Peer Pressure Fitness
Diversity + Unity = Community
Photography by Bruce Silcox
Zach Wiesen and Caroline Peterson opened Peer Pressure Fitness in 2021 as a dedicated and goal-oriented neighborhood wellness hub. They felt Uptown had a strong sense of community and abundance of locally-owned small businesses but lacked a membership fitness facility for residents to cherish.
More than a year into business, they now provide clients necessary amount of motivation and inspiration to reach their targeted fitness and wellness goals with services including personal training, massage therapy, and physical therapy.
Below is our interview with Zach Wiesen, co-owner of Peer Pressure Fitness
What makes Peer Pressure Fitness different from other gyms?
We service our clients by optimizing the 8 Dimensions of Wellness while incorporating Minneapolis Culture to create an uplifting space that promotes personal health and community collaboration through Positivity, Energy, Equality, and Respect.
Why did you pick the Lake Street corridor for Peer Pressure Fitness?
On top of a pandemic, the Lyn-Lake neighborhood was hit with civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd, which still affects the community to this day. The vision of Peer Pressure Fitness is to rebuild a community that is grounded through the ideals of overall health and wellness. Lake Street seemed to be the perfect community to embody our mission and cultivate this vision.
“Our hope is for Peer Pressure Fitness to be known as the place for members of the community to become their best selves. We hope to cultivate an entire community that is grounded through the ideals of overall health and wellness through positive energy and equal respect.”
Zach Wiesen, co-owner of Peer Pressure Fitness
What do you hope for the future of Lake Street?
We hope for Lake Street to be known as a community of love, strength, perseverance, and camaraderie.
What financial support has Peer Pressure Fitness received from the Lake Street Council and how are those funds planned to be used?
We have been approved for a Storefront Improvement Grant as well as an Arts & Placemaking Grant which we plan to use to improve the aesthetic and energy of our building.
Any exciting projects to share?
An exciting project coming up is our first 6-week virtual challenge where clients gain access to daily workouts, nutrition guidance, and weekly virtual or in-person fitness bootcamps at our location. Our priority is being a recourse for the community. Come grab a membership and participate in events to be a part of that positive change!
We are so thankful to have the opportunity to service the community surrounding Lake Street. Cheers to a brighter tomorrow!
Lake Street embodies a strong sense of diversity and unity, which we feel is what cultivates such an immense sense of community and support.
Zach Wiesen, co-owner of Peer Pressure Fitness