Laguna’s Fitness Maven Has ‘Real’ Appeal

By Jennifer Erickson on September 02, 2010 9:42 AM | Comments (0)

When the women featured on the Bravo television show “Real Housewives of Orange County” heard about the Brazilian Booty workout offered by Laguna Beach’s Art of Fitness, they decided to try it for themselves.

That venture in sweat and spandex was filmed and then aired during the series’ fifth season, which ended March 11. But the story line apparently doesn’t end there.

Brazilian-born Fernanda Rocha, a fitness dynamo who co-owns Art of Fitness, has since been spotted around town with some of the housewives. Among the guests at an Art of Fitness pasty last month was O.C. Housewife Gretchen Rossi. Partygoers had to sign a release before entering as a film crew was shooting the event. A film crew was also spotted as Rocha and some of the Housewives stopped at Anastasia on Ocean Avenue on a recent weekday last month.
When asked directly if she struck a deal with BravoTV, Rocha was enigmatically unable to confirm or deny her participation, but said only, “you’ll just have to watch and see what happens” when the sixth season begins airing in January.

Rocha’s publicist, Brooke Robinson, was equally tongue-tied. She did say that Rocha possesses “star power” in the fitness world, where she is recognized as someone to watch.

Rocha, 33, a nine-year California resident, has lived in Laguna since 2003 and loves her adopted-hometown for its boutiques, restaurants and galleries, but also for a community that has been so supportive to her.
Whether or not she joins the cast of the “Real” housewives, Rocha’s dream is becoming a reality, and a month ago she became a U.S. citizen, an experience that obviously moved her.

Rocha has put her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, to good use in the fitness industry over 14 years. She is passionate about using fitness to inspire others.

She has worked and trained at Sports Club Irvine, Renaissance Club Sports, Crunch, and LA Fitness, becoming co-owner of Art of Fitness, with Marian Keegan, in 2006.

In addition to leading workout groups, such as her Brazilian Booty class, and offering one-on-one personal training, Rocha has launched her own clothing line, Jiinga Brasil, designed for instructors and workout enthusiasts. Since, “I’m wearing this all day long,” she said, she wanted to create a line that would not only look good, but would be comfortable and move with her.

It’s all about “jiinga,” the Brazilian slang expression that evokes a positive attitude, good energy and inspired movement. With the kind of body that is a paragon of what proper fitness can achieve, and a smile that lights up a room, Rocha’s jiinga is contagious. [In the interests of full disclosure, I’ve taken a few sessions with her, and have a sore, but better-toned booty to prove it!]

After a remodel, celebrated at the recent party, Art of Fitness made room for retail space to showcase Rocha’s clothing line and two workout DVDs. A third offering will be released next year.

In the meantime, Rocha is a bright presence at the gym where she has a very real presence in the lives of its 500 or so local members.

“It’s like ‘Cheers’ for us,” said Lisa Childers, a Laguna Beach resident and manager of Laguna Beach Books, just two blocks south. A member since the gym opened, Childers has remained loyal because of its convenience, its cleanliness and its friendly staff and clients. “It’s not intimidating,” she said.

That description mirrors the mission envisioned by co-owner Keegan. “I was drawn to the space,” she said, mentioning its previous use as Gene’s Market and a church. “We changed 500 praying hands for 500 exercise hands,” she said, adding, “There’s an energy here that you don’t find anywhere else.”

Keegan, too, is passionate about fitness and the positive effect a healthy lifestyle has on their patrons. “We’re here to help each other and we change a lot of lives,” she said.

While exposure on reality television might create a buzz among the curious, Keegan pledged the gym itself will remain a friendly spot for locals to gather and get their daily dose of fitness.

Indeed, while Childers attended the Aug. 5 party and heard about the possible “Real Housewives” connection, she was not there for the glam, but for the camaraderie of a gym where everybody knows your name.

Photo by Ted Reckas
Fernanda Rocha’s Brazilian Booty workout attracted the cast of “O.C. Housewives.” Next season, the Laguna Beach fitness guru may win a few scenes herself.