Liv, in progress

Olivia “Liv” Antigua didn’t plan on becoming a fitness instructor. As a political science major at the University of Kentucky, her early college days were more focused on international relations than on cycle bikes. But a chance invite to a cycle class changed everything. What started as a fun way to work out with a friend quickly grew into a passion, and eventually, a career. Now, six years later, Antigua is a staple in UK’s group fitness program.

“I was a political science major, so not in the exercise science world at all,” Antigua said. “I tried taking Arabic and made friends with someone who loved going to cycle classes, so I started tagging along. Then I just kept going by myself.”

That causal decision to follow a friend to a group fitness class planted the seed for what would become Antigua’s love for fitness. After seeing an audition posting for fitness instructors, she decided to give it a shot. She started teaching her sophomore year and never looked back.

Throughout her undergrad years and despite the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, Antigua continued teaching. She led virtual classes when the world shut down, connecting with students even from their bedrooms. When she returned to Lexington after graduate school, she knew where she wanted to be: back in front of a classroom, on a bike.

“I reached out to Casey, who oversees UK’s group fitness programs and “I was like, ‘Hey, do you know anyone hiring?’ And he just said, ‘Do you wanna come back?’ I was so excited. I love teaching here,” Antigua said.

Antigua teaches Cycle and CyclePump at UK’s Alumni Gym Fitness Center, classes that are free for students. From beginners who’ve never touched a bike to longtime regulars, Antigua makes it a point to meet everyone where they are.

“I try to be really thoughtful about what I say in class,” Antigua said. “I’m not gonna talk about diets or slimming your waist, I find that really gross and icky. I want people to say, ‘I am strong. I am powerful. I can take on the world.’”

Antigua’s classes start with jokes, pop culture references and personal anecdotes. Her regulars have come to expect her signature phrases, called “Liv-isms,” like “wear your crown,” which is part posture cue, part empowerment mantra.

“That phrase helps people remember to lift their chest and breathe in through their nose, out through their mouth, but also that they’re a badass,” Antigua said. “That they can do hard things and don’t have to compromise who they are.”

Over the past few years, Antigua has expanded her repertoire to include strength training through CyclePump and BodyPump, a class that pushed her both physically and mentally. 

“Getting certified was really hard,” Antigua said. “But it also gave me the knowledge to help people build strength that lasts. Cardio is great, but how can we get you to still be mobile and strong at 80?”

What really drives Antigua is not just the physical outcomes, but the emotional and communal ones. One of her most meaningful moments as an instructor came when a student pulled her aside after class and asked to be called a different name and use new pronouns. 

“They said, ‘I feel comfortable enough telling you, can you use this in class instead?’” Antigua said. “I was like ‘wow,’ because I actually made an environment where people feel safe to be who they are. This is exactly who I wanted to be as an instructor.”

Her care for her students doesn’t stop when the music fades and the 45 minutes is up. Antigua is known for following up after class, sending encouraging messages, liking social media posts and offering tips or just a kind word. 

"I always say, if no one has told you they’re proud of you lately, please know that I am and thank you for getting stronger with me,” Antigua said. “I hope that message is the foundation of all my classes."

As a self-professed “fandom kid” who grew up tweeting about Justin Bieber, Liv now uses social media as a platform to build her brand. You’ll find posts of her baking, trying new fitness techniques or sharing tips on how to treat your body with compassion.

“I try to make my Instagram like a business card,” Antigua said. “It shows who I am and what kind of instructor I am.”

And that’s Antigua’s biggest strength, the way she seamlessly combines her many passions. 

“I’ve realized that all of my loves, government, wellness, exercise, they’re about empowering people and helping them find their voice,” Antigua said.

For Liv Antigua, the bike is just the beginning. The real joy is in helping people believe they belong, just as they are.

“Don’t be afraid to try new things, to learn new things,” Antigua said. “You might be surprised at what you fall in love with. I didn’t think I would fall in love with cycling, and now I’ve been teaching it for six years. It was the best decision. I didn’t keep Arabic, but I kept the bike.”

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