Get to know MINT intensity instructor Bragean Padley! Braegan is known for designing creative workouts to challenge newbies and familiar faces both virtually and in-person. 
Flashback to before MINT, Braegan was a multi-sport athlete on her high school and college teams. After graduating, she missed that same type of structured exercise routine. For the better part of a year, she watched the group fitness classes at the gym while working out on her own; but wasn’t convinced she should try it. One day, on a whim, she joined a strength training class — and she was hooked! She ended up also staying for the two classes immediately after. A year later, her favorite instructor pushed her to get certified to teach and she never looked back.
One thing she loved right away about group fitness classes was the sense of community, which helped keep her accountable and motivated. This made her want to bring others the same experience, regardless of what abilities or goals they come in with. She likes to design workouts that can simultaneously engage newcomers and keep her regulars on their toes (literally!).
Braegan’s classes combine heart-pumping cardio intervals and form-focused strength moves that can be modified for any fitness level. It’s just important that the workout is both challenging and fun.
Her favorite virtual class to teach is Power Playground. It looks very different from how it did in person, but she enjoys the challenge of creating a high-intensity workout that requires no equipment and very little space. The new parameters of virtual classes have challenged the limits of her creativity. But so far, she has yet to repeat a workout and it has been amazing to watch members’ fitness levels progress through this new style of training.
Pre-COVID, her favorite class to teach was Power Row. Braegan was a rower in college and loves bringing that experience to a wider audience. There’s no better single exercise for simultaneously improving strength and cardiovascular fitness. She looks forward to the day we can safely return to the rowers at the 14th Street gym.
Outside of MINT, Braegan loves to bike around DC (wearing a helmet!) — getting around and spending time outdoors. She enjoys a healthy meal at CAVA or Chaia Tacos as well as running her baking business! Follow her on Instagram: @bakedbybraegs.
Braegan teaches both Power Playground and Power FLEX virtually several times a week for MINT. Check out our schedule and sign up for a class or two. If you’re lucky, her pups Naia and Neo will pop into class, giving you an encouraging tail wag to finish the class on a high note.
