A new kind of fitness movement is taking shape in Uralla – one that’s less about competition and more about community.
Iron Sistas Personal Training, the home-based personal training studio run by Sam Kirker, is inspiring locals of all ages to embrace strength, fitness, and laughter while showing that exercise can be as social as it is empowering. It’s one of the numerous new businesses that are more correctly newly relocated to our region, rather than a completely new business.
Originally from Brisbane, and moving frequently as her husband’s career demands, Sam sets up her studio and re-establishes her business in each new place. She moved to Uralla about 18 months ago and quickly found herself welcomed into the community.
“I predominantly train women but I also have a few husband and wife teams now, and I run the Uralla community Strength and Balance class,” she said.
“It’s just going great guns, I adore it, it’s so much fun.”
Local support has been a big part of that success. “I just advertised in the local Facebook groups, and it’s all grown from word of mouth,” Sam said.
“People walk in and go, ‘Wow, I wasn’t expecting this for a home studio!’”
Sam’s a full-time coach, combining Iron Sistas with online PT. Her early mornings now start before sunrise, training clients in the studio or online before heading out to boxing or community classes. And she’s quickly got strong endorsement from other health professionals in town.
“The local physio, chiropractor, and massage therapist all recommend clients to me, which is lovely.”
Her business model is simple but effective: small, supportive group sessions that feel more like catching up with friends than a workout – a recipe that works well in a small community like Uralla.
“It’s like coffee with your girlfriends, only we lift weights instead of eating cake,” Sam laughed. “We solve all the problems of the world in our workouts.”
“It’s about helping women achieve their body composition goals in the healthiest way possible,” she said. “To become fitter and stronger regardless of their age or circumstances and to become the best version of themselves.”
Perhaps the biggest surprise since arriving in town has been the success of her “Iron Seniors” – a twice-weekly community Strength and Balance class that she’s growing to become one of Uralla’s favourite fitness fixtures.
“When I first took over, the class was averaging around 10 people,” Sam said. “Now we usually have 20 to 23. We have so much fun, lots of laughs, lots of giggles.”
For Sam, the sessions are about far more than movement. The classes are also a social hub, a place where people of all ages and fitness levels come together.
“I think a lot of my seniors come for the social aspect as much as the exercise,” Sam said.
“We do strength work, but I like to finish every session with a game – get them moving without them realising they’re exercising, bending, stretching, dodging, working on coordination and balance. It keeps their brains and bodies active.”
“They love the banter, they go for coffee afterwards, and sometimes I put on a morning tea with scones, jam and cream. It’s about keeping moving and staying connected.”
Her oldest participant is 98 and still lifting weights, proving that it’s never too late to build strength.
“She shows everyone up! She picks up the heavy weights, the battle ropes, the power bags, she’s amazing.”
While Sam’s journey to Uralla was part of her family’s relocation adventure, she’s now firmly part of the community and intends to stay for a while.
“When I first moved here, I didn’t know a soul,” she said. “Now I can walk down the street and say hi to people everywhere. It’s nice to feel part of it.”
Her advice to others thinking of starting a business in Uralla is simple: “Do it.”
“The local support in Uralla is amazing. Everyone here loves to support local.”
In this series New England Times Investigates is unpacking some of the dynamics and forces driving our new business boom, and meeting some of the new business owners having a go. Read all the stories in this series here.
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