ONEONTA, NY—Rita Ingrassi has an
addiction.
Running, lifting,
jumping, stretching, and physically performing to her best ability is what
Ingrassi does for at least two hours every day. Ingrassi, 20, is an exercise instructor at
SUNY Oneonta. She was introduced to the job
by one of her friends who noticed how hard Ingrassi exercised and how much she
enjoyed it.
“I knew a job had
opened up for the Total Body Conditioning class and told her she’d be perfect
for it,” said Ingrassi’s friend Marybeth Carswell.
Ingrassi took a
Total Body Conditioning class at her gym at home and loved it. She decided she wanted to use that class and
some things she knew herself to create her one-hour exercise class at SUNY
Oneonta. Energy is the key ingredient to
insure a good day at work.
“I love my job on
the days when I have a lot of energy, but there are some days that my body is
just tired and can’t do all of my workouts to my full ability. Those are the days I hate the most,” says
Ingrassi.
At Valhalla High School
in Westchester, NY, Ingrassi was a three-sport athlete, playing field hockey,
track, and softball. This competitive nature was converted into the classes
that she now teaches. After college
graduation, she wants to continue teaching people how to exercise and stay in
shape.
Ingrassi
says that seeing results in her own body and the bodies of the people she
instructs gives her the motivation to work out so vigorously every day. 
Rita Ingrassi
showing off her pipes after teaching a Total Body Fitness class at SUNY
Oneonta.
