Image: Luova Photography
Zoe Huni is the owner and operator of Fitness with Zoe, one of Townsville’s most popular women’s only group fitness studios. Her business’ mission statement is simple; create a positive, fun environment where you look forward to working out. Fitness With Zoe strives to help women achieve amazing fitness results but to also provide a place of happiness for people struggling with their mental health. She has built a team of strong women who all share her passion for fitness and positivity which, much like the ladies she trains, has helped her business go from strength to strength. Offering a wide range of programs from Circuit to Dance Fitness, weight training and yoga, Fitness With Zoe also offers one-on-one personal training for those wanting to learn the basics before jumping into group classes.
What has been the most challenging aspect of being a business owner?
Pivoting our business model when covid hit. Gyms were one of the first businesses that had to close to help stem the outbreak. Running group fitness was obviously going to be problematic in that kind of climate. There was no time to sit and wait and we really had to jump in and just try something. During this time we offered a weekly subscription online fitness classes. It’s a testament to the loyalty of our members who took this option as it allowed us to keep operating, keep a little bit of normality and routine in our lives and continue providing our members with an opportunity to focus on themselves and their mental health in what was a very trying time for everyone.
What is the best piece of career/business advice you ever received?
Small improvements over time lead to big results. I am always looking at ways to improve the day to day running’s of our business and changing one thing at a time. The same principle applies to fitness. That’s how you achieve results, by working on making one small change every day and eventually, that’s when you step back and see how it contributed to the bigger picture.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
It’s a world away from what I’m currently doing for a profession but drafting was my first passion.
Prior to owning a women’s gym I had only ever worked in male dominated industries. (Including: Surveying, Engineering, Fabrication, Industrial Electrical Maintenance) Fitness is still a fairly male dominant industry but there is definitely a lot more female representation in fitness than those trades.
Going forward, what is next on the cards for your business / career?
It’s been in the works for a while but recently we announced that Fitness With Zoe will be merging with my husband’s gym, Enhanced Health & Fitness, which will be re-branded to FWZ Strength & Fitness. This is a female and male group fitness gym. Our members will now have access to two gyms, with 10 group fitness sessions a day. Conveniently, they’re located just 200m away from each other so it shouldn’t disrupt our members at all, it will just open up more options to them to be able to choose the style of training they wish to partake in.