Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Innisfil personal trainer and model Alexis Jean Spiering is the owner of AJFIT and has been helping clients get into shape through high-intensity, outdoor fitness classes.
Spiering is a busy mother of two young children, ages four and six. She became a licensed trainer in 2012 and launched her company called AJFIT (Alexis Jean + Fitness) just two weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
“It was rough, I got shut down pretty quickly,” shares Spiering.
Like many other small businesses during the pandemic, Spiering pivoted by offering her workouts online.
“It’s been crazy!” says Spiering. “I started promoting my 30-minute workout challenges to community members and it just started blowing up online.”
Her workouts are a continuous mix of cardio and weight training using battle ropes, tires, kettlebells, weights, and box jumps. Currently, she has over 45 clients and says she is growing very quickly.
“I’m really thankful because the pandemic was really hard,” she says. “I love working and helping others.”
Spiering says fitness success should be measured by inches not pounds.
“Women fluctuate so much with water retention or stress or hormones… that can fluctuate our weight greatly, so, I like to go by inches lost – women are super thankful for this as our body composition can change," she said.
Spiering’s desire to help people get back into shape not only stems from her own weight loss journey but as well her involvement in the modelling industry where fitness became part of her lifestyle.
“My journey began at 17 years old… I had to lose 50lbs to be a part of the modelling industry. I did this with only a hula hoop and a treadmill in my basement,” she shares on her Facebook post.
Spiering admits she suffered from body dysmorphia for years and eventually became addicted to laxatives in order to lose weight.
In 2011, Spiering met her husband and decided it was time to take a break from modelling to become a healthier version of herself.
After having her two children in 2015 and 2019, she felt insecure with her body and even considered having surgery on her stomach.
"I was so insecure with my body. I knew it was time for a change. I decided to get a coach and take weightlifting more seriously and finally achieved my goal within a year," she said.
During the pandemic, Spiering’s father constructed a fitness apparatus for her to use at home called the ‘Functional Trainer’ which allows Spiering to do multiple exercises including lat pulldowns, tricep extensions, deadlifts, bicep curls, squats, and upright rowing. The pulley system is made from heavy steel and sits in her garage bolted to the wall.
“I don't ever need a gym again as it can hold up to 500lbs – I can increase my weight anytime I want and still continue to see results," she said. "A lot of women think cardio is the answer, but it’s not, it’s weight lifting."
Last year, Spiering’s body transformation landed her on the front cover of fitness magazine 'Andivero' and competed in her very first fitness competition with the 2020 Cobourg Naturals. She credits her dad’s functional training device for getting her physique ready for the competition.
“I absolutely loved being on stage in a beautiful bikini, dolled up, and being up there was an incredible experience. I made it on stage in the middle of a global pandemic – not many people can say that" she said.
Spiering is incredibly grateful for her clients and loves helping them achieve their fitness goals too.
“I love my girls! I’m very, very supportive of them,” she says. “My group is like a family. There’s no judgment here, everyone is very supportive and we have a great time.”
Eventually, Spiering would like to open her own gym facility and is confident that building a loyal client base will help her do so.
AJFIT classes are currently running three times a week with virtual training, online support and programming included.
“With the pandemic, it's been so hard on people's mental health and I want to invite all women and moms that are local to come out and try my classes,” she says.
Spiering reminds new clients that her classes are always socially distanced with Covid-19 protocols in place.
To learn more about AJFIT follow them on Instagram @alexisjeanhealthandfitness or on Facebook: ‘Alexis.JFIT’
