TikTok loves Wolf's Blood Fitness for its female-centric mission

TikTok users can find everything from tarot card readings and deep fryer recipes to pet clothespins and how to master the perfect split squat on the app. Deep in the fitness corner of TikTok, somewhere between “shy girl” workouts that keep the ladies out of sight and videos demystifying claims that lifting weights makes women “bulky,” is a clip from Wolf’s Blood Fitness, a boutique San Antonio gym that empowering women in the world of exercise.

So far, the video has reached more than 13,000 TikTok users, and that’s just likes. Gabrielle Foy, who co-owns the Bandera Road gym with Eric Lewis, is seen prepping the gym for the day while playing Cumbia Buena, the Grupo La Cumbia song that went viral on TikTok.

The video doesn’t specifically share Wolf’s Blood’s mission, but TikTok users were quick to pick up on the theme, asking if it was exclusively for women, the pricing, and more.

Wolf's Blood Fitness, created as a safe space for women to exercise, is now open at 7007 Bandera Road. — Wolf’s Blood Fitness, created as a safe space for women to exercise, is now open at 7007 Bandera Road.

Courtesy of Wolf’s Blood Fitness

Foy and Lewis say the idea to open their fitness business came when they were colleagues at a gym chain. When the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020 and forced the fitness industry to take a break, Foy and Lewis began to think seriously about their business plans.

Foy says MySA started Wolf’s Blood as a response to the “problem areas” she experienced in larger gyms as a trainer and woman.

“Sexualization, unpleasantness, exploitation of contracts and just lack of education,” she explains. “People come to personal trainers to be helped and educated, not to be taken advantage of.”

The business partners launched the first iteration of Wolf’s Blood in rented spaces that sometimes felt too cramped. They moved into their 7007 Bandera location in April, giving them more space to hone their mission of empowering women. While the gym is for women, it is open to all.

The owners believe that one of the reasons why the gym video went viral was because of the design. Lewis, a baby of the 1980s, says he wanted to create a gym with images that reflected female strength. The gym has a 1980s theme with hot pink and turquoise walls and logos that look like they came out of a comic book from that era.

“I grew up playing video games with strong female protagonists. My favorite movie growing up was Aliens with Lt. Ripley, so I had nothing but scary strong women to look up to,” adds Lewis. “So I decided to run with the idea of our logo being our female superhero. She is strong. She is not nice. She doesn’t need anyone’s help.”

Lewis says he and Kyle Hartman are aware of the issues women face in the gym. They are also committed to creating a comfortable environment for all their clients to exercise.

@getitwithgab #sanantonio #gymowner #businessowner #personaltrainer #grouptraining #gymtok #fittok #fyp ♬ Cumbia Buena – Grupo La Cumbia

“Our motto is ‘no chills.’ You don’t have to worry about that. You’re safe, you can squat, deadlift,” Lewis says. “The whole idea is a safe place for women or anyone else who feels they’ve been harassed and sexualized in the gym.”

Foy says that in addition to sparking a wave of TikTok notifications on July 6, the day after the video was uploaded, the gym received new requests for consultations.

Wolf’s Blood offers small classes led by Foy, Lewis and Hartman. They are also looking to hire another female trainer at the gym. The owners highlight several perks, such as free consultations and late hours starting at 9 p.m., which were not featured on the viral TikTok. Course pass prices start at $125 per month or $140 per month for personal training.