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Get to know your Peoria businesses: Bearfoot Fitness

Owner: Melanie Lehmer

Posted 7/6/20

Owner: Melanie Lehmer

When did you start your business?: Bearfoot Fitness began in October 2019 and ran its first official class Nov. 13.

Where did the idea for Barefoot Fitness come from?: …

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Get to know your Peoria businesses: Bearfoot Fitness

Owner: Melanie Lehmer

Posted

Owner: Melanie Lehmer

When did you start your business?: Bearfoot Fitness began in October 2019 and ran its first official class Nov. 13.

Where did the idea for Bearfoot Fitness come from?: After spending quality time with my new baby and stepping back from a career in teaching, I wanted to create a role where I can make an impact on people’s health by teaching them how to move their bodies safely and fuel it properly. Fitness is such a scary topic for people, especially new moms. I felt that between my experience in the classroom, years of training in the gym, and knowledge from my Kinesiology and Education degrees, I could be the one to get humans moving again!

Name a goal you have for your business?: My business is getting people moving again, regardless of their fitness starting point. All classes are affordable, scalable and family-friendly. Kids are not only encouraged to come with you, but welcome to participate too! Classes are held outside at local parks, so kids have plenty of room to run around and play while parents work out. We have recently started hosting monthly accountability groups online as well. These are friendly competitions that encourage a daily check-in, self-care, intentional movement and hydration.

My goal is to eventually have a brick and mortar building, so that we have a space regardless of the desert temperatures. However, I feel there is a special need to get people of all ages outside and enjoying mother nature, so we will always aim to offer classes outside even if we have a building. For now, Bearfoot will continue to offer nutrition coaching, a variety of at-home workouts and monthly accountability groups.

Why was it important to start the business in Peoria?: Peoria needs a stepping stone for people to make their way back into fitness. Many people are too intimidated to walk into a big box gym or simply do not know what machines or activities to do. Bearfoot gives them a platform to come as they are, without judgment, and learn simple moves to get their heart rate up and bodies moving

What is unique about your business?: All our classes are kid-friendly and do not require any gym materials. As a teacher and mom of two boys, my goal is to not only allow kids at class, but to also model and show them that fitness can be fun and simply part of a daily routine. Because none of our workouts require materials, they can be completed anywhere and do not require much space. The goal is to make fitness as accessible as possible to as many as possible

How is your business adjusting to the pandemic?: Some services have stayed the same and some have been adapted to the virtual world. Nutritional coaching has always been available online, except that our in-person meetings are simply via Zoom now. Our in-person classes have been temporarily canceled until fall 2020, but free workouts are available on our website and Instagram account. Our accountability groups are a new adventure for Bearfoot. We have done two so far and have had a great turnout both rounds. Our ladies are learning how to fuel their bodies, stay hydrated during the hot summer months, intentionally move their bodies and take time for themselves.

Anything else you would like to share about you and the business?: Bearfoot is a whole family effort! My husband was the one who encouraged me to start following my passion, while my sons love coming to class and helping me coach whenever possible.