The first thing you’ll notice about obé newest Dance Cardio + Sculpt instructor—Whitney R.—is her infectious energy. With a big, luminous smile, she has the kind of vibe that turns every workout into a total party moment (giggles included).
Hailing from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Whitney’s been moving her whole life, from the track to the stage. In fitness, her north star is making exercise feel less like a chore and more like a joyful expression of what your body can do.
“I really want to make people feel like they’re dancing and working out with their best friend,” she says.
Her Dance Cardio combines follow-along choreography with sculpt breaks to let your brain catch up. A fun hip moment or a little shimmy is definitely in the cards. In Sculpt, expect a total burnout. Whitney encourages you to push through, laugh, and feel the music so you leave feeling stronger, physically and mentally.
When she’s not teaching, you can find Whitney pursuing her second career as a professional dancer in musical theater (yes, she is a triple threat). Her motto? When you stumble, make it part of the dance.
Get to know Whitney below, and follow along her adventures at @whityouneed.
How did you get into fitness?
I’ve always been into fitness in some capacity. I grew up running track, and I was dancing my whole life. In college, I wanted to be a dance major—but my parents needed something else, so I got a degree in both dance and kinesiology, with a concentration in Sports Medicine.
After college, I wanted to move to New York to pursue dance full time. I wanted to have a career that I loved! So I made the move with just two bags and a dream. Eventually, I auditioned for a fitness company, got my personal training certification, and started in group fitness, then personal training. I’ve been at it for the last 8 years!
What are your Dance Cardio classes like?
I love to jump. I love to have fun. I always have so much energy, and that comes through. I’ll be giggling and laughing the whole time. I love choreo. I love a little sass. You’re going to get a hip moment. You’re gonna get a shimmy, but you’re also gonna sweat.
I think that for a lot of people, working out becomes a task—but I want us to have fun! I want it to be uplifting. I want you to think: “Okay, I just moved my body for 30 minutes, but I also had a really good time.”
Do you do choreography, or follow along?
I do a mix of the two, with brain breaks. We’ll do follow-along for part of the class, then I’ll teach you a little choreography. Then we’ll take another brain break—maybe some sculpt work or another follow along—and we’ll finish with our choreography.
How about Sculpt?
It’s going to burn. You’re going to feel your muscles go to full exhaustion. But again, I am a big music girlie. So the vibes are going to be there. I want it to feel like we’re in this together. It’s not me telling you what to do, it’s us going through this together. Let’s feel where we’re trying to burn and work the muscles, and then let’s groove while we do it.
What’s your teaching style?
My clients always joke that I am smiling through the entire workout—and they’re like, are you feeling this? I just want you to feel like everything’s okay! We’re happy. We’re doing it. A smile makes everything a little bit better. I’ll also talk your head off. A positive distraction, if you will.
Generally, I like to provide information, but I also like to make it relatable. So if I’m telling you about what a muscle does, I’ll also tell you what I did to achieve this, or what I use this muscle for in my day-to-day life. Just so you can see the relatability, but also feel like you’re learning how these functional movements help you daily.
How do you want people to feel leaving class?
Encouraged, motivated, stronger, happier, and healthier—whether that’s mentally, emotionally, spiritually. I want it to feel like you’ve just come back to life and that you can get through the rest of your day.
Specifically for women, I want them to feel like they have a community. Like: We just killed this workout. Think: I feel strong, I feel good, I look good, and I did it with a bunch of amazing people.
What’s a common myth in women’s fitness you want to break?
First, it doesn’t matter how you get your cardio, as long as you’re moving your body at least 30 minutes a day. It helps your health in the long run, through and through. And I know it sounds so cheesy, but there’s no workout I’ve regretted doing. So even if it is just 10 or 20 minutes, just getting your body going makes a world of difference.
I want to debunk the idea that those few minutes are not enough. Getting your body moving is more than enough, and life is hard as it is, so let’s have fun while we do it.
Do you have a fitness mantra?
I have this tattoo, and it says: when you stumble, make it part of the dance. It’s my favorite little mantra for life, and my favorite reminder. Don’t take life so seriously. Don’t take yourself so seriously. You’re gonna stumble, you’re gonna mess up. Things are going to be hard, but make it a part of your dance, whatever that means to you.
What’s your favorite part of being a fitness instructor?
I’ve had the pleasure of working with women who are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, and working after pregnancy. Being able to see that transformation and be a part of it has been so rewarding.
Fitness is therapy. I am not a licensed therapist by any means, but I do feel especially in personal training or group classes: it’s therapeutic. It’s your release, your way to get through whatever life is throwing at you at that moment. So I love being the therapist for that hour or 30 minutes or whatever it is, and helping people find a release. I like to make people feel good. Seeing people feel or see the difference—whether it’s being able to dance for 30 minutes straight, or getting through a whole seat section. That feels so good to me.
Now for some rapid-fire life questions!
Favorite beverage?
The cosmic vibe Celsius, or a strong cold brew. Both of those are my happy place.
Go-to workout snack?
I love turkey jerky, especially teriyaki—or mango for something sweet.
Instant mood booster?
Good music: if a good song comes on, suddenly, I’m like, let’s go.
A song you love?
I am a Beyonce Stan. If you play any Beyonce, I am ready to go. Alien Superstar is the song—if I hear it, I’m going.
Any hobbies we should know about?
I’m a professional dancer. I do musical theater. That’s not really a hobby—that’s my second career! (laughs). I’ve started baking, but that is a new hobby of mine. I have perfected my banana bread, and I’m so proud.
Favorite show you’ve done?
I just finished Frozen! I did not expect to love it as much as I did. But I was the queen, and getting to play a queen for a few months was a lot of fun. The cast was also so great. It’s between that and Legally Blonde.
Favorite show that you’ve seen?
A recent one is Outsiders. And MJ the Musical.
Do you sing?
I do sing. I now identify as a triple threat. I sing, dance and act. The last three shows I’ve done, I’ve been more of a featured ensemble slash leading character, so I’ve had to sing. I grew up in the church singing. I was on the choir. I did theater growing up. I’ve always sung, but I’m definitely a dancer first, and then everything else.
Next stop on your travel wishlist?
I really want to go to Thailand. My cousin is living there right now.
What TV show are you watching right now? A book you’re reading?
So I just started reading Atomic Habits again. I’m watching “Apple Cider Vinegar” on Netflix, and I’ve started “The White Lotus.”
What does your day off look like?
I sleep in. I take my dog for a really nice, long walk with a coffee. If I’m doing a true day off, I won’t work out. It’s hard though because I love to take a class! I will go on a friend date, where we try new restaurants around the city. Then I chill at home, watch TV, and take a really nice bubble bath. I love baths. When I was a little, I wanted to take baths at all my friends’ houses!
What’s a fun fact about you?
I’m the youngest of eight. And I can laugh without smiling.
If you could only do one workout for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It would be dancing.
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