FEATURES

Fitness trainer inspires with infectious personality

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachel Loftis
  • 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  When working out with Nikki Harris Warrior Fitness Center fitness trainer, one can't help but be drawn into the infectious atmosphere that surrounds her.  Determined to do her absolute best, Harris has adopted a boisterous teaching style of which inspires those she teaches to do their very best.

"I have been told by others when I do classes that people tend to feed off my energy, which makes me feel good knowing I can inspire others to do their best as well," she said. 

A Michigan native, former figure skater and now group fitness instructor, Harris relocated to Nevada, approximately two years ago to pursue assisting Airmen with weight loss or creating a program to achieve their fitness goals.

"The first advice I would give to anyone trying to better themselves is to find something that they like to do and that they enjoy," she said. "Finding something like that would more likely keep someone consistent in their fitness regimen."

A fitness career wasn't always something Harris had imagined for herself.
"Believe it or not I actually wanted to be a television news anchor when I first attended college.  My counselor told me it was a 'luck' field and difficult to break into," she said. "So when trying to decide on a major in college I struggled with what I wanted to do and then someone asked me what I liked to do and I said, I love to work out, I love sports, and I love athletics, and that's what I did."

Harris attended Eastern Michigan University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and a minor in Health Education. Alongside that, she also decided to get her personal training certificate from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

Kent Terillion, 99th Force Support Squadron, fitness program manager said Harris is an outstanding trainer because of her infectious training style.

Harris spends her day administering fitness assessments, assisting those who may need to help getting on a regular exercise program, teaching group fitness classes, helping individuals quit smoking as well as teaching the six week run program.

"It's important that someone focuses on getting consistent and stronger before they progress to the next level. Lastly, when you don't want to go to the gym, go anyway you'll feel much better when you leave and be glad you went." Harris said

For more information on classes and personal training, contact the Health and Wellness Center at 702-653-3375 or the Warrior Fitness Center at 702-652-4891.