Instructor Nikki Bredwell Keeps the Personal Fitness Trainer Program Moving at Tampa College
An infectious, energizing personality, with amazing fortitude and a true commitment to fitness and nutrition and to sharing what she knows to improve others’ lives – that’s Lisa Bredwell.
Lisa, known as Nikki to her coworkers, friends, and family, was born in Flint, Michigan. Due to a thyroid disorder, she has struggled with keeping healthy her entire life and learned early on the vital importance of exercise and good nutrition.
“I knew that if I didn’t stay active, I would start to have muscle aches, joint pain, and inflexibility, along with a host of medical problems and I had seen enough family members and friends deal with,” noted Ms. Bredwell. “So,” she added, “I started taking some classes and hired a personal trainer. Soon after, positive changes brought me to the conclusion that this was what I wanted to do with my life: to help others with the same types of conditions or afflictions that would normally make them feel too intimidated or too self-conscious to even walk into a gym.”
Ms. Bredwell has helped to implement the Personal Fitness Trainer Program (PFT) at Remington College - Tampa Campus and has been a lead instructor and manager of the Campus’s fitness center since August 2008.
Actively Involved in Personal Fitness Instruction
Ms. Bredwell currently teaches Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology and is responsible for organizing the program’s boot camps, field trips, and community outreach projects. She also helps to find and establish externship sites for our students and leads all discussions about the PFT Program during the Campus’s twice yearly Program Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings.
Ms. Bredwell is a Certified Personal Trainer through the International Fitness Professional Association and a certified Health Care Provider/CPR instructor. She also holds a degree in Massage Therapy and licensure through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Additionally, she is a member of the Florida State Massage Therapy Association, Idea Health and Fitness Association, and Lakeland County Police Athletic League.
“Our PFT Program is now working to certify students through the American Council on Exercise, or ACE,” noted Ms. Bredwell, adding, “I believe this excellent national certification will help open many doors for our graduates. Along with this comes the chance to complete an externship at a local facility, where students can showcase their skills and apply what they’ve learned.”
Tampa Personal Fitness Activities Keep Students Moving
When asked about some of her class activities, Ms. Bredwell said, “I have a few time slots each week when I have students lead some sort of group fitness class, like Zumba, Body Pump, Cardio Kick-Boxing, and so on, and they’ve really enjoyed getting that kind of experience being in front of a group.”
She added, “At least once each module, I like to get the students out of the classroom and give them a new experience. With the weather here in sunny Florida finally cooling off a bit, we’ve been holding a few lab classes outside with a focus on calisthenics to improve strength and conditioning while using only body weight.”
Ms. Bredwell noted that Tim Abrams, the director of the Polk County Police Athletic League and a current PFT Program PAC member, recently expressed interest in scheduling a day of fun and exercise for inner-city kids. “This would be a fabulous way for our students to give back to the community and raise awareness,” she commented.
Reflections on the Program at Remington College in Tampa
Reflecting on her tenure at our Tampa Campus, Ms. Bredwell said, “My time here has been amazing. I am so incredibly blessed to have been given the reins to such a terrific and necessary program. I feel that the Personal Fitness Program at Remington College is challenging and innovative, with classes that offer real-life application and hands-on experience.
This isn’t an easy program, and sometimes the students are surprised to find just how much work goes into this career field. Discipline and a real willingness to work beyond what you thought your body was capable are some key ingredients. From time to time, past students will visit me explaining excitedly about all they are accomplishing and how much they love their job. This makes me exceedingly proud, not just of them, but of my role in their success.”