Sheri Morris has spent the last six years obtaining various personal training certifications, competing in bodybuilding competitions and learning more about diet and nutrition in preparation for opening Goddess FitClub in The Woodlands.
Morris opened the gym with women in mind in January and scheduled a grand opening for Feb. 11.
“I like for women to support each other and to build each other up because, unfortunately, a lot of times we are our own worst enemies,” Morris said. “This will be a safe zone and space where we’ll get to know each other, and we’ll come encourage each other and get healthy and fit together.”
Morris focuses on strength and endurance during workouts, incorporating breaks and pauses between songs because this is the best way to build muscle, she said. Goddess FitClub offers various group classes, and workout equipment is provided.
“My classes are all tailored around my experience in bodybuilding and weight training but set to music and set to a group setting that’s fun and exciting,” Morris said.
Traditional equipment, such as elliptical machines, treadmills and stationary bikes, are not offered. Instead, classes use unorthodox fitness equipment, such as Hoopnotica with Hula-Hoops, Ring My Bell with kettle bells and Bosu Beats with Bosu balls.
“I realized how much fun it is to do stuff outside of the norm when it comes to working out and exercising,” Morris said. “A lot of ladies look at working out and exercising as boring, but if we’re doing something we like, we don’t mind it as much.”
Morris also offers a boot camp-style class called Train Like a Goddess, which incorporates circuits of various workouts. Stiletto Strength is a dance-oriented class that tones legs, and Iron Maiden incorporates bodybuilding techniques and lifting.
“Most women will go into the gym, and they don’t want to lift heavy weight,” Morris said. “Lifting heavy weights is not going to make you bulky. Naturally, a woman doesn’t have testosterone levels high enough to build those big muscles like a man has.”
As Morris builds the class schedule for Goddess FitClub, she hopes to bring on a few more trainers since she is the only one teaching.
She said she also looks forward to partnering with local businesses for educational and social events from wine tastings to learning about essential oils as she grows her business.
“We’re always going to be changing,” Morris said. “I don’t have to have any corporate headquarters’ permission to change a class. Feedback from my attendees and my clients is crucial.”
