Kevin A. Roberts
You’d never guess it now, but this fitness guru once felt uncomfortable stepping into the gym. Though Nikki Finkenthal always had a passion for fitness and nutrition, it’s taken her a long time to feel that she’s familiar with exercises and equipment. Over time, she’s perfected a routine that’s changed both her body and mindset.
It all started with ClassPass. When Finkenthal moved to St. Louis from Cleveland in 2017 to attend dietetics grad school at Fontbonne University, she used the subscription service to explore local studios. The sampling introduced her to group fitness classes.
When high-intensity group training studio Shred415 shared that they were hiring instructors, Finkenthal, now a registered dietitian at McDaniel Nutrition Therapy, decided to add fitness instructor to her résumé. Here, as she does with the students of her versatile classes and followers of her Instagram (@stlsweats), Finkenthal is sharing her fitness favorites.
HER WEEKLY EXERCISES: Four times a week attending split cardio and strength training classes either at group fitness gyms Shred415, F45 Training, or PLNK.
A FUN WORKOUT: Alternating jackknife crunch. Lay on your back and lift your upper body, reaching for one foot, then the next.
A FREQUENT GYM SECTION: Free weights. “All I need are a variety of dumbbells, and I’m ready to go,” Finkenthal says.
IN HER EARBUDS: Rap, EDM, 1990s Britney Spears
HER FAVORITE PUMP-UP SONG: “Pure Water,” by Mustard ft. Migos
HER DAILY FOOD LOG: Finkenthal eats 80/20. She consumes nutritious foods 80 percent of the time and less healthy options 20 percent of the time. Hard-boiled egg with avocado sourdough toast and a protein shake for breakfast. Leftover meals—ranging from chicken or ground turkey with veggies—for lunch. Shrimp or salmon with lentil pasta and broccoli or chicken and brown rice for dinner. And for dessert? Ice cream cones from Trader Joe’s.
IN HER GYM BAG: On Cloud running shoes or Nike PR training shoes, anything Lululemon, a CamelBak water bottle, and Powerbeats earbuds
ON HER APPLE WATCH: MyFitnessPal, Obé Fitness, Peloton, and Nike Training Club
FOLLOW ALONG: @stlsweats
