The Gym Designed With Women In Mind
By Ana Lete Photos Kimberlee Miller
Frightened Felons is an annual event put on at the Old Idaho Penitentiary around Halloween. It’s a two night event and features a number of different activities. “It’s a party for history,” says Amber Beierle, Education Specialist and Visitor Services Coordinator.
Prior to taking on Kaia FIT, Powers ran a mobile personal training service to help women work out in their own homes.
“I had all my workout equipment in my car and would go house to house to do one-on-one in-home workouts,” said powers. “One day, I got an email on LinkedIn that said, ‘I have a gym for women. I’m selling it and think you might be a good fit. Would you like to have a conversation about it?”
Powers and the previous mother/daughter team did have a conversation, and according to Powers, “the more I learned about Kaia FIT, the more I knew I had to change my life and buy a gym, so that’s what happened!”
Since taking over the business last April, Powers moved Kaia FIT’s 75 members and 12 dedicated instructors into a brand-new 4,500 square-foot facility off of Cole and Ustick in the West Bench.
When looking for the perfect space, Powers kept Kaia FIT members in mind. “The new location had to be within five miles of the old location to keep as many people as possible – we also had to have the right amount of space, parking, and lighting since we start our workouts at 5 am when it’s pitch-black outside. It took about six months to find the right space, but we finally found it, and here it is!”
But even with Kaia FIT’s large open space, a dedicated yoga, barre, and dance room, and its two large shower/changing rooms, some aspects of Kaia FIT have not changed – its instructors and community.
Kaia FIT’s 12 instructors are also certified personal trainers who ensure that everyone at Kaia FIT is supported and held accountable in every class. During Kaia FIT’s most recent BRIK program – a six-week bootcamp that focuses on health, nutrition, and exercise – Kaia FIT’s instructors started a soup exchange program so their busy and on-the-go members could eat healthier with less stress.
“That’s the biggest thing that sets us apart from other gyms – our community and sisterhood,” said Powers. “You can go to any gym and get exercise. But when you come here, you get people that smile at you when you come in, ask you your name, and if you’ve been in before. They show you around, and help you get weights and equipment for the workouts.”
“Women come in initially because they feel like they need exercise or to be more active,” said Powers, “but they stay forever because of the friends they make here.” To allow everyone to experience Kaia FIT’s strong community, Kaia Fit offers a free week’s worth of classes to anyone who would like to experience Kaia FIT’s community for themselves. Better yet, everyone who signs up after the first free week gets their first month half-off.
If you’re a teacher, military member, or run/work for an Idaho local business, be sure to ask about that discount, too.
To learn more about Kaia FIT, please visit
