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Andrea Fornarola Hunsberger is the founder and the director of Elements Fitness Studio.
With 15 years’ experience, Andrea, a founding trainer at Physique 57, has developed signature programs and taught classes at some of Manhattan’s most popular fitness facilities.
She has multiple credits in regional theatre, dance, film, TV, and online media; is a proud member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Screen Actors Guild and the Actors Equity Association; and holds multiple nationally recognized fitness certifications, including ACE, AFAA, Schwinn, and Real Ryder International.
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1. When and how did you first realize that you wanted to work in the industry and business you are in?
I started as a professional dancer and realized that I really loved teaching movement and movement patterns.
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2. Any celebrity clients or memorable stories related to your business that you want to share?
My client used to live in the same building as Bon Jovi. One day our private session was heavily delayed because he was using the fitness studio for his own private training session.
Another day, I bumped into Bon Jovi on my way into our East Hampton studio.
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3. What is a typical day like for you? And what do you like to do on a day off?
I train clients in the morning starting between 6:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. In the afternoon, I usually teach classes or I’m in the office working on our upcoming corporate wellness activations, business developments, and other administrative tasks. I’m the CEO and CFO, so I also do the accounting for Elements and manage our budgets.
I don’t ever have a full day off. If I do have time to spare, I am using it to relax at home. I also enjoy spending any bit of free time I have with my husband. In the Hamptons, we enjoy going out for dinner or going to the waterfront at Sag Harbor and hanging out at the beach.
It’s important for me to check out other fitness classes and events as well. I don’t really get the full benefits of a workout when I am teaching clients. I like to attend other fitness classes, not only to check out the competition, but to hopefully get a good workout in.
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4. What is the next big thing in your industry? What are people doing differently today, compared to 10-15 years ago?
The next big thing are online workouts and training sessions. We are taking fitness out of the studio and providing a virtual experience for our clients.
Differently, there are all types of fusion workouts and boutique fitness trends popping up but it’s all about taking that boutique experience and putting it online.
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5. What are your three favorite restaurants in New York?
a. Bostwick’s Chowder House – My husband and I always order from the raw bar the little neck and cherry stone clams and oysters;
b. Clam Bar– I love the lobster roll; and
c. Dockside in Sag Harbor – Fresh seafood is always my go-to.
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6. What are your three favorite bars in New York?
a. Ulysses in the Financial District;
b. CMT Summer House; and
c. Bay Kitchen Bar.
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7. What are your three favorite locations to visit in New York?
a. The American Ballet Theatre at the Lincoln Center;
b. Any Broadway and off-Broadway shows. I recently saw The Donna Summer Musical Live;
c. Jamesport Vineyard – I like to attend their live music shows.
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8. Which three events on your annual calendar will you will absolutely not miss?
a. Christmas with my family in Rochester, New York;
b. Our Elements Fitness family and community likes to kick off the Hamptons summer in our East Hampton Studio; and
c. My wedding anniversary is on August 20th.
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9. What was your best New York moment? Your worst?
One of my best New York moments was moving out of our downtown apartment that I lived in with my husband while I was a starving artist. It was a such an amazing feeling to have a full-time place to call home.
Also, opening the Elements Fitness Studio and building it to become a successful fitness brand.
My worst New York moment was during the time it took to land my first gig when I finally decided to work as a freelancer and do fitness full time. I did not know what to do next, until I got the courage to launch Elements Fitness Studio.
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10. Tell us something that people do not know about you. (And you cannot say it is a secret!)
I am coffee-crazed, and I love Madonna.
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11. How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is comfortable and athleisure chic.
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12. Who is your style icon? Where do you find your style inspiration?
I don’t have a style icon. I am more function meets fashion. I like the different designers we carry in our Elements Lifestyle Boutique – Vimmia and Splits59 are extremely comfortable.
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13. Who is your favorite Fashion Designer, Artist, or Architect – and why?
Brunello Cucinelli designs beautiful dresses and handbags and I love the quality and craftmanship of all of their pieces.
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14. Name your favorite… and tell us why:
a. Outfit: My Carbon38 black leggings and during the summertime I pair them with my favorite Phat Buddha tops.
b. Perfume/fragrance: I love natural essence perfumes and my favorite is Nomaterra’s East Hampton Atlantic White Cedar fragrance that we carry in our shop. They also have a Cape Cod Wild Beach Rose fragrance that I love.
c. Movie: Dirty Dancing is classic!
d. TV show: Any program on BRAVO TV Network. I really loved the FX series Pose which is based on the 80s transgender dance community
e. Book: The Elements Fitness Studio Teaching Manual which I personally developed the exercises for. Also, The Art Of Making Dances by Doris Humphrey.
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15. What is your favorite restaurant in the world? What is it you love about it and what is your favorite dish?
To be honest, no restaurant tops my grandmother’s kitchen. I love her delicious homemade tomato sauce which is unmatched.
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16. Name your favorite vacation spot and hotel? What makes these places so special?
I enjoy a staycation in the Hamptons at the Topping Rose House or the Maidstone Hotel.
For a vacation I love to travel to Nantucket, Massachusetts and stay at the Wauwinet Luxury Seaside Hotel.
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17. Which three items can you not live without?
a. Coffee;
b. Blow-dryer; and
c. Elements Barre Socks.
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18. What song, meditation or mantra can you listen to on repeat? And why?
Mantra – “What would Madonna do?” because she always knows how to make everything fabulous!
Meditation – Deep breaths are very calming and help you to rethink certain decisions.
The mantra for Elements Fitness Studio is our mission statement which inspires the team to go hard every day. We’re on a mission to transform bodies and change lives while creating a culture of community.
“One Kiss” by Calvin Harris ft Dua Lipa is a song that is on repeat in our studio at the moment
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19. If you could meet anyone in the world, who would you like to meet? And why?
Madonna, of course, because she is a really good businessperson. She doesn’t care what people think or say about her, and I respect her for being able to turn any situation into a positive one. Throughout all these years she has remained relevant without always being in the public eye. She is also obsessed with fitness and wellness, as I am, and I love it!
I also admire Bethenny Frankel for her business savvy. What she does for charities, especially in Puerto Rico, is really honorable.
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20. Is there anything else you would like to share, discuss or promote?
Elements Fitness Studio takes pride in providing clients a safe and friendly fitness environment to reach their goals, as well as, trainers to share their gift with amazing clients. What we have created is a network of the most amazing people, and I am so excited to continue to grow our reach as we scale our successful brand and vision.
It’s truly inspiring to see how our trainers are welcomed into the community because what they provide for our clients at our Elements Fitness Studio.
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Images by Andrea Fornarola Hunsberger and Elements Fitness Studio
