Ali Richardson and the crew of instructors at Gym Junkie, now operating from new premises in Cambridge St, Levin.
Ali Richardson and the crew of instructors at Gym Junkie, now operating from new premises in Cambridge St, Levin.
A new group fitness movement that started with the energy of one woman has exploded.
Ali Richardson started Gym Junkie in Levin two years ago with a class in the garage. Now it's on new premises with six instructors holding more than 30 classes a week.
Gym Junkie has struck a chord with the community and the mother of two's love of fitness was proving infectious.
Richardson said she "fell" into fitness in her early 20s to help cope with the loss of both parents.
"I found working out blocked out the pain and gave me something other than grief to focus on. There is nothing like a hard training session to put your problems on ice and to be fully present with the task at hand," she said.
Ali Richardson and the crew of instructors at Gym Junkie, now operating from new premises in Cambridge St, Levin.
"To me training is a meditative and euphoric experience. Ask my members ... there's not a class that goes by without me yelling out with joy. I am sure they are used to it by now, but l often get my battle cry on for sure."
Richardson was a strong believer that the group training sessions motivate people and get results.
"We release so much stress and built-up emotion with the group training system. We get in that zone as one big tribe and just let all that s*** all go. There is nothing like it," she said.
Fitness and wellbeing are at the heart of Gym Junkie.
"The rush of endorphins, the feeling of being fit and strong and capable, being connected to other humans in the same state of mind is very powerful. Our sense of community is strong."
"To me, working out with my members is the ultimate experience. I feel fully alive and fully present."
Richardson had 20 years' teaching experience in the industry, starting as an instructor at Les Mills. When the CrossFit movement hit New Zealand, she was hooked.
Richardson's husband was a member of the New Zealand Army, and that forced her to be creative with training because they moved around a lot in the early days, with two young children in tow.
"Many, many garage workouts happened," she said.
"Living in Waiouru for a few years gave me such a unique training environment outside of the commercial gym for a while."
There is encouragement and high fives at the end of a session at Gym Junkie.
"I was able to train with the army PTI's in Waiouru too. So no matter where we've been posted l would always figure out a way to keep working out. Those poor army wives - I'd drag anyone who was free into my lounge for exercise sessions."
When the couple moved to Levin four years ago, Richardson was keen to keep the momentum going.
"I harassed people to do boot camps and sessions with me. I set up a fitness class in a local hall and two years later, here we are."
In that short time Gym Junkie had gone from one class, to 30 classes and six instructors. The oldest member was 63, the youngest just 11.
"I've got a team of trainers by my side now just as passionate about what they do," she said.
"Our members are the life force of Gym Junkie and I've never experienced a community like it. There is magic happening."
Richardson said Gym Junkie was a unique fitness experience - a blend fitness training that was a "mash-up" of her past 20 years in the industry, mixed with new ideas from the group.
"We are also a family-friendly facility. Our kids are there on the fitness journey with us. We have a chill zone and hang=out lounge for the children. Older kids who can handle the classes join in too," she said.
Children can relax in a safe space at Gym Junkie while their parents and caregivers work out.
"Someone asked me what my exit plan was .... but in my mind I'm only just getting started. I'll do this until my body gives out ... burpees till I die."
