Danielle Devine-Baum

My mom owned a group fitness studio in the 80s that was all group classes. So, I literally grew up with group fitness in my blood. I used to take her classes when I was a kid. She started teaching indoor cycling early on, and I fell in love with it. As a kid, I was a ballet dancer and figure skater, and I loved the feeling of being able to connect with music on the bike. Between the movement on the bike and the music (my Dad is a jazz drummer), it just felt like home. I loved how safe and efficient it was as well. I went to college for theatre at NYU, but realized while I was in that program, that I wanted to pursue fitness instead. I started teaching at Crunch, and eventually was offered an instructor role at Flywheel in 2010, right at the beginning on the boutique fitness craze. I was at Flywheel for nearly 10 years, and while there wore a number of hats. I was a Master Instructor, trained and mentored instructors, and was Creative Director for the NE Region. It was an amazing opportunity for me, as I was able to be on both the instructor side and the corporate side of the business. While at Flywheel, I also started my own personal training company and trained clients when not teaching. I left Flywheel in 2009, then took some time off to have my second baby. I was thrilled to land a role at Equinox, but COVID shut down the industry a week after I started. I started training my clients online, and the first week of April, taught my first indoor cycling class online. I thought it might be a huge fail, but 40 people showed up and it was one of the highest moments so far in my career. The community we all felt and needed was there, and it became apparent that there was a need for this kind of online fitness that FEELS like group fitness. Around the same time, I started to talk with CardioCast and was thrilled to be offered an opportunity to coach for them. I love the team and learning how to teach on audio was an exciting new skill. Since then, I've continued to coach for CardioCast and with my dear friend and business partner Wendy, launched sweatconnected which is an online group fitness platform. I am loving the mix of owning my own business, as well as coaching for CardioCast, where I have so much respect for my colleagues. I am also personal training as well.

HIIT training

Baba O'Riley, The Who

Honestly, it is just part of who I am. I am more productive, kinder and happier when I am active and get my endorphins rushing.

I have two kids; 4 and 18 months. So, when I am not working or teaching, I am with them! They are both at great ages. Other than that, I love the downtime in the evening after my kids go to sleep where my husband and I make dinner and enjoy a cocktail. I miss hanging out with my friends, but I know that it'll be that much better on the other side of COVID!

I have been a group fitness person forever, so I never truly understood how great virtual fitness could be until COVID hit, and we were all forced to adjust. Soon after, I joined the CardioCast team, and partnered with a colleague to start our own virtual group fitness business, sweatconnected. The best part for me about group fitness has always been community, and the incredible thing is that can be recreated online with the help of social media (CardioCast has an amazing active Facebook community) and for video, two way communication like Zoom. I also love that because I do not have to commute, I am able to spend more time with my kids.

CardioCast is an awesome audio fitness app that features a number of different workout formats (cycling, running, HIIT training, and more), coached by incredible instructors. The coaches curate their playlists for each workout, meaning not only do you get top notch instruction, you also get incredible music to go with your workout. I love CardioCast because it is great for all levels, affordable, offers different class durations, and the instructors are fantastic. I was introduced to CardioCast by my friend and colleague Jonathan who is an incredible coach!

1. Supportive 2. Enthusiastic 3. Driven

Before you take your first CardioCast class, make sure you are properly set up on a bike if you are going to take a cycling class. Bike set up is crucial. We have great workout guides in the app. Also, go at your own pace! The beauty of our classes is that they are coached to YOUR perceived exertion, so honor that!

I can't be sure, even after all these years. If I had to guess, it's likely the combo of my music and the fact that I don't try to be someone else.

Camo!!

I don't believe in resolutions, but generally speaking, tapping into gratitude when I start to get petty. There is a LOT to be grateful for in my life.