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Fitness Friday Instructor Spotlight
HBW Fitness Friday Instructor Spotlight
Jami Town
This Friday we shine the spotlight on instructor extraordinaire Jami Town who can be found teaching Body Pump, Body Attack, Body Combat, Insanity, GRIT, RPM, Sprint (Les Mills formats), and SB Body Barre at multiple Gold’s Gym locations around Richmond. Jami is also the Group Exercise manager at Gold's Gym Colonial Heights location!
Becoming an Instructor
What brought you to Richmond? I am originally from Pennsylvania and came to Richmond in 2000 with my family!
When did you join your gym and why? I joined Gold’s Gym- Willow Lawn location in 2012 after trying several gyms in the Richmond area. What ultimately attracted me to Gold’s Gym was the Group Exercise classes. I struggled to stay motivated alone but found that Group Ex classes really pushed me to be better and to become stronger. Body Attack was the first class I took and I knew right then that I loved it and it became my favorite format. I started teaching in 2012 and it was at that time that I found my passion; I am most comfortable in the studio and love being there connecting with people.
Why do you exercise? To relieve stress and to gain strength. As a single mom with four kids, I’ll be honest, I need an outlet and exercise provides that for me. Exercise is calming and brings life back into focus for me. In addition, I find it truly impressive to experience what the human body is capable of and to see what more you can accomplish with every workout.
What is your favorite format that you teach? I love Les Mill Body Attack but have recently become certified in Les Mill RPM (a cycling format) and am quickly falling in love with that.
10 Random Questions for Jami
What are the top three qualities that draw you to someone? A person’s sense of humor, the connection that you sense right away (more like their ability to open up and share their background/life story) and lastly, someone who is down-to-earth.
Type of music you like most? I like all sorts of music; pop, hip hop, dance, and anything by Sia, Ellie Goulding, or Amy Winehouse (RIP). I’m not a huge fan of classic rock or country to work out to but appreciate them and will listen every once in a while.
What’s your favorite “healthy” food, store or restaurant to go to? I’d like to say that I buy all organic and nothing but the best but as a single mom with kids out-the-wazoo and pets to feed that’s just not affordable, so I do the best I can. I will buy bulk organic from Costco and feed my family healthy, wholesome food making sure they get all the macros they need at each meal. In Richmond, I really enjoy Hiro Sushi and the Galley Restaurant on Southside.
What do you like to do on weekends? Well, as a busy mom of 4, on the weekend I want to do anything and everything to be with my kids and we prefer to be outside; we live near the river so being down there is where we like to spend time. I also love anything that has to do with being adventurous or physically challenging, and who doesn’t love to travel.
What/Who Inspires You? Well this is a two part answer; one part is more general and then another part is more specific. I am absolutely enamored and would love to be any female in the Mixed Martial Arts genre. I think that Ronda Rousy looks and exudes a strong, sexy confidence that screams I’m a BADA$$ (which isn't far off from her motto “Don’t Be A Do Nothing B**ch”). Closer to the home front, I am beyond blessed to have someone (Ian Little) who is an integral part of my life that supports, inspires, believes and cheers me on through everything I do. We are passionate about all the same things and it is incredibly supportive to have someone who loves what you do. He is a wonderful man and a continuously inspires me.
In the morning you can’t live without…dark, strong, coffee.
Favorite place to go in Richmond? Besides being in the group exercise studio, I love walking around Carytown with my family or down by the river. During Christmas Time, my favorite place to go is the Byrd Theater to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life”.
If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy? Oh, I have a lot of answers! First, I would pick a charity and donate anonymously. Then I would start a program for teens and tweens to stay active but not necessarily team sports. With the money left over, I would buy two houses (one in the fan and one on the river) and I would hire someone to clean them so I never had to pick up after four kids again. OH! And I would buy a mini cooper to zip all around town in (instead of my giant mom-mobile). Lastly, I would travel- anywhere, everywhere.
What is your go-to favorite exercise? I LOVE TUCK JUMPS, ab roll-outs and skaters. All are killer exercises that I always feel for a couple of days after!
What is your favorite brand or favorite workout gear? I really like Athleta, but I buy a lot of Les Mills clothing that’s made by Reebok because it comfortable and I can teach in it.
You can find Jami teaching at Golds Gym Willows Lawn and Colonial Heights multiple times a week. Look for her on the Willow Lawn schedule here and the Colonial Heights schedule here. Join her for a class- she'd LOVE to have you!
