With New Year’s resolutions in full swing, gyms might appear more packed than usual as new gym-goers work on their fitness goals. While this renewal period feels natural for some, many new gym members find the traditional gym experience daunting.
One Waukegan gym is taking a different approach with the goal of uplifting women and reshaping fitness ideals.
After leaving the corporate world and having her first child, Marybel Wilson took a chance on herself and opened WWM Fitness, a new gym for women starting their fitness journeys.
Inspired by her own love of fitness, Wilson wanted to share her passion for working out with women in the community who might struggle to see themselves reflected in the fitness industry. Her gym has grown to include more than 130 members and serves women of all shapes and sizes.
“I hope to instill hope in other women that they can also go out there and feel amazing every single day,” Wilson said.
Member Mireya Martinez said that attitude is exactly what she was looking for.
“I was starting my, I guess you could call it weight-loss journey, where I was at a place where I was the most vulnerable,” Martinez said. “I didn’t have a lot of self-confidence.”
For Martinez, WWM provided a different perspective on fitness.
“It wasn’t like going to a regular gym where a lot of people are already really, really fit and lifting heavy and wearing crop tops,” Martinez said. “… I didn’t want to be taken in by that. I didn’t want to be brainwashed by the im
