Meet Our FHITspiration: Tapio
Community • June 6, 2025
Meet Tapio, one of our FHIT dads + FHITspiration to all of us here at Fhitting Room! Tapio has been a frequent FHIXer since 2018 back when we had our 67th St studio. Tapio can often be seen swinging bells in class with his wife and daughter, a family affair that he treasures dearly. Maybe you even recognize him as one of our 2025 SOTF winners. Tapio’s love for all things FHIT shines through and we are excited to share his story.
Please tell us a little about your fitness journey.
Fitness has been part of my life for a very long time. I grew up in Finland and was not the most athletic kid and lacked self-confidence. I decided to get fitter, stronger, and faster after being bullied in middle school. After high school, I wanted to apply to a particular military unit with relatively demanding selection criteria and needed to ramp-up my fitness training to achieve that. While in the military, I developed a keen interest in martial arts, which has been a part of my life since then. I continue to train (these days, it’s kickboxing) regularly.
I discovered HIIT workouts shortly after I moved to New York in 2004 and immediately fell in love with it. It resembled the type of training I had done in the military. The closure of Fhitting Room and my dojo during Covid was a big blow, but Fhitting Room’s quick launch of online classes allowed me and many others to continue our training. And honestly – it was a kind of therapy that helped get us through a hard time.
Then came injury. Five years ago, I had two hip surgeries and was told by my doctor that I was unlikely to be able to run or continue high intensity training. But I quickly returned to Fhitting Room and found working out with the support of the FHITpros really helped me in my recovery. I am forever grateful to the instructors I have had since then, including Dale, Garen, Eric, Simon and Pierre, for helping me recover from injuries and surgeries. They provided the motivation, focus on form/technique, and appropriate adjustments, which all allowed me to progressively return to training and get stronger.
The combination of HIIT and kickboxing has become an integral part of my life. It has kept me fit, confident, focused, and helped me deal with the stresses and strains of daily life.
How did you find Fhitting Room?
In 2018, a friend mentioned a class he had taken at the East 67th street studio and said that given the type of workouts I enjoy that I should check it out. The studio also happened to be two blocks away from my apartment. I tried a class, then another one, got hooked and have been coming pretty regularly ever since.
What keeps you coming back to class?
The highly efficient and comprehensive workout, the incredible community and consistently outstanding instructors are the reasons I so enjoy the classes and will keep coming back.
You often work out with your wife and your daughter at Fhitting Room. Can you tell us a little about this lovely family activity?
Working out with my wife Laleh is usually the highlight of the week and even though it’s at 11AM on Saturdays, we call it our “date night.” I love taking classes with her (you’d have to ask her if she feels the same…😊). It is fantastic to share an interest in fitness and healthy lifestyle even if it is just one or two classes a week together. Our daughter Ameneh is a senior in high school with a rather busy social life, so we are over the moon when her dance card opens up and she joins us for a Fhitting Room class. That’s icing on the cake.
How has working out at Fhitting Room prepared you for the challenges of fatherhood?
While nothing compares to motherhood, fatherhood can at times be stressful and even physically exhausting. The endurance and high level of energy developed at the classes have certainly helped me be the best father I can be.
What’s one of your favorite FHIT memories?
While I never wish the COVID days back, I do remember the days when the streets were completely quiet. There were no cars and I was able to take Fhitting Room LIVE! classes in the middle of Park Avenue (!) – literally on the grassy meridian separating the two sides of Park Avenue – without being bothered by anyone.
Any advice for other dads looking to get into fitness?
Prioritize what’s important to you and make time for it. Find an activity that you like — be it HIIT, lifting, running, martial arts. Consistency is the key to success. And if you have a partner or child and want to work out together, say so! With the kid, start early … Indoctrination is best when they are still young!
Feeling inspired? Book your next class here!