Kristin Dowell

Kristin is a group fitness instructor and personal trainer with certifications from ACE and AFAA, is qualified to coach over a dozen specialty programs, and is the creator of 3 exercise DVDs. From creating physical training programs for fire academies, to teaching preschool dance, (and just about everything in between) she feels at home in many facets of the industry.

Posts by Kristin:

South Jersey Shorin’ as a vegan doesn’t suck anymore!

It was always fun, but now it's fun with stuff you can eat.

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Vegan-ing in Vieques, PR

Tips to help plan your vegan island vacation

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How to travel as a Vegan when visiting Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks

Eat well, hike often.

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Not that big of a deal black bean burgers; vegan & gluten free

Customizable and hard to screw up

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To those who have sworn off indoor cycling because of a bad experience

Why you might have felt pressure to push too hard

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Tips for hosting a vegan at your summer BBQ when you’re not entirely sure what vegans eat

Be the plant-based host with the most

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“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music”

Examining quotes that influence us to take positive action.

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We’re missing the forest for the tree poses

Before you get on your diet and exercise soapbox, decide if it really is the best use of your time.

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Chicken, fish, or neither?

3 ways to be a gracious vegan or gluten-free wedding guest.

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8 ways to recognize a fitness-minded vacationer

Because it's hard to take a vacation from health.

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Get schooled to get fit

How a simple analogy can help take the confusion out of getting fit.

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Is your fitness grammar in shape?

Are you committing any of these crimes against grammar in the gym? Lots of people are.

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I’m a Savasana recluse, and I’m okay with that

It's taboo to admit, but not everyone wants to yoga the way yoga should be yoga'd.

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Strategies to help make your gym’s group classes work for you

Is your training being dictated by the group exercises and not by what is actually best for your body?

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6 diet documentaries on Youtube you might not have seen

I've sifted through it all so you don't have to.

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The one announcement not to make when going vegan

This single tweet will speak volumes about your vegan readiness.

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“The wise man questions himself; the fool, others.” -Henri Arnold

The first in a series where we'll examine quotes that influence us to take positive action.

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If gym life was like it is in stock photos

I'll have what they're having.

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Upcycle your playlists to put a fresh twist on your workouts

Try these 3 techniques to breathe new life into your playlists

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Hosting Thanksgiving for vegan and gluten-free guests is easier than you think

Stress-free (tofurkey-free) strategies to make everyone happy.

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Make it to veganhood without hatin’ life

It is possible to go vegan without the cravings

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Renovating your kitchen? These tips will make it easier to eat healthier in your new space

Make healthy eating easier.

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A tribute to Seasun Zieger: my mentor, my friend

A tribute to one of the best in the group exercise business.

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Making almond milk is easier than you think

If you think this is complicated, try milking a cow.

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Trivia: How well do you know your workout video history?

An oldies-but-goodies quiz about home workouts before the internet.

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Just because you joined a gym before January doesn’t mean you’re more committed

Don't judge a member by her join date.

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Bodies in Motion, hosted by Gilad Janklowicz, currently holds the title of the longest running fitness show on television. Launched in 1983, it was the first of its kind to be picked up by ESPN where it had a home from 1985-1996.  It later migrated to other cable channels but the gorgeous array of Hawaiian Read More

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Meals to make for your family while you’re on a 21-day cleanse (and they’re not)

Keep your diet without a riot!

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Ideas for marathon spectator signs (26.2 of them!)

If you don't want to run it, at least you can show up with awesome signs!

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Jay Leno sometimes referenced it in his monologue. Ellen Degeneres joked about it, and it was even a topic in the comic strip Cathy. The Buns of Steel pop culture references had to be a video marketer’s dream! And this series had quite an evolution… The original Buns of Steel workout was the brainchild of the self-proclaimed Read More

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A popular teen afterschool activity from 1992 to 1997 was tuning into MTV’s The Grind, where a studio (or later, rooftop) full of dancers shook what their mamas gave ’em to the hottest tracks around. It was only natural that MTV capitalize on this loyal audience and the popularity of its host Eric Nies, to spin off a series Read More

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In 1989 the group exercise world was introduced to Step Reebok, and in 1992 Gin Miller brought her wildly popular concept to the home market via Step Reebok, The Video.  The Reebok/Miller partnership went on to release 6 more related workouts until the series ended in 1995.   Does this bring back memories?: The original workout has been remastered Read More

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South Carolina’s The FIRM Studio first brought its unique style of “aerobics with weights” combination to the masses in 1986 with its first home workout video Body Sculpting Basics. Led by Susan Harris, this first video opened the door to 2 decades (and counting) of The FIRM workouts – led by alternating instructors – and created Read More

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The ESPN Fitness Pros were part of the “ESPN Fitness Break;” a series of 30-minute exercise shows offered from 11am -1pm weekdays during the early to mid 90’s.    Can you name the co-hosts in the below photo, including any missing members? (Answer at bottom of page.)   A typical show’s intro can be seen Read More

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Immediately after the release of the first video in 1998, the Tae Bo craze was ON like Billy Blanks’ one-on-one motivational pep talks to the camera!  Infomercials were aplenty and health clubs worldwide were peppering their schedules with kickboxing classes as fast as a neck roll in a Tae Bo warm-up.   According to their website Read More

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Richard Simmons brought the party with his Sweatin to the Oldies series from 1988-1992. With themes such as “a high school prom,” “an amusement park,” and “a diner,” these low impact dance workouts featured live bands, and for the first time in history, included a cast of exercisers who were not already in tip-top shape.  He Read More

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Long before he brought juicers to infomercials, Jack Lalanne brought exercise to living room televisions. Beginning in 1951, his show went national in 1959 (he was 45 years old) and lasted until 1985.  Refusing to slow down, he continued a presence in the fitness industry while adding to his personal resumé of physical feats – such as towing 70 boats full Read More

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Joanie Greggains brought personality, perk and perfect hair to the early morning airwaves via her long running show Morning Stretch.                                                                     Not only did she bring energy to the television, her high-and-low-impact-of-it-all graced many record players and VCRs throughout the 80’s and 90’s:   Want to see if you still got it? Find her retro workouts here.  Return to Read More

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