For the last five years, Allie Lowery has been a personal trainer. The Southern Indiana native was hosting boot camps in the park and training clients out of her apartment. As her clientele continued to grow and surpass 20 regulars, Lowery knew it was time to turn her long-time dream of owning a gym into a reality.
“The transition from trainer to business owner … happened very quickly,” Lowery said. “I’ve always had this vision of opening my own gym, so it’s really awesome to see that come to fruition.”
As a child, Lowery said she was enthralled with sports, playing everything from basketball, volleyball, swimming, soccer and even running cross country. This love for movement and exercise led Lowery to the University of Cincinnati where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Neurobiology with minors in chemistry and psychology.
“It’s not just about physical fitness, it’s also about mental wellness,” Lowery said.
On Feb. 13, Lowery opened Empower Fitness, her boutique gym focused on empowering women through fitness.
“I am excited for Empower Fitness to open because it will give women a safe space to practice self-care, support one another, and just have fun,” said Merideth Booth, a client who came to Lowery a year ago after having a baby. “As a mom, I don’t get a lot of time to do those things, and I can’t wait to be able to set aside this time for myself.”
Here’s what to know about Empower Fitness, Louisville’s newest boutique gym.
What can clients expect from Empower Fitness?
Upon entering the space at 1011 Swan St., guests will be welcomed into a vibrant pink garage-style gym. From the barbells to the BOSU balls to the turf, everything in Lowery’s gym is pink.
“I am most excited that she gets to do what she loves in a place that is her own,” said Alena Balakos, a client Lowery has trained for almost two years. “I love her vision, and the interior decor is perfect, too.”
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She has her current space on a two-year lease and said she has already invested “several thousand dollars” in her women-centric gym.
“It’s not like I hate men … my specialty is in women’s fitness,” Lowery said. “Giving my clientele a space where they can feel safe and feel strong in the gym, I think that’s really important.”
How much do classes cost at Empower Fitness?
Unlike a traditional gym, there are no key cards to scan in and customers won’t be left to their own devices to determine a workout routine. Lowery’s gym is based on classes, creating a community feel. Each class is a small group of no more than six participants. She designs and coaches each class from start to finish.
Lowery offers three types of classes, one-on-one training, and nutrition coaching. Memberships range from $175 to $240 monthly depending on how many classes a customer would like to attend each month. Lowery welcomes drop-in clients as well for $25 per session.
“Yes, it is more expensive monthly than your typical gym … but I wanted to really build a community of women, of people that can empower each other,” Lowery said.
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Other services outside of training Lowery offers include a shower for customers to use after a workout, free hair ties and tampons in the bathroom, a phone charging station, energy drinks, water, pre-workout and protein drinks for purchase, and she will soon add towel service.
What nutrition courses are offered at Empower Fitness?
Lowery sees her gym as a place to build women’s confidence and break down stereotypes of what women are supposed to look like and how they should eat.
“Her nutrition program has completely changed my relationship with food,” said Amanda Wolfe, a client for over a year. “I don’t punish myself or feel bad when I eat certain foods in moderation.”
Lowery, who is a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, has designed each of her classes to create a functional body and healthy self-relationships by incorporating cardio, weightlifting, yoga, balance, mobility, and plyometrics.
“I’m about empowering women, hence the name and using the gym as a tool to build yourself up instead of just punishing yourself,” she said.
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With the gym finally opening, Lowery is basking in her current success but is already looking forward to “more.”
“The most rewarding part is being able to honestly change the lives of my clients and the women I currently work with and also, the possibility of being able to do that with even more clients, as I expand,” Lowery said.
Contact reporter Olivia Evans at [email protected] or on Twitter at @oliviamevans_
