For Zoomers Founder Leyla Kalelioğlu, Exercise Is Better Together

Leyla Kalelioğlu credits years spent practicing Tracy Anderson’s method as one of the biggest influences behind her Istanbul studio, Zoomers. That influence is still very much part of the way she teaches today. At Zoomers, you’ll never find her walking around the room giving instructions. She’s in the class, moving through every sequence with her students. We caught up with Kalelioğlu to talk about Zoomers, and about why she’d rather sweat with her students than instruct them.

After spending years working in fashion, what inspired you to launch Zoomers?

Working in fashion shaped so much of who I am. It brought incredible people into my life, took me places I never imagined, and showed me how fulfilling it can be to build a career around something you truly love. Exercise was the one thing that was always there. Looking back, Zoomers almost feels inevitable. The people closest to me kept saying, “You should do this,” long before I ever believed it myself. I’m a Taurus, so maybe it’s in my nature, but I’ve always been drawn to the energy that comes from moving together. From the start, the idea was to move with people, not simply teach them. I wanted to share what exercise gives me, so I’m always in the room doing the class alongside my students instead of standing at the front giving instructions. Some people learn by watching, others by listening, so I demonstrate every sequence as I talk through it.

How would you describe a typical Zoomers class?

The movements are all connected, so the class has a natural flow from start to finish. Along the way you’re building strength, mobility, balance, and control all at once, which is what makes Zoomers different from a typical group class.

Zoomers brings together everything I’ve learned over the years, along with ideas I’ve picked up from different forms of exercise. I’ve shaped it into something that feels true to me. Anyone can join the class, regardless of experience, but the sequences build on one another. They can run four, five, sometimes six steps, so the class keeps your brain as engaged as your body. The class changes every week, which keeps it fresh. People walk in wondering what they’ll be doing that day, and that’s part of the fun. It’s also amazing to see how quickly people progress. Someone who feels completely out of their depth in week one often comes back the following week with so much more confidence. Once the studio has come a little further along, I’m planning to open a second level. For now it’s one level, designed so everyone feels welcome.

Sticking to a workout routine can be challenging. What’s your best advice for building consistency?

Don’t underestimate the company you keep. One friend who loves working out can completely change your relationship with exercise. They get you out the door on the days you can’t quite motivate yourself, and before you know it, showing up becomes second nature. I also think there’s something really special about moving with people you genuinely enjoy being around. If you wake up with forty percent of your energy, the person next to you fills in the other sixty. That’s often what turns exercise into a habit instead of an obligation.

 

 

We know how important it is for women over forty to keep their muscles strong. How do you approach strength training?

Muscle and bone loss are a natural part of aging, so the way we train has to evolve with it. For women over thirty, I’d make resistance and weight training a regular part of the week. Zoomers will make you stronger, but I never think of it as a replacement for lifting weights. They serve different purposes. I lift three times a week. Zoomers is where I work on mobility, balance, range of motion, and body awareness. If you’re setting aside two workouts a week, I’d spend one in the weight room and the other at Zoomers. Add a few walks when you can, and that’s more than enough to build from.

What does a self-care day look like for you?

I’ve never been someone who waits for a self-care day. I’d rather build those moments into my everyday routine. Every evening, I spend about thirty minutes on my skincare, and it’s a ritual I never skip. It’s time alone with myself, and I love it. I always start with a double cleanse, then rotate my exfoliants, masks, and serums. I try to make time for manual therapy to help my muscles recover. And a few times a year, I treat myself at Kılıç Ali Paşa Hammam.

What are the skincare products you always reach for before and after a workout?

I usually work out first thing in the morning. As soon as I wake up, I wash my face and apply Medik8 Vitamin C Serum followed by Seoul 1988 Snail Mucin Essence. By the time I’ve had my coffee, it’s time for sunscreen. I apply Celimax Dual Barrier SPF50 first, then layer La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Tinted over it. After every workout, I always dry brush before I shower, then massage my body with my own blend of sesame and castor oils once I’m out. I don’t use body wash, just Hacı Şakir bar soap.

Are there any rituals that always make you feel good?

Music is always a big part of my day. I love putting on my headphones and getting lost in Spotify for a while. A VersaClimber session, a Tracy Anderson workout at home, or creating the next Zoomers class are all things I really enjoy. And if I happen to catch a beautiful sunset, I’ll happily end the day with a glass of wine.

 

 

What makeup products do you always carry in your bag?

I never have makeup in my bag. The only beauty essentials you’ll find are Glossier Balm Dotcom in Mango and a travel toothbrush kit.

Where do you shop for beauty?

Sephora is still my go-to because I can find almost every beauty product I’m after. Fragrance is another story. I’m completely obsessed. Even though I rotate between the same perfumes, I’m always looking for my next favorite scent. Le Labo and Heretic are the brands I come back to most, and I always buy the matching body cream so I can layer the fragrance. COMMUNITÉ has become one of my favorite beauty destinations for its fragrance and skincare selection. Whenever I’m in New York, C.O. Bigelow is a stop I never miss.

 

 

What are your favorite activewear brands?

I’ve mostly been wearing Vuori for the past three years. I also love Free People and Lululemon.
What’s your favorite pre- and post-workout snack?

Most days, coffee and electrolytes are all I need before a workout. Cardio is the exception. Then I’ll have a banana with peanut butter and either oats or a slice of toast. That extra bit of carbohydrate really helps.

Who’s had the biggest influence on the way you move?

Tracy Anderson, for sure. I’ve followed her method for years, and many of the things I learned along the way became part of Zoomers.

What does your approach to food look like?

I love food, so eating well takes a bit of discipline. Most mornings I skip breakfast and wait until after my workout for my first meal. Lunch is usually a big salad with plenty going into it, very little oil, and a good source of protein. I exercise a lot, so getting enough protein is important to me. I could never live by strict food rules, though. If I feel like having a glass of wine with dinner, I will. If I want a big bowl of pasta, I’ll enjoy every bite without feeling guilty. To me, it’s all about balance. I’d never make myself miserable just to look thin. Staying lean is one thing, but looking strong and athletic takes real commitment, time, and consistency. That’s what I choose to invest in.

What’s your favorite flaw?

I have a large birthmark that stretches across my right arm, part of my back, and my chest. Some people would probably call it a flaw. I’ve never seen it that way. It’s simply part of me, and always has been. If anything, it’s made me feel a bit like a unicorn.