In a town where community connections matter just as much as opportunity, a new fitness space is opening its doors with a mission that goes beyond workouts. Valley Fit Club is set to officially welcome its first members, bringing with it a fresh approach to fitness rooted in support, accessibility and connection.
Founded by Brittany Castro, the gym is the culmination of a lifelong passion for health, athletics and community-building. Brittany’s journey into fitness began long before the doors of Valley Fit Club ever opened. As a former athlete who competed during her time at Pahrump Valley High School and continued playing into college, she developed a deep appreciation for movement and performance. That passion eventually led her into a professional path in public health, where her focus on overall wellness only grew stronger.
For Brittany, fitness has never been just about physical results—it has always been about quality of life. That perspective became even more defined during her time living in Las Vegas, where she experienced a wide variety of gym environments.
“There are great gyms out there, and the workouts are solid,” she explained. “But what I noticed was that the community piece was often missing. You’d go to a class, maybe talk to someone, maybe not—and then you’d leave.”
That missing connection stayed with her, and it became even more noticeable after she became a mother. Like many women, Brittany found that her social circles shifted and, in many ways, became smaller.
“As a mom, you realize how important it is to have a community,” she said. “Life gets busy, it gets hard, and having that support system makes such a difference.”
That realization ultimately sparked the idea that would become Valley Fit Club. Brittany began by teaching classes locally, testing the waters and connecting with women in the community. What she found confirmed everything she had been hoping for.
“People out here are so friendly, and they want that sense of community,” she said. “I started looking forward to seeing the same group of women at classes, and that’s when it clicked—this is something bigger.”
That “something bigger” has now taken shape as a class-based fitness studio designed to be welcoming to everyone, but especially to women who may feel intimidated by traditional gym settings.
“I really want this to be a place where it doesn’t matter if it’s your first day working out or if you’ve been doing this for years,” Brittany said. “You walk in, and it’s like, ‘Come on in—we’re doing this together.’”
While men are welcome, the heart of Valley Fit Club is centered on creating a comfortable and empowering environment for women. Adding to that atmosphere is a unique detail Brittany believes sets the tone—nearly every instructor at the gym is also a mom, with one active auntie who loves children.
“It brings a certain level of understanding and relatability,” she said. “There’s a shared experience there, and I think that helps create a really supportive space.”
The gym itself operates differently than traditional open-floor fitness centers. Rather than offering access to machines for independent workouts, Valley Fit Club is entirely class-based, emphasizing guidance, structure and connection.
Inside the space, members will find free weights in the form of dumbbells, along with a range of cardio equipment including rowers, a ski erg, a treadmill and an assault bike. These tools are incorporated into dynamic workouts, particularly for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and circuit-style classes.
The class lineup is designed to provide variety while remaining approachable. Current offerings include barre, Pilates, HIIT, circuit training and a full-body strength class that Brittany describes as a blend of multiple disciplines.
“It’s kind of like if Pilates, HIIT and barre had a baby,” she said with a laugh.
Each class is built with flexibility in mind, ensuring that participants of all fitness levels—and all ages—can take part. Modifications are a key component of every workout, allowing individuals to tailor movements to their needs.
“If someone can’t do a jumping jack, we modify it to a step-out,” Brittany explained. “Everything can be adjusted.”
Instructors are not only certified but also actively engaged with participants throughout each session, offering feedback, correcting form and helping members feel confident in what they’re doing. The goal, Brittany said, is to create a small-group coaching atmosphere.
“I don’t want people walking into a gym and thinking, ‘What do I do?’” she said. “I want them to feel supported, like they have someone guiding them every step of the way.”
Beyond the studio itself, Valley Fit Club has roots in something even more organic—a community run club that Brittany started prior to opening the gym. That element remains an important part of what the business offers.
The run club meets at a variety of locations around town, giving participants the chance to experience different types of workouts. Sessions have included sprint intervals at Ian Deutsch Park, stroller-friendly loops at the “Betty Loop,” and even trail runs on nearby mountain paths.
“I like to mix it up,” Brittany said. “And I always post the location ahead of time so people know where to go.”
Scheduling for the gym has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate busy lifestyles, particularly those of working individuals and parents. Morning classes are currently offered at 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m., with plans to expand into additional time slots as demand grows. Evening classes are set for 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, providing an option for those who prefer to work out after the workday.
Sundays offer a different pace, focusing on recovery and mindfulness. Rotating sessions include meditation classes aimed at helping participants reset for the week, as well as mobility-focused workouts led by Coach “T,” a local high school coach known for her strength and athletic background.
“Sundays are more of a reset day,” Brittany said. “Then during the week, we’re getting after it.”
While the current structure is tailored to adults, Brittany is open to evolving the gym’s offerings as the community grows. She envisions the possibility of future kid-friendly classes or events, particularly for mothers who want to stay active while involving their children.
“I’m in the early stages, so I’m still learning what people need,” she said. “But I’m absolutely open to building that out.”
Accessibility is another cornerstone of Valley Fit Club’s mission. The gym offers a range of membership options, including drop-in classes, class packages and monthly memberships. To make fitness more attainable, Brittany is also offering discounts for teachers, first responders, nurses and students.
In addition, the first class is free for all new participants, giving community members a chance to experience the environment before committing.
Everything—from booking classes to purchasing memberships—can be done through the gym’s website, as well as its social media pages on Facebook and Instagram, making it easy for residents to get involved.
That sense of connection was already on display during the gym’s grand opening celebration, which was held on Friday, March 27. The event was a full house and drew more than 20 participants, offering an early glimpse into the kind of welcoming, community-driven environment Brittany is striving to build. From first-time visitors to familiar faces from her earlier classes, the turnout reflected both excitement and support for the new venture.
As Valley Fit Club opens its doors, Brittany is focused on more than just launching a business—she’s building a space where people can feel seen, supported and motivated.
“At the end of the day, health is everything,” she said. “But it’s so much easier to stay consistent when you’re doing it alongside people who encourage you. That’s what I want this to be—a place where people show up for themselves, but also for each other.”
