Supporting and empowering all women
Planting together: Food is Free founder Lou Ridsdale and volunteer Sheilagh Kentish (far right) with Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council's Shipra Saini and Abrar Dham, are involved in the Grow and Thrive Garden project. Photo: TIM BOTTAMS
Since purchasing Fernwood Fitness Waurn Ponds in 2019, club owners and sisters, Dani and Brooke have made it their absolute mission to create a gym with an inclusive environment where all women feel supported and empowered.
The club has transformed from a gym where women would go to workout and leave, to a club with a beautiful warm culture, where members are always welcomed with a smile, are making friends and achieving the results that they joined to achieve.
“We constantly are told how different this gym feels from the moment a woman walks through the door.”
When asked how they have achieved this, Dani and Brooke will tell you that it is all because of the brilliant team they have built and nurtured.
“We are so blessed to lead a team of more than 40 incredible women, from Membership Consultants, Personal Trainers, Reformer Pilates and Group Fitness Instructors, to Early Childhood Educators.
“We know that the value of a business comes from the people, their passion, and expertise and that without our team, we don’t have a business.” “We feel it is so important to take great care to ensure that every team member feels supported, valued and just loves coming to work.”
More than a gym, Fernwood Waurn Ponds provides a holistic health, fitness and wellness experience for all women to feel supported, comfortable, and connected.
“We know how tricky it can be for busy women to fit their workout into their busy schedules, so we have removed as many barriers as we can – we are 24/7, we have a creche for the little ones and we also have a 30-minute program designed specifically for busy women,” Dani and Brooke said.
“There’s also nothing we love more than seeing our members taking time for themselves and catching up for breakfast or a coffee in our member’s lounge after their class or workout! We are all about the power of women supporting women.”
Fernwood truly is a health club for every woman. For young girls just starting out in their fitness journey, busy working women and mums, to the older generation working hard to keep active, there really is something on to offer everyone.
