WITH nice short locks, ginger-tinted and a superbly toned body, a style that is both chic and sleek, Evonne Mudzingwa is unmistakable.
A personal trainer, she is fitness personified.
Popularly known as Eve by her legion of loyal clients this confident woman who wears a permanent smile in conversation is not just a fitness trainer, but the proprietor of the fast-growing Eves Exercise Studios.
Situated in Vainona, Harare the exercise studio is a testament of the power of confidence and the absence of a lack mentality.
Asking her where she has come from, she chuckles.
Creating a fitness studio also known as a health club, fitness club, fitness centre, health spa or commonly referred to as a gym, has had its fair amount of challenges said Mudzingwa.
The studio that today boasts of clients from the ordinary folk to the who-is-who in the sports and business arena began like all other service outfits.
“I saw a gap, rather a need for a space where women could be comfortable,” she said.
“I have been a fitness fanatic all my life, but I felt let down at all the fitness centres I went to.
“A lot of women would want to do just aerobics, but many left without getting value for money and I said why not create a space where the women could fully realise their fitness wishes without feeling shortchanged.”
Thus she approached a financial institution with a sports club which had a shed that had been idle for 25 years. And Eves Exercise Studio was born in 2009.
However, before opening her fitness studio, she ventured to the Asia-Pacific specifically Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai.
In these nations she acquired skills that have seen her become one of the leaders in the fitness field.
“Every fitness centre must provide its members with the best fitness equipment and workout options so before I opened shop I travelled to acquire the requisite skills,” she said.
Beginning the studio, the go-getter who spent her formative years in Chegutu and attended Hartley Preparatory School, said she faced a myriad of challenges but was not put off.
“I began with five clients and the figure, believe you me, dropped, but I did not quit,” she said.
“I had no illusions I knew exactly what I was getting into and the love for what I do kept me going.”
So for the next four years, Mudzingwa who has a background in marketing worked to the bone building the studio and creating a respected brand.
“This industry is all about delivery and results and before you know it, if you are doing things right, one is swamped with clients,” she said.
It seems so good has been her service that she has not been able to only cater for women as men and institutions have come knocking for her services.
“Now I have opened a Man Cave as men have also demanded to be accommodated at our studio,” she said.
Mudzingwa has also created programmes that women have enthusiastically latched onto.
One such programme is the ‘The Eve’s Ladies Fitness Battle’ which is now in its second year.
“The programme was borne out of my desire to have women adopt fitness and training as part of a lifestyle,” said Mudzingwa.
“Most women want to lose weight and get fit and this battle keeps them in training the whole year.”
The programme has been so successful that it has attracted various sponsors including MedTours Africa, health service provider EMRAS, Dairibord, ZB Life Assurance, designer Avelyn, Telco and Divas Inc.
The next fitness battle is scheduled for August and will feature 26 teams.
And teams cannot wait to battle it out as evidenced by posts on social media platform facebook.
“Team Mabelreign is taking it next year. Team Avenues, masharks mamwe mateam ese itai kuti ziii,” read part of a post from the teams.
The fitness battle is open to any woman above 16 years. As a show of confidence and endorsement of her pedigree in her chosen field, Mudzingwa has Premier Soccer League outfit Harare City, which is currently in the top 10, as one of her clients.
“I make sure that the team is in top condition and I also work with injured players to ensure fast recovery,” said Mudzingwa who has been working with the team for more than a year.
Harare City assistant coach Mkhuphali Masuku had nothing, but praise for their fitness trainer.
“She is above there with the best; we are more than happy with her services,” he said.
“Since we have been working with her our injured guys are no longer taking long to recover from injuries.”
Mudzingwa asserts she is not yet there and will continue to grow.
“We must not be our own enemies, especially blacks, let us support one another,” she said.
And on what has driven her to work every day, every morning, afternoon and night she simply said; “I have the greatest, loyal, hardworking, supportive and amazing clients in the whole wide world.
“They motivate me to do more each day.”