Power Gem owner dedicated to helping clients become the best version of themselves

Aaron Gonsulin
·3 min read

Life lessons and self-love is giving the owner of Power Gem a purpose. Now she’s aimed at creating a safe place while building a community for others.

Crystal Bridgewater has always loved fitness. She remembers going to the gym when she was in high school. After a few years, she lost herself, but her children, Torrien, Emerald and Sapphire, wanted to help others, too. She opened Power Gem of Lafayette.
Crystal Bridgewater has always loved fitness. She remembers going to the gym when she was in high school. After a few years, she lost herself, but her children, Torrien, Emerald and Sapphire, wanted to help others, too. She opened Power Gem of Lafayette.

Opened on Nov. 1, 2021, by Crystal Bridgewater, Power Gem is a local, woman-owned gym offering all-inclusive group fitness classes, personalized cardio and strength conditioning for all levels. The gym is dedicated to helping clients achieve their fitness goals.

The gym is 2811 Kaliste Saloom Rd. B in Lafayette.

Crystal Bridgewater opened Power Gem of Lafayette on Nov. 1, 2021. Located at 2811 Kaliste Saloom Rd. B in Lafayette, this woman-owned gym offers all-inclusive group fitness classes, personalized cardio and strength conditioning for all levels.
Crystal Bridgewater opened Power Gem of Lafayette on Nov. 1, 2021. Located at 2811 Kaliste Saloom Rd. B in Lafayette, this woman-owned gym offers all-inclusive group fitness classes, personalized cardio and strength conditioning for all levels.

Before opening her own gym, Bridgewater said she worked at a local gym for six-plus years. Once she left, she began training in other gyms around the area, and soon, she started gaining a following.

“One day I decided to bet on myself and take everything that I was giving to these other businesses and build my own brand,” Bridgewater said.

But what’s her brand? She said at Power Gem, they teach small group fitness class, rope fit, HIIT, strength conditioning and cycling. They also offer personal training. The goal is simple at Power Gem: to create a safe space for women to come and work on becoming their best selves.

“Not only to work out, but to come to and vent, share their frustrations, in a nonjudgmental environment surrounded by like-minded women,” Bridgewater said.

Power Gem empowers you to be your best self. Owner Crystal Bridgewater is using her past to help others.
Power Gem empowers you to be your best self. Owner Crystal Bridgewater is using her past to help others.

The success of herself and Power Gem started thanks in large part to her oldest son, Torrien, whom she had when she was 21.

“When I became pregnant with him, I was in college and not really performing the way that I knew I could,” Bridgewater said. “My grades were suffering, and mentally I had completely tapped out of school. But after I gave birth to him, all of that changed.”

After his birth, Bridgewater said she had a reason and a purpose. He gave her the “power” to keep going. Five years later, she became pregnant with her twin daughters, Emerald and Sapphire, who are known as her gems. Hence the name, Power Gem.

Bridgewater said she has always loved fitness, ever since a very young age. She remembers going to a gym near her house at 4:30 a.m. then heading to high school.

“It just always made me feel good,” Bridgewater said. “With working out, that’s exactly what it is. Your body vs. your mind in most cases. Mentally it made me stronger once I realized I can do all hard things as long as I controlled my mindset and gave every workout my best effort.”

Power Gem of Lafayette is dedicated to helping their clients achieve their fitness goals.
Power Gem of Lafayette is dedicated to helping their clients achieve their fitness goals.

Through her life and fitness journey, Bridgewater gained grit and determination. This has brought her life full circle with Power Gem, a place she has always dreamed of.

“I’ve always wanted a place where people could come and become the best version of themselves,“ Bridgewater said. “Working out has brought me out of some of my darkest moments and made me happy on some of my unhappiest days.”

Observing women transition from wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants in the gym to shorts and tank tops brings great joy, Bridgewater said.

She added that It's not only due to the visible results they are achieving but also because their self-confidence is growing. And that, more than anything, allows her to go out and change the lives of others.

“Their self esteem is enhanced,” Bridgewater said. “Yes, physically their body is changing, but their mental strength is increasing as well. That’s the best part.”

Visit Power Gem’s website for membership and class information.

This article originally appeared on Gonzales Weekly Citizen: Power Gem owner dedicated to helping clients become best they can be