TRAIN ALONGSIDE THE BEST
OWNER & FOUNDER
Dr. Kaaren Vargas
Owner
Dr. Kaaren Vargas was born in Lima, Peru and moved to the US at a very young age. Her whole life she has been passionate about fitness.
CLASS INSTRUCTORS
Rachel Cole
The best part of Zumba is every aspect of the class is synced to energizing, motivating music to keep you pumped up and pushing all throughout class.
Maddux Richardson
Bootcamp instructor
I first developed a love for lifting in high school while playing football. However, my love for lifting turned into a passion for powerlifting.
Marsha Heldt
CPT, CDP, PIYO, Turbo Kick & W4BB Instructor
I first developed a love for lifting in high school while playing football. However, my love for lifting turned into a passion for powerlifting.
Sarah Oxley
Yoga Instructor
Sarah is an Iowa City native and long devoted practitioner of yoga. She first discovered yoga while living in Southern California in 2001, it didn’t take long for her to become enamored with the peace and balance it brought to her life.
Brooke Anderson
Ace Certified Trainer, Barre instructor
My entire life, I was overweight and very unhealthy. In high school, I was not athletic and I was made fun of for being the “heavy girl” in my class.
SMALL GROUP PERSONAL TRAINERS
Brandt Varo
Brandt Varo BA in HHP/ Exercise Science from UI & ACSM Certified Trainer
Amber Stephens
Experience with personal weight loss, life struggles and hardships have given me the grit, grace and experience to truly relate to my clients.
PERSONAL TRAINERS
Amber Stephens
Experience with personal weight loss, life struggles and hardships have given me the grit, grace and experience to truly relate to my clients.
Tina Whitney
I’m always encouraging my clients to go for those few extra repetitions or push harder through the last few seconds of a workout to beat their personal best.
Maddux Richardson
I first developed a love for lifting in high school while playing football. However, my love for lifting turned into a passion for powerlifting.
Brooke Anderson
Ace Certified Trainer, Barre instructor
My entire life, I was overweight and very unhealthy. In high school, I was not athletic and I was made fun of for being the “heavy girl” in my class.
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Cole
Massage Therapist
KID’S CLUB
Devon Borokoff
My passions in life are art, children, gardening, and my dog. I love to tell kids I’m a mermaid and see the look of wonder in their eyes!
FRONT DESK & FULL TIME STAFF
Tina Whitney
I’m always encouraging my clients to go for those few extra repetitions or push harder through the last few seconds of a workout to beat their personal best.
Marsha Heldt, CPT, CDP
My passion for health and wellness as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer has been a part of my life since high school.
Live in a Body that Feels Great
Join Thrive Gym and lose weight, get stronger, and feel better for the rest of your life.