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Costa, 28, will open her new program, Fiercely Fit, this weekend.
She brings versatility, infectious enthusiasm and experience to her new business. Any resolutioner who suffered a quick fitness flameout after the New Year will be energized by Costa, who has been a certified fitness instructor since 2010. From A to Z, or Abs to Zumba, Costa will work with people of all ages and genders to achieve their fitness goals.
- Who: Cristina Costa, Norwalk
- What: Owner of Fiercely Fit, a new studio opening Sunday
- Open house: Take a free Zumba class on Sunday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. or visit the Open House from 7:30 to 9:30 at Step’N’Out., 14 Strawberry Hill Ave. in Norwalk
“I think people are going to like my energy and my passion,’’ Costa said. “I want them to love it like I love it. That’s one of the biggest ideas I want to convey.”
Costa will be working alongside Terrance Morgan, a certified personal training offering bootcamp classes and personal training at the facility called Transformation Fitness with T. They also work together at another Norwalk facility, and Morgan learned about the partnership opportunity with Step’N’Out.
The deal seemed perfect for Costa, who also works full time for a Manhattan digital media company. The new space will allow her to streamline her business and focus on weekend classes.
“Does Norwalk need another fitness facility?” said Costa, a Shelton native who has lived in Norwalk since 2011. “Maybe not, but I feel very confident about what I can offer. I can give them something very different. I’m a unique fitness boutique, and I think that’s the difference between what I offer from other facilities.”
Fiercely Fit will offer Zumba, which is how Costa got her start. She will also guide classes in STRONG by Zumba, a total workout that combines elements of cardio, muscle conditioning, balance and flexibility; Pound, a workout that uses lightly weighted drumsticks that combines cardio, strength training and yoga and pilates movements; Sculpt, a mix of cardio and light weight training that builds a stronger physique; and Kickboxing, a combination of boxing-inspired moves and cardio.
Costa has created a lineup of classes that she calls her “#WeekendWarrior” series, which give people different classes to get a sense of what each entails.
“There are other gyms that offer these types of classes, but not in an intimate setting,’’ she said. “I love all the gyms in the area. The models of a gym is a high volume of people. I want to focus on quality plus affordability. I made all the classes affordable. I want people to come and try them. It’s about an energy and sense of community. Again, I love it and I want other people to love it, too.”
Costa’s fitness background is rooted in dance. She competed for her high school and college teams, where she was the captain of both. She was also crowned Miss Junior Teen Connecticut in 2001. But when she left college and found herself in the business world, Costa discovered she also sat at a desk far too much.
“I had to find something else that makes me happy,’’ Costa said. “Zumba was perfect for me. I knew that I would be a good teacher. I got certified, and then I kept adding certifications.”
Costa developed a strong following at Crunch, and she plans to keep a few weeknight classes. Her priority away from the office is developing her fitness business. She believes fitness is a lifestyle choice, and she encourages people to pursue their fitness goals, whatever they are, with her.
“The thing with fitness is it can’t just be a class,’’ Costa said. “It can’t be just dieting or just exercising. It’s a lifestyle choice. You have to want it, but you don’t have to take it so seriously that it takes over your life. I enjoy a lot of things, but always in moderation. We try to do the same thing with our fitness classes. We try to play it right down the middle. I’m practicing my lifestyle, and I’m trying to preach a lifestyle.”
For more about Fiercely Fit, click here to visit its website.
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