Domestic violence survivors find refuge at local fitness center in the Bronx

RIVERDALE, Bronx (PIX11) — At a glance, the Female Fight Club in Riverdale looks like another women-only fitness center.

Zorana Kesar is a domestic violence survivor who was in a 9-year physically abusive relationship. As she gathered the courage to start over, she came across the Female Fight Club.

“Besides being a safe space for women to come in and break a sweat, they provide so much more for the community,” said Kesar. “It’s so much more than a gym where women come and work out, we laugh we cry we support each other in our goals outside of the gym.”

For four years, the local fitness center has been empowering women through their fitness classes. The founder and director Johanna Edmondson couldn’t ignore the domestic violence problem her community faced.

“The Bronx has the highest numbers of domestic violence complaints. There’s also a lack of resources here,” said Edmondson.

She created the Female Fight Club to connect domestic violence victims with local organizations and assist them in getting away from their abusers. She adds, “There are a lot of Latinas, Black and Hispanic women they come here.”

The foundation also provides other avenues of support that are completely free, such as hikes, nutrition, self-defense, and journaling classes. It also offers a scholarship to domestic violence victims to take monthly fitness classes.

“There’s a scholarship program we have where women don’t have to pay as much for the classes,” says Edmondson. “We really try to make sure the money is not a deterrent.”

For Zorana, it’s been three years since she walked away from an abusive relationship. She credits the Female Fight Club and its members for constantly reminding her to take her power back and move on with her life.

“I feel like if I didn’t have this place and this group of women to kind of help hold me accountable and hold each other accountable and doing much more than breaking a sweat and working out, we really are like bonded sisters.”

The Female Fight Club is open seven days a week. More information can be found online .

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