You might say Andrea Minnick has a dual personality — in a good way. Chatting with her at home, she is laid back and soft spoken. But, a different Andrea emerges when she’s leading a Body Pump fitness class to upbeat tunes. She’s in her element, her happy place, full of contagious enthusiasm and a passion for bringing strength and confidence into people’s lives.

Growing up in Delta in a close knit, high achieving, physically active family, Andrea says, “I did it all!” Her repertoire includes dance, band, gymnastics, track and field, weight training, class of 1991 valedictorian and six years of cheerleading. She was selected to be part of a national cheer squad to perform and march in the New York City Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“I discovered cheer and loved it! It was so fun and incorporated dance, gymnastics and power moves,” she reminisces. “I knew early on I was never going to be the small petite girl, so I decided, let’s be strong, let’s be the power lifter.”

Minnick found her love for teaching group fitness classes at Colorado State University’s Rec Center while earning an accounting degree. It was back in the day of Jane Fonda workouts and leotards, hip-hop, step and high/low impact aerobics.

In Denver, she taught classes at a local gym, became a CPA and married triathlete, Ty Minnick. Moving on to Crested Butte, they both worked for the ski area, where she taught local fitness classes before taking a break to have their three sons — now 19, 16 and 11.

In 2011, the Minnick family moved to Grand Junction and Andrea Minnick went to work for Rocky Mountain HMO. Crossroads Fitness was conveniently located right across the street, and she became an active member, regaining “me time,” as she puts it. As she transitioned to accounting manager for Powderhorn Ski area, getting to classes in Grand Junction was challenging, so she rounded up Powderhorn staff and taught classes in a hotel conference room.

2015 was a game changer. Les Mills global fitness program came to Grand Junction for two days of body pump training. Having found weight lifting high on the “boring spectrum” in the past, body pump added music and group motivation. Minnick was all over it.

“I think I was the oldest one there, but was lifting more than anyone,” she recalls. “In the past, fitness classes focused on cardio. Body pump shows how important strength training is and how fun it can be. It’s not about bulking up; it’s about toning and definition.”

Minnick now teaches body pump and cardio chisel three times a week at Crossroads Fitness. I have never come across a more inspiring instructor in my 40+ years of taking group fitness classes. And, I’m not her only fan.

Other students rave: “Andrea is full of high energy and is great motivator.” “She’s really here for us, whatever level we’re at.” “Her enthusiasm is like having a personal cheerleader.” “She has focus and a 100% encouraging spirit.” “Upbeat.” “Funny.” “A good role model and coach.” “Consistent.” “Knowledgeable.” “Like family.”

Minnick wants people to know the goal isn’t to be a size 0 but to be strong — for muscle and bone health — no matter your size or age. She takes into account her fitness classes may have a 60 year age spread and varying skill levels.

“First and foremost, I try and offer and show modifications, but I also tell people to do what works for them. Fitness is not one size fits all,” Minnick believes. “Group fitness to me is someone coming to class for suggestions on what to do for the next hour. You won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t follow me, but you made it to class. Here are my ideas to motivate you, so let’s get it done!”

Students forget how hard they’re working as Minnick keeps every class uplifting by dancing to one of her favorite P!nk songs, singing along to rhythmic rap lyrics or sending out encouraging cheers: “Don’t forget to breathe!” “You’re strong!” “Good options; find what works for you!” “I like what I see out there!” “You’ve got this!”

When she’s not teaching, Minnick takes classes from other instructors and says she “just tries to keep the balls in the air,” balancing family, work, dogs, community and a good night’s sleep. When she interviewed for the senior accountant position at Community Hospital, she made them aware that flexibility to continue teaching fitness classes needed to be part of the package, for her sanity and life balance. She got the job.

“I can’t put into words why I love teaching fitness classes so much,” she says. “I can be having the worst day, go in to teach and leave feeling so much better. I love seeing people succeed and get stronger.”

Originally published in the Summer 2022 issue of Spoke+Blossom.

Athlete Profile: Andrea Minnick