & wellness industry for 7 years and enjoy inspiring others and educating people through fitness and encouragement. I began teaching Zumba in 2012 after I took my first group fitness class. My first love is dance and fitness is a way of maintaining the healthy lifestyle I want, so it was amazing to be able to tie both of my loves into one. I teach Zumba at the Houston Gym on Saturdays from 11 AM 2:15 PM and also throughout the week with BT FitLyfe, a health and wellness brand founded by me! You will always have a sweaty good time. My class is full of energy and it is a mix of mid-high intensity fun!

Carol has been an Indoor Cycling instructor for almost 15 years. She has been teaching at Houston Gym for the last 6 years and teaches at 6:30 AM on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Carol believes a well-rounded workout is the key to having a great life. She incorporates light weights and a Pilates ball into her class routine as well as other "spin activities" she has learned from some of the over half dozen studios where she has instructed over her spin career. You just never know what fun thing she will add to the class.

Hi! My name is Kim. I have been in the fitness industry for over 20 years. I am AFAA and CPR certified. I teach a variety of formats including TaeBo, Yoga, Pilates, Strength Training and Boot Camp. I look forward to seeing you in class!!

Hi, my name is Lisa Valdez. I received my Zumba certification in 2012 and I have enjoyed teaching group fitness classes since then. I teach every other Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM. I love the outdoors, music, dancing, reading, learning, all things fitness, and I love finding fun new places to eat here in Houston. I am vegan and so of course I am an animal lover. I have three cats and three dogs. All but one of my pets were rescues. More than anything spending quality time with my family is a must. I am married and I have three beautiful children. Busy is my middle name! I am greatly blessed to say the least.

Damira Bley graduated from the University of Houston with degrees in Psychology and Sociology and later went on to receive fitness certifications from the National Federation of Personal Trainers, the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, and the Yoga institute. Damira has worked for the Houston Gym for the last ten years teaching and subbing a variety of formats. Currently she is teaching a different format of Yoga and Pilates from those created for relaxation, deep stretching, and beginner friendly to classes such as Power Yoga that would be challenging to even a seasoned athlete. Her focus in all her classes is functionality combining all the main components of fitness such as stamina, strength, endurance, and flexibility to improve overall health and to maintain a full range of motion in the body.

Hi, my name is Angie Nichols. I have been teaching for 16 years. My formats of Kickboxing, TaeBo, HIIT, Strength Training, Body Combat, Pound Fit, and Aqua Fit are all effective exercises for any body composition. I teach TaeBo Mondays at 5:30 PM and Saturday mornings at 8:30 AM.

I am an experienced personal trainer but determined several years ago that my passion is leading group classes. I teach several exercise formats including Strength, Kickboxing, and Senior Fitness, and I also coach Weight-Loss and Diabetes-Prevention classes. I started my fitness journey exercising at home for many years, then joined a gym in 2005 where I was encouraged to become a fitness professional. I enjoy researching human evolution, the science of walking, foot fitness, and why our bodies develop physical issues. Before my fitness career I worked as a petroleum engineer and computer application developer.

Shannon Posey has been practicing yoga for 6 yrs. and teaching for 3yrs. Shannon received her 200RYT through Joy Yoga. Shannon started her practice to counteract the HIIT workouts she enjoyed and still occasionally enjoys. Realizing the benefits of yoga, Shannon became more interested in teaching and received her certification in May of 2017. Shannon’s approach to yoga is slow, meditative, and mindfully aware. She promotes form over function “If you don’t have the right form it’s not functional.” She also feels what happens on you mat is between you and your mat; it is a judgment free space, and everyone is different. Shannon does not have any one form of yoga; she leads and if you prefer, she can power it up or she can slow it down. Shannon can lead Restorative, Power, Yin, Pre/Post Natal and has a special place in her heart for children’s yoga and little yogi hearts. Shannon can also instruct Barre and Core Strength/Flexibility training. When Shannon is not teaching, she enjoys time with her husband, kids and 3 amazing granddaughters. Hiking and having her hands in the dirt makes her soul happy, along with her 3 dogs and super chunky cat. Shannon welcomes every heartbeat in her class, and on the mat, with a smile, open arms, and open heart.

Amanda first embarked on her yoga journey in 2010, seeking more relaxation and peace. After completing a 40 Day Yoga Challenge at BIG Power Yoga, she felt transformed through yoga, both mentally and physically. As she practiced breathing through difficult sensations and challenges on the mat, Amanda felt empowered off the mat in her personal life. In June of 2019, Amanda felt a strong inner knowing to enroll in yoga teacher training to share the gift of yoga with others. Yoga training with Andrew and Andria Dugas provided her with knowledge as to how yoga can help you feel better in both body and mind. As a yoga sub at the Houston Gym, she feels honored to share the gift of yoga with you, striving to help you feel stronger and more relaxed both physically, and mentally, on and off the mat. As a former competitive figure skater and coach, she believes the flow and sequencing of yoga postures is much like crafting a skating routine on ice. In her class, she seeks to create a space of peace, acceptance, curiosity, joy, and exploration as you show up on your yoga mat.

Kristine McCluskey is originally from New Orleans and has a background in competitive dance. She has been a fitness instructor with Houston Gym since 2007. She teaches Zumba on alternating Wednesdays at 6:30 PM and BootyBarre every Fourth Sunday of the month at 6 PM. She offers a high cardio experience where you can challenge yourself and dance your worries away! She also offers virtual classes for Zumba, POP Pilates, and BootyBarre. You can find her on Facebook at Kris MC’s virtual fitness private group. While not in the gym, she works in the Texas Medical Center as an assistant professor in the pathology department at Baylor College of Medicine and is a graduate student for the second time at University of Houston slated to receive her doctorate in May 2021. She is an aspiring organizational psychologist for medical education programs. Kristine lives in The Heights with her husband and two children.

Lauren is a born and raised Houstonian. She grew up dancing since she was 4 years old. While she had dreams of being Lady Gaga’s back up dancer, she discovered her love of teaching fitness classes in 2016. Lauren is a proud cat mom, loves French Fries, and watches Friends every day. She is excited to be part of the team!

Using my extensive dance and Pilates training at Alvin Ailey School of Dance back in 1994, and teaching experience, as well as the various methods of Pilates help with subsiding pain, increasing/managing mobility, body awareness, strength, stability, balance, core strength and flexibility that allows students to live a better life. My teaching methods are unique to each client’s individual needs. I like to develop a somewhat intimate relationship with my student, so that I can make sure that I am always listening to their body and teach them how to listen to it as well. Trained with experience in teaching Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Gymnastics, Ballroom, Contemporary, Graham, Stott, Peak, and MEST. I substitute teach for Houston Gym as a Pilates, Barre, Yoga, and Fit Fusion.

Cathy Rank - Hi I’m Cathy and I love teaching Zumba®️ because every class feels like an international dance party! I have been part of the Zumba®️ community for 10 years and have been involved in fitness all my life. Moving and changing lives through fitness is my passion. Let’s shake shimmy and sweat together!