Erica Stenz is something of a legend in the San Francisco fitness community. She looks like fitness Barbie. She's petite and strong AF. And she's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

Erica started her fitness career teaching Spin at UC Santa Barbara while she was in college, and continued coaching indoor cycling classes in San Francisco until making the switch to Barry's Bootcamp in 2014. (Fun fact: she was the first Bay Area trainer hired to teach at Barry's.)

These days, you can find Erica at Barry's Marina and FiDi locations, training private clients at Synergy, or teaching community classes for fitness events around the city.

If you're a Barry's regular, you've probably seen Erica hop into class to lift and spring, but her workout routine doesn't end there. Read on to find out how she meets and beats her fitness goals. (Spoiler: it all starts in the home gym she shares with boyfriend and fellow Barry's trainer Tommy Stracke.)

Rockyt: How do you prepare for your classes at Barry's?

Erica: I usually reference an old workout I’ve done as a template, then I build out the run and floor routine. Lately, I’ve been planning the playlist after that to match the class. When I wake up in the morning, I put myself through it. I look at it as my fasted cardio workout. I try to make sure it’s done the night before, so I don’t have to think. I just wake up, have my cup of coffee, and do it.

Rockyt: How do you cross train?

Erica: We have a workout studio in our house: the bench, all the weights, a Spin bike. I wake up and typically practice my workout, but if it’s already done I might do a 30-minute Spin ride as my cardio. I typically take a Barry’s class five times a week. I also do heavy lifting at the gym on my own about 2-3 times a week. Now I’m getting ready for [a birthday trip to] Hawaii, so I’m in my building phase. Pre-workout, post-workout shakes, and trying to lift heavier at the gym. For two months I’ve been on this really awesome, motivated path, and I’ve been seeing gains. With everything, cross-training’s going to help you keep your body changing.

Rockyt: What are your favorite studios/gyms/locations for cross-training?

Erica: I have my studio at home, and I heavy lift at Synergy Fitness in the Marina.

Rockyt: Are you training toward a particular fitness goal right now?

Erica: I’m not training for a goal, but I’ve been recently seeing my own trainer. That’s one of the things I did for myself as a Hawaii gift. She’s a body competition girl, and she said, "You have to do a bikini competition!” I have so much respect for people who do that because it’s so much discipline. It would be cool to do, but because of my work schedule, I haven’t been able to focus on that as an actual goal.

Rockyt: Do you take rest days?

Erica: It's hard for me. I probably take one rest day a week. And I have a cheat meal once a week.

Rockyt: As a trainer, what are you known for?

Erica: I hope that I’d be known for my motivation. I’m very real with people and I speak openly about my life. It’s very vulnerable, but that’s who I am. I hope that’s why people come to me. High energy, yes, but I hope that’s something I can bring to them.

If you're looking to shake up your routine, hop into one of Erica's classes at Barry's FiDi or Marina studios. You'll be sore, but you'll also hit benchmarks you never dreamed were possible.

Erica Stenz Tests All Her Barry's Workouts on Herself