Female Fight Club: Empowering Bronx women to conquer life's challenges through fitness

VAN CORTLAND PARK, N.Y. - What started as four women working out in Van Cortland Park in the Bronx during the pandemic has grown into a community wellness and fitness center.

The Female Fight club provides more than a workout. The exclusive women's gym inspires members to tackle life's problems one rep at a time.

"When I got diagnosed, I didn't know what to do. I was very angry, "says member Desiree Vega. In 2014, Vega was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

The Female Fight Club in the Bronx gives women like Desiree Vega something to fight for after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2014.

Making this gym exactly what founder Johanna Edmondson, a former preschool teacher and mom of 4, had in mind. A safe place for women to work out during the pandemic.

"I saw many people just starting out of control, substance abuse, domestic violence, anxiety, depression; all that was happening during that time," Johanna says; the women she spoke with felt isolated. "And they felt like every time they were FFC (Female Fight Club), they felt like they belonged. They can actually detach.

Member Dani Langone has been with the wellness center for six months. She tells Fox 5 the gym has taught her to persevere in adversity.

Shanit Halperin, who started working out a little over a year ago, agrees. The Riverdale location offers its members a variety of classes, everything from kickboxing and yoga to strength training. All skill levels are welcome.

"When I started out, I had never worked out a day in my life." Saying, "So, I started as a complete beginner here. And I've worked my way up."

81-year-old Dinorah Kamlet of the Bronx says the classes help her "stay young." Telling Fox 5, she walks a mile every day.

"To maintain my health. To stay fit."

The only men are allowed to coach.

And the only rule the ladies of the Female Fight Club have to follow is "You must fight!"

"I wish this inspires other people with a diagnosis that they can do this because we can, and we will," says Vega.

The Female Fight Club is in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The gym is a proud community partner, providing free fitness classes to schools and shelters in the area. FFC (Female Fight Club) is open seven days a week. Membership starts at one hundred a month.