New Members to
The Next Step?
No pressure. No judgment. No figuring it out alone. Schedule a free consultation, get a full hour with a certified trainer, learn the equipment, walk away with a program built around your goals — and then try us for a full week free.
Nervous About Joining a Gym? Good. That Means You’re Normal.
Here’s something most gyms won’t tell you: 50% of people who’ve never been to a gym find the idea scary. Not mildly uncomfortable. Scary. And 65% of beginners say they feel intimidated when starting a new fitness routine.
That nervousness you’re feeling right now? It’s the most common thing in the world. You’re not the only person who’s ever Googled “what to expect at a gym” or worried about looking foolish on a machine you’ve never seen before. Almost everyone who walks through our door for the first time feels exactly the same way.
The difference at The Next Step Fitness Centre in North Bay is that we built our entire new member experience around that feeling. Not to ignore it — to actually solve it. You don’t get a keycard and a wave toward the equipment. You get a real person, a real plan, and a real week to see if this is right for you.
Interested in Personal Training? Here’s How We Match You with the Right Trainer.
Step 1: Schedule a Free Consultation
Step 2: Your 30-Minute Consultation
You’ll sit down with the trainer we’ve matched you with for a 30-minute conversation. This is about getting to know each other. Your trainer will ask about your goals, your history with exercise, any injuries or limitations, your schedule, and what motivates you. You’ll ask whatever questions you have. The goal is to make sure the fit is right — because the relationship between you and your trainer matters more than any program.
Step 3: Your 45-Minute Session
Step 4: Budget-Friendly Options
Why People Who Are Nervous About Gyms End Up Loving This One
You’re Not Anonymous Here
We’re not a 40,000-square-foot chain gym where nobody knows your name. We’re an owner-operated fitness centre on Regina St in North Bay’s west end where the trainers know who you are, what you’re working on, and where you were last week. When you walk in, someone notices. That matters more than most people realize — research shows that members who get genuine staff interaction on each visit are up to 80% more likely to keep coming back.
You Leave Day One with a Plan
At a chain gym, your “orientation” is a 15-minute tour and a leaflet. At The Next Step, your first visit is a full hour with a certified trainer. You leave with a program built around your goals, an understanding of the equipment, and the confidence that you know what to do when you come back tomorrow. That’s the single biggest predictor of whether a new member sticks with it.
The Free Week Removes Every Excuse
We’re confident enough to let you try everything for a full week before asking for your money. Most gyms make you sign up before you’ve even seen the inside of a change room. We’d rather you experience The Next Step first — the people, the atmosphere, the equipment, the classes — and then decide.
You Can Access More Than Just a Gym
Through our [Wellness Services] network, new members can access registered massage therapists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, naturopaths, and more — on-site or through trusted referrals in North Bay. If you’re joining a gym because of pain, an injury, or a health goal that goes beyond just exercising, we connect you to the right professionals.
Why Amanda Built The Next Step This Way
Amanda Hampel has owned and operated The Next Step Fitness Centre since 2001. She holds a Sports Conditioning Diploma and a Fitness & Health Promotion Diploma from Canadore College, and she’s a Certified Exercise Physiologist (C-SEP) and CanFitPro certified personal trainer.
Over 25 years in North Bay, Amanda has watched people walk through the door terrified. She’s seen the person who sat in the parking lot for 10 minutes before coming in. The one who apologized for being out of shape. The one who hadn’t exercised since high school and didn’t know where to start.
“The first visit is the hardest one. I know that. That’s why we spend a full hour with every new member — not 10 minutes, not a quick tour. A real hour. By the time you leave, you know the gym, you know your trainer, and you know what to do. After that, the second visit is easy.”
— Amanda Hampel, Owner & Certified Exercise Physiologist (C-SEP), CanFitPro Certified
That philosophy drives everything about The Next Step’s new member experience. The free consultation, the trainer session, the free week — it all exists because Amanda believes nobody should feel lost at their own gym.
What to Bring to Your First Visit
You don’t need to overthink this. Here’s the checklist:
That’s it. You don’t need special equipment, a pre-made workout plan, or any prior experience. Just show up as you are. Our trainers handle everything else.
What Members Say About Training Here
Common Questions from New Members
Do I need any experience to join?
None. Zero. Many of our members started at The Next Step with no gym experience at all. Your first-visit session with a trainer is specifically designed to teach you everything you need to know — the equipment, proper form, and a program built around where you are right now. Not where you think you should be.
What happens during the free consultation?
For monthly memberships: you’ll spend a full hour with a certified personal trainer. They’ll walk you through the gym, show you the equipment, learn about your goals, and build a program designed specifically for you. For personal training: you’ll get a 30-minute consultation to talk about your goals and get matched with the right trainer, followed by a 45-minute training session together.
Is the free week really free?
Yes. One full week, no credit card required, no automatic sign-up. Use the gym, try the classes, run through your program. If it’s not the right fit, you walk away with nothing owed. We’d rather you be sure than committed to something that doesn’t work.
What if I’m really out of shape?
Then you’re exactly who this gym is for. Our trainers work with people at every fitness level — from competitive athletes to seniors who haven’t exercised in decades. Your program is built around your starting point, not someone else’s. Nobody is judging you here. Honestly, most people are too focused on their own workout to notice anyone else.
Can I bring someone with me for my first visit?
Absolutely. Bring a friend, a partner, a family member — whoever makes you feel comfortable. They’re welcome to tour the facility with you. If they want to try a free week too, we can set that up.
What are the gym hours?
The Next Step offers 24/7 keycard access. Once you’re a member, you can train anytime — 5 AM, lunch hour, 11 PM, whatever fits your life. Staff and trainers are available during regular business hours. Call 705-475-0724 for current staffed hours.
How much does a membership cost?
Membership pricing varies depending on the package and any current promotions. Rather than listing prices that might change, we’d rather talk to you during your free consultation and find the option that fits your goals and your budget. We offer flexible, budget-friendly payment options — no surprise fees.
Do you offer fitness classes?
Yes. Group fitness classes are available to all members and cover a range of styles and intensity levels. Classes are a great way to stay motivated, meet people, and add variety to your routine. Your trainer can recommend which classes would complement your program.
Where is The Next Step Fitness Centre?
1370 Regina St in North Bay’s west end. Free parking. Easy access from Main Street and the Lakeshore Drive corridor. Call 705-475-0724, email thenextstepgym@gmail.com, or just walk in during staffed hours. We’ll take it from there.