Meet Remy, The Gym Best Dog: Helping GBF Fitness Clients Feel Safe, Seen & Supported

If you’ve ever stepped into a gym and felt nervous, judged, or just plain overwhelmed… you’re not alone.
For many of us — especially beginners, LGBTQ+ folks, neurodivergent clients, or anyone returning after a break — the gym can feel like a lot.

That’s exactly why Remy, my cockapoo and unofficial GBF Fitness co-coach, comes to work with me.

And he’s not just cute.
He plays a real, research-backed role in helping my clients feel calmer, more motivated, and more connected during their workouts.

This is the story of how a fluffy little dog became the heart of my private training studio — and why he might be the missing piece in your fitness journey.

Meet Remy, my gym dog!

🐾 Why Remy Is Part of GBF Fitness

When I launched GBF Fitness, my mission was to create a space where every body feels safe, affirmed, and welcomed — especially people who’ve felt uncomfortable in traditional gyms.

Turns out, Remy naturally understood that assignment.

He sits with clients during warm-ups, curls up next to people during recovery stretches, and offers snuggles when workouts get tough or emotions run high. And while it feels magical, there’s real science behind why it works.

🧠 1. Dogs Reduce Stress & Anxiety (Science Says So)

Multiple studies show that interacting with a friendly dog significantly lowers:

• Cortisol (stress hormone)

• Blood pressure

• Heart rate reactivity during stressful moments

This matters in the gym.
Exercise can stir up old fears, body image challenges, or self-doubt… but with Remy around, clients visibly relax faster. Their shoulders drop, their breathing steadies, and their nervous system calms down.

And when you're less stressed, you perform better.
You move with more control, more focus, and more confidence.

Steve, Your Gym Best Friend, and Remy celebrating Halloween at GBF Fitness

😊 2. Dogs Boost Mood, Motivation & Feel-Good Chemicals

Petting a dog has been shown to increase:

• Serotonin

• Dopamine

• Oxytocin

These neurotransmitters support motivation, emotional regulation, and overall happiness.

Translation?
When Remy’s supervising your workout, your brain is literally primed to feel:

• more positive

• more motivated

• more engaged

Clients often tell me: “I pushed harder because Remy was cheering me on.”

And honestly… they’re not wrong. He’s got that effect.

Remy cheering on Neema through her Incline Chest Presses!

🏋️‍♂️ 3. Dogs Increase Comfort & Consistency

There’s strong research around animal-assisted support showing dogs help people feel:

• safer in unfamiliar environments

• more comfortable trying new things

• more emotionally grounded during challenges

For clients who’ve been gym-shy, trauma-affected, or intimidated by fitness spaces, Remy completely changes the atmosphere.

A space that once felt scary becomes warm.
A workout that felt overwhelming becomes manageable.
Showing up becomes easier — which is the real secret to long-term progress.

Consistency grows where comfort grows.

Remy providing support to Don through his ab routine.

💗 4. Emotional Safety = Physical Progress

This is where everything comes together.

When a client feels emotionally safe, their nervous system shifts out of “fight or flight” and into a grounded state where:

• muscles relax

• form improves

• pain tolerance increases

• learning new movement patterns becomes easier

For many of my clients, Remy is a grounding tool just as important as a warm-up, cue, or stretch.

He’s part of the support system that helps them succeed.

Remy LeBone, my Gym Best Dog, and therapy dog, relaxing between clients.

🌈 5. Remy Makes GBF Fitness Feel Like Home — Not a Gym

At GBF Fitness, we don’t just lift weights.
We build confidence, celebrate small wins, and create a space where misfits can get fit — without judgment, without pressure, and without the anxiety of traditional gym culture.

Remy helps clients feel like they’re walking into a friend’s living room, not a fitness studio.
And when you feel safe enough to be yourself, that’s when real transformation happens.

🐶 Come Meet Remy Yourself

Whether you’re brand new to fitness, coming back after a long break, or looking for a private, affirming space to train — Remy and I are here to support you every step of the way.

Let’s build strength in a space where you feel safe, supported, and joyfully welcomed… tail wags included.

👉 Book your free consult today to meet Remy and learn how we can help you reach your fitness goals.