A new body positive fitness studio just opened its doors in Toronto

A new fitness studio with an important twist has just arrived in Toronto: one that centres body positivity.

Body Positive Fitness is taking the stereotypes of unrealistically buff gym bros and slender pilates bodies and turning them on their head with a space that prioritizes healthy movement and the conversations we have surrounding it.

“Body Positive Fitness is a welcoming home for those who have felt excluded from mainstream fitness spaces. Our fitness classes are designed for all bodies, embracing size diversity, gender inclusivity, and varying fitness levels,” reads the studio’s website.

“Here, you can explore movement in a safe, supportive, and empowering environment free from diet culture and judgment. At Body Positive Fitness, movement is about joy, not punishment. Join a community that celebrates your body exactly as it is.”

Founder Jenna Doak tells YourCityWithIN.com she created the studio using “a lot of grit, community, and a whole lot of trial and error.”

“I leaned on my years of experience in fitness, the feedback from the incredible people showing up to my early classes, and my own personal journey of trying to find a space where I actually felt good moving my body,” says Doak.

“It’s real, it’s welcoming, and there’s zero pressure to ‘fix’ or shrink yourself. We work really hard to make sure that every single session is suitable for everyone.”

Doak was inspired to create such a space based on her 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, during which she saw not only the good but also the bad and ugly parts of it.

“I’ve seen and felt all the ways the industry can make people feel like they don’t belong,” says Doak. “So, I built something different. Body Positive Fitness is all about creating a space where movement feels good, fun, and actually welcoming no matter your size, age, or fitness level.”

Body Positive Fitness started out with a series of sublets in Toronto before Doak was able to open a space in her hometown of Newmarket.

The concept gained momentum for a few years as she continued to sublet in Toronto, before Doak’s progress sadly came crashing to a halt due to the pandemic. Still, Doak persisted with online classes, meeting a demand for non-traditional gym spaces and techniques.

“People really wanted a way to move that didn’t come with all the usual gym nonsense,” says Doak.

The push encouraged her to persist to open two new studios within a year in 2024, first in Aurora and then in Toronto. For the studios, Doak has assembled a crack team of plus size movement professionals, many of whom actually pursued certification due to the confidence they gained from being a part of the Body Positive Fitness community.

“We’ve got expertise in everything from strength training to yoga to boxing, and we’re all about meeting people where they’re at,” says Doak. “We’ve all done a lot of hard work to make sure we are making our sessions accessible.”

There are “Stretch and Mobility” classes that focus on extensions, flexions and rotations to increase flexibility, as well as “Function” classes that focus on strength and cardio with exercises like lifts, squats, lunges, step-ups, lifts and carries. Body Positive Fitness offers one-on-one personal training, group training for up to four people and scheduled group sessions.

“We train in a way that builds strength, confidence, and actual joy in movement, without all the toxic fitness messaging,” says Doak. “We also keep things fun and adaptable. Whether you’re lifting weights, boxing, stretching, or dancing there’s a spot for you here.”

Rates start at $39 to drop into a class, and participants have been loving the experience.

“People who thought they hated exercise are discovering they actually love it when the environment is right,” says Doak. “We’ve had folks go from chair workouts to lifting weights, from dreading movement to looking forward to class. It’s been emotional, powerful, and honestly, the best validation that this space needed to exist.”

So while new wellness clubs are popping up all around Toronto hoping to attract visitors with luxe cold plunges, sauna rooms and cutting edge treatments, one fitness studio founder is focusing on underserved communities.

“We’re growing our online offerings, expanding what we can do in the studios, and always looking for new ways to bring body positive fitness to more people,” says Doak. “More classes, more accessibility, and more ways to show people that fitness can actually be for them.”