Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Fine.
Hi Emily, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello I’m Emily Fine, owner/operator of Rhythm Fit, an Inclusive Fitness Boutique in Traverse City, MI.
My love affair with movement began at the young age of 6, training as a classical dancer. I realized very early on that dance was my passion and I wanted it to be apart of my life in some form or another indefinitely. I learned that movement was not only a powerful tool to build physical strength and flexibility but also confidence; it gave me an escape, a way to express myself when I was an otherwise insecure kid. And I always knew I wanted to share that with others; the gift of dance!
I managed to get my first taste of teaching as the captain of the dance team in highschool and it became clear to me that this was what I was meant to do. I wanted to teach! I wanted to share the gift of movement and help others break out of their shell the way that I had. And I was good at it! After graduation in 2001 I immediately moved to San Francisco to chase my dreams.
In SF I continued to train as a professional dancer and teach wherever I could. Studios, community centers, gyms, anyone that would have me. My style began to evolve and take on a unique urban edge as I fell in love with hip hop and street styles of dance.
In 2008 I made the tough decision to move back to Tc due to family reasons and I knew it was the perfect time to finally open a studio! Soul Step Dance Studio opened in 2009. It was a bright fun space where I instructed all ages ranging from 3 years old to 70. I taught everything you could images and I created all my own classes. Hip Hop, Breakdancing, Jazz, Cardio dance and beyond. I even ran and performed in two dance companies. I taught up to 5 classes a day and after close to a decade my body began to break down.
This is what led me to closing the studio In 2015. I was devastated but knew I had to keep teaching in a way that was less demanding on my body. I decided to try teaching yoga and became an RYT 200 hour certified Yoga teacher. I got a teaching gig at one of the head studios and immersed myself in teaching all styles of yoga for many years.
Throughout this time I was still dealing with chronic pain and injuries from the wear and tear of teaching so much and I knew I needed something other than yoga. This eventually led me to Functional Range Conditioning, a type of mobility training. I became a certified FRC mobility specialist in 2017. I realized that mobility and joint strengthening was the missing piece. I started to incorporate the practice not only into my own life but into my yoga classes as well. Being the first yoga teacher in the area to fuse mobility and yoga. Now you see it everywhere.
As time went on I still knew I needed more strength to combat the pain I was dealing with. Out of desperation I decided to see a personal trainer as a last resort. It was a rude awakening. I was hypermobile, riddled with weakness and imbalances. And after a couple years of strength training I finally started to feel better. And that brings us to today.
I knew that strength was the missing piece and I wanted to help everyone feel better and get out of pain the way that I had. I realized that strength training was the most effective way to do that. In 2023 I became a certified personal trainer and started seeing clients out of my basement. It was soon after that I decided to take the leap and finally open another studio. Rhythm Fit! My brain child! After an 8 year hiatus from being a business owner, I was ready to give it my all one last time.
A studio where I can teach all the classes I love, including group strength, dance, mobility, all of it! I also see clients for personal training all under the same roof. I came to realize during all my years of teaching that fitness has to be fun and diverse in order for it to be sustainable. And that’s my motto at the studio! Keep it fun, and make it a lifestyle!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Self confidence and self doubt has always been a big struggle for me. Imposter syndrome loves to rear its ugly head. But when I feel it creeping in, I just lean into my experience, all the ups and downs that have brought me to this point. I just remind myself, this is not my first rodeo and it’s all I know!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Rhythm Fit ?
Rhythm Fit is a culmination of all my years of training and teaching. All the hundreds of classes, all the different businesses and platforms I’ve created. Not to mention all the injuries I’ve had to recover from. I teach from true personal experience. I get to offer everything that I love all under the same roof at Rhythm Fit. Personal training, Hip Hop workshops, group fitness classes, yoga and mobility.
And this to me, is what makes me as a trainer as well as the studio unique. The variety. The diversity of classes. You can get your cardio, strength, mobility all in at the same studio. And the classes are not only effective but FUN! That’s a huge priority. I always stress that fitness should be fun, not torture. And, I make sure that I ALWAYS put 100% into every single class I teach. I want my passion and energy to show through and motivate people to stay consistent and keep showing up.
Another aspect of the studio that makes it unique is that I teach most of the classes. This means that I pay close attention to each and every client. I know and can track everyones progress which is a lot more than what you get at most studios with multiple trainers. I pay extra close attention to proper FORM, keeping everyone safe and getting the most out of each workout is my specialty.
What matters most to you? Why?
That Rhythm Fit and me as a trainer are inclusive and welcome to all. The fitness industry can feel very overwhelming and intimidating and often times people don’t know where to begin or won’t begin at all. I want people to feel comfortable and safe and understand that no matter where you are in your journey, at Rhythm FIt, you are welcome! Fitness is for EVERYONE!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rhythmfittc.com/
