A woman opened a fitness facility in the Bronx to highlight female empowerment through fitness.
Johanna Edmondson started her women's empowerment fitness journey with four women in Van Cortlandt Park two years ago. Since then, it has grown into the Female Fight Club gym in Riverdale.
"We call it a battlefield for a reason. You come here and let it all out, release your stress in a community filled with women, empowered by women,” Edmondson says. “The mission was…to reach more women and say fitness is self-love.”
Edmondson says women line up outside to take part in all the fitness classes offered, which includes yoga, Pilates, barre, step and more.
“I know we wear a lot of hats. At the end of the day, we give ourselves 10%, just for us. That is to read a book, brush our teeth, take a bath and go to bed. That's why I needed to open up a space like this, because that is what was going on in my life,” Edmondson says.
At the facility, there is something for women of all ages to take part in, including senior citizens.
When you come to the fight club and you walk through the doors, Edmondson wants you to release it all and have strength to fight another day.
“Our tagline is, ‘What are you fighting for?’ Edmondson says. “There is a reason why you are fighting. Whatever the case may be, bring it to the Fight Club and we'll fight with you."