With the vision of building an inclusive, safe space for women of all fitness levels, Fiona Juniper created Juniper Women’s Fitness. It is a studio that offers small group fitness classes, private personal training, pre- and postnatal training and yoga, as well as baby & mum yoga.
Juniper Women’s Fitness
Fiona started her fitness journey with weight training in her early twenties. However, she struggled to find a comfortable space as a beginner since many gyms she went to had a very strong “gym bro vibe” culture/atmosphere. She later joined a small community crossfit gym and really enjoyed her experience there.
At the time, Fiona faced body image struggles and wanted to understand the purpose of her strength training without being driven by negative motivations. Participating in a women’s anti-diet counseling program that focused on building a healthy relationship with food and exercise helped her gain clarity on the role of fitness and health in her life.
During the COVID lockdown, she started sharing her strength training knowledge with friends, leading her to pursue a personal training certification. Combining her passion for small gyms and group counselling communities, she aimed to provide a space for women to explore strength training without intimidation.
Initially, Fiona began teaching classes at The Heights Yoga and Wellness three times a week, building a small community of clients. As a resident of the Heights, when the 3978B Hastings location became available, it seemed like the perfect place to continue her journey, serving fellow neighbours.
Despite not having education in the business administration field, Fiona successfully launched Juniper Women’s Fitness. With a background in psychology and social work, Fiona was able to navigate through many administrative challenges with her skills, experiences, and a willingness to learn on the go, creating a positive and empowering fitness environment for women at the Heights.
Fiona later completed her pre- and postnatal yoga certification, creating a space where new moms can interact with their babies and each other. She works alongside Samantha, also a certified trainer, who teaches baby & mum yoga classes that are run on the first Tuesday of every month.
Outside of her passion for work, Fiona also loves outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and bouldering. In the future, she hopes to add more group classes as well as expand the team and the variety of classes with other trainers of diverse backgrounds.
If you are interested in strength training, a free trial is being offered until the end of February.
Visit their website and follow them on Instagram to learn more about their classes.
Juniper Women’s Fitness
Address: 3978B Hastings St., Burnaby, B.C, V5C 6C7
Website: https://www.juniperfitness.ca/
Instagram: @juniper.fitness
Hours:
Monday, Wednesday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Saturday: Closed
