#1. WE BELIEVE STRENGTH COMES IN ALL SHAPES & SIZES.
There is no “one-size-fits-all” path to health and fitness. There is no perfect body archetype that we aim to follow. We do not celebrate weight loss and we focus instead on non-scale victories.
We want to help you find your own strength and work towards achieving your fitness goals in a way that works for YOU. Our goal is to show you what your body is capable of and to feel good in your skin.
#2. WE ARE COMMITTED TO BEING A SAFE SPACE AND FIGHTING FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF MARGINALIZED BODIES.
This means that we are committed to doing the work to ensure our studio, instructors/staff and policies are anti-racist, LGBTQ+ friendly, anti-fatphobic, body positive, accessible to those with disabilities, and trauma-informed.
This means challenging and examining language, assumptions and continuing to learn, and embracing open conversations so that we can learn, grow, and do things differently.
3. WE BELIEVE FITNESS IS ABOUT MIND, BODY, & SPIRIT.
Our vision of fitness is holistic, that includes your physical, mental and spiritual well being. That means learning how to challenge negative self-talk, to connect with your most authentic self, to eat mindfully and to trust in the wisdom of your body.
#4. WE EMBRACE CHALLENGES, SWEAT AND THE BEAUTY OF IMPERFECTION & FORGIVENESS.
Not everything will be easy. We don’t shy away from a challenge or avoid something because it is hard. It is always better to try and fail, than to never try at all. If something doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. We believe that when we can be uncomfortable and vulnerable, that is where the real magic happens.
We encourage you to define your own vision of success and help you to embrace the journey it takes to get there.
#5. WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF JOYFUL MOVEMENT.
We want you to move and find the joy that comes with seeing what your body can do. Fitness and moving your body should be FUN. We want you to smile during your workout and feel better than before you walked in – no matter what! Laughter is the best kind of exercise!
Fitness is a never-ending journey and our goal is to help you realize how it can help you live a happy, healthy, independent life as the foundation of self love and confidence.
#6. OUR SUPERPOWER IS CREATING COMMUNITY.
This means prioritizing connection, friendship, and surrounding yourself with people who truly care about your journey. Celebrating your accomplishments, no matter how small, and knowing that you never have to do this alone.
#7. WE WILL NORMALIZE NORMAL BODIES AND NEVER USE PHOTOSHOP.
We promise to lead by example and never alter our bodies by using photoshop in our promotional materials, social media content, or marketing. We will never promote unrealistic body standards and embrace what makes our bodies beautiful: cellulite, blemishes, scars, bumps, and rolls.
#8. WE BELIEVE IN BEING A BUSINESS FOR GOOD.
We believe that there is more to running a business than just turning a profit. We are committed to social responsibility and work hard to ensure that every decision or choice that we make gives back to our community, the environment and always puts our members first.
“Loyobo continues to inspire and impress me and I am so grateful. They have done SO much pivoting over the past really challenging year to still provide quality classes for ALL. AnyBODY is welcome, any body is a fit body. Join us in ditching diet culture, instead focusing on loving your body, & finding the movement that is right for you. This gym has it all and you won’t be disappointed.”
— Heather Morgan
“Everyone says this is not your typical gym, and I absolutely agree. The entire team truly cares about each member, and always have a smile on, whether in person or virtually. I love the variety of classes and class times, and the abundance of extra perks that come with being a member (challenges, member socials etc). I’ve never been able to stick to a consistent exercise schedule before, but after a year with Loyobo, I look forward to my classes every week. I am in the best shape of my life, and have a better relationship with my body, and what fitness really means. THANK YOU for helping me learn how to love my body.”
– Taylor Infantino
“Courtney’s strengths are her upbeat personality, her knowledge and the variety she provides in her workouts. I leave each class feeling stronger and energized! A great trainer and great workouts!!!”
— Karissa Lawrenson
Court is so energetic and pushes us to go that little bit harder/further/longer. She is very real and relatable. I’m looking forward to my workouts and not “having” to do them.”
– Kirsten Campbell
“Courtney’s energy and enthusiasm are palpable! It’s impossible not to grin during one of her classes. Despite some special postpartum needs, she manages to make me sweat and feel like I’ve had a great work out without aggravating my issues.”
– Andrea Scholz
“Authenticity, enthusiasm, compassion, encouraging, accountability, energy … not just from the Owner and Instructors, but from every person that this place touches. Loyobo is the definition of community.”
– Leah De Spiegelaere
“Loyobo has done an incredible job of transitioning into virtual classes! This pandemic has been a difficult time for all of us but these classes are one of the few things that are getting me through it. I have so much appreciation for Courtney and the entire Loyobo Team! Thank you all form the bottom of my heart. <3 I highly highly recommend checking out the virtual classes, you will not only get great workouts and stay active during this time but also get all the love and support from our Loyobo Family <3”
— Erynn Wiltzen
“Virtual Zumba is one of the keys to my sanity. It helps to not only relieve stress but put a much needed smile on my face. Hard to brood when you’re moving to the music! Thank you to all at Loyobo for their amazing efforts”
—Tara Hesch
“I opened Loyobo FIT as a brick and mortar fitness studio in 2018. My vision was to create a space that was founded in the core values that were important to me: body acceptance, joyful movement, and inclusivity.
Things were going so well! Until 2020 – when we were required to spend the next two years with on/off closures.
In August 2022, I made the decision to end my lease and focus my efforts on transforming Loyobo to a fully virtual wellness community dedicated to guiding women on the pathway to radical body acceptance, using fitness as a way to build their confidence and feel strong, in order to help them take up space in their lives.
I want to show you what is possible when you stop wasting your time and energy trying to be smaller. How strong and worthy you are, and how to trust your body.
You can write your own rules when it comes to fitness and health. I will be your biggest hype girl along the way.
I am always down for a dance party. When I am not working, I love going for long walks with my puppy Archie and cuddling with my cat, Munchkin.”
Fuel your body…move your body! Christie’s love of food and fitness go hand in hand. For over 20 years, she has had dual careers in food service and health and fitness. Today, Christie is a Culinary Instructor and a Group Fitness Instructor.
Certified in Group Fitness and Individual Conditioning through YMCA Canada and CanFitPro, Christie also brings her love of dance to her fitness classes. Joining Loyobo last Fall reignited her love of Group Fitness classes and she set the goal of returning to the front of the studio.
“Nothing makes my heart happier than sharing my love of movement and freedom in a safe and supportive community. Dancing on the dance floor with my husband, frolicking on the beach with my daughters or steppin’ it up in the studio with my peers!”
Her smile and enthusiasm are contagious, and she’s excited to help you on your fitness journey!
I was eight years old when I began living with chronic pain and was launched into my journey of healing. Fighting severe migraines, memory loss, body pains, anxiety, misdiagnoses and rare ailments, I wandered into the world of holistic healing and was forever changed.
I wasn’t in control of much, but found that I still had power over how I moved, what I chose to fuel my body with and what energies I allowed to surround and affect me. I began falling in love with a slow, simple, plant based, intentional lifestyle.
As I started connecting with people over my story, I quickly discovered that I wasn’t alone and that by opening up, we were all helping each other to grow and heal together. I started devouring information, taking courses and classes, and here I am today – a 200RYT Yoga Teacher (Vinyasa and Restorative), a Reiki Master (Energy Healer) and a Ski Instructor with a focus on shining the light of change.
My classes are lit with the intention of creating a safe space to grow, learn, share, soothe, laugh, cry, feel and move through life’s many twists. I want to keep on sharing what I have learned (and am continuing to learn) to help you find more joy, manage your stress responses, tap into the power of your breath, fall in love with intentional movement and see your life in a whole new light!
I can’t wait to meet you and melt into our mats together!
Kim is a Group Exercise Instructor, Level 3 Personal Trainer, Burlesque Cardio Instructor, Lower back pain exercise specialist, and Body Image Coach. Plus a Body Inclusive Yoga Instructor in training!
Her aim is build the relationship you have with yourself with joyful movement and coaching. Her ultimate goal is to enable you to make peace with your body. Proud to be fully size inclusive, Kim is specially trained in teaching ALL bodies. Kim lives in the North East of England.
“Hi I’m Tess, I’m a self confessed lover of joy! Part of this journey has been letting go of any food restrictions following a non-diet approach. The pressure put on women to be a certain body shape puts a fire in my belly! I have a history of performance and carnival dance and honed my dance skills over the years. My classes are all about the fun, easy to follow routines, a dose of sass, silliness and getting our sweat on. Exercise should be enjoyable. I love a bit of 80s/90s plus modern pop and sometimes a dash of dancehall/rave/drum and bass. 💃🏻”
Hildy is a multi-disciplinary performer trained originally in Contemporary Dance gaining her degree in 2010. Since leaving University she has worked as a choreographer, teacher and dancer in many different genres including ballet, contemporary, Jazz, Tap, street, traditional jazz and social dances from 1920-1960 which she now specialises in as well as working in her other trained disciplines. Hildy has performed with companies such as Kelly-Abbott Dance, Urban Jazz dance and more at venues including, Metro Radio Arena, Baltic centre For Contemporary Art, Beamish Museum, Northern Stage and Stockton ARC.
Christine is a strength and movement coach who works in the non-diet space. She has a mission. She is passionate about women 40+ feeling strong in their own skin, moving more freely and prioritising how they FEEL over how they think they should LOOK.
Melissa is an ACE certified personal trainer, 200hr certified yoga instructor, former physiotherapy assistant, seniors fitness specialist, and forever wellness student. Her views when it comes to health and wellness are wholistic (whole health- physical, mental, emotional, environmental, social, spiritual), this means leaving an all or nothing and extremes approach on the side lines and making sure those she works with are receiving the Whole focus! Known to keep her classes and training light, you will find plenty of cheesy jokes thrown in to bring smiles (or dad joke groans) to the whole class; after all laughter is the best medicine. On a personal side, Melissa can be found outside and probably near water in the warmer months, taking in live music, or sitting under a tree with a book in her hand.
