Inspiring Women is a women-only gym on Filleul Street in Central Dunedin, open to members 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Kirstie Williams and her husband Mike took over the gym in December 2021 with the aim of turning it into something more than a place to lift weights — a safe, feminine getaway where women of any age can train without judgement.
The facility covers the essentials and then some: an extensive range of gym equipment, a GHD room, private showers, a sauna, an infrared sauna, a red light bed and an Evolt 360 body scanner. There is also a vertical tanning bed offering 4, 8 or 12 minute sessions, and free pre-school child minding in a dedicated children's playroom during staffed hours.
Group fitness is a real strength, with a varied timetable spanning yoga, Zumba, Spin, Step Combo, CIRCL Mobility, Strong Nation, Barre, Balance, pilates and more, led by a team of experienced instructors. For more individual attention, personal trainers and in-house nutritionists build tailored exercise and eating plans, including Taste Success programmes paired with training sessions.
Memberships are available from age 18 up, with student and gold card rates alongside standard options, and newcomers can ask about a free 7-day trial with 24-hour access. The loyal membership spans young teens through to octogenarians — a community members describe as full of encouragement, enthusiasm and acceptance.
Tucked into Filleul Street in Central Dunedin, Inspiring Women is a women-only gym that has quietly built a reputation as one of the friendliest places in the city to work out. Open to members around the clock, it pairs an extensive gym floor with group fitness classes, personal training, nutrition support, sauna recovery and even a tanning bed — all wrapped in a philosophy that a gym should feel like a safe, welcoming retreat rather than an intimidating space.
Kirstie Williams and her husband Mike took over Inspiring Women in December 2021 with a clear goal: to turn it into something more than a gym. Kirstie arrived from a very different world — after many years in the hospitality industry she worked as a chef and barista and owned two cafes, an experience that sparked a lasting interest in nutrition. A mother of three and a nana of six, she and her team set about revamping the premises into what they describe as a feminine getaway where women can train in a safe environment.
The name works two ways, as Kirstie tells it: the gym aims to inspire its members, but she insists the members are the real inspiration for the team. "Many do not realize what a real privilege it is to be involved in their lives," she says. "We really do respect and celebrate our clients." She also believes negative perceptions have crept into many people's idea of what a gym is — and she would love anyone thinking that way to come along and see first-hand how this one operates.
The facility covers the essentials well. There is an extensive range of gym equipment, a GHD room and private showers. Recovery gets genuine attention too: a traditional sauna, an infrared sauna and a red light bed are all available during reception hours, alongside an Evolt 360 body scanner for tracking body composition. There is also a vertical tanning bed, with sessions of 4, 8 or 12 minutes for those who want to add a glow to their routine.
Group fitness sits at the heart of the timetable, and the instructor line-up brings real variety. Göknil teaches yoga; Jan leads Step Combo, CIRCL Mobility™, Zumba and Strong Nation; Grace takes Zumba; Kim runs Spin, Sculpt and Combat Combo; Adele handles Balance, Barre and Spin; and Meegan teaches Spin. Between them, the schedule spans cardio, yoga, pilates and more, so most members can find something that suits both their fitness level and their mood.
If you would rather train one-on-one, the personal trainers can create a bespoke exercise and nutrition plan designed to help you look and feel great — no matter your age. In-house nutritionists also provide comprehensive eating plans for health and weight goals, and the gym pairs Taste Success programmes with personal training sessions for a more complete approach.
What sets Inspiring Women apart is how practically it supports its members' lives. Free child minding is available for pre-schoolers in a special children's playroom whenever you use the gym's services, and there is free parking where available. Memberships start from age 18, with student and gold card rates alongside standard options, and the loyal client base sweeps the age spectrum from young teens through to octogenarians.
Members describe the atmosphere as the real drawcard. There is "no judgement, just enthusiasm, encouragement and acceptance," as one long-time member puts it — and for many, the classes, childminding and social community are what keep them coming back.
Reception, sauna and sunbed hours run Monday 9am–5pm, Tuesday 9am–3pm, Wednesday 9am–5pm, Thursday 9am–5pm, Friday 9am–3pm and Saturday 9am–12pm. Sundays and public holidays are unstaffed with no classes, though 24-hour members can still enter with their key fobs. Newcomers can book a tour with a staff member and ask about the free 7-day trial with 24-hour access (terms and conditions apply). One last note: if road closures or adverse weather make travel unsafe, the gym may close early to make sure everyone gets home safely.