Fitness studio celebrates 10 years of thriving in the Glebe
Sarah Thompson and Jamie Rigby, co-owners of the fitness studio Where I Thrive, celebrate the 10th anniversary of the studio as they aim for a sense of community among members.
Where I Thrive moved into its space at 117 Glebe Avenue in 2019.
Fitness studio celebrates 10 years of thriving in the Glebe
By Selena Beattie
“We’re still here!” says Sarah Thompson, with a little relief or maybe surprise in her voice. In January, Sarah Thompson and Jamie Rigby celebrated 10 years of their small Glebe-based business Where I Thrive (affectionally referred to by members as WIT). “And now we offer the Glebe community everything and the kitchen sink!”
“Are you a new mom looking for an activity to do with your baby? We offer mom and baby barre, yoga and strength series,” says Thompson. “Looking to increase muscle mass and bone density as you age? We offer classes tailored to an older clientele. Or maybe you want a barre class, a high intensity spin class, a HIIT class, a strength and conditioning class or even a yoga class. You’re in luck because we offer it all under one roof at 117 Glebe Ave.”
But how did they get here? “Well, it’s been a journey with a few major hurdles we almost didn’t get past.” says Jamie Rigby. The husband-and-wife co-owners originally began as a franchise of California-based Dailey Method barre studio before evolving into an independent business that offers barre, yoga, cycle, a weight room and personal training.
“When we first started this business, our goal was to create a happy place, a community,” says Thompson. “Yes, clients do get an efficient and effective workout, but what motivated us to build our studio was a drive to create opportunities for our clients to create friendships and connect with their fellow Glebites.”
As for many small businesses, change has been a constant. Their creativity and their ability to inspire their community sets them apart – and their community loves them right back.
Looking back on his first visit, member Dave says “I’ll always remember how welcoming it felt, I thought, wow! The staff already knew my name!” Says Andrada of her first time: “As soon as class ended, I immediately wanted to come back the next day and do it again.”
Thompson and Rigby started in 2015 by offering studio classes at Fifth Avenue Court, then added a cycle room and spin classes in 2017. They expanded that site twice, doing much of the renovation work themselves. Then redevelopment of the building forced them out and into the search for a new location. Staying in the Glebe was a must. They revealed their new site – in the old car wash on Glebe Avenue – with a scavenger hunt for members. They gutted and renovated the building, adding a café to the new workout areas.
A few months later came a bigger challenge: COVID shutdowns. They pivoted to online classes, with upbeat teachers posting videos for classes at home, using canned goods or wine bottles for hand weights and dog leashes or bathrobe belts to replace yoga straps. The community stuck with them, relishing the continuity amidst pandemic anxiety and work-from-home isolation.
The café was harder to sustain and never really recovered. So, another pivot: in 2024, they renovated again, eliminating the café to double the size of the weight room. Members love the light streaming in through big south-facing windows while they work out.
Members have access to more than 60 barre, yoga, cycle and strength classes a week, plus personal training; for non-members, there are targeted classes that offer a set program at the same time with the same instructor each week. The Mom & Baby series, first offered when Thompson was toting their firstborn, has seen a succession of next-gen babies bouncing around the studio. A new six-week Strength for Longevity series offers older adults a slower-paced, small-group fitness program focused on gaining balance, mobility and flexibility; it’s led by Leo Pineda, the studio’s master personal trainer.
Having weathered three renovations, multiple COVID lockdowns, three babies and the growth from four teachers in 2015 to 40 today, Thompson feels like the studio and its community are in perfect alignment. “We tried things, some failed, but we learned and evolved to a place where we are really happy with what we’ve managed to build. Now we want to sustain it, have the opportunity to get more creative with the fitness side of things and have fun with it.”
If the smiles and energy radiating from members are any indication, it seems like WIT will continue to thrive!
Selena Beattie is an occasional contributor to our business column. She first met Sarah and Jamie in 2017 on assignment for the Glebe Report.