By Natalia Kuppers

The following is part of a series about getting fit — both physically and mentally — in and around Park Ridge. Read more on aerial yoga at The Sanctuary in Edison park and the personal fitness experience at Orange Shoe.

powHerhouse fitness
Location: 33 1/2 S. Prospect in Park Ridge (above 2 Sisters Boutique)
powHerhousefitness.com

At first glance: You would definitely not expect this fantastic gym to be located where it is. It’s above 2 Sisters Boutique, through a pink threshold staircase on the right. It’s a stunning space overlooking Prospect Avenue, which allows it to feel private yet inclusive at the same time.

Background: All of the powHerhouse instructors grew up playing sports, and this space is designed to allow women to leave the world behind and immerse themselves in a community built on confidence, growth and support.

According to others in my class, the best quality of this studio is that it provides many additional opportunities for new experiences outside of powHerhouse because of the camaraderie shared by this close-knit group of women.

Variety of classes: The first thing I look for in a gym is if it has a place for parents to bring their kids because, trust me, while I may be far from having kids, I definitely see the struggle some moms and dads have when they want to work out. Luckily, powHerhouse has its “Clubhouse,” where childcare is offered for children up to six years old during certain class times. Pre-registration and an additional fee are required, but all you need to do is sign your kiddos up when signing yourself up for class.

What’s impressive, too, is the sheer variety of classes offered. Quite the extensive range of 10 or so different choices, with everything from really intense punch classes to cardio dance/sculpt sessions and options as mild as yoga.

‘Working within your level’ is the motto here. … The classes are designed for every level of your journey.

Trainer’s angle: I was able to speak with my trainer, Rachel, after our class and she described what’s most important to her about powHerhouse: the community, knowing people’s names, feeling connected to other women and knowing about their lives.

“It’s nice because this is a space where you can share with them things about your life you want them to know, and there’s no judgment in return,” Rachel explains. “The classes are designed for every level of your journey as well. ‘Working within your level’ is the motto here.”

Their classes are very safe, too, because clients can modify sessions based on whatever works for them — and assistance is always at your fingertips.

The experience: I was immediately greeted with enthusiasm and just honest happiness. The woman at the front desk had a smile on her face the entire time I was introducing myself, which made me feel welcome from the get-go. I was given a tour of the space, which happened to be much larger than I expected — it just kept going. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the studio room surrounded with LED lights, purposefully providing some darkness (and privacy) to do your thing.

I joined the pulse class and was warned by my instructor that the two-pound weights were no joke. But I didn’t listen. Seriously, how could they be that bad? But boy was I wrong, I was really struggling with that weight toward the end. The combination of exercises was very familiar to me, and repetitive, which allowed me to focus on making each set even better than the last.

I loved the way the instructor used the music to keep count. I even noticed the music slowed down when we were ready for a cool down between sets. It was a perfectly designed class — fun, energetic, comfortable and tough.

This space is designed for women to leave the world behind and immerse themselves in a community built on confidence, growth and support.

Final thoughts: I would vouch for powHerhouse as a popular hub for all women to come and get moving. My class was full of smiles, and the class before me dissipated with laughter and good energy. It’s a great feeling to have a community where there’s an extensive variety of women who support and accept one another.

I left with sweaty everything, frizzy hair and jello legs. This was the best workout I’ve had at any gym I’ve tried. I realize your body gets strong here, but you will also grow mentally strong too. And leave feeling empowered AF, just like they promised.