In the heart of Brightwater, two dedicated women have helped more than 200 local ladies move, sweat, laugh, and grow stronger together.
What started as a simple idea sparked by Kirsten Powick over a decade ago has now become a cornerstone of the community. Thanks to her vision and the continued dedication of Louise Knight, Brightwater Group Fitness has become more than just a workout—it’s a place for connection, support, and personal growth.
“It’s amazing it’s been going for ten years,” says Kirsten, who founded the group after the birth of her third child. “I was keen to get back into shape, exercise and health have always been important to me, so I thought, why not offer something that could benefit other women in our community?”
With the encouragement of Claire Dallison, Kirsten launched affordable women's fitness classes, focused on cardio, strength, and connections.
"Giving back to the community was incredibly rewarding, but after four years of running weekly classes while having a busy young family, it was time to hand over the reins.” Kirsten explains, “I’m so grateful Louise said yes to taking over—her energy and enthusiasm have been instrumental in continuing to carry the vision forward."
Louise has been coordinating the group ever since, bringing her own passion and energy to the role. She now oversees a thriving schedule of morning and evening classes, including popular 6 a.m. workouts first introduced in 2018.
“I’m super grateful to Kirsten for having the vision to start these classes and get the ball rolling,” Louise says.
Over the past decade, more than 200 women have taken part in the classes. “We never really thought about how long it would last—we just took it term by term,” Louise adds.
Both women agree that the impact of the group extends well beyond fitness.
“The friendships and connections formed over the years have been awesome,” they say. “To watch some women, start here and then go on, some even teaming up to take on challenges like the Spring Challenge adventure race—it’s inspiring.”
As the group enters its second decade, the legacy of Brightwater Group Fitness stands as a testament to what can happen when passion meets purpose—and when women come together to lift each other up, literally and figuratively.
