Phat Girl Fitness brings judgment-free fitness to Cambridge

Theresa Barnes was an avid gym goer in her teens and early 20s.

Multiple times a week she’d pack her bag and head off for a workout, but deep down she never really enjoyed the routine.

“I grew up with a dad who's been active and fit his entire life,” Barnes said.

“He showed me different exercises, how to use gym equipment and the importance of healthy eating. I did the gym thing but I I never found it enjoyable so I didn’t stick with it.”

After an admitted period of being inactive, which was exacerbated by the pandemic and the isolation that came with it, Barnes found inspiration while hanging out with a group of friends.

As the conversation turned to old times and stories of fitness and health, she had a vision of making workouts fun and community based.

From there, Phat Girl Fitness was born. 

“I want to create a safe space for women to go, have fun and not focus on the stress of the gym and judgment,” Barnes said.

“I’ve been trying to figure out what my purpose is. I love meeting and helping people. I want people to know that exercise doesn't have to be frustrating, tedious or boring. You’re accepted how you are and in a judgment-free zone.”

Since coming up with the idea, Barnes has been hard at work organizing the logistics.

It began with the creation of a Facebook page which already has 63 members in just a few days.

Now she’s hoping to find space to run classes inside community centres in Galt, Preston and Hespeler. Conversations have also been had with the Galt Legion and she’ll be calling around to local churches in hopes of finding a reasonably priced location to keep costs down.

When classes get up and running, it won’t be your typical workouts. Barnes plans to combine fun activities like dancing, hula hooping and skipping with more traditional aerobic exercises and resistance training led by herself and close friend Nancy Brittenden.

“I’m not a trainer or a health coach but I want to lose weight, get healthy and have my body feel better,” she said.

“I’m just a peer that wants to be fit and feel better about myself.”

Aside from the physical aspect of the group, Barnes believes the mental and emotional benefits will be just as impactful.

“With COVID isolation and being inside, people got used to that routine because we did it for so long and it plays on your physical and mental health,” she said.

“The focus isn't on numbers, measurements or how long you can run on the treadmill. It’s about setting small goals, achieving them and celebrating with others.”