Fit & Fun Revolution: Building an Inclusive Fitness Hub in Reading!

Stefanie Sweeney and Danielle Ampolos have been friends since childhood, having known each other for a quarter of a century. In 2014, they made a decision to combine their professional and personal lives, collaborating to instruct Zumba on weekends in venues they secured for their budding pop-up venture. This strategy proved so effective that the duo proceeded to establish their own fitness studio, Simply Fit & Fun, broadening their services and fostering a devoted community of clients who value the enthusiasm and proficiency they contribute to their initiatives.

Now, over a decade later, Sweeney and Ampolos are commemorating the grand inauguration of the latest incarnation of their aspiration: an enlarged studio located just outside downtown Reading, offering over 90 weekly classes across four different studios. Their once two-person operation has evolved into a team of 21 instructors, presenting everything from mindful yoga to kickboxing (with an abundance of cardio, barre, and strength classes in between).

The studio has introduced three new spaces, enabling it to present an even more extensive timetable of classes. One area will feature fitness apparatus that allows clients to utilize open gym hours for independent workouts, outside of structured classes. The second area embodies the ambiance of a boutique studio, accommodating up to 16 students with an infrared heater that facilitates freer stretching. The third new area contains Lagree microformers – Simply Fit & Fun is the pioneer studio in Massachusetts to provide these machines – a device that aids in developing core strength and cardiovascular stamina.

Sweeney and Ampolos take satisfaction in their commitment to ensuring that classes, programs, and events are genuinely inclusive and welcoming for everyone. Each class adopts a lighthearted teaching style with friendly guidance, excellent workouts, enjoyable music, and even the occasional disco ball. The studio also offers complimentary childcare, making it simpler for busy parents to prioritize their own well-being.

Despite their accomplishments, the duo remains true to their roots: they still instruct Zumba multiple times a week.

1 General Way, Unit 94, Reading, 781-205-9321, simplyfitfun.com