Give a little to support LIONESS - The Gym for Women

I am a bit nervous now creating this page. The reason I am nervous is that since I'd got this business until now we have created foundrising pages and campaigns to support charity organisations such as Autism NZ, Cancer society, Breast Cancer, Look good & Feel better, Youthline, Auckland City Mission, Hospice, and many homeless people and families in need and now we got to the point where we need support.

Also a bit overwhelming due to the current situation our business is.

After the 2 COVID-19 cases from UK that had a big impact on our business I have been encouraged by many people to create this page so we can get support. Having the business activities suspended again not long after 2 months lockdown has put a lot of stress on my shoulders.

During lockdown we have lost approximately 50% (+) members. Most of people lost jobs or are now on reduced hours and have to cut down expenses. Some also had to relocate with siblings or parents so they can share costs and reduce expenses. Others are waiting for a more clear image about COVID-19...

We have done our best to retain our members and support those in need and to understand the situation everyone is now.

After lockdown until 16th June when the 2 COVID-19 cases has put impact on our business we only had one new lady that sign up, coming from another womens Gym business that closed down.

As far as I am aware, only one more Women's Gym business are in NZ apart from Lioness Gym. Yes, there are some gyms with women only area, however that does not suit all the needs for women that would attend a women's only gym. Some young women are ok to exercise next to male. Think about:

- shy women that would love to exercise or dance and keep fit

- think about those women after they become mums and they will only feel comfortable in a Women's gym environment

- think about the mum and daughter that would love to exercise together in a Women's friendly environment

- think about those women that would need more a community environment where they can exercise and also socialise

- last but not least think about the 50, 60, 70, 80, 90+ women that would only continue to exercise and keep fit in a Women's Gym. At the moment our highest is 74 years old. We used to have 80+ and even 93 years old that would come to the gym to keep themselves active and reduce the pain in their joints when they do the knitting to their children and grandchildren and many other activities.

These are just a few examples of why LIONESS - The Gym for Women exists.

Since recently we have our Google account attached with spam reviews that are now under investigations, we do however have real feedback and testimonials as well as wonderful results on our website coming from our real clients.

We get regularly calls and emails from women across NZ asking us to open more branches, and yes, this is one of the major projects we are working on for the past 5 years. We did however had a rebranding and a relocation on the way with huge expenses and substantial financial loss. Now we are fighting COVID-19.

Our landlord offered their kindness and did not charge us for the lockdown period, we did however had other ongoing expenses. They have also reduced the rent for the period between June and August only. However the business is still struggling to save money for the rent itself, not mentioning all the other all ongoing expenses. Body corporate does not want to accept postponement or instalments to pay they annual fee and council have postponed the rates, however in August we have to pay the rear plus the current.

We know that we are doing the right thing and that if we survive this critical times the business will pick up at some stage. I know that long nights and lots of hard work will again surround me for the next while, and I do have 2 young children that requires my time and my attention. We don't have other family members with us to help out with the kids, just me and my lovely husband, and I do admit that even if I would have somebody to help I still don't want to miss my kids. They are happy to come with me at the gym and just be around me while I conduct my classes or training sessions rather then to be sitting with a nanny.

This is the (short) story of the Lioness Gym.

We hope that we can get support from you so we can also continue to offer our support.

Thank you for reading our story and thank you for your support.

Thank you for supporting LIONESS - The Gym for Women, your local Gym