Diva Fit Studio, now open downtown, is a cross training gym with classes instructed by and designed uniquely for women of all ages.
Four local trainers teach Shred, yoga, Zumba turbulence, pilates, beginner and general kickboxing classes, but women can also go to workout with a personal trainer, a service included in membership fees.
“We do a little bit of everything — you’re not held back by just taking classes or just doing machines, you’re taught everything you need to know when you walk through these doors,” said Amy Galliher, owner, instructor and personal trainer. “We’re always making progress and we’re always right here. It’s pretty much personal training without the added expense.”
She has been an Elizabethton resident for 26 years, and is originally from Piney Flats. She got her start as a women’s trainer in a co-ed hardcore gym, where she taught a shred class.
“I realized there that women want a place of their own where they can workout,” Galliher said.
Since opening Diva Fit, she said they have seen a great turnout in classes all throughout the day, and some women attend classes on their lunch breaks from work.
“Some classes are similar to Crossfit, or it can be a gym where you can go and learn everything,” Galliher said.
With a membership, women can come workout solo or attend classes, which are scheduled throughout the day to accommodate working women and parents.
“We’ll design you a workout and set up exercises, and we’re always here to watch and make sure you’re doing everything correctly,” she said.
The ages of Diva Fit’s members range from teenagers to seniors, Galliher
“To women who may be intimidated to join, I’d say everybody starts somewhere,” she said. “We stay with low impact people, and more experienced people can do a higher level of exercise.”
In each class, Galliher said the instructor will work on an individual level to allow everyone to train independently according to their capability.
“It’s women’s only, and we’re very supportive,” she said. “We’re going to help them no matter what.”
It is possible to get gym and class memberships as well as unlimited packages.
“There is something for everybody,” she said.
Galliher described cross training as agility and body weight exercises as well as workouts using tools like weighted balls.
“It’s just enough to get you a really good workout,” she said. “You can train for power lifting, body building, figure competitions and everything.”
The shred class features body weight exercises like burpees, walking lunges, body bars, weights and floor work.
“It’s basically everything you can imagine in one class,” Galliher said.
The turbulence class focuses on specific areas of the body with isolation exercises.
Diva Power Kick is high energy upper and lower body work.
Diva Fit also offers a unique tabata/hit class, which alternates between high and low intensity exercises.
Galliher teaches Zumba, Shred and turbulence classes and doubles as a health and nutrition coach. Three other experienced instructors teach classes at the facility as well.
Christina Austin, Galliher’s cousin, is a certified personal and group fitness instructor who only took a serious interest in fitness five years ago. Galliher said Austin has taken her career far with it and is currently enrolled in exercise science classes as well as being the gym’s hard-core bootcamp instructor.
“We can also get people in class certified to be trainers; if I see someone that has a talent, I want to feed it,” said Galliher.
Certified group fitness instructor Macie Lyons teaches diva power kick classes, and Galliher said she is “flawless” in her routine.
Nancy Garrison, certified group fitness instructor, taught with Galliher in a step aerobics class in downtown Elizabethton years ago and is now teaching beginner fitness, tabata and hit class.
The gym also offers health and nutrition coaching with Freda Mitchell who is certified in group and personal fitness training. She also teaches pound classes.
The gym’s hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, from on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Diva Fit also offers special evening classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
For more information, call 423-956-2036 or stop by the studio at 508 E. Elk Ave.