Stefanie Sweeney and Danielle Ampolos, who have been friends for 25 years, are celebrating a major milestone in their fitness journey. In 2014, the pair started teaching Zumba together on weekends in rented spaces, combining their passion for fitness with their strong friendship. Their business, Simply Fit & Fun, quickly gained a loyal following, leading to the opening of their own fitness studio.
Now, a decade later, Sweeney and Ampolos are marking the grand opening of their expanded studio just outside downtown Reading. The new location boasts more than 90 weekly classes across four studios. What began as a two-person team has grown to include 21 instructors, offering a diverse range of fitness options, from yoga and kickboxing to cardio, barre, and strength training.
The expanded studio includes three new rooms, each designed to enhance the fitness experience. One room is dedicated to fitness equipment, giving clients access to open gym hours for independent workouts. Another space is styled as a boutique studio, offering a cozy atmosphere for up to 16 students, complete with an infrared heater to encourage flexible stretching. The third new room features Lagree microformers, making Simply Fit & Fun the first studio in Massachusetts to offer this unique equipment, which helps build core strength and cardiovascular endurance.
Sweeney and Ampolos remain dedicated to their mission of inclusivity. Every class is designed to be welcoming, with friendly instruction, fun music, and a lighthearted vibe. To make fitness even more accessible, the studio provides free child care, allowing parents to focus on their health while knowing their children are in good hands.
Despite the growth of their business, Sweeney and Ampolos haven’t forgotten their roots. They still teach Zumba classes several times a week, staying connected to the passion that started it all.
