Taija Ventrella Fitness

Asheville, Davenport Rd, Asheville, NC 28806 | ★ 5 (23 Review)

📞 +1 828-407-0088

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Personal trainer

About the Club

I'm a Nationally-Certified Personal Fitness Trainer. I love working with people who, like me, feel disenfranchised from typical fitness settings and communities, and with people with physical and emotional limitations to exercise.

Instead of an extreme, competitive vibe in a loud public gym, I’ll help you develop a loving and appreciative relationship with your body through dynamic movement in a fun, safe, private, and positive environment.

I say, screw society's beauty standards and fitness trends that are extreme just for the sake of being extreme. My work is based on strong personal values of body positivity, social justice, and long-term health and happiness.

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 Taija Ventrella Fitness
 Taija Ventrella Fitness
 Taija Ventrella Fitness
 Taija Ventrella Fitness
 Taija Ventrella Fitness

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Reviews

Shelly Baker

★ 5

I love the group fitness classes with Taija! They have helped me grow stronger and more confident in my body and abilities. The best part is the accountability and support from others in the class with me. I would highly recommend to anyone, especially anyone restarting their fitness journey like myself.

Source: Google

Kim Wayman

★ 5

I have always felt uncomfortable in gyms because I'm a queer, AFAB person who has never been super athletic. So it means so much to me that I feel safe and comfortable with Taija and love going to the gym now. I appreciate how queer-inclusive and body positive they are, and also that they clearly put in a lot of work to study and learn about how the body works and how to best support it in becoming stronger and healthier, understanding that that looks different for every individual. Since starting to go to Taija's group classes, I am stronger, have better posture, have more energy, and feel better overall in my body. I also love the sweetness and support fostered in the group environment. Highly recommend!

Source: Google

Karina Swanson Andrasikova

★ 5

If you want to work on yourself, celebrate your body and what it is capable of achieving, and most importantly, feel safe in a pleasant environment with the best trainer, this is the place for you. Taija is an amazing person, an experienced trainer who will guide you, motivate you, and teach you how to exercise correctly. I highly recommend this studio!

Source: Google

Jonathan Daggerhart

★ 5

Working with Taija is great and you'll love it! From the very beginning Taija has understood, supported, and remained conscious of my training goals. While focusing on endurance and safety, my strength and confidence increases steadily with Taija's direction and encouragement. Taija is great at providing guidance on proper technique, and are quick to correct my stances and posture to ensure I'm safe and getting the most out of each exercise. As someone who asks a lot of questions it's clear to me that Taija is very knowledgeable, honest, and interested their own growth in the subjects of health, fitness, and exercise (among many other subjects). Their studio is very nice, and it always feels like a safe and comfortable place to workout. I can't recommend working with them enough!

Source: Google

SJ Seldin

★ 5

I love working with Tajia! After less than two months, I already feel so much stronger, and I’m experiencing less pain in my back and shoulders. I feel so much safer doing the physical labor of my job as a farmer. I feel my posture straightening. I feel increased and equal range of motion in my shoulders that I haven’t felt since before an injury two years ago.

I’m so grateful for the welcoming, gentle, and supportive way that Taija works! Taija asked about my body in ways that made it easy to share about my injuries, physical limitations, and goals for our time together. Taija has been so kind and respectful around Covid safety, too!

Source: Google

Abby Artemisia

★ 5

Taija is amzing! I felt stronger after only a week and their training style makes me feel so comfortable and safe. Plus all the plants, color, unicorns, and music, make it fun!
Being a perimenopausal woman, I had heard how important strength training was, but had been hesitant to get started because I was afraid of my chronic pain issues flaring up. Taija has so much knowledge about chronic pain and has given me techniques to try that have been super helpful. I feel so empowered, knowing I'm doing something to create a healthier, stronger me, and I'm in way less pain.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Source: Google

Amy Yasuhara

★ 5

Taija provides encouragement and inspiration with every session! In 3 months, I was able to lower my A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol! I am stronger than I realized and with each workout I surprise myself with my motivation to work harder to meet my goals. I am approaching 50 and I am healthier than I have ever been in my adult life!

Source: Google

Charlotte Skemp

★ 5

Taija created a personalized workout routine that I could access through an app and use very easily to do workouts on my own time. There are instructional videos on how to do each exercise, reps and sets recommendations and it was all customized to my goals. Taija was able to create a program that works with my inconsistent schedule, meeting me where I am and helping me fit in fitness within life, work and family. I feel like I can confidently workout on my own now instead of relying on gym classes.

Source: Google

KT Merseles

★ 5

I participated in swolemates during the spring 23 session and had a great time! the small group atmosphere was really fun, Taija was super knowledgable and created really balanced and accessible workouts. When a couple of us came in with mild injuries and such, they augmented the circuit easily to accomodate. Cant wait to come back in the future!

Source: Google

E Johnson

★ 5

Fun, affirming, de-stigmatizing, knowledgeable

Source: Google

Beatty Rochell

★ 4

Source: Google

Lillian Bacon

★ 5

I participated in Swolemates this fall and was SO impressed with the program and Taija’s coaching. Taija was wildly patient, knowledgeable in answering our many questions, happy to adjust the exercises for any injuries or issues we had, and dedicated to making sure we all got what we wanted out of each session. I always felt empowered but never felt pushed, and unlike other programs I’ve participated in, I never dreaded going. I got the accountability, consistency, and knowledge I needed to get over my workout hump, and post-program I’ve actually started going to the gym! I honestly feel stronger, more confident, and more holistically healthy because of Swolemates, and I will 100% be signing up again.

Source: Google

melissa

★ 5

I came to Taija after completing a year of treatment for breast cancer which included a double mastectomy that lead to complications in my mobility. Taija was able to meet me where I was physically and mentally. Their approach is one that so supportive, trauma-informed, and educational. After each workout, I walked away feeling good, sweaty, and like I was pushed to just the right physical limit. In the past, I have worked with trainers who when I was done would be in pain for two days after a workout. After weeks of consistent working out with Taija I noticed my cording that limited my mobility was gone, and my full range of motion was restored. I am able to move easily from floor to standing, I have added more awesome playlists to my Spotify account and have gained strength, confidence, and a friend with Taija. Hands down the best trainer in Asheville.

Source: Google

jenny bass

★ 5

Before seeing Taija, the physical labor I do day in and day out was causing lower back pain. I would bend and stand up hundreds of times a day but incorrectly. After working with Taija for a while, I can keep my core engaged regularly, as well as do correct squats while laboring, getting up and down hundreds of times a day. My back pain is gone. Strengthening my body has balanced the muscles in my body I was overworking with my daily physical labor and landscaping. I feel like I will be able to sustain my lifestyle of physical labor much longer into old age with the practices I'm continuing with Taija. Also they are so professional, kind, and create a very safe feeling space. I've never felt safe in workout spaces before this one. I'm so grateful to be working with Taija and can't recommend it enough!

Source: Google

Amy Jane Lynch

★ 5

Taija is a terrific trainer. After a few months with her I feel SO much more sound, balanced and stronger, as if my body is better knit together. She advances clients (no matter your age, I'm 67) at a steady, safe pace, and she provides body-positive feedback. I recommend her highly.
One more thing. She helped me train after hip surgery -- great results!

Source: Google

Becky Beyer

★ 5

I have never felt so happy, safe, and comfortable working on my fitness before! Taija creates a welcoming, clean, gorgeous space to seek your fitness goals! I am loving my results so far and can't wait to see where we go!

Source: Google

hab inc

★ 5

I’m so glad I found Taija! I’m probably not the only person to have woken up one day and realized how so many things had caught up with me – injuries, surgeries, weight gain, inactivity. I had been trying to get back into the swing of things, but kept reinjuring myself, which led to a few more steps back in the downward spiral. I was in denial until I realized people were scheduling activities around my physical stamina, but I didn’t know how to safely and effectively start making the turnaround.

Taija was recommended to me as someone who didn’t have a one-size-fits-all preset routine or canned program. I was introduced to an approach that was customized to help me work within my specific (and ever changing) limitations, yet push me to strengthen my whole body. As a result, I’m stronger, more flexible, and have more stamina than when I started. All things I was unable to accomplish on my own.

I’ve also been impressed and appreciative of Taija’s professionalism. Her arrangements are easy to understand, flexible enough to offer a wide variety of options, and her technology is spot on – especially important in the challenging world we’ve found ourselves in most recently! I’ve been able to seamlessly work with her while shuttling around to different geographic locations, overcoming technology hurdles, and having to fit my time with her into my busy work schedule.

I highly recommend you see if Taija is right for you too!

Source: Google

Marta Pirzadeh

★ 5

I have been working out with Taija for several months...and she has been amazing!! From the very first phone call, I felt comfortable with her but also like she really wanted to understand what my goals were so she could help me meet them and to make sure we were a "good fit". I appreciate that so much! I have been been an athlete and worked out for most of my life (I'm 49 now) and the abuse on my body set in a few years ago with hip, neck and shoulder injuries--this is where Taija shines. She has worked closely with me to personalize my workouts, help me regain mobility and strength--all while being mindful of my injuries. And, I cannot believe how much better, healthier and stronger I feel. I used to push myself to the point of pain and with Taija--we've been gradually building my strength to get me to the point I am now--I'm even doing full push-ups and deadlifting with heavy weights--which I haven't done in about 20 years!! And, the best part is..my pain is mostly gone. As I've gained flexibility and strength, my body is responding. Prior to Taija, I had never hired a trainer before...because I have always worked out and been an athlete, I thought I could do it on my own and I wanted to save the money...I could not have been more wrong, she has taught me so much, holds me accountable and I am seeing the results! She is so body-positive and motivating, it's never about "looking a certain way", but being strong, healthy and not in pain! Taija is clearly very knowledgeable about body mechanics and always learning--reading, sharing expertise and the background behind "why" we do certain things,. Not to mention she is just pretty cool to spend time with! I would highly recommend her, without question!

Source: Google

Sara Jackson

★ 5

Even after a short consultation with Taija, I feel empowered, and equipped with a better understanding to take an important step towards my long term self care.

After really listening to me, she helped me identify challenges, and made many suggestions for ways to make improvements to my everyday movements and posture through stretches and exercises.

I appreciate her knowledge, practical advice, and most of all, I feel heard and not judged. I wish we had more time to work together, and would highly recommend her for anyone who wants to enjoy becoming a better version of themselves :)

I would highly recommend her services as a part of trauma informed care.

Source: Google

Christine

★ 5

Taija is a very knowledgeable, welcoming trainer who did a great job of adapting to my training goals while also encouraging me forward in my progress. Definitely recommend!

Source: Google

Heather Demere

★ 5

I can only say wonderful things about Taija! She is a fabulous personal trainer and human being. If anyone is nervous about lifting weights or getting in shape Taija will calm your nerves and make you feel relaxed and confident within her studio. She has a kind, respectful, and motivating way about her. Each session was specifically designed to meet my training goals. I am a physical therapist and have been very impressed with how observant and knowledgeable Taija is regarding the human body. If anyone has a history of chronic pain or prone to injury, she is definitely the personal trainer for you! She takes into consideration how your body is feeling at the start of each workout and has a way of challenging her clients without overdoing which could lead to injury. I have truly been inspired by the positivity and authenticity Taija radiates in her work.

Source: Google

Jazmine Giovanni

★ 5

Having had a handful of trainers over the years, I appreciate so many attributes that Taija brings to the table. She’s very knowledgeable and creative in terms of curating a program tailored to the individual and their needs. No generic routine here. Taija is a dynamic trainer and an athlete herself - she walks the walk and knows how to get you where you want to be.
With her studio, she has created a zero-pretense environment for her clients to attain their goals and literally change their lives. She’s the ace up my sleeve in terms of training and I can’t recommend her enough.

Source: Google

Janis McCambridge

★ 5

I first connected with Tajia because I have had some repeated injuries due to hypermobility and had been advised by my doctor that I compensate for a lack of strength with flexibility, which was causing the issues. Building strength and learning how to activate muscles before using them has helped protect problem joints. Since starting training, I've had fewer injuries, and I have more energy in my daily life.

Working with Taija has challenged my preconceptions of training. It is refreshing to be in a training environment without pressure to have a goal like weight loss or a specific look. Our focus of “a stronger, less-injury-prone version of myself” helps reduce the stress of expectations. It is such a wonderful change to be focused on doing something good for my body, rather than trying to impose my will on it. Since training with Taija, instead of feeling bad when I am struggling in a workout or disappointed because I ‘should’ be able to do something, I have learned a more positive kind of self-talk. It started simple with a little cheer to push myself a bit further, but it got more encouraging over time. This positivity has moved outside of Taija's studio, too! I strongly recommend working with Taija to anyone considering a trainer!

Source: Google