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About Me
"Though she be but little, she is fierce." - Shakespeare
I have always been a teacher. After receiving my undergraduate degree and Master’s in Education from Tufts University, I taught first grade and preschool for almost 20 years.
I also have always been active. Growing up with ballet and gymnastics, playing baseball and tennis, and running hurdles in track, staying fit was an important part of my life. But I didn’t participate in group exercise or lift weights until I was in my 30s and already had three kids. It was then that I joined the gym and discovered the world of group classes. I was hooked—and especially drawn to the weight-lifting classes. I was struck by how strong and powerful I felt both during the class and after the workout. The exercise didn’t just affect me physically but also had a profound impact on my emotional well-being.
"Sometimes by stepping outside your comfort zone, you find that you're actually stepping INTO your comfort zone."
After retiring from the classroom in 2012, it was time to find my next adventure, and the world of fitness beckoned. Although it was far outside my comfort zone, it was what I’d always done but in a different way. I truly enjoy forming relationships with my members and teaching them the proper way to perform certain exercises to get the most out of them. I am inspired when I see people who are new to exercise put themselves out there to take that first class and then keep coming back.
To round out my day, I continue to work with children as an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant.
See you on the mat!
Deb Chass Kram
My Philosophy
"You never know what you can do if you don't try."
I strive to make everyone feel welcome in my classes, from first timers to experienced athletes and everyone in between. I believe the key to every workout is to listen to your body and make the workout work for you, whether that means modifying some exercises, keeping them low-impact, or challenging yourself to lift heavier or jump higher. I want everyone in my classes to work hard, stay safe, and have fun, so I use my classroom-honed skills to figure out what you need and how I can help you reach your goals.
We all have a tendency to underestimate ourselves, and I am constantly stressing to everyone "you never know what you can do if you don’t try." My job is to push you outside your comfort zone, to get you to push for one more squat, one more curl, one more rep—that’s where the magic happens! I will be your biggest motivator reminding you “yes, you can!”
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Deb Chass Kram is a nationally certified instructor in group fitness and has individual certifications in Body Pump, R.I.P.P.E.D., Boot Camp, Golden Hearts - Senior Fitness Training, FLEX Yoga, and Beyond Barre. In addition to these formats, she also teaches Cardio Mix and Children's Fitness. Deb teaches in Montgomery County, MD.
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I met Deb years ago at a school and from the first meeting, I knew my son was in good hands. Many years later, our paths crossed again but in a different learning environment - a gym - and I had the same feeling of safety, observance, and knowledge. With her guidance and expertise of her craft, she has made going to the gym a pleasure and I am always motivated to do my very best. A great teacher is a very special person in this world, and Deb is most definitely a great one.
Marni R.
I have always been a runner, very active, and exercised daily. I played lacrosse in college and I have tried to keep my exercise lever, intensity, and ability very high ever since I graduated. I am very picky about my workouts and look for high intensity and a challenge with every workout.
I met Deb when I started going consistently to her Body Pump class on Sunday mornings. I felt her Body Pump class was extra challenging! I loved the songs she picked and the overall vibe of her class. Deb makes every track just a little harder every time.
I noticed the difference in Deb's class and felt like she was always giving me an extra push and challenge. Once I tried Deb's RIPPED class, I officially fell in love with Deb and RIPPED. She knows what I am looking for in a workout and always finds ways to challenge and encourage me. Deb is able to motivate and encourage me mentally and physically. Her form and energy are always 100%. She is inspiring to me in so many ways!! I can't tell you how much I enjoy working out with Deb and how much I look forward to it every week.
Cristin K.
Growing up I viewed the more traditional athletics and sports as something painful i.e., please don't make me do that. I loved ballet, dance, gymnastics and skiing but the idea of picking up a barbell or dumbbells, doing squats and burpees was about as appealing as getting the old bar of soap in my mouth (which happened more than once). Deb's playful and encouraging coaching has taught me to respect and take joy in what my body can do. As a result, at 67 I just did my first "Murph" workout, which consists of: [for time] a 1 mile run; 100 pull ups (or for modification burpees or bent over rows); 200 Push-ups; 300 squats and finished by another 1 mile run...in 55 minutes. So yes, even my hair hurts today but I am proud that I did it and thankful for Deb's voice in my head yelling, "Yes you can!"
Tova S.
I wanted to give a big shout out to Deb to say how instrumental she has been to my exercise routine and the passion she has given me to workout! I have taken other classes with her at Gold's, but my experience with her as my Boot Camp instructor for 3 years has made the difference in my fitness. I am 65 and feel I am in the best shape of my life after having 3 children. With the sad beginning of the virus (Covid-19) and no gym time since it started (March 16), as of today I have completed 79 consecutive days of streaming her classes. As she preaches to us all, "yes, you can!" I can say "Yes, I did!" Thank you, Deb!
Melinda S.
Contact Me
I'd love to hear from you with any questions you may have about my classes.