MIRELA active studio

DROP-IN FITNESS

FITNESS programs

e-BIKE TOURS

About Me

I have always loved running, working out, dancing, cycling, swimming, and in recent years, rowing. I believe this drive is something childlike within us—an primal human instinct, in fact, to just “go.” By profession, I am a professor of Croatian language and literature. Years of sitting, reading, drafting scripts, and writing lesson plans brought along poorer eyesight, weaker posture, limited mobility, and extra body fat—though a solid vocabulary, admittedly. This motivated me to walk instead of taking the tram, to run to unburden my nervous system, and to dance to feel light.

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In a small community like Slunj, there were occasionally groups I could join for group workouts, but eventually, I found myself in a position where I was leading the group and planning the training sessions myself. This opened some new doors. I completed the program to become a Group Fitness to Music Instructor at the Fitness Academy (Fitnes učilište) in Zagreb, which was my first professional step toward a career change.

Today, I own my own recreation and entertainment business, “Mirela Active Studio.” I offer several group programs in a small studio, dance fitness at the elementary school, a summer outdoor program, and guided e-bike tours together with my husband. I warmly invite you to come and enjoy it all with us. Let you be our next challenge!

Benefits of exercise

I don’t need to list the scientific benefits of exercising – the internet is already full of articles about that. Instead, I would rather tell you what I see firsthand with my clients. The greatest value of these workouts is that these women have taken time exclusively for themselves. Those two or three hours a week are an opportunity for them to take a breath, feel their bodies, and realize that they can truly achieve anything. After every workout, they leave the studio absolutely thrilled (probably partly because the hard work is over! 😉), but filled with a completely new energy. They’ve given themselves a gift that no one else can take away or do for them, allowing them to return to their daily routines stronger and with a smile.

What I can offer you is a space dedicated entirely to your time, a training program that progresses from easier to more challenging, both aerobic and strength training, choreographed aerobics if you prefer workouts that feel like dancing, hands-on support and technique corrections, and the motivation that comes with small groups. In return, you are invited to help me design future programs based on your preferences. We can do it all!

Benefits of aerobic exercises:

Benefits of strength training:

Programs

If you are on vacation or traveling in Slunj or the surrounding area, and you would like to keep up with your fitness routine or use your time to stay active, this is your chance to “hop into” a workout right in the heart of Slunj, where sessions are held twice a week. Including the warm-up and stretching, the 60-minute workout is available upon booking to ensure we have enough equipment (mats, weights, balls, etc.) for everyone.

The outdoor workout concept is a 60-minute circuit training session consisting of the following parts:

Warm-up – aerobics on asphalt (5 min)
Circuit training – 2 sets of exercises, 2 rounds each (40 – 45 min)
Stretching – standing and/or on the mat (5 – 10 min)

The training format in Kneja satisfies low-impact, aerobic, and power workout criteria.

The principle of individualization is fully applied here, as the strength exercises at each station can be tailored to the client’s fitness level (which we determine through a brief assessment with new participants beforehand). This dictates whether the client will use equipment and what weight level, given that exercises are performed with progressive external resistance.

The exercises are based on fundamental movement patterns (lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling), allowing anyone with a workout routine to easily join in and train at their own difficulty level. New participants perform the same patterns without external weights, learning the proper technique and mastering the movement patterns on the go, with corrections provided as needed.

€10

DROP-IN FITNESS

€40/mj

Fitness programs

During the colder months of the year, various fitness programs are held every day from Monday to Friday across two time slots. In our small studio—equipped with mirrors, equipment storage, a changing room, showers, and a restroom—we enjoy all the comfort and convenience that an indoor space provides. An additional benefit is the flexibility to make up for a missed session on any other day of the week, subject to prior notice.

Our most popular option is the combined program: Step Aerobics & Power Workout. This consists of aerobics on steps (20 minutes) and strength exercises using external weights (30 minutes). Including the warm-up and stretching, the session totals 60 minutes and requires booking in advance as spots are limited (10 to 14 max). It is a favorite among those who love dynamic, rhythmic aerobic workouts with plenty of sweating, but it is generally not preferred by individuals with weaker coordination or joint pain.

The second program is Low Impact—a combination of Pilates and strength exercises where at least one foot remains on the ground at all times, keeping joint impact to a minimum. It is suitable for all ages, from beginners to advanced participants, as exercises can be individualized and modified to be either easier or more challenging.

Dance Fitness is a workout structured around music, where elements are repeated multiple times, and simple, easy-to-remember movement combinations are learned to improve aerobic capacity, endurance, agility, and strength in a fun way. This program is the closest thing to dancing; the only difference is that the movements are not taught with the goal of achieving perfect, synchronized group execution, but rather to enjoy moving to the music so you lose track of time and feel like the workout flew by in a flash. This program is ideal for those who love a dynamic workout without isolated muscle exercises.

All programs are subject to change based on the needs and wishes of the group. This primarily refers to the ratio of aerobics to strength training, music selection, weight selection, and similar adjustments.

€10

DROP-IN FITNESS

€40-60/mj

Fitness programs

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I will guide you through the training process from your baseline to progress, regardless of whether the last time you exercised was back in high school PE class, or you already have experience working with weights and other equipment.

These workouts are designed for healthy individuals who may experience moderate physical issues, such as lower back pain due to muscle weakness, poor posture from a weak core, mild knee pain caused by weak surrounding muscles or minor cartilage wear, or shoulder pain due to tight chest muscles and rounded shoulders.

Exercising can worsen untreated medical conditions, so it is imperative to bring the body into an optimal state before introducing moderate-intensity aerobic activities, weight training, and advanced stretching. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a physician first and address any painful conditions.

Reviews

Through our small fitness community, hundreds of completed hours, and thousands of minutes of hard work, we’ve learned the most important thing of all – how to set aside time for ourselves. Our workouts aren’t just exercise; they are those 2 or 3 hours a week where we recharge our batteries, push our own limits, and let go of the daily grind. With expert guidance, precise direction, and incredible energy, every program – from dynamic step aerobics to relaxing low-impact sessions – is tailored to our progress. We always leave our workouts exhausted, but absolutely thrilled, smiling, and ready to take on life’s daily challenges!

Some statistics and myth busting

Throughout the year, clients complete an average of about 80 hours of training (training for an average of 8 months). That is 4,800 minutes of exercise. A minute feels long when you’re working a muscle or muscle group close to failure. In return, the body rewards you with improved functionality and a better appearance. Nothing fancy—over time, we simply move comfortably in our own bodies, free of pain. Anyone who experiences body aches caused by repetitive actions or a sedentary lifestyle knows that living in your body with ease is, in fact, EVERYTHING. Once you have that, you can do anything else.

Many people think you need to work out every single day for the body to adapt to the effort, build muscle, burn excess fat, and so on. (And that is exactly why they never even take the first step.) That is not true. Yes, you should be active every day, but strength and endurance training follow specific principles, which include rest and recovery days. Training should be consistent, but with rest days in between.

The principle of progression also applies to training—you can start by exercising for just 15 minutes a few times a week, gradually increasing the duration and intensity.

In short, you need 2 to 4 workouts per week, lasting a maximum of 45 to 60 minutes. But you don’t have to worry about any of that. Just bring your sneakers and water, and leave the programming to me. See you!