STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – When Cristina Capotorto was a cheerleader at Fontbonne Hall Academy in Bay Ridge, she was in the best shape of her life. Picking up his teammates in various stunts, holding a pyramid pose for several minutes at a time and performing various tumbling feats, the former high school athlete says that he benefits greatly from rigorous practice, where his body is always in a cycle of constant movement. .
So when Capotorto, now in her 30s, was looking for a new exercise regimen to keep in shape, cheerleading (even if it was unrelenting and unconventional) seemed like a perfect fit.
“When I randomly saw an ad on social media for CheerFIT, I didn’t hesitate to sign up for my captain’s certification,” said Capotorto, describing the national fitness company that provides fun and high-energy workouts through a series of private group classes. all over the country. “Having coached competitive high school cheerleading for a decade and having been a cheerleader myself at the high school level, I knew this would be perfect for me.”
Capotorto, who now works full-time as a high school history teacher in St. Joseph Hill Academy in Arrochar, said the new business opportunity offered him the outlet he was looking for.
“I love what I do, but I want to pursue a hustle outside of the classroom that will be fun, make me happy and will benefit my mental and physical health,” she said. “As teachers, we give back so much time to our students that we often forget to ourselves.”
Cristina Capotorto will hold an outdoor CheerFIT Sculpt class at Clove Lake Park on September 4th and 11th. Fifty percent of the results from the class on September 11 will be donated to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. (Photo courtesy of Cristina Capotorto)(Photo courtesy of Cristina Capo
Founded a few years ago by Danielle Wechsler, a former Syracuse University cheerleader who realized collegiate athletes needed a “transition program” when their cheer careers ended, the CheerFIT program features moves to tone and strengthen, with the added fun of working out with pom poms. .
“CheerFIT is not only about fitness, but also about community, empowerment and gaining confidence,” said Capotorto.
According to the company, CheerFIT is a combination of stability, balance, cardio, strength training, core work, and flexibility.
“The unique structure of the CheerFIT class is designed specifically to tone, strengthen and sculpt the entire body, while building confidence and fun,” the company said in a statement. “CheerFIT is built on the core philosophy that fitness is not a punishment. We are on a mission to change the mindset of ‘I have to work out because I want to work out’ and to make your CheerFIT workouts the highlight of your day.
There are three types of CheerFIT classes offered including CheerFIT Sculpt, CheerFIT Dance and CheerFIT Bootcamp, each ranging from 30 to 45 minutes. Capotorto classes are now held at various gyms throughout Staten Island and Brooklyn and there are also outdoor workouts on the schedule. Aerobic style workouts are priced at $20 per session.
“In dividing my time between Brooklyn, where I live, and Staten Island, where I work, I want to spread a sense of community and empowerment through fitness to the Brooklyn and Staten Island communities as I am the only CheerFIT Group Fitness Instructor in both boroughs,” she said. Capotorto about the newly launched business.
In September, Capotorto will hold several outdoor Sunday CheerFIT Sculpt classes in two boroughs: Two in Clove Lake Park in Staten Island (on September 4 and 11) and one in Dyker Beach Park in Brooklyn (September 18), all in. 10 am Because one of the Sunday classes falls on September 11th, 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.
“What’s really fun about this class is that regardless of whether you’re a cheerleader or not, everyone works with their own set of pom-poms,” Capotorto said. “The purpose of this program is to motivate while building strength in body and mind.”
Those interested in joining should visit recess.tv/@cheerfitcristina and can follow Capotorto on Instagram @Cristina_cheerfit. She encourages gyms interested in hosting pop-up classes to email her at cfcapottorto@gmail.com, and any high school cheerleading squads interested in additional conditioning can register for private group sessions there as well.
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