Group fitness at Bucknell is a great way to stay fit. There’s yoga class and zumba dance, but then there’s spin. This form of exercise is not only rewarding, but also fun. Just ask junior Laura Neely; she’s the amazing instructor behind it all! Spin isn’t the only thing Laura loves; from fitness to food, her talents are far-reaching, so having her as our campus celebrity was a no-brainer!
Hometown: Clifton Park, NY
Major: Biology & minor in Italian Studies!
How did you get into spinning?
When I stopped rowing after high school I was looking for something intense and fun to do, spinning was it!
What drove you to become an instructor?
My first spin class I ever took was New Years morning back in 2010. Waking up for a 5am class was a bit of a challenge, but I was hooked on my very first pedal stroke! Having been a coxswain, motivating others through exercise was only natural.
You seem to be a fitness guru– do you have any advice for staying in shape with our busy Bucknell schedules?
Switch things up! I try to set new goals all the time. Right now I’m training for a race on Thanksgiving morning, but even smaller goals day to day keep me entertained! Walking, kickboxing, running, biking, swimming and yoga are all things so easily accessible on Bucknell’s campus.
Here’s a shameless plug: when do you teach spin class?
Wednesdays at 5! There’s a new & different spin class every week, all centered around high-energy music!
Word on the street is that you’re a fantastic baker. Is this true?
I wouldn’t say fantastic, but I love experimenting in the kitchen. I make a lot of substitutions when I’m making things like breakfast muffins. You’d be surprised at how well you can switch out butter for applesauce!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I have a few dreams I’m working towards. A degree in Human Nutrition, a certificate from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts school (I guess you could say I’m a fan of Julia Child), and volunteering for the Peace Corps. I’ve had my eye on these three things for years, and if I can accomplish just one, I would be ecstatic!
Favorites
Class taken at Bucknell My Freshman foundation seminar, Six Degrees of Separation.
Part about Bucknell: The people.
Meal to get in the Bison: Whole wheat french toast with lots of honey!
Freeze Flavor: The only freeze I’ve ever gotten was a banana freeze with chocolate covered pretzels and peanut butter fudge! I am absolutely obsessed with the chocolate covered bananas that they have though, I get them every time!
Thing to bake: The cupcake is a beautiful work of art. The fact that one dessert can be so complete and beautiful, not to mention delicious, is fascinating!
A few random facts: I visited 31 colleges, Bucknell being the last and only one I applied to! I completed the hot wing challenge at Bull Run, and I’m on the wall of flame. I lived abroad in the Netherlands and Germany, and my favorite spice is Allspice!