If there’s one thing new obé trainer Olivia T. loves, it’s picking up a heavy weight. The daughter of an aerobics instructor, this Minnesota native is a HIIT powerhouse and a Strength technician. You can always count on her to say it as it is—and throw in a little sprinkle of fun to every class.
While she’s playful, encouraging, grounded, and relatable—Olivia brings you a challenging workout that will leave you sore for days (in all the right ways). No matter how you move with her, she believes in giving you the why behind what you’re doing.
She’s particularly passionate about inspiring women to strength train, slow down (nobody wants workout burnout), and work with the intimidating set of weights to dispel their mystery. Yes, you’ll be slaying those push-ups in no time. And honestly, with Olivia’s guidance, you’re probably going to fall in love with doing them.
Get to know her below, and follow all her adventures at @oliviactourek.
How’d you get into fitness?
I always joke that I grew up in fitness before I was even born because my mom started teaching fitness classes when she was pregnant. I think maybe that’s where I got my sense of rhythm—from step aerobics in the early 90s!
I resisted fitness as long as I could until college, but then started teaching classes and instantly fell in love. I just felt it was in my blood. So I’ve followed in all of her footsteps, and I’m so thankful for that. I always feel like I learned from everything she did. If you squint your eyes, we are the same—we look the same, we probably even sound the same.
I joke with my clients that I’ll be 85 years old, sitting in the chair, still telling them what to do. I just love fitness. I feel very lucky that I found something I love so early on and found a way to make it a career. Every human needs community, connection, and belonging—that’s what we’re all looking for, and I love being part of that.
What’s your teaching style?
I like making my classes challenging, but being honest about it. I’m going to show you that I’m winded too. I want to feel connected in that sense—that we’re all in this thing together, doing the hard stuff.
At the same time, my classes are light-hearted and nothing too serious. I’m super encouraging—we even dance a little bit because I want people to have levity. You’re doing something hard and uncomfortable, and for some reason, you keep coming back. My goal is to make something that honestly sucks kind of fun!
Whats your fitness philosophy?
I’m all about education. I’ll never make something hard just for the sake of it being hard. I like to explain why we’re programming something this way. That this is the muscle I want you to feel, or you’re doing this overhead press to help you put that bag over your head IRL.
We’re living in a time where everything (especially on social) is super complex and looks crazy. I try to bring it back to simple, effective, functional movements. Where could you be feeling it? What’s the goal? What are the options? I’ll also remind you that some days, it’s going to be option one, and other days, it’s option three.
We think that our fitness journey is a very linear and progressive pattern, and you never go back. But some days, you might go 10 steps backward and your body is not going to be able to show up exactly the same. I try to help people understand that’s normal.
What are your HIIT classes like?
HIIT is for you if you’re looking for a big endorphin boost. You want to jump, you want to move, you want to sweat. I combine full-body movements that are power-driven or plyometric. But there’s also a great mix of functional core movements with it.
I try not to tax people out for no reason—my classes are more like a journey. I’m going to bring your heart rate up, but I’m not going to keep you there for 25 minutes. We’re going to come back down and reduce your energy. There are options and availability for every level. If you don’t want to jump, you’ll still be able to enjoy a cardio-driven class that incorporates your body weight and strength.
What about your Strength workouts?
In my Strength classes, there’s a functional muscle-building element to it. Yes, you might feel a little breathless. That’s my devilish wink—you thought it was strength, but your heart rate is up and you don’t know why. That’s the beauty of doing moves that are simpler, but ridiculously effective.
We’re so addicted to this chaotic and constant movement. But how cool is it to know that if you’re going to work out for the rest of your life, you need to do workouts where you’re challenged? I see so many women burn out in fitness. They’re trying to do the hardest thing of all time. But you can actually do some really heavy squats for not as many reps, and it’s going to give you the most beautiful booty!
What advice do you have for other women?
Know that everyone has different genetics. When I started heavier strength training, I felt invincible, but only because I felt like I moved better. I was much more informed about the mind-muscle connection, and why I was doing certain exercises.
Sculpt classes are amazing, but there was a difference to me in the development of my muscles physically, and also just internally feeling strong when I introduced strength training. As women, we get scared of lifting heavy weights. I love putting the weight in someone’s hand so they can realize they can do it. There’s something about taking something that seems like it’s from a man’s world and applying it to women—so they can see they’re capable. I think it opens up a world of healthy movement. You can move boxes and pick up your kids. You want to be strong for life in general.
How do you want people to feel leaving your classes?
I want you to be lying on your back on the floor smiling—but you don’t really know why. I hope that you can trust me with your body and that you feel like I’m leading you through workouts that are effectively designed.
Fitness mantra?
I’m so proud of you. And I will always say: any movement is a good movement. Whatever option you’re doing, I need you to do it for 30 seconds. Whatever you choose to do, as long as you’re not stationary, I’m totally good with it.
Now onto some life questions!
Go to coffee or tea order?
An americano.
Go-to workout snack?
A plain Chobani Greek yogurt with a pop-tart.
Instant mood booster?
Laughing with friends until your stomach hurts. I just need a good giggle, and it’s also a core workout!
Favorite music?
Any remix, especially old 80s and 90s remixes.
Any Special Hobbies?
I’m either 10 years old and I love to rollerblade, or I’m 85 and I puzzle. There’s no in-between. I’m either a child or an old lady, and it depends on the day. I love puzzling. It helps your brain and I will not stop talking about it.
Next spot on your travel wish list?
Turks & Caicos.
What are you watching right now?
I’m such a Bravo fiend. I grew up with it on TV. Real Housewives in New York and New Jersey were my first intro to Jersey. When I moved here from Minnesota, I was working at Starbucks in between jobs and Dolores came in to order coffee. I pretended I didn’t know her because I wanted her to feel safe.
What does your day off look like?
I need a slow morning. Coffee. Cats. But then I love going on walks to get breakfast and working out. I think I feel very rushed all the time. So on my day off, there is no timeline. No clients, no classes, no programming. It’s slow and delicious.
A random fun fact?
I can kind of sing. This is a shower-only thing.
One workout for the rest of your life. What would it be?
Strength all the way. Heavy dumbbells, heavy barbells. I believe in it so strongly because it is low impact. Sometimes we have this viewpoint that strength is really stressful on the body—but it’s really not. Your body is designed to maintain heavy loads. The more you get used to it, the stronger you’ll be for the rest of your life. You’re also winded, so you’re getting your heart rate up and working your lungs.
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