New Iberia’s La Vie Fitness owner is looking to make a difference.

Kelbi Girouard is the owner of La Vie Fitness. She opened up her studio because she has a love for helping others. Girouard serves as a registered nurse. When she’s not working as a nurse in Lafayette, she’s leading classes in various activities.

Girouard ‘s La Vie Fitness opened up in February of this year. Their studio is located at 233 W. Main Street. The mission of La Vie Fitness is to promote an active lifestyle in New Iberia by providing fun and flexible group fitness classes.

One of Girouard’s most popular workouts right now is the Lagree method. Girouard said the purpose of the Lagree workout is a high intensity, low impact workout that focuses on core, strength, and endurance.

The whole workout uses a special, 10-foot machine based off of resistance, she said. The workout and machines were created by Sebastien Lagree. The method started in California over 20 years ago. Since then it has gained traction in the Teche.

And since its opening, the reception has been positive for Girouard and La Vie Fitness

“I think people really like it,” Girouard said. “We have a lot of people who are seeing results with it… which makes my job more fulfilling when you see people actually feel accomplished.”

That fulfillment for Girouard comes from her lifestyle. She enjoys working out and dedicating her life to living healthier. As someone who has done countless different workouts, she has tried out different gyms in her area. But she never found anything she really loved and enjoyed.

“I found Lagree and I was obsessed with it,”Girouard said. “But I also love to do other things… I like to run, too.”

She said it’s different from any other workout, since it’s both a mind and body workout. For 45 minutes you focus on nothing but what’s in the present.

“You are focused so much on your body and you that you don’t have time to focus on anything else,” Girouard said. “It’s like that breath of fresh air.”

Girouard’s La Vie Fitness also offers releve, a ballet-style class that targets the lower body for more glutes and core.

“My goal is to offer different classes at different times,” Girouard said. “If you want to do Lagree one day, you want to do something else one day, you can. That is my goal for it.”

This month, Girouard said they plan on incorporating a cardio class.

As a nurse, Girouard has always had a compassion to help others and see others reach their goals in life. She gets to see people at the beginning and watch them progress, watch their lives change and feel better about themselves.

“I still get that nursing feeling that you get, it’s just in a different way,” Girouard said. “And that is very special to me.”

But it’s just not making you healthier that Girouard is excited to do. She is ready to get involved in her community and to make a difference.

“If we don’t start doing things to better the community, then our kids are going to be in a community worth living in, so that is where my priorities are shifting in life as I get older,” Girouard said. “Now I am connecting with people who are trying to get New Iberia to be as great as it can be.”

If you are interested in joining a class with Girouard, you can visit their website www.lavie-fitness.com and you can schedule a class. If you haven’t taken a Lagree class at La Vie Fitness before, your first class is free.