INSPIRE FITNESS STUDIOS TRAINER: Karen Buttacavoli
I’ve always been athletic and was a professional horse trainer before I had children. After my 3rd child, I knew I had to start working out so I started with a personal trainer. Then when cycle class started in the late 90’s I took a class and was hooked. My friend and I were going to open a Indoor Cycle Studio but a big gym added cycle to their Group X classes. My friend was an instructor and she convinced me to audition. I had never taught a class before but I got hired and it’s still one of my favorite formats to teach!”.
What name do you like to go by?
Karen B.
How did you get into fitness?
I’ve always been athletic and was a professional horse trainer before I had children. After my 3rd child, I knew I had to start working out so I started with a personal trainer. Then when spin class started in the late 90’s I took a class and was hooked. My friend and I were going to open a Spin Studio but a big gym added cycle to their Group X classes. My friend was an instructor and she convinced me to audition. I had never taught a class before but I got hired and it’s still one of my favorite formats to teach!
What do you like to do on the weekends?
Every day is a weekend for me! But if I’m not teaching, I still do something active. I love to hike, bike outside, ride my horses and go to an occasional horse show!
What inspires you?
I love a challenge. I believe there is no such thing as can’t! When I was young I wanted to be a horse trainer. Horses are my passion! And in my 20’s I accomplished that dream and trained horses, went on to compete and win at a Regional and National level! I’ve committed my life to being active, fit, and healthy. I do it for myself and my family. My husband is also my inspiration. At the age of 50 he decided to change his diet, lift weights and his results were so amazing he started competing in natural bodybuilding competitions. When he turned 61, he earned the title of Mr. Olympia! Age is just a number when you take care of your health! I love to be with like-minded positive and energetic people of all ages!
What’s your pre-workout routine or ritual?
I always review my playlist and what I am going to do in my class, depending on the format!
What has motivated you to become a trainer?
My mom struggled with her weight and died of cancer when I was in high school. I have always been active and I believed if I became a trainer/fitness instructor, I would be motivated to always workout. Exercising is my priority, but I didn’t always feel that way! Now fitness is my passion. I love changing lives and inspiring others to work out and get healthy at any age, it’s so much fun!
How do you motivate others?
I like making exercise accessible at any age. There are so many modifications you can try and I make it a priority to make everyone feel comfortable and have fun. It’s important to teach people the right way, proper form, starting slow, and having a goal. I’m 63 and have been teaching for over 20 years. If I can do it, anyone can!
What are your 5 favorite songs from your workout playlist?
I have so many! I love the 80’s and classic rock and Top 40 but if I must pick 5 in no particular order:
Joy for King & Country
Uptown Funk Bruno Mars
Hey Ya OutKast
Radar Love
Sandstorm
What “healthy” food do you hate?
I don’t really hate anything other than liver and that’s not healthy!
What are you most proud of?
My beautiful family, my husband of 40 + years, my 3 beautiful daughters, their partners, and my 2 grandsons, Wade and Remington! I love spending time with those boys and being a professional “Glamma”.
Where can everyone find you?
I live in Yorba Linda, the land of “gracious living” but I love going on vacation to Maui or visiting my daughter in San Francisco. I ride horses all over the trails and you can find me on Facebook or Instagram @somecallmemommy.
What are some of your goals?
A few of my goals are to continue teaching classes. I love weight training and resistance formats, Cycle, and any kind of HIIT or boot camp. I like to dance but that is a work in progress! My most important goal is to stay ageless, fit, healthy, and live each day to its fullest!
Anything else that you would like us to know?
I have lived in Yorba Linda for almost 30 years and I’m very active in my church and community. I lead various free fitness classes around town, anything to help the inactive start moving and have fun! I am also an entrepreneur and I’m always up for a challenge!