My fitness journey began in 2003 when I was 25 and suffering from major joint inflammation. I didn’t have any health insurance at the time and when my doctor suggested prescription drugs to be used long term, I ran in the opposite direction and hired a personal trainer to help me live a less ‘inflamed’ life. She quickly became my teacher and mentor and guided me into the industry and I never looked back.

In the years since then, I have trained clients at my house, their house, big box gyms, chiropractic offices, physical therapy offices, country clubs, and I managed a small private studio in Rhode Island for over 5 years. During this time, I got married and had my daughter. It was difficult for me to always be away from my family and New Bedford. That’s when my husband urged me to open a studio here on the Southcoast. Having managed a studio for someone else, I knew I needed to find the right person to help me with this. It became clear that Angela was the one.

Angela and I had been roommates at one point and our families were very close. She was a stay at home mom for about 6 years after her son was born prematurely with complications. After the birth of her second son, she began contemplating returning to the workforce in nursing. Angela and I have always shared an interest in fitness and nutrition and so when we were both at a kid’s birthday party, I asked her if she would join me on this venture. She agreed and that’s when Boutique Fitness became real.

In July 2011, we started with a blog, a YouTube channel, Facebook page, and some 5k runs. We trained clients in their homes in the very beginning. In 2012 we found our location (our “home”) and opened our flagship studio in Historic Downtown New Bedford. Since then; we expanded the New Bedford studio in 2013, opened a studio in Mattapoisett in 2015, Westport in 2016, and Taunton in 2019. Our staff went from 0-25 in 8 years!

Angela and I could not be more proud of our team and our clients for all that we have accomplished together. We opened Boutique Fitness to encourage strength and positivity throughout our community. The positivity that roars through our studios is what drives us everyday. We know that this is just the beginning, and we are looking forward to all that may come in the future.

xo Lara and Angela

 

As a small business, it’s most important to us that we give back to the communities we are in.

Organizations to which we contribute:

• Women’s Fund of Southeastern Massachusetts

• Buzzards Bay Coalition

• Azorean Maritime Heritage Society

• Children’s Advocacy Fund

• Lion’s Club Mattapoisett

• Marion Institute

• YWCA

• WHALE (Waterfront Historic Area League)

• Zeiterion

• New Bedford Art Museum

• New Bedford Public Schools