KIM Smith says that as a teenager she was bullied, overweight and a shy introvert.
“I was lacking confidence, self-esteem and needing a bit of support,” she said.
It was her decision to start attending group fitness classes that helped her start feeling confident in a non-competitive environment.
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READ NOW“The only problem was that it was all adults and there was no other teens doing it,” she said.
“So I thought how awesome would it be to have a program like this for teenagers.”
Ms Smith has since developed Standing Strong, which takes into account exercise as well as well-being and wellness for the heart and mind for girls aged 11-16.
Ms Smith, whose background is in behavioural science, fitness and domestic counselling, created the business after her own experience.
Currently there is a full club set up in West Perth, which runs classes, and it has since opened up in Southern River.
Gosnells konga instructor Tyare Codoceo-Pugh contacted Ms Smith as she had teenagers at her class at the Amherst Village Function Centre.
Ms Codoceo-Pugh said she teached an adult women class and had up to 10 teenagers that would participate.
“Mostly were telling me I should do something with teens,” she said.
“As much as I would like to do something on my own I heard about Standing Strong and they were absolutely amazing.”
At their first session at the function centre, there were 50 people.
Regular classes will be held at the function centre on Wednesdays from 3.30-4.30pm.
Ms Smith said she was excited about the program and would look at introducing a junior program for 8-10 year olds as numbers grow.
Go to www.girlsstandingstrong.com