Personal Training — one-on-one with certified trainers who build programs around your goals
North Bay’s Gym Since 2001
About The Next Step Fitness Centre
Founded in 2001. Owned and operated by Amanda Hampel, Certified Exercise Physiologist. A locally owned gym in North Bay built on the belief that fitness should be accessible, affordable, and personal — not intimidating, exclusive, or corporate.
Locally owned25 years in North Bay4.9 stars on Google1370 Regina St, North Bay
Meet Amanda Hampel — From Trainer to Owner
The Next Step Fitness Centre was founded in 2001 as Step by Step Fitness Solutions — a gym built to serve the people of North Bay, Ontario. For years, it was a fixture in the community. A place where real people came to train, not to show off. That foundation is what everything since has been built on.
Amanda holds two diplomas from Canadore College in North Bay: Sports Conditioning and Fitness & Health Promotion. She is certified through CanFitPro, Canada’s largest fitness certification organization, and has been in the industry for over 15 years.
2010: Walking Through the Door
On November 1st, 2010, Amanda Hampel started at The Next Step as a personal trainer. She’d earned her Sports Conditioning Diploma and her Fitness & Health Promotion Diploma from Canadore College right here in North Bay. She held certifications through the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (C-SEP) and CanFitPro. She knew how to train people. What she didn’t know yet was how deeply this gym would become part of her life.
2015: Growing Into the Role
Five years in, Amanda became the manager. The job grew beyond training clients. She took on accounting, event planning, marketing, and the kind of day-to-day problem-solving that only happens when you care about a business like it’s your own. She represented The Next Step at community events across North Bay, built relationships with local businesses, and became the person members came to when they needed anything — not just a workout.
2020: Buying a Gym at the Worst Possible Time
In March 2020, after years of consideration, Amanda bought The Next Step Fitness Centre. She was finally the owner. And then, within days, Ontario locked down.
Every gym in the province closed. For months. Then opened with restrictions. Then closed again. Over the course of 2020 and 2021, Ontario gyms faced more than 14 months of full closures and severe capacity limits. Amanda had just signed the papers on a business that wasn’t allowed to operate.
She could have walked away. A lot of gym owners did. Instead, she fought for it. She adapted. She leaned on the community that had supported The Next Step for nearly two decades — and they showed up. Members kept encouraging her. Clients stayed loyal. When the doors finally reopened for good, The Next Step came back stronger than it was before.
2025: A Ten-Year Dream Becomes a Decision
In July 2025, news came that prompted a quick decision. A ten-year dream — one Amanda had carried quietly since those early years as a trainer — suddenly had a path. The opportunity to move The Next Step to a new location, to build the space she’d always envisioned.
The Next Step Fitness Centre is moving to 1370 Regina St in North Bay’s west end. A new location. A new chapter. The same philosophy, the same community, the same commitment to helping people in North Bay live healthier, stronger, more confident lives — now in a space designed from the ground up to deliver on that promise.
25 Years in North Bay
2001
2010
2015
2020
2020–2021
2025
2026
Our Philosophy — Health Is Built from the Inside Out
Physical training sharpens the body. But real health starts with a resilient mind. At The Next Step, we train both — because confidence, clarity, and capability aren’t inherited. They’re built. Every session, every rep, every class is designed to improve how you move, how you think, and how you show up in your life.
We don’t chase extremes. We don’t sell quick fixes. We focus on intelligent training, sustainable habits, and measurable progress that supports long-term mental and physical wellbeing. The goal isn’t to destroy yourself in a workout. It’s to leave the gym feeling better than when you walked in — and to build on that, consistently, over time.
Discipline creates freedom. Movement fuels mental clarity. Consistency builds confidence. One workout, one decision, one day at a time.
Our Vision — Fitness That’s Accessible to Everyone
Our vision is simple: make health and fitness accessible to everyone. A gym should be a place where people feel safe, supported, and welcome — regardless of age, experience, body type, or background. That’s not a tagline. It’s a design principle. It affects who we hire, how we train, what we charge, and how we treat the person who walks in the door for the first time.
We are committed to offering affordable memberships without compromising quality, community, or care. Removing barriers to entry matters. A friendly, respectful culture matters. When someone feels confident walking through the door, they’re more likely to keep coming back. And that’s where real change happens — not in the first visit, but in the hundredth.
This is more than a gym. It’s a community built on encouragement, inclusion, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to feel strong, healthy, and supported.
What We Stand For
The Next Step Fitness Centre is built around a set of values that define how this gym feels when you walk in. These aren’t corporate mission statements. They’re the real rules of the room:
Results Are Measured by How You Feel, Not Your Reflection
We don’t do “before and after” pressure. Progress looks different for everyone, and we celebrate all of it. How you feel matters more than how you look. Being human is beautiful.
Laughter and Conversation Are the Only Noise You’ll Hear
No one’s grunting in a corner trying to be noticed. At The Next Step, people talk to each other. They laugh. They check in on how each other’s week went. Socialization is part of the program — not a distraction from it.
Confidence and Strength Are Built in a Safe Environment
Every person who walks in deserves to feel comfortable. We don’t tolerate judgment, intimidation, or exclusion. Inclusive is comfortable. That’s how this gym operates.
Vulnerability and Fear Stay at the Front Door
Walking into a gym is hard. We know that. But once you’re here, this is the place where you push past what’s uncomfortable. Step out of your comfort zone. That’s where growth happens.
Sweat and Hard Work Are Strongly Recommended
We’re not here to watch you scroll your phone between sets. Effort is strength. Show up and put in the work — your body and your mind will thank you for it.
Music Choices Are Varied. Expect Singing and Dancing.
This gym has energy. The music changes. People sing along. Sometimes someone dances between sets. It’s not a library. It’s a place where people actually enjoy being.
Age Is Just a Number. It’s Never Too Late to Start.
We train teenagers and we train people in their 80s. We work with competitive athletes and with people who haven’t exercised in 30 years. Where you start doesn’t matter. The fact that you started does.
Training, Education, and Certifications
Amanda Hampel doesn’t just own a gym. She trains people every day. Here are the credentials behind the programming, the philosophy, and the business.
These aren’t weekend certifications. The C-SEP credential from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology requires university-level education in exercise science, supervised practical experience, and ongoing professional development. It means Amanda is qualified to work with people managing chronic conditions, recovering from injuries, and training at any level of fitness.
Combined with 15 years at The Next Step and 25 years in the industry, Amanda’s credentials are why the programming at TNS works for everyone — from seniors managing mobility challenges to athletes preparing for competition.
Combined with 15 years at The Next Step and 25 years in the industry, Amanda’s credentials are why the programming at TNS works for everyone — from seniors managing mobility challenges to athletes preparing for competition.
Certified Exercise Physiologist (C-SEP)
- Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
Sports Conditioning Diploma
- Canadore College, North Bay, Ontario
Certified Personal Trainer
- Canadian Fitness Professionals (CanFitPro)
Fitness & Health Promotion Diploma
- Canadore College, North Bay, Ontario
Everything Under One Roof
The Next Step Fitness Centre isn’t just personal training. It’s a full-service fitness and wellness facility:
What Members Say About Training Here
Common Questions About The Next Step
Who owns The Next Step Fitness Centre?
Amanda Hampel. Amanda has been part of The Next Step since 2010, first as a personal trainer, then as manager, and since March 2020 as the owner. She holds a Certified Exercise Physiologist credential (C-SEP) from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and is a CanFitPro certified personal trainer. She’s also a graduate of Canadore College in North Bay with diplomas in Sports Conditioning and Fitness & Health Promotion.
How long has The Next Step been in North Bay?
Since 2001. The gym was originally founded as Step by Step Fitness Solutions and has been serving the North Bay community for over 25 years. Amanda took over ownership in 2020 and is moving the gym to a new location at 1370 Regina St in 2026.
Where is the gym located?
The Next Step is moving to 1370 Regina St in North Bay’s west end. Free parking on-site. Easy access from Main Street and the Lakeshore Drive corridor. Call 705-475-0724 or email thenextstepgym@gmail.com for details.
Is this gym good for beginners?
Absolutely. Amanda built the entire new member experience around people who are nervous about starting. You get a free consultation, a full session with a certified trainer, and a free week to try everything before you commit. Many of our long-time members started here with zero gym experience.
Is The Next Step a franchise or a chain?
No. The Next Step is independently owned and operated by Amanda Hampel. It’s not a franchise, not a chain, and not managed by a corporate office. Decisions are made by someone who trains people here every day — not by a head office in another city.
What makes this gym different from the chains?
Three things: personal attention, local accountability, and Amanda. At The Next Step, the trainers know your name, your goals, and where you were last week. The owner is on-site. The programming is designed by a Certified Exercise Physiologist, not downloaded from a corporate template. And you’re supporting a locally owned business in North Bay, not a national corporation.
Is the gym affordable?
Yes. Our vision is to make fitness accessible to everyone, and that includes pricing. We offer affordable memberships, flexible payment options, and we don’t believe in hidden fees or long-term contracts designed to trap people. Contact us for current rates and we’ll find an option that fits your budget.
Do you offer programs for seniors?
Yes. We have a dedicated Senior Fitness program for adults 55+ that focuses on strength, balance, mobility, and fall prevention. We also offer Mobility & Rehabilitation support for members recovering from surgery or managing chronic conditions.
How do I get started?
Call Amanda at 705-475-0724, email thenextstepgym@gmail.com, or stop by 1370 Regina St in North Bay. Schedule a free consultation, meet your trainer, and try us for a full week free. No pressure. No obligation.
25 Years. One Community. Your Next Step.
The Next Step Fitness Centre has been part of North Bay since 2001. Through name changes, ownership transitions, a global pandemic, and now a brand-new location — the mission has never changed: help people in this community live healthier, stronger, more confident lives.
Whether you’re 18 or 80, a first-timer or a lifelong athlete, there’s a place for you here. Amanda and the team are ready when you are.
Call 705-475-0724, email thenextstepgym@gmail.com, or stop by 1370 Regina St in North Bay’s west end. The hardest part is walking in. We’ll handle everything after that.