Modern life doesn’t always lend itself to motivation at the gym, but with Bahar’s words of encouragement and Morning & Night’s holistic support, you can reach your fitness goals knowing that you’re supported on a cellular level and beyond.
HEALTH & WELLNESS / 11 MARCH 2025
Sitting Down with Perk Founder, Bahar Gharaei-Tafti
Author: Rachel Chalmers
Bahar Gharaei-Tafti, founder of boutique London fitness studio, Perk, is on a mission to transform the way women work out. After years of exercise that felt more like punishment than support, Bahar developed her own fitness flavour with one-of-a-kind classes built around female empowerment – Perk combines barre, high-intensity cardio, targeted resistance training, and flexibility modalities for a playful workout delivering real results.
A fitness studio designed with women in mind…
Whether attending an in-person class in her colourful Hackney studio, or sweating at home in the online studio’s Workout of the Week (W.o.W.), Bahar is the cheerleader you’ve always wanted – her energy and encouraging nature bring welcome relief from the traditional gym environment. All you need is a pair of dumbbells, a positive attitude and 60 minutes, and you’ll be well on your way to what Bahar describes as “a transformed body, mind and spirit.”
In celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we’re sitting down with our hand-picked selection of women to watch – members of our #LumityCollective who believe in Morning & Night’s ability to support women in reaching personal and professional goals. Bahar Gharaei-Tafti is our latest woman to watch, and her female-focused approach to fitness and ‘perky’ spirit make it easy to see why her classes are so popular…
How would you describe your wellness routine?
Consistent but not obsessive. I exercise, eat well, take my supplements etc, but I also try not to stress out if I missed something one day or if I indulge. I know I have the power and knowledge to balance it out, and life is too short!
What’s one book you believe everyone should read?
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez; themes of fate, being present, pursuit of ambition, cause and effect. A lot to chew on, but so well written!
What’s the one self-care ritual you always make time for, no matter what?
Time for myself daily.
Three things you’re loving right now?
Sunshine in London, seeing women at Perk feel empowered through their efforts in class and finally those same women creating deeper bonds with each other through Perk.
What helps you feel good?
Having great family and friends, delicious healthy food, down time, 5 Element acupuncture and daily morning pages.
What’s your morning drink of choice?
Filter coffee using Square Miles Coffee Beans (my favourite roaster)!
What's your evening drink of choice?
Margarita on the rocks with a salted rim (balance is everything)!
Feel-good food?
Tacos.
What makes you feel empowered?
Doing something new and challenging. As we get older, we walk away from such, but I think we need to embrace what is new and challenging as it only serves to enrich our lives and literally forms new neural pathways in our brain.
Who is part of your community, and how do you support one another?
My community is quite eclectic and international as I have lived in many places. All are strong women who juggle all the hats we, women, wear – mother, daughter, partner, friend, co-worker, boss etc. We are cheerleaders to each other's pursuits, council when things get a bit hard or confusing and keep each other in check.
What’s the best advice you’d offer to your younger self?
Do not care what people think, just do you.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, personal or professional?
Enjoy the process. Often times we get caught in the end-product/goal but we forget to enjoy the journey and praise the wins.
What’s inspiring you in life right now?
What inspires me is seeing women at Perk do something they thought they could never do, like starting a regular exercise routine, lifting heavier weights or fitting into an old dress. Once a doubt has now transformed into strength, resilience and confidence. It does not get better than that!
What does wellness mean to you?
To me wellness is about consistently tuning IN (physically mentally, emotionally and spiritually) and cultivating tools that help us both tune in and balance ourselves amidst whatever life throws at us.
One piece of advice you’d give to all women striving to find or build an empowering community?
Seek or build a community that nurtures and accepts you, but also pushes you to challenge yourself beyond what you think you are capable of.
