http://
ecollinetti@gmail.com
Life as a perpetual immigrant has not been easy for Esther, but what has remained constant no matter where she calls home is her appetite for competition and dedication to improvement—both for herself and those she trains.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Esther almost died as an infant due to pulmonary complications. Yet her fighting spirit and her mother’s determination for her survival allowed Esther a second chance at life. And it’s a life she makes the most of.
When Esther turned three, her family intended to return to their native Europe. Unable to resettle in the places of their cultural heritage, instead the Collinetti’s traveled to Chile and established roots there for the next fifteen years. In Chile, the Collinetti family dedicated themselves to horse breeding and competition. At the age of thirteen, Esther trained on a road bike in order to strengthen her legs to be a more effective horseback rider. While such cross-training led Esther to become the Chilean Dressage Champion in her age group for several consecutive years, it also began her journey toward biking.
When Esther and her family traveled to Europe over the years for the holidays, she immerse d herself in road biking. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Esther discovered that her favorite routes were the most punishing uphills. And when applying for college, Esther’s decision to study at Colorado State University was influenced greatly by its extensive cycling clubs and impressive mountain range. After moving to Baltimore in 1989, Esther signed up with a local bicycling race club; but she had to drop her racing commitments soon after because her international work demands through the Smithsonian took precedence at the time. This is when Esther was introduced to spinning. And according to her fitness clients, they are glad she made the transition:
“Esther takes spinning to a whole new level. Her words and phrases during class have a way of pushing you and motivating you to work harder.” Phil Boyer
“I have been a serious cyclist for 20 years and have climbed some of the famous peaks in Italy, France and Spain. I have taken spinning classes at many gyms and no one comes close to providing the intensity, excitement, stage presence and fun that Esther does in her classes. She pushes me to levels that I didn't know existed. She is nothing short of astonishing in her skills as a spin instructor.” Sam Ulan
“Esther is a unique force that pushes normal people to embrace pain and go beyond thresholds previously thought of as impossible. It is no surprise that her class is always at capacity and that we come back for more.” Paul Long
“I owe my fitness to Esther who inspired me to keep coming, keep pushing, and to occasionally enjoy the pain of becoming better. I cycled through nine months of pregnancy and was back as soon as the doctor let me return, and I am now riding through a second pregnancy. Esther is demanding, inspiring, funny, and a fitness inspiration.” Kris Messer
In 2000, Esther became ACE Group Fitness Certified and Precision Cycling Certified. In addition, she is certified as a WaterART Personal Training Specialist. Esther has fourteen years of progressive group fitness experience in diverse facilities, including university recreation centers, private health clubs, community centers, resort fitness clubs, and corporate fitness establishments. As a frequent and active traveler, Esther has taught fitness classes in Australia, France, Nigeria, and Jamaica.
Currently, Esther teaches at Merritt Athletic Clubs’ Fort Avenue location; check out the schedule for her next class www.merrittclubs.com. Esther and her partner, Jim (who is also an avid cyclist), lead special fundraising programs throughout the year to engage members with charitable causes through spinning. For more information, contact Esther at ecollinetti@gmail.com
