Meet Anna Alfred Shirokova | Founder of ALORA Fitness

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna Alfred Shirokova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, how does your business help the community?
At ALORA Fitness, we’re all about creating a positive atmosphere and bringing people together. Our goal isn’t just to offer amazing Pilates classes — it’s to build a space where people feel supported, confident, and connected.
We’ve helped so many people discover a type of movement they truly enjoy and can stay consistent with. We also host events that bring our community together, giving everyone a chance to meet, connect, and build real friendships. It’s such a great feeling walking into class, seeing familiar faces, sharing a quick chat, and feeling like you belong.
That’s what ALORA is all about — helping people feel good inside and out, and creating an environment where everyone feels welcome. If someone leaves class feeling a little stronger, happier, and more inspired, we know we’ve done our job.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What makes us different is the atmosphere we’ve built — it’s not just a workout, it’s a community.
Getting here definitely wasn’t easy. Opening a studio from scratch came with countless challenges — from finding the right space, to dealing with construction, to building a team. There were many moments of uncertainty, but I kept pushing forward because I believed in the vision. What helped me overcome the challenges was surrounding myself with the right people who reminded me why I started in the first place.
What I’m most proud of is seeing how ALORA has grown into a place where people truly love to come — where they find movement that excites them and a community that feels like family. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that consistency, passion, and genuine connection are everything. When you truly care about your people — both clients and your team — that’s when your business thrives.
ALORA isn’t just a fitness studio — it’s a space built with heart. It’s about empowering others, creating balance, and reminding people that taking care of yourself can be something you look forward to every single day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting San Diego for a week, I’d definitely make sure they got the full local experience — a little bit of wellness, sunshine, great food, and coastal vibes!
We’d start the trip with a morning Pilates class at ALORA Fitness, of course, followed by coffee and breakfast at Kouklas cafe right across the street. Then we’d spend the afternoon walking around La Jolla Cove, watching the sea lions, and maybe stopping for lunch at some place overlooking the water.
I’d take them to Little Italy for dinner. Always a great vibe and delicious food.
For some outdoor fun, we’d hike Torrey Pines, catch a sunset in Sunset Cliffs, and maybe spend a lazy beach day at Coronado or Del Mar.
What makes San Diego special to me is that it has a little bit of everything — ocean views, amazing food, active people, and this relaxed energy that just makes you feel good.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve met so many amazing people along the way, and I’m truly grateful for all the support and encouragement I’ve received. I’d definitely love to give a big shoutout to Jonathan Nuyen, who trains all of our instructors and continues to guide and support us as we grow — his expertise and dedication have been a huge part of ALORA’s success.
And of course, a special thank you to my husband, Chris Alfred, for always being so supportive, patient, and my biggest cheerleader through every step of this journey.

Website: https://aloha-fitness.com

Instagram: alorafitnesspilates

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alorafitnesspilates