When massage therapists and fiancés Jaiden Stevens and Avri Quigley noticed a lack of safe, supportive fitness spaces for women in Rexburg, they decided to open HER Fit, the city’s first and only women-only gym.
Renovating the space next to Stevens’ massage clinic to become HER Fit took several weeks. Stevens said the couple had no experience in commercial remodels, but support from family and other local businesses made it possible for the gym to open in June.
“It was incredible. It came with challenges, of course. There were setbacks. There always will be,” Stevens said. “But it was a really awesome experience, like I think brought us a lot closer together and me a lot closer with her parents as well.”
Because of their background in massage therapy, the couple wanted the gym to offer more than just exercise equipment. They have personal trainers, a sauna and soon a tanning booth.
“But it's a lot less about come in and lose weight and look good, and it's much more about feeling good and having an intimidation-free space to be able to do what makes you feel strong, not because you feel like you ought to look a certain way,” he said.
The space is also designed for all women to feel comfortable working out regardless of fitness level, and without worrying about being approached during their workouts.
“What we've heard so far is that a space like what we've built is so necessary for this area,” he said. “And that they feel more supported in a female-only space.”
Membership at HER Fit starts at $40 for one month to $30 per month with a one-year commitment. Other packages and memberships can be found on HER Fit’s website.
To learn and hear more from Stevens, listen to the full interview on BYU-Idaho Radio’s podcast on Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.