karine ouellet
A kinesiology graduate of Université Laval and certified trainer for fourteen years, Karine spent five years at a big chain before leaving: too much selling, not enough training. She opened Studio Nord in 2019 with a loan and a lot of well-chosen used equipment.
Her philosophy: start where you are, progress slowly, and aim for consistency over heroics. No one will sell you supplements here. Karine knows all 340 members by first name and knows who's coming back from an injury.
The team: Karine and Vincent (strength training, post-injury), Léa (spinning, HIIT), Pascale (yoga, mobility, postnatal).
four rules, applied every day
Studio Nord was born out of being fed up with big chains. Here is what we do differently, and won't change.
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01
Consistency over heroics
We start where you are and progress slowly. Coming back the next week matters more than a personal record.
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02
No high-pressure sales
No 12-month contract, no sign-up fee, and a monthly membership you can stop whenever you want.
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03
Zero judgment
No photos or videos on the floor, no lifting contests, no comments about bodies.
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04
A first name, not a number
Karine knows members by their first name and knows who is coming back from an injury. So do the trainers.
from big chain to neighbourhood gym
Karine Ouellet's road to Avenue Myrand.
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2012
Kinesiologist
A bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Université Laval, then her personal trainer certification.
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2014
Five years at a big chain
Too much selling, not enough training. Karine writes down everything she would do differently.
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2019
Studio Nord opens
On Avenue Myrand, with a loan and plenty of well-chosen used equipment.
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Today
340 members
22 group classes a week, certified trainers, and still no 12-month contract.
the studio
Strength training
18 guided machines, 4 squat racks, 2 bench press stations, leg press, cable pulleys.
Cardio
8 treadmills, 6 bikes, 4 ellipticals, 3 rowers, 2 SkiErgs. Screens work with your headphones.
Free weights
Dumbbells from 2 to 50 kg, kettlebells, olympic barbells, deadlift platform, punching bags.
Facilities
Locker rooms with code lockers, 6 showers, soundproofed class room, water bottle station, 30 free parking spots.
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