When Amreen Aulakh started working as a personal trainer on campus, she began to notice the limited availability of cost-friendly fitness resources for women.
The third-year biology student was then inspired to start a community aimed at giving women more access to personalized gym resources. Aulakh, alongside her good friend Hamrah Riyaz, formed Her Fitness to do just that: empowering women interested in fitness by offering a multi-faceted approach to working out.
“We grew so organically,” Aulakh said. At their Clubs Day debut, Aulakh noticed that what drew so many women to the initiative was the club’s “low cost or free of cost” philosophy.
In a city where monthly gym memberships can range from $40–130, Her Fitness’s $3 membership fee was welcomed.
But Aulakh wanted to target more than just the expense of accessing a gym. She was looking to transcend that intimidation that comes with working out in the gym for some women that keeps them from exercising in these spaces in the first place.
“Intimidation begins when you bring fitness into the gym and that's what we were really trying to unpack,” Aulakh said. “Helping women be able to get into that gym and find their space and be more comfortable with taking up space in the gym.”
Personal training is an extra gym cost, but Her Fitness has found a way around that too. The club’s team has grown to include accredited personal trainers. In their biweekly event, 'Workout with an Exec', the team’s personal trainers are available at one of UBC’s gyms to guide members through the routines that work best for them.
“Having somebody there that already has a better idea of what they're doing is really helpful in breaking down those barriers to entering the gym.”
Ensuring that every event is beginner-friendly has been Aulakh’s primary approach to promoting accessibility. She said that every session is beginner-friendly, from weightlifting sessions to yoga.
Through this year’s events, Her Fitness has already progressed through the motions of helping members create a fitness program and achieve personal goals. But they’re also addressing an often overlooked aspect of a journey to a healthy body: reflecting on how far you have come.
“We're our own biggest critic, and sometimes when you achieve a goal, a lot of times we're like, ‘now I'm not satisfied and I have a bigger goal,’" said Aulakh. “Sometimes doing that reflection … really helps ground you and even gives you that extra boost of motivation to now keep going.”
Aulakh added that this mindful and cyclical approach encourages confidence for any woman feeling intimidated or nervous as a beginner at the gym.
Although only in their first year, you can expect Her Fitness to continue making their mark on campus. Whether it’s stretching or going on a stroll, Aulakh hopes that her initiative encourages activity.
“Just be active,” said Aulakh. “Doesn't have to be getting into the gym … it's going to release some endorphins, it’s going to make you feel better.”