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Welcome to Racked Chicago's search for Chicago's hottest trainer. Over the coming weeks, we'll profile eight smoking locals—fitness experts who not only look hot in spandex, but can make you look amazing, too. Once you've gotten to know everyone, we'll host a March Madness-style showdown, in which readers vote for their favorites. Let the games begin!
Our eighth and final trainer, Holly Keskey, is a professional dancer with a dancer's love of endorphins, sweat, and Beyonce. "I mean, I saw her twice in concert in the last six months," she says. "Nothing is more inspiring then seeing a good concert."
Holly teaches at exhale Chicago, where she brings that heart-pumping concert mentality to her classes. "I love the magic I get to witness in the studio. Watching people beat down personal walls they have built inside is addictive," she says. "That studio experience is a shared one. We are partners in the process. The energy I am pounding out to them is given right back to me."
Despite her love of Queen Bey, Holly emphasizes that workouts are no place for a diva attitude. "I tell my students and clients every day to listen to their bodies, push themselves to their edge, and to most importantly get rid of their ego when they enter the studio. I create a sacred, no-judgment space for people to really realize how strong they are mentally, which pushes them to change their outlook on themselves physically."
Holly's personal recipe for staying in shape is simple and mildly intimidating. "There is never a day I skip a workout," she says, which is extra impressive, given that the girl is a newlywed! She cites coffee, ab exercises, "epic brunches," music, and theater as some of her general life motivators. She's also obsessed with exhale's Core Fusion Barre + Cardio class, because of its heart-pumping heat. "Moving and sweating is not only important for your body, but also crucial for the mind—and it's SEXY!"
And speaking of sexy, Holly's biggest gig to date was dancing in front of 100,000+ people as a backup dancer for Kanye West. He's no Beyonce, but he'll do.
· exhale Chicago [Official Site]
· All Hottest Trainer 2014 posts [Racked]
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