Working out and keeping active is a great way to escape the crazy college life style many students get wrapped up in. Luckily for SUNY Cortland students, there are so many opportunities on campus!
At the Student Life Center (SLC) at Suny Cortland, students have access to a beautiful gym as well as a variety of group exercise classes including cycling, boxing, pilates, and yoga. Let’s delve into the experiences of four Cortland SLC instructors, each with their own unique journey and motivations.
Marisa Moreno: Pilates Enthusiast Turned Instructor
Marisa Moreno, a sophomore at Cortland, recently embarked on her journey as an instructor. This semester, she started teaching a Pilates class!
Drawing from her previous experience coaching gymnastics at a local center, Marisa found a passion for helping others on their fitness journeys. She frequently goes to the gym so she thought about combining her love for the gym with her interest in Pilates. She describes her transition into instructing Pilates as a great experience, with her advisor Makayla providing valuable support along the way.
Daniella Belotti: Cycling Fan Turned Instructor
Daniella Belotti, a cycling instructor for about a year, found her calling in leading cycling classes at the SLC. With a newfound love for cycling ignited by her experiences at Cortland, Daniella decided to share her passion by becoming an instructor.
Daniela says she loves biking around her town and never even cycled until she came to Cortland, but once she did a class, she instantly fell in love with it. “I always use the Peloton now and make my friends get memberships to go to classes with me!”
She finds joy in curating playlists and creating an energetic atmosphere for her classes, noting the rewarding feeling of seeing participants leave with smiles on their faces.
Daniella Zuart: Manager Turned Cycling Instructor
Daniella Zuart, originally working as a manager at the SLC, was intrigued by the idea of becoming a cycling instructor. She chose cycling because it takes a lot of genuine energy to teach it correctly.
Daniella loves seeing people try new things and says it takes a specific type of person to be able to get their class excited and to love it. She says, “I fell in love with it right away, it’s a hard workout but with the right teacher it’s worth it.”
She was drawn to the high-energy nature of indoor cycling and the opportunity to motivate others through dynamic workouts. Starting her journey in fall 2023, Daniella has since built a huge following of participants who have thrived under her guidance and instruction.
Michael Pichardo: A New Perspective
Another instructor at the SLC brings a unique perspective to the mix—teaching martial arts-inspired classes. Michael Pichardo, whose passion for MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) runs deep, saw an opportunity to fill a void in the SLC’s class offerings.
He stated all the popular classes are Zumba or yoga classes, but adding the potential to work out and learn how to defend yourself was something he knew would entice patrons.
“It has held me accountable to continue with my own training as I wanted to be the best source of information for my members” says Michael.
Teaching since his sophomore year, Michael finds fulfillment in sharing his expertise while inspiring a sense of community among the participants. Despite not getting paid the best, Michael’s dedication stems from his genuine passion for martial arts and teaching. The relationships created and personal growth experienced through teaching have made it a fulfilling journey, even offering valuable skills for his own future beyond graduation.
The stories of these Suny Cortland SLC instructors and students highlight the diverse motivations and experiences that drive them to lead fitness classes here on campus. From Pilates to cycling to martial arts, each instructor brings a unique perspective and passion to their role in this fitness community at Suny Cortland. They all play a part in empowering themselves in their own fitness journey and inspiring other students in their classes. Their impact extends far beyond the gym walls, shaping a healthier and more vibrant campus community.