Meet Our Trainers

Meet Robb Frentz, Nth Degree Fitness Founder & Trainer

Hometown: Royal Oak, Michigan
How did you get started in the fitness industry? Fitness has been part of my life literally since birth. My father was an avid weightlifter for nearly 50 years and my aunt was a professional bodybuilder.
Favorite thing to do on weekends: Read and spend time with wife and daughter.
Motivational saying: “Seize the day.”
Favorite workout music: Motley Crue.
Go-to workout move: Heavy barbell squats.
Who do you most admire? Martin Luther King Jr.
Guilty pleasure: Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Fun fact: I grew up on the same street in Royal Oak as Glenn Frey.

Meet Kristin Turner, Senior Manager & Trainer

Hometown: Troy, Michigan
How did you get started in the fitness industry? Tina Turner, not the famous one.
Education & Certifications: Bachelor of Science in Dietetics-Michigan State; MBA- Wayne State University, AFAA; ASFA, CPR/AED/First Aid, American Heart Association.
Favorite thing to do on weekends: Dinner with friends and family. Northern Michigan.
Motivational saying: “If it were easy, everyone would look great.”
Workout music: Rock – Techno.
Go-to workout move/treadmill type: Dead Lifts and Sprints.
Who do you most admire? Tina Turner, not the famous one.
Guilty pleasure: Bubble Baths.
Fun fact: I like bowling and have a leopard bowling ball and purple shoes to prove it!

Meet Lindsay Cumming, Marketing Leader & Trainer

Hometown: Tonawanda, New York
How did you get started in the fitness industry? I grew up as a competitive figure skater and dancer. In high school I began coaching and and teaching off-ice training sessions for figure skaters.
Education & Certifications: Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, Michigan State University, Group Fitness Instructor Certification from Michigan State University, Spinning Instructor, Madd Dogg Athletics, Spinning, Continuing education with AFFA certification, CPR/AED/First Aid, American Heart Association.
Favorite thing to do on weekends: Go for a long run or yoga followed by brunch with friends!
Motivational saying: ”The ability to run the extra mile lies between your ears. KEEP GOING.”
Workout song: “My Body” by Young the Giant
Go-to treadmill type: Endurance with speed work.
Guilty pleasure: Gossip magazines…US Weekly, People etc.
Fun fact: I have 3 extra bones in each of my feet!

Meet Tiffany Thierry, Manager & Trainer

Tiffany Thierry

Hometown: Goodells, Michigan. It is an extremely small town in the thumb area.
How did you get started in the fitness industry? I had always been an athlete and loved to workout, but it was not until I started working out at Nth Degree Fitness that I realized that I wanted to make a career out of it. I was lucky to get a job as an assistant at Nth Degree which then motivated me to go on to the OCC Exercise Science Program.
Education & Certifications: Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist and Associate Degree in Exercise Science and Technology, continuing education with ACSM Certification, CPR/AED/First Aid.
Favorite thing to do on weekends:  I love to go for a long walk in the morning and then meet up with friends for dinner.
Motivational saying: “No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch!”
Workout song: “Beat It” by Fall Out Boy.
Guilty pleasure: Sleep! I like to wake up on my mornings off, grab my pillow and blanket, and move to the couch for a nap!
Fun fact: My dream job is to be the “bat boy” for the Detroit Tigers!

Meet Mimi Howlett, Product Coordinator & Trainer

Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
How did you get started in the fitness industry? I began playing sports at a young age then decided to continue with an education focusing on health and fitness.
Education & Certifications: Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology, Michigan State University, American Fitness Professionals & Associates Fitness Trainer, CPR/AED/First Aid.
Favorite thing to do on the weekends: In the winter, sleep. In the summer, sand volleyball.
Motivational saying: “I do not think much of the man who knows no more today than he knew yesterday”.
Workout music: Hip Hop.
Go-to treadmill type: Sprints.
Fun fact: Pandas are my favorite animal.

Meet Amy Haenick, Trainer

Hometown: Huntington Woods, Michigan.  My husband, kids and I live right down the street from the house I grew up in (and my parents still live there).
How did you get started in the fitness industry? I got started in the fitness industry after I had my kids.  I have always been athletic and into fitness.  Once I had kids and wanted to do something that I loved and am passionate about, I decided to receive my personal trainer certification.
Education & Certifications:  Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from Michigan State University, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor, CPR/AED/First Aid.
Favorite thing to do on the weekends:  Long runs.
Motivational saying: “I run like a girl…try and keep up!”
Go-to workout move:  I LOVE to run!!  It is my all time passion. Also, lifting heavy weights.
Guilty pleasure:  Popcorn mixed with chocolate chips (it’s the sweet/salty combo).
Fun fact:  I won Female Athlete of the Year for my high school class (Berkley High School 1992) and my picture still hangs in the athletic complex.

Meet Tammy Ristau, Trainer

Hometown: Detroit and New Baltimore, Michigan
How did you get started in the fitness industry? On a whim, answered an ad for an aerobic instructor at the YWCA, had no real experience at the time, except for a passion for exercise.
Education & Certifications: Bachelor Degree in Business Management, Central Michigan University, AFAA Fitness Instructor Certification, Pilates Training, CPR/AED/First Aid.
Favorite thing to do on the weekends: Hang out with my 2 kids and husband.
Workout song: Love running to Badwitdaba!
Go-to workout move: Bicep curls… love seeing those biceps pop.
Who do you most admire? I admire people who have been given a real challenge in life (illness, etc) and rise above it with grace and a positive attitude (Tina Turner)!
Guilty pleasure: potato chips and onion dip.
Fun fact: I am the drummer in a band (Candy Band) that was featured on the Today Show and in the Wall Street Journal!

Meet Jill Kramer, Trainer

Hometown: Madison Heights, Michigan
How did you get started in the fitness industry? In high school, you could find me in the weight room for open gym time.
Education & Certifications: OCC Exercise Science, TRX, Group Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, Kickboxing, Mat Pilates and Cycling, CPR/AED/First Aid.
Favorite thing to do on the weekends: anything outside, gardening, walking my dogs, enjoying the weather (assuming its sunny).
Motivational saying: Shut up and Squat
Go-to treadmill type: Tabata Sprints- very intense and burns calories like crazy!
Who do you most admire? My parents, they had a great marriage and taught me to be the strong woman I am today.
Guilty pleasure: duh……Craft beer.
Fun fact: I used to impersonate certain celebrities just for fun, I’ve retired and my son Matthew is the new talent in the family.

Meet Kathy Chester, Trainer

Hometown: Royal Oak, Michigan
How did you get started in the fitness industry? I have always been active in athletics, from softball and soccer to cheerleading and aerobics. I eventually becoming an instructor and began coaching my own kids teams. When I was diagnosed with MS, fitness became more than a passion; it became an essential part of life, and of a balanced life dealing with a chronic disease.
Education & Certifications: Personal Training Certification, Group Exercise Certification, AFAA, CPR/AED/First Aid
Favorite thing to do on the weekends: Run with my husband or a bike ride, followed by a movie or a bonfire.
Motivational saying: “Pain is inevitable, but misery is optional. We cannot avoid pain, but we can avoid joy.”
Workout music: Classic Rock (AC/DC)
Who do you most admire? My friend Laura Geist who, despite fighting breast cancer for over ten years, never lost her hope or her fight. She inspired everyone around her.
Guilty pleasure: Popcorn topped with Reese’s Pieces and a glass of wine
Fun fact: Most people are shocked to find out how much I enjoy spending time in front of a campfire, getting my feet dirty, going for long runs and jumping in the lake.

Meet Amy Nielander, Trainer

Hometown: Northville, Michigan
How did you get started in the fitness industry? I took years of dancing growing up and was a competitive diver in high school.  It wasn’t until after my kids were born that I made a daily commitment to exercising. I wanted to provide them with my very best energy and needed that reset button at the end of the day. After trying multiple fitness programs, I felt it was time for a new challenge–teach others!
Education & Certifications:   Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Product Design from College for Creative Studies, ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification, AFAA Kickboxing Certification, CPR/AED/First AidCPR/AED/First Aid
Favorite thing to do on the weekends: Movie night with my kids and husband.
Motivational saying: Work hard, have fun and inspire others!
Treadmill Type: Endurance
Guilty pleasure: Salty, soft pretzels.
Fun fact: I LOVE to go salsa dancing.

Meet Naomi Douse, Trainer

Hometown: County Durham, England
How did you get started in the fitness industry? In 2002 I did the 3 day Breast Cancer Walk. It was such a moving experience and such an accomplishment to walk 60 miles in 3 days that it seemed natural to start running and see if I could work my way up to a marathon. As a Massage Therapist I am often treating the symptoms of pain but not always the cause. I love that Pilates and strength training give me more ways to help people overcome their health concerns and improve their quality of life.
Education & Certifications: Nationally certified Massage Therapist, TRX trainer, ACE Personal trainer, USPA Authentic Pilates Instructor
Favorite thing to do on the weekends: Go for an early long run then cook brunch for friends
Motivational saying: If its not challenging you, it isn’t changing you.
Treadmill Type:  Long slow steep hills
Guilty pleasure: Baking Nigella Lawson’s chocolate Guinness cake
Fun fact: I lived in the same village in England as Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin