Read to Fly
A Conversation With Jenni Bruning Brown, PhD
By Jacque Genovese
I had a chance to catch up with Jenni Bruning Brown, PhD, owner of Fly Fitness in Lincoln, to talk about her passion and vision to inspire people to live a healthy lifestyle. Her path to creating a unique fitness model at Fly Fitness and developing franchise opportunities began in Lincoln where she grew up.
How did you get involved in fitness?
I’ve always been doing something with fitness since I was 18-years-old. I’ve taught classes, have run marathons, and completed a half Ironman. After I graduated from law school, I moved to California and obtained my PhD in Sports Psychology from Stanford University. I worked with a few Stanford teams while in graduate school, then worked for the University of Nebraska Athletic Department for over 10 years.
What was your first fitness business?
While in California, I owned a fitness company in the Bay area that offered outdoor bootcamps, which ultimately led me to open Fly Fitness here in Lincoln.
What sets Fly Fitness apart from other facilities?
Fly is a place where you can interact with people; not just go workout by yourself. Humans need a connection and a reason to do something long term with other people.
Fly is built around the idea that fitness isn’t a trend, it’s a lifestyle. It’s very hands-on and personalized – small class based, like personal training. Also, it’s not focused on dieting or weight and shape. We help people build internal (mental) and external strength.
What can you expect when you come to Fly Fitness?
We tailor your fitness program to your goals, not the person next to you. We don’t compare your training to anyone else in a class. We encourage individuals to look at fitness as part of their healthy lifestyle that they choose to do over and over, like sleeping, drinking water, or having social relationships. All of that is part of wellness. If you see exercise or movement as a terrible thing, then you will never be able to sustain it. You have to incorporate it into your daily life and have a social community around you.
Tell us about your life outside of Fly Fitness.
My husband and I have three children, with the oldest one just graduating from high school. We’re a really close family so spending as much time as we can with them right now is important.
How can Fly Fitness help people over 55?
I’m in my 50s and this is the time when it is really important to stay active. We have a lot of members who are over 55 years old, including a woman who is 72 and has been a member with us for the past five years. All of our classes are designed to work for every fitness level or age.
For women over 55, taking strength classes or doing weight bearing exercises specifically for bones can help to stave off osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. We offer classes like Pilates which are low-impact.
What’s your best piece of advice for our 55+ readers when it comes to health & wellness?
Commit to a routine. It can be as simple as walking for 15 minutes a day or taking two classes a week.
Circle your wellness around your routine.
Do it with a friend or a fitness instructor, someone you have a connection with to build that community for yourself.
Try Fly Fitness for $59
Join for a two-week trial period for only $59 and experience Fly Fitness for yourself!
Fly Fitness Downtown
201 N 13th St, Ste A
Lincoln, NE
(402) 477-5359
Fly Fitness South
5025 Lindberg St, Ste 200
Lincoln, NE
(402) 413-8001