Building Personal & Community Strength With StayFITT Training

LaRee Schuenman is the founder and owner of StayFITT Training and is one of three member businesses of the Women’s Business Center of Utah (WBCUtah) to receive a grant of $1,000 from Cyprus Credit Union in 2024.

“[WBCUtah] isn’t just a hub for business,” says LaRee. “It's a dynamic community where entrepreneurs can come together, share knowledge, and forge valuable relationships. I've found immense value in learning from fellow business owners, exchanging ideas, and gaining insights that have helped me grow both personally and professionally.”

According to LaRee, her gym — located in Riverton, Utah — uses science-backed research to emphasize the benefits of strength training to improve confidence, strength, and overall quality of life. The gym provides flexible and customizable personal training, group training, nutrition and lifestyle coaching, as well as a unique program tailored to adults ages 60 and over. Services are offered in person and virtually, or participants can opt for a hybrid option.

LaRee is an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer^®, a Precision Nutrition Level 2 Certified exercise and nutrition coach, and holds an associate of applied science degree in exercise science as a fitness technician. After teaching group training sessions and coaching nutrition in several gyms, LaRee started a business of her own from her garage in 2020.

“When the pandemic struck, I made the firm decision to pursue my passion and became personally committed to improving my community through improved health, wellness, and nutrition. I deliberated on how I could help, and decided to offer free virtual workouts — a concept completely new to me — and through a steep learning curve, I became confident in delivering fitness content online.”

She also began hybrid online and in-person classes while gathering more gym equipment for her garage. By the end of 2020, however, StayFITT Training’s membership had already outgrown the space. By taking out equity from her home, LaRee was able to acquire a building for her business. Today, she has a team of five trainers and coaches, including herself.

“My journey led me to create a space where smiles, selflessness, compassion, community, and encouragement are the norm,” says LaRee. Here, athletes can feel like they are still part of a team, and those on their weight-loss or wellness journeys can feel safe, supported, encouraged, and motivated.

“We designed a place where couples and families could work out together, eliminating barriers to exercise and fostering a non-competitive — or friendly competition — nonjudgmental environment.”

To top it all off, the gym has a physical therapist onsite multiple times per month to deliver feedback and provide pain screens.

“Our goal is to bridge the gap between physical therapy and the gym, removing this barrier and other roadblocks — such as time, trust, motivation, and more — that prevent people from staying active, getting stronger, and preventing further injuries,” explains LaRee, adding that StayFITT Training isn’t about quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions, but rather transformative behavior.

“We want to transform the narrative using behavior-change principles, progressive overload, and balance, while educating and empowering those in our communities.”

StayFITT Training is located at 1515 West 12600 South, Suite 205 in Riverton, Utah. Learn more at StayFittTraining.com, on Instagram (@stayfitt_training) or Facebook.

Want to start your own business? Here's what LaRee has to say.

• "Utilize the Salt Lake Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Salt Lake Community College Miller Campus. They offer valuable free resources to support and educate business owners."
• "Do your homework, prework, planning, and take the leap. You never know until you try."
• "There will always be something you didn't plan for. Adapt. Businesses that are successful use change and failure to grow and adapt and make it better."
• "Network. Find mentors, coaches, and cheerleaders that support you and help you through your journey. You're not alone."