Five minutes with Carrie Hill

What’s your favourite thing about group exercise?

The reason I love group exercise so much is because I’ve seen how powerful it is at forging friendships and connection. I love to watch members of my class nip for a coffee together afterwards. Friendships are formed in group exercise classes!

?What's your favourite style of group exercise?

I have to say Pilates and Barre because I teach them, but I also love a Body Attack, Spin, or Yoga class too. I like to mix it up and I like to try out different instructors. Teaching styles interest me, I like to find out how other instructors lead their classes and usually borrow an idea or two to take into my own classes.

How did your journey into group exercise begin?

I started studying for my Level 2 Exercise to Music at 30 after having my second son. I had always wanted to become a group exercise instructor but I wasn’t confident at all. That changed after my son was born - I signed up and completed the course when I was on maternity leave. That was eleven years ago and many CPDs and qualifications later!

How did you end up working at EMD UK?

Before I worked for EMD UK, I was Group Exercise Manager for two health clubs. My role was to deliver the best group exercise programme for members, and to do that I developed a strong team of skilled instructors.

What interested me about EMD UK was the support that the organisation offers both instructors and fitness brands, I really felt I had something to offer instructors and brands, so I literally jumped at the chance to join the team!

What does your day to day work look like?

?My days can be very different. Some days I’m on the phone catching up with my accounts and finding out how their businesses are going and what challenges they are facing. Other days I have prospect calls with new brands who are interested in joining EMD UK as organisation members. You can also find me writing copy for our newsletters, or creating new resources, and supporting the project team with Together Fund projects. Being an Account Manager at EMD UK is a busy but varied job!

?What sport do you play outside of work?

I love to run, most recently I’ve fallen in love with trail running. Running with a decent view is totally different, and with trail running you can stop and take in the views. So its not all about the time and pace. You can run to the top of a hill, stop, soak up the views before you run back down.?

And for fun, which animal do you most relate to?

I think I was a cat in a previous life. They love to nap, stretch and eat. That’s pretty much me!