Welcome to Fitness with Dolcie
Personal and Group Training.
Fitness Instruction.
Nutrition Counseling.
Virtually or In Person.
Testimonials
What my clients write about me
Please submit your testimonial via email at [email protected] to be featured in this section!
Dolcie has been my personal trainer, aka champion, since 2019 and I could not be more thankful for all that she has helped me accomplish. When we started our journey, I was very out of shape due to an inactive lifestyle and passion for all things tasty. Like many of us, I struggled with getting healthy on my own and when I decided on a goal of hiking 40 miles for my 40th birthday I knew I would need help getting there. I perused various personal trainer profiles and was drawn to Dolcie’s because she had gone through her own weight loss and fitness journey. I knew she would get it. The first day with Dolcie was rough for me. I couldn’t believe that I was DYING after 1 warm-up exercise. I felt so defeated and overwhelmed with, what felt like, the impossible task I had set before myself. Dolcie never wavered in her confidence in me and my ability to reach my goals. That same confidence has been there every day since the first day, pushing me and my body to do things that I NEVER thought I would be able to do. She is able to see past my mental blocks and know what my body can do and makes me do it with gentle encouragement 😊. She is incredibly open to feedback and has adjusted her approaches with me when I share that something isn’t working. Dolcie has met my every need as I am now stronger, lighter, and have way more endurance. At the start of our journey walking for 15 minutes was a struggle. Just two months ago, I was able to complete my 40+ mile hike on the Appalachian trail and I can’t wait to see what goal we will tackle next! Thank you, Dolcie for all of your patience, belief in me and tolerance of my whining
“I feel very happy and energized after a class with Dolcie. I am thankful for the opportunity to take virtual classes with Dolcie during this crazy time. I am so happy she has continued her virtual classes even when the gyms have started to open back up. She has helped me replace my time at the gym with great workouts four days a week. Also, by doing it virtually, I still get to see some of my gym buddies online! Dolcie inspired me to pursue a Vegan diet. It has been a life-changing choice and I am very thankful to Dolcie. ”
“Dolcie's Boot Camp is a fun class that just gets me going on Sundays. It has a good mix of cardio and weight training that works out your entire body. I have had many a sore Mondays after taking her Boot Camp. The routines are always fun yet challenging. You can push yourself as hard as you want and her music tracks push you to do more. I enjoy every Boot Camp with Dolcie. ”
“Dolcie is one of the most amazing instructors that I've ever known. Here energy and bright spirit is contagious. I started taking Dolcie's virtual classes in the beginning of the pandemic and fell in love. I had actually had her as a sub before the pandemic in one of my Zumba classes and had an absolute blast with her. Very lucky to have landed in the same Facebook group as her and was able to find her virtual classes. I have no idea how I would have survived 2020/21 without her. Music is always on point and she has a certain 'something' with the way she dances. I also take her Bootcamp classes, virtually, and let me tell you, they are amazing! Great way to start off my Sunday morning. I never know what she has in store before each Bootcamp, but I know when we're done, we will be drenched in sweat. ”
“Dolcie Mendoza is an absolutely great Zumba teacher!! I have been doing indoor/in gym and more recently virtual zoom classes with her for many, many years! She continually changes up her routine to keep us on our toes and adds new dances regularly. She has us moving nonstop for an hour using a variety of music and moves to activate ALL of our muscles on both sides of the body. She always lets us know ahead of time when the classes will be for the week and if for some reason, she will not be able to be there. Dolcie is always very prompt with starting the classes. ALSO, she DOES take requests for favorite songs and DOES play my favorite one from time to time and I'm sure she does this for others. She really is a wonderful teacher and I don't know what I would do if she stopped teaching! She has a lot to do with keeping ME fit because she is leading an exercise that I love to do because it is so much fun and therefore, I hate to miss it!! She is very generous with her time and stays to chat for a few moments after each class AND even volunteered to teach my granddaughter's girl scout troop once!!”
"Dolcie is a charismatic, highly skilled, and inspiring instructor who radiates kindness and competence. I first met her while searching for a new gym in 2019, and I actually joined that gym specifically because her classes were so impressive. I have been a regular in her classes ever since. During the pandemic, Dolcie's Zoom classes have been a godsend for me. Her fitness classes have great playlists and fun routines, which she masterfully teaches. Her Sunday classes have been a mainstay of my weekends, providing structure and joy. She has created a wonderful online fitness community for all of us. Thank you, Dolcie!"
“I love taking Dolcie's classes! She is always in a great mood and is so "sweet." She inspires me and keeps me motivated! Plus, I love her pink gloves and how she always looks so chic! She is a really great teacher! I love the lunch time classes as well! ”
“Many people had told me that I'd love Dolcie's classes long before I tried one. And they were right. To every class, whether it be Zumba, barre, boot camp, or others, Dolcie brings an infectious energy that makes the time fly while providing a great workout. I can't recommend Dolcie enough!”
“I have been taking some of "Fitness with Dolcie" virtual classes, and immediately saw and felt the difference!! I am using muscles that had not been used in a long time, an awesome full body workout experience! Thank You!!!”
I’ve enjoyed taking Dolcie’s virtual fitness classes for over a year. I almost forget that I’m working out because she makes the classes so much fun with excellent exercises, great music, and her enthusiasm. I’m quite happy she has continued these classes even after gyms have reopened. She’s outstanding. Gratitude and appreciation for Dolcie’s hard work and efforts."
Dolcie is an incredible trainer and a great motivator! I used to work out once a week, and now I work out five times a week. Her classes are engaging, and she always provides modifications for difficult moves. I am not the best dancer, but she has (almost) convinced me that I can dance as I follow along with her great selection of music. I highly recommend Dolcie’s classes to anyone who wants to tone up and get fit. My muscles are more defined, and I am in better shape than I have been in years.
got to know Dolcie through my gym instructor when I was taking her virtual classes. Dolcie knows how to put a smile on your face and her workouts are awesome like her. I try to make her classes when I can and I would not have even survived this last year without her. I would also do her classes when I travel overseas with a 7 hour time difference and that in itself took some motivation. I have joined her group since May 9, 2020. Getting to see Dolcie in person was a highlight of this year. Dolcie also surprised me with an early birthday song back on October 25, 2021 when I did her Barre and Zumba classes. I also love when meeting new people virtually who make workouts 1000 times better. I also love doing her Ignite Dancefit class when I am able to. Overall, you should try one or two of her classes when you see fit in your busy work schedules. I really love that Dolcie is still doing virtual classes, despite that gyms are open after the pandemic first started.
I have been taking a bunch of different Zoom based dance and exercise classes through the pandemic and I have never had classes that challenged me and provided as good a workout as much as Dolcie's Ignite, Zumba, and Barre classes! She is cheerful and positive while also giving helpful and clear guidance for modifications (my bad knee and ankle appreciate this a lot). She keeps it moving and I always enjoy her music and the range of movements. Mu husband knows her as the nice lady on the computer who kicks my butt! And I keep coming back! Looking forward to the next time!
My Why
Fitness is my happy place.
Whenever you invest time in your personal health, your mood instantly lifts, no matter how your day may have started. It is my mission to help others find this within themselves. As a teenager I enjoyed being active in sports and took a special interest in strength training. A short time after high school, I obtained my ACE Personal Trainer certification in 1999.
After a long detour into the sales industry, 2011 marked a turning point in my life when I discovered a Bootcamp fitness class which empowered me to lose over 50 pounds I had gained during my sedentary sales job. During that time, I developed a love for running, leading to multiple half marathons, and also a passion for dance fitness with Zumba.
Though still in a sales management job at the time, I knew I had found my true calling in fitness and made the decision to pursue it full time. I first decided to teach Zumba but, soon after, added several other formats to my repertoire including but not limited to Barre, BodyPump, and Pilates. I also obtained my Personal training certification and began training clients again. I eventually taught upwards of 30 classes a week both virtually and in person, working independently and for many fitness centers throughout the Northern Virginia area.
Assuming the Group Exercise and Program Director position at The Energy Club in 2022 enabled me to make a meaningful difference in even more people's lives by hiring the best group exercise instructors and bringing the most innovative and engaging programming to the Group Exercise Department there.
While I enjoyed leading my team at The Energy Club, I eagerly jumped at the opportunity to oversee the HUD Fitness Center in May of 2023. I introduced new and innovative programming, maintaining membership of fitness enthusiasts there.
In March of 2024 I made the hard decision to step away from Fitness Management and back on the front lines of the Fitness Industry exclusively as a Fitness Professional. I now teach upwards of 20 classes per week in addition to training several clients one- on- one.
When I'm not in a gym or online trying new fitness classes, I love to be curled up on the couch with my cat and a good book, travel to exotic beach destinations with my husband or entertain my vegetarian palate, trying new recipes or restaurants.
Certifications
·NASM Certified Personal Trainer
·Fitness Nutrition Specialist (ACE)
·ISSA Running Coach
·ACE Certified Group Fitness
Instructor
Specialties:
-AFAA Cycle -Bang!-Bootcamp
-Freedom Barre -Les Mills BodyPump
-PopPilates -Pilates Reformer
-Schwinn Cycle -SH1FT Fitness -SPARK-Strength Lab -Strong Nation -Zumba -Zumba Gold