Our Trainers

Nicki Anderson, NASM
President/Owner
IDEA Master Trainer

Philosophy
Each client that comes through the door has the right to a healthy life. It's a matter of their mind being ready so their body can follow.

Education
NASM Certified Personal Trainer, AFAA Fitness Practitioner, 20 plus years in the health and fitness industry, numerous continuing education conferences with an emphasis on training obese populations. Health and fitness columnist for Chicago Suburban Newspapers, Family Fitness expert and columnist for eDiets Healthy Kids Newsletter, Chicago Business Ledger and freelance writer for numerous industry magazines. Member of IDEA Personal Training Committee, IHRSA's Entrepreneur Magazine Advisory Board, USA Today's Entrepreneur Panel, Nautilus Fitness Apparel Council

Author of Reality Fitness; Inspiration for Your Health and Well-being, contributing author to American College of Sports Medicine Resources for the Personal Trainer (2nd Edition), Real Life Weight Loss Success Journal, Here's to Health! Lifestyle and Recipe Book,52 Weeks of Extraordinary Living.

Personal Training Style
Articulate, Focused and Encouraging. You can't train effectively without giving 100% of your concentration to each client and his/her form and movement.

Favorite Communication Tool
Teaching the mind/muscle connection through touch training. Humor doesn't hurt either!

Favorite Pastime
Writing, Running, Reading, Cooking

Andrew Otwell
Certified Personal Trainer

Philosophy
A healthy mind keeps a healthy body, and a healthy body keeps a healthy mind.

Education
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Bachelors of Science in Psychology at The University of Arizona

Personal Training Style
I tend to keep a faster pace, best suited to the individual. Form is extremely important, not only for safety, but for ideal functionality as well. But most of all, being a patient teacher makes learning easier. Positive attitude is a must, negative ideas create negative outcomes.

Favorite Communication Tool
Touch training and mirroring techniques are the most effective forms of teaching any movement and body awareness.

Favorite Pastimes
Weightlifting, mountain biking, hiking, snowboarding, wakeboarding (which I would love to do a second time), basically anything is worth a shot once. I also tend to pick up card or pool games given the opportunity.

Catharine Zelonis
Certified Personal Trainer

Philosophy
Being mindful of each client’s level of stress both mentally and physically comes into play with each training session. If I can be in tune with their body’s strengths and weaknesses I can train them effectively.

Education
NASM Certified Personal Trainer since 1993,
Numerous continuing education classes including: Functional Training, Stability Ball, BOSU, Plyometrics

Personal Training Style
Evaluating each client prior to training is vital in order to determine how to train them effectively and efficiently. Each session should be a learning experience for the client and well as fun. The ultimate goal is to educate clients about their body and how it can operate at its’ best.

Favorite Communication Tool
I communicate best with my clients by listening to what their body and mind tells them about each session.

Favorite Pastime
I am an avid gardener and love being outside. I enjoy long bike rides with my husband, long walks with good friends, watching movies, playing with our cat and watching the birds at our birdfeeder.

Susan Newman
Certified Personal Trainer

Philosophy
I feel we have a mandate to care for ourselves. Moving and challenging our bodies is one way to do that. Giving instruction, building relationships, and providing inspiration and motivation to that end is my vocation.

Education
B.S. English and Communication, Texas Tech University;
M.A. Speech Communication, University of Illinois-Chicago;
Personal Training Certifications: Cooper Clinic, AFAA, ACE;
Life Coaching: On certification path, Coach U

Personal Training Style
I take all of my training sessions very seriously. I want each client to feel a personal challenge and exhilaration by the session end. Further, I feel trust and rapport are the pivot points in the relationship between me and each client.

Favorite Communication Tool
I want to make each session fun and intense and always hope to hear my client say, "It's over already?" Encouragement and lots of smiles are my favorite training tools!

Favorite Pastime
Running, snow shoeing, movies, reading, and dinner with friends at my house

Holly Patterson
Certified Personal Trainer

Philosophy
"There is no new thing under the sun." A successful training program can be comprised of straightforward exercises done correctly. What good is a sophisticated exercise contraption if attention to form is neglected?

Education
B. A. Lawrence University. M.S., University of Illinois at Chicago
NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, NIKE Athletic Total Conditioning Instructor.

Personal Training Style
A real stickler for form. It's amazing how people can make that mind/body connection when they "feel" the exercise done correctly or incorrectly.

Favorite Communication Tool
Continual praise or modifications during any given exercise.

Favorite Pastime
Reading, running playing golf, any non-winter outdoor activity.

Mary Miriani
BA Exercise Science
ACSM Certification as Health/Fitness Instructor
Contributor to IDEA Fitness Journal

Philosophy
Inspiration plus motivation equals action.  Action plus dedication equals success.  Focus on doing the best you can each day even if it is simply walking around the block or eating 1 healthy item.  Stay in each moment and flow with the process.  Concentrating only on looks or losing weight is like running with a dangling carrot; you never catch it and get exhausted trying. Be patient with yourself and the process of creating healthy habits one at a time.  If you make a mistake, forgive yourself and keep flowing with the process.  This is the secret to lasting weight loss and good health.

Personal Training Style
I am easygoing, yet focused on my client’s success.  I bring my passion for fitness and my experience with successful lifestyle change to each person I work with.  I try to make each session as fun and effective as possible.  My goal with each client is to teach them to incorporate healthy habits into their lives so that eating well and moving everyday become a natural part of their lives thus creating a greater quality of life.

Favorite Communication Tool
My clients hear the question, “Are you feeling challenged?”  quite often.  I rely on feedback from my clients to do the best job I can for them.  Also, positive reinforcement goes a long way to help people commit to a healthy lifestyle.  I not only want my clients to accomplish a goal; I want them to relish in the joy of moving their bodies!

Favorite Pastimes
I love to exercise while listening to “positive energy music,” doing anything from free dancing to formal exercise on a machine of choice to strength training; I like lots of variety!  I love to read (sometimes 5 books at a time!) and write.  I enjoy really getting into a good philosophical discussion and delight in spending time with friends and family.

Mary Wagner
Registered Nurse
Exercise Physiologist
Certified Exercise Specialist
Certified Personal Trainer

Philosophy
1. Focus on being healthy, strong and confident in your body–better stamina, weight control and improved appearance will follow. 2. View exercise as hygiene, ie. "I take a shower no matter how busy I am, and I can find time in my week to exercise too." 3. Strive for balance among the many areas that require your time and energy, including self-care time.

Education
Master of Science in Education, Specialty Exercise Physiology (Northern IL U), Bachelor of Science, Nursing (Purdue U), ACSM Certified Exercise Specialist, NSCA Certified Personal Trainer.

Personal Training Style for Strength Training
Bring all of your attention to the muscle you are working. Breathe as you contract the muscle slowly and with perfect form. Challenge yourself a little every workout.

Favorite Communication Tool
Envision the muscle you are working. Picture yourself realizing your goals–take small steps in the that direction.

Favorite Pastime
Relaxing and fun family time with my husband and 2 children, dancing (especially to live music), running (8 marathons, 2 triathlons to date), strength training (my favorite exercise), Mexican food and margaritas with friends and family (balance, remember?)

Stefanie Farris

Philosophy
Happiness follows hardwork. There are no boundaries for our bodies abilities, limitations are established in the mind.

Education
B.S. Health, Exercise, & Sports Science, The Citadel
NSCA- Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach
Chicago Bulls Strength & Conditioning Intern

Personal Training Style
Goal setting, constant encouragement because we all have "those" days, and finding new and innovative ways to explore your bodies potential.

Favorite Communication Tool
With touch we are able to create awareness in the muscles we want to work and encouragement is a must.

Favorite Pastimes
Hiking, mountain running, cartooning, dancing, all sports- volleyball is priority, mountain biking, and 4-wheeling.