Today we’d like to introduce you to Kierstan Hernández.
Hi Kierstan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Since 2013, my journey as a fitness instructor has been a steady evolution from learner to leader. It began in Houston, where I started teaching Zumba and discovered how much I loved bringing people together through music and movement. Those early classes taught me the fundamentals of reading a room, keeping energy high, and making every participant feel welcome, no matter their experience level. That foundation gave me the confidence to take my talent to a bigger stage.
In 2017, I moved to Los Angeles and entered one of the most competitive fitness markets in the country. Over the next six years, I expanded far beyond my Zumba roots, creating my own dance style fitness classes and teaching Tabata, stretch, aqua fitness, and even child movement classes. Each format stretched me in a different way, from the intensity of interval training to the gentleness required to guide children through playful movement. Teaching such a wide range of classes made me more versatile, creative, and adaptable, and it showed me that fitness can meet people wherever they are in life.
In 2023, I moved to Las Vegas and found a whole new community waiting for me. Here, my growth has been about ownership. Instead of relying on major fitness clubs, I’ve focused on building my own brand and fully claiming the profit of my talents, a leap that required courage, business savvy, and belief in my own value. Today, I’m still driven by the same passion that started it all in Houston: connecting with people through movement and health. My journey has taught me that being a great instructor isn’t only about leading a class, but about building a community and trusting my own vision.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Staying motivated has been one of my biggest obstacles. Teaching seven classes a week in Los Angeles, then changing direction and rebuilding my classes in Las Vegas, meant there were days when my energy was low and progress felt slow. What keeps me going is remembering why I started: the people who leave class feeling stronger and more confident than when they walked in. I focus on small wins, show up even on the tough days, and remind myself that consistency matters more than perfection.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
When someone walks into my class, I want them to feel like they belong the moment they step through the door. I greet people by name, ask how they’re feeling, and invite newcomers to move at their own pace so no one feels pressure to keep up. I offer modifications and options for every movement, framing them as choices rather than “easier” versions, so every body and every fitness level has a place in the room. I keep my cues positive and focused on effort over perfection, celebrating small wins out loud, like a first full set or showing up on a tough day. My years of teaching in Houston and Los Angeles taught me that energy is contagious, so I bring warmth, humor, and genuine excitement to every session, whether we’re in a studio or connecting online. Most of all, I remind my students that fitness isn’t about being the strongest or fastest in the room. It’s about showing up for yourself, and in my space, everyone who shows up is welcome and cheered on.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Teaching fitness has taught me that energy is contagious: whether I’m leading a packed studio in Los Angeles or a live session online, the room mirrors what I bring, so I show up warm and excited every time. Offering options instead of “easier” versions showed me that everyone deserves to feel capable from the first minute, and teaching seven classes a week taught me that consistency builds trust, because people return to instructors who reliably show up for them. Choosing Las Vegas over a full-time job at a private school meant betting on myself, and it opened the door to brand ambassador work, where I learned that my skills travel: reading a room, connecting with strangers, and bringing good energy work just as well representing a brand as they do leading a class. Moving my fitness presence online proved that community can live anywhere, and rebuilding my classes now reminds me that starting again isn’t starting over, because I carry everything I’ve learned with me.
Pricing:
- Classes – $15 Per person
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itskierstan
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@itskierstan
