welcome to
THE RESISTANCE

Two women at The Resistance gym with one performing a squat exercise while the other spotter, personal trainer Janine Couchman, stands behind her, all looking into a mirror.

A space for women who want to feel strong:

* in their bodies
* in their confidence
* in their everyday lives.

The Resistance, based in Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay, is a gym designed specifically for women. Shaped around real bodies, real lives, real challenges, and real aspirations.

This isn’t a place of competition, pressure or punishment. It’s where women come to feel seen, supported and capable.

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REAL WOMEN

*

REAL STRENGTH

*

REAL COMMUNITY

*

REAL WOMEN * REAL STRENGTH * REAL COMMUNITY *

Join our community of strong women!

The Resistance is designed for women, and 100% owned and run by women. Our entire philosophy is built around women’s bodies, women’s energy, and women’s real lives.

We run group strength classes catering for all levels, as well as HIIT (High Intensity Internal Training) and mobility classes.

This is your place if you want strength that feels achievable, coaching that understands midlife women, training with zero ego, zero judgement, and zero BS. And a community where you feel instantly at home.

* We don’t do competition
* We don’t do intimidation
* We don’t do “no pain, no gain”

We do care,
we do courage +
we do connection

How it works
Personal trainer Janine Couchman coaches a women gym member holding resistance bands attached to a cable machine, demonstrating an exercise.

MEET THE FOUNDER

Hi, I’m Janine

Janine Couchman sitting on the floor of a gym, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a white athletic top, blue leggings, and a smartwatch. Gym equipment like kettlebells, medicine balls, and dumbbells are visible in the background.

I’m the founder of The Resistance and a passionate advocate for women’s strength and wellbeing.

I hold a Masters in Educational Psychology, which strongly influences how I coach. It allows me to support women through confidence rebuilds, behaviour change and reconnecting with their bodies, particularly in midlife.

I recognise that women’s bodies and needs change over time, and my approach adapts accordingly. My coaching is thoughtful, evidence-based and deeply human.

The Resistance was created to be the kind of gym I knew women needed - safe, supportive, strength-focused and genuinely welcoming.

You’ll feel that from the moment you walk in.

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why women choose the resistance

  • I loved the challenge of doing the Women's Strength Programme. Janine really knows women's health and fitness. I learnt so much, and all I can say is, knowing what I know now, I wish I started regular strength training when I was younger.

    — Kate

  • 'Janine is a true leader who holds women's health front and centre. She is incredibly knowledgeable around menopausal health and has been a light in my struggle to get strong and well. I am so glad I have found her. She is true gem and I recommend her wholeheartedly.'

    — Jane

  • 'Janine explained the whole process to me, was very reassuring and checked that I was happy to proceed. We discussed injuries in detail and she explained how they can be overcome. I find gym equipment daunting, but Janine kept it simple and effective, and now I can drop into the gym at anytime and know what to do.'

    — Sarah

WE focus on what actually matters:

building muscle + bone + mobility.