3 Equinox trainers share their fitness philosophies.
Equinox is a community and no one understands this better than the fitness professionals who train members and lead our signature workouts.
We spoke to a personal trainer and instructors who teach yoga and cycling about how they’re committed to helping members perform at their best and reach their goals.
When They Fell in Love with Fitness
Kim Verderber, Tier3 trainer at Equinox Wall Street in New York who is also a certified glute specialist and certified nutritionist has always subscribed to the Equinox lifestyle. But it wasn’t until she dove into the science of fitness and the benefits of taking a holistic approach to it — with training, nutrition, sleep, and stress management — that she wanted to share her knowledge as widely as she could.
“The more educated somebody is, the more that they'll realize that fitness is not a negative experience,” Verderber says. “It's actually a really positive and healthy experience that you should be incorporating into your everyday life.”
Lisa Braun, 200-HR YTT, yoga instructor at Equinox Brickell Heights in Miami, actually hated yoga when she first tried to incorporate it into her fitness routine as a teen. At the time, she didn’t feel like she was good at it — so much so that she used to walk out of classes. Braun grew up as an elite-level competitive soccer player. But when her anxiety became too overwhelming at age 18, she quit the sport and decided to give yoga another try to help with her mental health. This time around, she fell in love with it.
“Yoga has completely transformed my being, which is why I'm so passionate about sharing it with others,” Braun says. “No one knows what you feel or think but you. One of the most beautiful things about yoga is that you learn to tune into your own needs and let go of the external labels and stories.”
Liz Butler, a group fitness instructor who teaches cycling and strength classes at Equinox Coral Gables, South Beach, and Brickell Heights in Miami, was always athletic in school and enjoyed running. But she fell in love with Equinox specifically when she and her husband moved to Miami in 2009 and joined a local Club.
Since having kids, Butler says she views fitness as more of a means to take care of your overall health, mental wellness, and strength rather than to look a certain way.
What Sets Their Training Style Apart
Braun says her own experience with not liking yoga at first and finding it “boring” and “uncomfortable” puts her at an advantage; she can relate to others who may be struggling to find motivation, whether they’re a true beginner or doubting their own skills.
“I start all my classes with a moment of gratitude for showing up,” Braun says. “Yoga is a process. I respect where people are. I don't look at them as a class, I look at them as individuals who are all there for their own unique reasons.”
Verderber says doing the exercises correctly is the first step to success. “If you're going through the motions doing these exercises, and your form isn't right, or you're not making the right mind-muscle connection, you're not going to see progress,” she explains. As someone who has been lifting for more than 10 years, Verderber also trains from personal experience. “If I could go back and tell my younger self to learn how to do it correctly, you see so much more progress so much faster.”
Verderber trains with empathy yet is skilled at pushing people beyond what they think they can accomplish. She knows when you can go heavier, and it’s usually more often than you think.
“It's really about solidifying your basics and really focusing on a different muscle group, because you want to make sure that you have that base knowledge down before you can really advance,” Verderber says.
In her own classes, Butler is committed to connecting with members and cultivating a community.
“I’ve put the time in at the beginning to get to know people or hang around after class. I definitely have members who are friends now,” Butler says. “I try to help them understand [that] not every day is going to be your best day — you might not be as good as yesterday.” Even if that’s the case, you’re still making strides toward meeting your overarching health goals.
As much as she’s encouraging and empathetic, Butler’s classes still offer a challenge, she says. She likes to set the tone with the playlist, which is usually EDM and house music for cycling and more upbeat, pop music for the strength classes in the Main Studio.
What They Love Most about Training at Equinox
Verderber has been at Equinox Wall Street for a little more than a year, and she says helping others has been the most rewarding part, especially when the members she trains get excited about their workout or tell her how strong they feel.
“Seeing them feeling the progress that they're making, seeing the form improve… all I've ever wanted when I took this job was to help people,” she says. “I want to make people feel more comfortable and know what they're doing so that they can love coming to the Club. It's all about incorporating [training] into your lifestyle and becoming obsessed with it."
Braun also got into teaching yoga to help others, which she takes seriously beyond leading a class.
“I strive to create a supportive community that empowers individuals to achieve their personal goals that will help them thrive both on and off the mat,” Braun says. “I fully embrace the ‘It's not fitness, it's life’ motto at Equinox. Fitness is more than just a way to improve physical health; it's about nurturing every aspect of our wellbeing.” She says this includes instilling confidence, emotional strength, clarity, and resilience.
Butler says Equinox feels like a community and a family, even for trainers and instructors at different clubs in cities across the country. “Everyone is very supportive, very encouraging,” she says. Butler also appreciates that the instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and the classes and programming are based in science.
“When we do have a new program, the why and the science behind that is explained, rather than, ‘We’ll just chuck you in the studio and you’re just going to go hard,’” Butler says.
What They Want Members to Know
Equinox offers best-in-class facilities, equipment, trainers, and group fitness classes. Still, some members may be intimidated to break out of their comfort zone and hop on a new piece of equipment or sign up for an unfamiliar fitness class.
“My advice for anyone hesitant to sign up for a class is to remember that the journey toward a healthier and happier you is not about perfection or immediate results — it's about showing up and committing to the process,” Braun says.
It’s just as important to find a class that feels right for your body and goals. Yoga, for instance, can be a beneficial component of any fitness routine because it can improve balance, strength, flexibility and athletic performance, as well as provide pain and stress relief. But not every yoga class will be for everyone, says Braun.
“Don't be afraid to try different styles and instructors until you find what works for you,” she says. “At the end of the day, what matters most is how you feel, not what anyone else thinks.”
If you’re interested in strength classes, Butler recommends trying a Stronger, Metcon or Best Butt class, both of which are a little more structured. Also consider speaking with the instructor beforehand to let them know it’s your first time.
Ultimately, it’s important to focus on your own personal journey. “Don’t worry about what everyone else is lifting, everyone’s journey is very different,” Butler says. “Just start.