Business of the Week: Women's Fitness Center & Spa

2088 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax

(415) 485-1770; fairfaxwomensfitness.com

What do they offer?

Women’s Fitness Center is a full-service gym that focuses on women, but is open to everyone.

You will find cardio and weight equipment plus many classes, including yoga-sculpt, PiYo (yoga, pilates combo), as well as Afro Brazilian, Hawaiian and World Beat dance.

Personal trainers are available for weight loss, strength training, one-on-one yoga, or pilates. 

Boot Camp classes offer high-intensity small group trainings and cost less than one-on-one training.

The spa has showers, lockers, cedar sauna, steam room, whirlpool and massage.

Who are they?

Owner Joan Semling Bostian has been in Marin County since she was seven, and in Fairfax since 1985.  

After graduating from college with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SF State in 1985, Joan attended a yoga classes that her mom, Jan Semling, was teaching at a gym in Fairfax.  he joined the gym, at 85 Bolinas, the same day.

“I fell in love with working out,” Bostian said. “It gave me such a feeling of confidence. I felt emboldened when I left and had more energy and vitality. Working out at the gym had obvious benefits for my well being that were beyond the physical,” she said. “I decided that I wanted to work with women to improve their lives physically as well as psychologically. When I was offered a job, there was no hesitation.”  

It was serendipitous. Five months later she had an opportunity to purchase the gym. Because of the money she had saved for a European trip, she was able to make the down payment. “It’s the best decision I ever made,” she said.

Even though she still owned the gym, in 1991, Bostian went back to school, got her master’s in psychology, and worked for seven years in volunteer psychotherapy internships, spending about fifteen hours a week as a therapist at , followed by The San Francisco Art Institute, and Family Service Agency. She also did family therapy for families at risk of losing their children to foster placement.

She and husband Mitch, who heads The Berkeley School, have three daughters, ages 8, 9, and 14.   

How long have they been there?

The gym has been in the current location for eleven years. Started in 1982 at 85 Bolinas, the business was at that original location for seventeen years.  

Why are they business of the week?

According to Bostian, people have a more holistic vision of health now. They want stress reduction. They are interested in yoga and pilates. “They are aware of the benefits of weight lifting and cardio, not just for weight loss but also for health reasons, such as combating osteoporosis and to improve self image and confidence.” Many of Women’s Fitness Center clients are over the age of forty and the gym caters to all ages and body types to improve self image and confidence.

“Members join for the gym for results and for the camaraderie,” Bostian said. “We know all the members by name. People can spend time here with their friends, doing something healthy.” A community board posts flyers for all sorts of  lectures, fitness activities, and community events.

There is a book exchange and a rotating gallery of members’ art, including photography and painting, that is also for sale. In addition, the gym offers free workshops on subjects like osteoporosis, menopause and weight loss.

Community service is an integral part of the gym, which recently hosted a  benefit for Tasaru Girl's Rescue Center, a safe house for girls in Kenya. Bostian, who sponsors a young woman from the safe house going to college in Kenya,  hopes to find sponsors for other girls. She also sponsors fifteen kids at a grammar school in India (SRIVERM) and offers the gym as a fundraising space for that organization. Women’s Fitness Center has done fundraising events for Marin Abused Women’s Services and donated a full line of weight equipment to them.

“Most people say they chose this gym because we offer a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You don’t have to dress up," said Bostian. "You will get expert advice and warmth. We have generations here, moms and daughters, even grandmothers.”