Our story and team

What, who, and why are we?

Ole.Fit Varkaus was born out of a passion for movement and motivating people to move. Ole.Fit Varkaus, which opened in September 2018, is not a typical fitness center. We've wanted to look at usual things from a fresh perspective and think "out of the box." The concepts of an immersive experience and holistic approach perfectly fit our business idea, which is to constantly offer our customers motivating experiences and approach movement through positive vibes and joy. With an open-minded and cheerful attitude, we began to offer our customers something new and different, introducing to Savo, with professional casualness, something that hasn't been much seen around these parts of Finland.

Our fitness club is a locally owned family business, allowing us to flexibly develop our club according to our customers' wishes. We operate with Savonian idyllic ease and relaxation and tailor our services for those who move with us - as well as for those who don't yet know they are movers.

AT OLE.FIT VARKAUS, A TEAM OF FITNESS AND WELL-BEING PROFESSIONALS SERVES AND INSPIRES YOU!
 

Katja Kaila

Entrepreneur, CEO, Coach
HYROX Coach, M-Circuit®, SKILLROW Class, Les Mills Strength Development™ Coach, SPRINT™ Coach, CORE™, BODYPUMP®, BODYSTEP®, BODYBALANCE®, BODYJAM®, DANCE™

In my work I combine my educations as a physiotherapist, physical coach, and in commerce with over 20 years of coaching  experience to help people feel better and lead healthier, longer lives. I studied sports medicine and coaching and testing sciences at the University of Jyväskylä and am also a trained mental and mobility coach. I'm currently studying management in Helsinki.

I find inspiration in my work from creating new things, continuous learning, working together with my team and customers, and seeing clients become motivated, succeed, gain more confidence and enjoy training. I want to help clients find the joy of exercise and realize the big results that small changes can bring. It's crucial for me that, although exercise should primarily be fun, guidance and coaching are based on professionalism, and I want our clients to move healthily and achieve the results they crave. Research is always progressing, knowledge changes, and we evolve and grow with it. I believe in the importance of educated and inspiring staff, the power of diverse movement, and that combining expertise with an experiential training environment brings clients holistic joy and a positive buzz in their daily life - sustaining training motivation and an active lifestyle! Incorrect technique, overly unbalanced movement or suddenly increased strain often cause overuse injuries. Regular and appropriately dosed exercise, on the other hand, is the best preventive medicine for countless diseases and coping with symptoms and maintaining functionality after the onset of illness.

Personally, I especially enjoy workouts during which I can't think about anything else; they detach me from everyday life and are the most relaxing. By exercising regularly, I influence my overall well-being: when I exercise, I also eat healthier and sleep better; it's a positive vicious cycle where everything affects everything. Exercise is a wonder drug for the mind; for me, moving is an essential way to manage stress and reset in the middle of the day.

PHOTO: Harri Suomalainen

Peppi Paananen

Instructor, personal trainer
Les Mills BODYCOMBAT®, SPRINT™ Coach

I am a trained sports advisor and personal trainer. I enjoy diverse physical activities; you can spot me in the gym lifting weights or in the spinning studio. Exercising in the fresh air with my dog is also close to my heart.

PHOTO: Harri Suomalainen

Elvi Väliaho

Instructor
Les Mills BODYCOMBAT®

 

Heidi Mustonen

Instructor
Les Mills Strength Development™ Coach

Kari Timonen

Yoga teacher
Äijä Yoga

I am a long-time yoga and meditation teacher, who has had a lengthy career in fast-paced export jobs, constantly on the move. I have extensively explored different styles of yoga and meditation since the 1970s and have completed a seven-year yoga teacher training at the Finnish Yoga Institute in Saarijärvi.

From personal experience, I know how yoga can calm the mind and create empty spaces in the head. Yoga can enhance concentration and creativity and provide support for coping at work. With it, you no longer dwell on small matters, letting them slide with their own weight.

PHOTO: Harri Suomalainen

SANNA PUUSTINEN

Instructor, customer service
HYROX Coach, SKILLROW Class, Les Mills BODYBALANCE®, BODYSTEP®, BODYPUMP®, SHAPES™

I am a healthcare professional. My work at Ole.Fit is versatile. We can meet in customer service and in the Cafe Piazza and also in group exercise classes to train together.

As a instructor I am gentle and positive. In my guidance safety and gentleness towards oneself and listening to one's body are emphasized. Movement brings me gratitude for what the body is capable of. At the same time, it does wonders for the mind, as for me the proximity of the lake and fishing.

Leo Tenhumäki

Physiotherapist, sports masseur, strength coach

For me, strength training is a way of life and has been my hobby for almost 25 years. I have won Finnish Championship medals in powerlifting and bench pressing, but now the emphasis is shifting from competing to coaching. I provide an access to personalized strength training designed by a physiotherapist specialized in strength training, aiming for strength and/or muscle mass acquisition. My coaching services are open to everyone, whether you are a beginner or an experienced competitor, as long as your motivation to train is on point.

PHOTO: HannaK Photo

Jani Kaila

Owner

In my main job I work as a team leader in the industry. I have been involved in various team sports since the age of 5 and have played rinkball at the Finnish Championship level. Currently, I work as a junior coach in ice hockey.

In my free time, I engage in diverse physical activities: I train at the gym, cycle, play recreational ice hockey, paddle tennis and challenge myself in HYROX and SPRINT sessions. Exercise is an essential way for me to relieve everyday stress and prevent problems caused by sedentary work.

PHOTO: Harri Suomalainen

Sonja Sikanen

Personal Trainer

I am a sports advisor and personal trainer from the Tanhuvaara Sports Institute. I coach people of all types, from those beginning their health and fitness journey to active exercisers, and from young to elderly. 

Physical activity, well-being and healthy lifestyle have always been part of my life. Gym training entered my life 10 years ago and has been here to stay. For myself exercise has always meant strength, bringing feelings of achievement, challenges, energy and joy!

Heidi Kilpeläinen

Instructor
Fascia Method, Spin Basic, Purneri, Les Mills BODYCOMBAT®, BODYPUMP®, CORE™

By education I am a physiotherapist. My main job is occupational physiotherapy in occupational health care. I have been instructing group fitness since 2009. The power of doing and succeeding in a group is unparalleled! I want to convey this message to my clients; you can always progress and it's beneficial to engage in varied physical activities to maintain motivation and joy throughout the journey.

As an instructor, I am gentle and calm, encouraging clients to listen to their bodies. I am meticulous about technique and provide many alternatives for exercises so that each client can train at their own fitness level, efficiently and safely, regardless of the class. So, everyone is encouraged to try out new classes and keep moving!

PHOTO: Harri Suomalainen

Inka Varpunen

Instructor
Les Mills DANCE™, BODYJAM®, SHAPES®

From childhood I have loved dancing and practiced it vigorously, even participating in competitions. Nowadays, dance is a joyful hobby for me, something I can do anytime, anywhere, whether it's at home with the kids or here at the club with you!

In my free time I engage in diverse physical activities ranging from outdoor activities to gym workouts or guided classes. Balancing home life with kids and doing shift work, I also believe in the importance of exercise for my job. My work is physically demanding, and I want to be able to work without issues for as long as possible. Not to forget the mental benefits of exercise; it brings so much happiness and zest to everyday life!

As an instructor I am cheerful and encouraging. The most important thing for me during my classes is to ensure everyone has a pleasant and relaxed feeling throughout the workout and leaves with at least as happy a mindset as I have! Teaching energizes my daily life, as happy clients and shared positive exercise experiences uplift my spirits!

Welcome to enjoy my classes!

Sini Saari

Instructor
Yin Yoga, Air Yoga

I specialize in yin yoga but also teach aerial yoga and hatha, where gentle slow-flow practice is close to my heart. My classes are gentle and free from performance pressures. I warmly welcome everyone to my sessions just as you are and with the resources you have at that moment.

I love learning new things, which is why I annually undertake further training to deepen my knowledge and expertise in areas such as recovery, nervous system balance and yin yoga in general. I aim to regularly introduce different approaches to the classes because, as we are unique individuals, I want to provide individualized ways to deepen, facilitate, or intensify one's practice.

PHOTO: Harri Suomalainen

We're always looking for great people to join our team!

Interested in working at Ole.Fit? Send us an open application, and we'll get in touch with you as soon as possible.