The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Local gyms find success in programs for women only

One new business offers women-only workout room and equipment.

Incenta builds new Moraine branch
5/24/12
REX to announce earnings
5/24/12
U.S. Bank introduces new credit card app
5/24/12
US bank earnings rose this winter to 5-year high
5/24/12
Weekly US jobless aid applications dip to 370,000
5/24/12
> More headlines

By Everdeen Mason, Staff Writer 9:04 PM Saturday, February 4, 2012

SPRINGFIELD — More workout businesses have developed programming that targets women, including new fitness club Premier Fitness.

The Dayton-based chain opened Dec. 26 in the former Springfield Athletic Club at 5100 Urbana Road. Athletic Club members automatically are Premier Fitness members.

New owner Wade Gates said the biggest difference is the club has a large women-only section in addition to its co-ed offerings.

“We really target ladies who wouldn’t go to a fitness environment due to the stigma of what it means to be fit,” Gates said. “Over the years a lot has been done to make the environment friendly to women who would be intimidated.”

Gates called the women’s room a fitness center within a fitness center, stocked with equipment designed for women’s often smaller frames and different types of weights.

“The main thing is it’s just an area (women) can go where they aren’t sweating next to guys,” Gates said. “Just making it an environment where they don’t have to dress up or do their makeup.”

A group of women working out during their lunch hour in the ladies only section seemed to agree.

“It’s really nice to be separate from the men’s, it’s not so embarrassing,” said Christina Butts, who has been a member for a month.

Not alone

Other area gyms have programs that also target women. Springfield Health and Fitness, located in the Bushnell Building at 14 E. Main St., offers a “Ladies Summer Shape Up” program starting in April, said Pat Frock, the gym’s owner.

“It’s specifically for women to get them swimsuit ready,” Frock said. “A lot also use it to get ready for their weddings. We called it bridal bootcamp before.”

The rest of her gym is split evenly between men and women, which she attributes to some of the heavier duty weight lifting equipment men sometimes prefer. And in the classes offered there, some, like the boxing class, are more popular with women.

Beat goes on

The Fitness Cellar in the Tuttle Brothers building at 137 E. Main St., focuses on keeping co-ed.

One of their more popular classes, which features weight lifting timed to music, is more popular with women, but the owners are looking to change that, said Stacy Garrett, co-owner.

“I think it’s just about awareness. Men don’t understand the kind of workout they can get (in some aerobic classes),” Garrett said. “It seems to be toning and strength conditioning, and men want to do heavier things.”

Officials from the Springfield Family YMCA and local Curves locations were unavailable for comment.

So far, Premier Fitness’s approach — co-ed but with a special section for women — seems to be working. Gates said membership has doubled since they opened.

Share this article