Trainer Spotlight: Kristen Latteri
“My combined experience training as a competitive athlete, my background working with motivation and behavioral change as a social worker, and my understanding of the challenges of parenting make me unique.”
Kristen Latteri is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer who also holds a Masters Degree in social work from Fordham University. Her specialization certifications include:
Pronatal Pre/Postnatal Performance Training Specialist
Functional Aging Institute Certified Brain Health Training
Mat Pilates Instructor certified by Gramercy Pilates
Read on to learn about Kristen’s journey from competitive figure skater, to new mom, to fitness professional— and how you can work with her!
What inspired you to become a personal trainer?
My own health and wellness journey after having my son inspired me to get my personal training certification. I have always been an athletic, active person, but it wasn’t until I was in my 30s that I began to fully understand and appreciate how essential physical activity and fitness is to my life.
My fitness journey began when I went ice skating for the first time at the age of three and I was immediately hooked. I skated competitively for over a decade, earning a National bronze medal in synchronized skating. After a hip injury, I stopped figure skating competitively and began playing ice hockey and snowboarding. Ice hockey would prove an important part of my story, as it is how I met my wife!
After college, strength training was a wonderful part of my pregnancy, helping me to feel calm, confident, and strong. After the birth of my son, I was really excited to return to my old routines. But I encountered a few roadblocks along the way- both mental and physical- and it took me much longer than I expected. With the helpful encouragement of a new friend, I started exercising regularly again.
It wasn’t until exercise became a fundamental, nonnegotiable part of my routine that I was able to recognize not only the physical benefits that it brought to my life, but the social and emotional as well. My body felt better, my mind felt clearer, and I regained a piece of myself that had been neglected. Prior to starting a career as a personal trainer, I worked as a licensed social worker helping clients work towards a variety of goals. Reflecting on my own fitness journey, I developed an increasing interest in the interconnectedness between the body and mind. With the confidence I gained from making strides towards my own health and fitness goals, I decided to make a career change and focus on personal training full time.
How do the benefits of physical training in the gym translate into everyday life?
Training has so many benefits! In addition to the physical perks, training can help enhance mood, increase energy, improve memory and create better sleep patterns. Taking care of our physical health is a significant part of taking care of our overall well being, which allows us to show up better in all areas of our lives.
What is your favorite part of being a personal trainer?
My favorite part of being a personal trainer is helping my clients set goals and achieve them through safe, evidence based programs. I love working in a field that motivates me to keep evolving and learning and sharing that knowledge.
What is your sport or training modality of choice?
These days, functional training is most important to me. As a mom to a young child I am constantly lifting awkward, heavy loads, having impromptu dance parties, playing competitive games of tag, and teaching my son about all kinds of movement and sports. It’s important to me to have a workout that keeps my body strong, aligned, and feeling good!
I also really enjoy pilates and I love meeting up with friends for a spin or cardio dance class. I’ve always felt at peace in the mountains, so snowboarding, biking, and hiking are some of my favorite ways to spend time with my family.
If you could tell someone brand new to fitness ONE thing, what would it be?
Invest in yourself now, believe in yourself to keep moving forward, and a small step today will lead to big changes down the road. As the saying goes, “a little progress each day adds up to big results!”
What makes you unique as a personal trainer?
My combined experience training as a competitive athlete, my background working with motivation and behavioral change as a social worker, and my understanding of the challenges of parenting make me unique! Regardless of an individual’s goal- whether it be training for a specific sport, general health and fitness, or overall balance and wellness- I can help!
