F45 Training Fonthill only opened its doors in May, but they’re already receiving local recognition. The gym recently won the most votes in the Health & Fitness category of PelhamToday’s Reader Favourite awards.
“It’s super exciting, because we were competing against other studios who have been around much longer,” says Chico Anderi, studio manager and head coach of F45 Fonthill. “We have a tremendous membership base and I’m certain that it was because of their loyalty and following that we got the votes that we needed to win.”
Chico believes that what their members take notice of is their care for the gym member’s experience. Their management bases all of their decisions —from the classes and the coaches they hire— on what will make their F45 members want to come back.
Amanda Kulakowsky, studio and membership manager at F45 Training Fonthill, mentions the atmosphere of their gym as a huge plus for regulars and new gym members.
“It’s a place where you feel welcomed, where there’s a community, and where you have a good time taking care of yourself,” she says.
May 25th was the gym’s first day of classes and their grand opening was held on August 10th. Since then the team has seen steady growth of their membership, month after month.
While Amanda has been an F45 member for almost five years, Chico is newer to it. With a fifteen-year history of working in fitness, he was hired to manage the new F45 Niagara Falls in 2022. Once the Fonthill location was up and running, Chico was tasked with overseeing both studios.
Chico now laughingly tells the story that before he attended his first-ever F45 class, he watched a video to prepare and told himself, “you won’t catch my butt there— ever.”
Now, of course, Chico loves his work and the F45 community. He notices at the Fonthill location that the members really care about each other. Amanda agrees.
“They’re a great, inspiring, happy group of people,” she says.
The two coaches were touched by a speech that their first-ever F45 Fonthill “member of the month” gave. The member, Joe Cook, praised the coaches for keeping him engaged and challenged, and the gym’s community for their support.
With this level of passion from the gym’s members, it’s perhaps not surprising that they’ve already won a Reader Favourite award. There are many more plans on the horizon for F45 Training Fonthill, but for now, they’ve got their eye on the holiday season.
The gym will be marching in the Pelham Santa Claus Parade on December 14th, greeting spectators and handing out candy canes. They also have a Five Days of Christmas giveaway planned, where they will offer a different prize every day for five days in December. The prizes will be donated by community partners, and the giveaway will be open to anyone. The gym is planning a food and can drive for the month of December as well.
Chico and Amanda are looking forward to these festive plans to give back to the local community. They thank everyone who voted them a Reader Favourite, and to their gym members for helping them create a positive, uplifting space.
“It means a lot to know that we’ve helped change people’s lives,” says Amanda.
This article was sponsored by F45 Fitness Fonthill, a 2024 PelhamToday Reader Favourite.
