May 1, 2017

Meet Julie DiLeo of Women’s Fitness of Boston in Downtown Crossing

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie DiLeo.

Julie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I graduated from Indiana University in 1993 with a Bachelor’s degree and worked in the business the world for several years all the way from Florida to Phoenix, AZ. My husband and I also met in 1993 and we both have always had a love for fitness. He was a semi-pro football player for 16 years and an all-around athlete and carpenter. In 2001, soon after our son was born, I began my fitness career. I became a Group Fitness Instructor and taught Kwando at a local gym 3 days a week. I also became certified in PowerFlex and Yoga teaching at multiple locations all over the city, including Women’s Fitness of Boston. Within a short time, I obtained my personal training certification and began training. As a personal trainer, and fitness instructor with a background in business, and with my husband’s carpenter skills and our love of fitness, when the opportunity for us to become owners of WFOB we knew we could put our skills together to make a successful family business. In addition to a personal training certification, I currently hold certifications in POUND Rockout.Workout®, Piloxing®, and Jillian Michaels BODYSHRED™. These classes and more are all currently offered at Women’s Fitness of Boston. Fitness keeps my husband and I both young and active. I remain active onsite at WFOB in the day-to-day club duties, general management, personal training, and teaching group fitness classes. My husband has been supportive behind the scenes in club updates and repairs, marketing, and final decision making. Together we make a successful team.

Has it been a smooth road?
When running a business, you will always run into some challenges. So far the biggest struggle was in 2012 when there was water main break in the City of Boston and hot, steamy water flooded club. Thankfully, we had recently purchased temporary flooring that was waterproof! We managed to re-open the club within 3 days and were back in business. The WFOB staff and members were extremely supportive as we underwent extensive remodeling.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Women’s Fitness of Boston is a non-intimidating, fit and healthy adoring community of women. Our goal is to provide a comfortable fitness setting for women in Boston and surrounding areas as well as to provide the opportunity to get healthy by offering a wide-array of current trending fitness classes, personal training options, fitness equipment (including a full-service weight room), treadmills, elipticals, bikes, and more. Our amazing WFOB staff is welcoming, knowledgeable and friendly. The club is very clean and comfortable with a warm and inviting feeling. At WFOB, women can be inspired to achieve all their health and fitness goals. We want the women of Boston to leave here feeling more confident, fit, stronger physically and mentally. Many of our members have found an emotional connection with our fitness center, with the staff and members. WFOB is a healthy, supportive environment of women who just want to come and workout at any and all fitness levels. We were excited to be voted 3rd Best gym in the City of Boston in 2016 in the Boston A-List http://boston.cityvoter.com/best/gym/fitness/boston.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love Boston! Our city is filled with amazing women and (men too!) WFOB is a great club for women starting to workout. Our exciting and talented group fitness instructors offer options for every level to modify an exercise or make it incredibly challenging! We offer a variety of membership options, some even include personal training sessions. WFOB offers personal training packages separate from membership. We have class packages and ALL of our membership options include unlimited fitness classes. All pricing is on our website at http://womensfitnessofboston.com/shop/

As far as what our city could do to improve? As a business owner, downtown is expensive to be candid. It’s a challenge to run a family business in this area. The surrounding areas of the city offer a more affordable option for business startup. Although, the City of Boston does offer many business programs. I would recommend checking out the City of Boston site and reviewing the many different programs the city offers for small businesses.

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