At Studio K-Fit, gym-goers support local charities while still getting a personalized, intensive workout. The family-owned gym has become a neighborhood favorite in Redwood City, largely for its donation-based fitness activities. Owners Kendrick and Angela Ribeiro work to cultivate an encouraging environment where community members can connect with each other through exercise and disconnect from the “fast pace” of life in the Bay Area.

“We tend to forget the social aspect of overall wellness, especially in fitness,” said Ribeiro. “Not only are people super friendly with each other here, but we go beyond the workout and really get involved with the community by working with local charity organizations.”

Studio K-Fit raises an average of $15,000 annually by holding donation-based fitness challenges to benefit charities. One of the studio’s most popular challenges is the annual February Cardio Challenge, where participants complete a 2-kilometer row, 2-mile stationary bike ride and 500-meter ski, where K-Fit donates $1 for every attempted challenge simply for showing up and giving it a shot.

Cortney Hsu, left, and Studio K-Fit co-owner Angela Ribeiro. Courtesy Studio K-Fit.

The challenge usually benefits the American Heart Association in honor of Heart Health Awareness Month, but after Kendrick and Angela’s 3-year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia in December, the couple decided to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society instead.

“After spending nearly four weeks in the hospital with our daughter, Angie and I wanted to do something that would charge us up,” said Kendrick. “This year, the cardio challenge helped us restabilize our own lives.”