The Balance Culture Winter Haven Celebrates Grand Opening
by James Coulter
Joining a gym can feel intimidating, especially if you’re a woman. Thankfully, The Balance Culture offers a safe space where women can exercise their bodies, minds, and soulsthrough encouragement and positivity.
Originally from Lakeland, their new venue in Winter Haven offers gym members a judgment-free zone where they can achieve holistic fitness, whether they want to achieve it through yoga, Pilates, dance instruction, or other conventional workout routines.
“We exist to give women a space where they can strengthen their mind, body, and heart. To give women the space they deserve. And we are ready to keep pursuing great things,” their website states. “This new studio space will offer group fitness classes, nutrition counseling and private sessions. Nourish your mind and body with our amazing community and empowering classes for every level.”
Ruthie Tate, owner and manager, started The Balance Culture in Lakeland around 2015. She and her partner, Stephanie Garrison, wanted to start a fitness club where women can achieve fitness in a way that was right for them.
“We started with a goal to empower women and figure out a holistic way to achieve that…[and] figure out a way [to meet]every area of a woman’s life to make her the best version of herself,” she said.
Since opening eight years ago, they have grown and expanded to the point where they decided to open a second location in Winter Haven. They have since experienced a warm reception from locals who are curious and eager to work out at their new space.
“I cannot tell you how grateful I am to be here,” she said during the grand opening ceremony. “Winter Haven is amazing…Every single woman who comes in, you can see the love and support that this community has. And it is just cool to be a part of that. They want to see it win and succeed and we get to be a part of that.”
Stephanie moved to Winter Haven last year. Having lived in the community over the past year, she knows from firsthand experience that their gym will make a great fit and that the residents have been more than welcoming.
“We have had an abundance of love and support throughout the day, stories of women who crossed the threshold and knowing they are safe here,” she said. “It has been the biggest surprise of all to fall in love with Winter Haven, let alone this space.”
The Balance Culture celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, hosted by the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce on Thursday morning. Refreshments were catered by Noire Kitchen, which served honey oat cookies, egg white bakes, and shrimp and grits.
Ana Saveedra, Membership and Sponsorship Development Manager of the Winter Haven Chamber, knows Balance Culture personally. She has been working out at the gym ever since it was originally in Lakeland. She remembers being recommended it several years ago.
“They told me to check it out,” she said. “I dance for 15 years. This should be easy. It is not. I could not walk the next day. It was delightful. So to see you all go from that studio to the one downstairs [in Lakeland] to the one in Winter Haven, it is an incredible journey that I am glad to be a part of.”
Jennifer Fasting, a Chamber board member, walks through downtown every morning. She remembers seeing the space being renovated for the new business and feeling excited for it open.
“One day, I came across this building and saw this sign,” she said. “Winter Haven is a little better because you are here in the mornings when I am walking. I glance in here and see all the beautiful souls stretching and training. So thank you for being here in Winter Haven.”
Balance Culture of Winter Haven is located at 31 5th Street NW,Winter Haven, Fl, 33881. For more information, visit their website at: https://thebalanceculture.com/winter-haven/
