Team HGX – Group Exercise Instructors

BRITTANY

Brittany Tate is a Certified Zumba® Instructor and Integrative Health Coach. She has been in the health & wellness industry for 7 years and enjoys inspiring others and educating people through fitness and encouragement. She began teaching Zumba® in 2012 after she took her first group fitness class. Her first love is dance, and fitness is a way of maintaining the healthy lifestyle she wants, so, for Brittany, it was amazing to be able to tie both of her loves into one. Brittany teaches Zumba® at Houston Gym on Saturdays from 11am to 2:15pm and throughout the week with BT FitLyfe, a health and wellness brand founded by Brittany! You will always have a sweaty, good time. Brittany’s classes are full of energy and a mix of mid-to-high intensity fun!

KIM

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!!

LISA

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 6:30pm. 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 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 children. Busy is my middle name! I am greatly blessed, to say the least.

DAMIRA

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 Houston Gym for the last ten years teaching and subbing in 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 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.

ANGIE

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

SHANNON

Shannon has been practicing yoga for 6 years and teaching for 3 years, and she received her 200RYT through Joy Yoga. Shannon started her practice to counteract the HIIT workouts she enjoyed in the past, and still occasionally enjoys now. 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, promoting form over function. Shannon also feels that what happens on your mat is between you and your mat; it is a judgment-free space, and everyone is different. Shannon does not teach 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 yoga, and has a special place in her heart for children’s yoga as well. Shannon also instructs Barre and Core Strength/Flexibility training. When Shannon is not teaching, she enjoys time with her husband, kids, and 3 granddaughters. Hiking and having her hands in the dirt makes her soul happy, and so do 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.

KRISTINE

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 6:30pm, and BootyBarre every fourth Sunday of the month at 6pm. Kristine 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, Kristine works in the Texas Medical Center as an assistant professor of the pathology department at Baylor College of Medicine, and is a graduate student for the second time at the 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.

CATHY

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!

TINA

Tina is an IFBB Professional Bodybuilder who specializes in adaptive movement, injury prevention, flexibility, weight loss, and wellness coaching. She placed 8th in the world in competition, but that doesn’t mean she only trains bodybuilders. Her experience and expertise span all age groups and levels of fitness. She also feels her background as a gymnast and lifetime athlete help her excel and she has dedicated her life to helping empower others by passing on her expertise, discipline, and drive for excellence. Tina also created a new motto and brand called NORMAL TO BE FIT® which outlines the fit lifestyle as ‘normal' for a healthier future for everyone! It’s NORMAL TO BE FIT®!

LISA

Lisa Vargas is a seasoned Zumba instructor and fitness enthusiast who discovered her passion for teaching group exercise in 2006. Over the years, her interests expanded beyond Zumba, leading her to explore teaching various genres of fitness classes and even enter a Figure competition in Oklahoma. Inspired by her own workouts with a trainer, Lisa became deeply committed to sharing her expertise with others. In addition to her dedication to fitness instruction, Lisa holds a full-time position at a Fortune 500 company. Balancing her professional career with her love for fitness reflects her disciplined approach to both work and wellness. Beyond fitness and her career, Lisa's interests include a deep affection for Disney, adding a touch of magic to her everyday life. She believes in the transformative power of exercise, emphasizing its benefits not only for physical strength but also for mental well-being. "Teaching others that exercise can enhance both mental and physical strength is incredibly rewarding," Lisa explains. "I consider it a personal achievement when my students feel empowered and see progress in every class. This mirrors the goals I pursue in my own fitness journey.