Single-sex gyms gain popularity
due to supportive environment

"Women come here because they don't feel like they are in a meat market."
- Janet Crowe, Curves manager

By embracing her curves, she found herself By Lesley Roselle J201 Reporter Just three weeks before school ended, Erica Bieterman, decided to leave her sorority, where her problems began. “I hated the person I became.” Bieterman, who is now a senior at Indiana University, reflects on the time where she experienced a low time in her life at college.  "I started to do bad in school, was having relationship problems with my boyfriend of that time, and just didn't want to do anything." After a period of feeling low and gaining weight the summer after she left her sorority in 2003, Bieterman decided to join a support group. But this wasn't an ordinary support group; this was a women-only exercise facility, Curves. As a member as well as an employee, Bieterman received support from clients and co-workers and started to control her weight.      Photo by Lesley Roselle Employees stay social on the circuit. Erica, left, helps others just as Curves has helped her. Bieterman, who is majoring in sports communication, has been working at Curves since October 2003.  "Working at Curves has been a rewarding experience," said Bieterman. After quitting her previous job in 2003, Bieterman was introduced to Curves by her roommate, Gretchen Williams. "I knew she would be great for the job because she is hard-working and loves a social environment," said Williams, who also works at a Curves in Bloomington, Indiana. One reason she became a member and an employee at Curves was because ever since high school Bieterman has been very active, loves athletics, loves to be around people, and enjoys volunteer work. Yet, despite trying to find a new job, Bieterman was also trying to find a way to help her depression. After leaving her sorority because of social issues, Bieterman became unhappy and over-weight. "I began to feel overwhelmed with my school work and experienced some problems within the sorority," said Bieterman. Once she started working at Curves, Bieterman got more than a paycheck; she got a support network that helped her battle problems with feeling down about herself and her weight gain.  "It is very personable here," said Bieterman. This type of atmosphere has led Bieterman to control her weight by working out there everyday and also by running outside the facility. "I am in better shape and I feel happier." With a smile on her face every time a member walks by, Bieterman always strikes up a quick conversation with a client. Conversations range from talking about their day to how their son or daughter is doing at their job. "The atmosphere is very social and that is a huge reason why people come to Curves," says Bieterman. About 70 percent to 80 percent of the employee's time is spent engaging the clients and being social with them on the circuit. Sometimes Bieterman or another employee will work at the counter, but usually they are walking and talking to members while they work out on the circuit.  Curves' program consists of a structured circuit-training routine that combines strength training and cardiovascular exercise. A small group of people move rapidly around a circle three times, which consists of about 10-12 hydraulic resistance machines and a recovery station between each one, where a person can walk or jog in place to the beat of music. Every 30 seconds a recorded voice on the music CD tells you to move to the next station. The workout last for 30 minutes. A lot of the time Bieterman will work out with them and talk or will go in the middle of the circuit and talk to them or say encouraging comments. "It makes the workout more enjoyable and go faster since going around the circuit three times can be tiring," said Bieterman. Lisa Miller said the reason she came to Curves is because employees make the exercise more personable. It was the social aspect that locked her into the gym. Miller said Bieterman always strikes up a conversation with her and they talk about everything, even personal things. By engaging in conversations, it helps motivate her when she is working out since she hates to exercise. "Coming here makes a difference," said Miller. The employees aren't the only ones who give support; the members also give back the same support to the employees. "The women take care of you, just like you take care of them," said Bieterman. Just a few weeks ago, Bieterman's knee was hurting her and some of the women who were working out at Curves that day told her to go see a doctor. She refused, but they insisted. One woman was going to come over after work and take her to the doctor if she didn't go. Bieterman finally decided to see a doctor. There she found out her knee was in bad shape and she needed crutches for about two weeks. "Everyone looks out for each other. It is a close atmosphere," said Bieterman. Bieterman truly loves the interacting part of her job and feels rewarded at the end of the day. "Seeing a woman accomplish her goal is the best feeling because you know that you were a part of her experience," said Bieterman. Once Bieterman graduates from IU, her goal is to open a Curves in Cincinnati.

By Lesley Roselle

J201 Reporter

Photo by Lesley Roselle

Employee Erica Beiterman, right, encourages a member working out on the circuit. At Curves, women can make friends, lose weight, and stay healthy.

It’s about the size of your living room. But instead of couches and loveseats, you see a weighing scale and 12 exercise machines positioned in a circle. All around the circle, women are jumping, lifting and running in place. Women come here to take refuge and exercise without feeling intimidated or self-conscious; and there is only one rule to follow: No Men Allowed!

“Women come here because they don’t feel like they are in a meat market. They don’t feel intimidated,” said Janet Crowe, manager of Curves in Bloomington and Spencer, Ind.

Curves is just one example of women-only gyms that are becoming a growing trend in the United States. These single-sex workouts cater to women who lead busy lives and who favor exercising in a self-conscious free environment. Because of their growing success, men-only gyms like Blitz and Cuts began to model women-only gyms in 2003.

Want more information on Cuts Fitness for Men?

The Increasing Trend

Women-only health clubs have increased in the United States by 50 percent since 1998, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). The reason: these single sex facilities cater specifically to women’s needs and promote a self-conscious free environment.

Women-only gyms comprise about 25 percent of the market place in 2003. Brooke MacInnis, a spokes woman for IHRSA, said that in 2003 there were about 6,000 women-only clubs. “Women-only fitness gyms are a growing trend and these single-sex franchises are increasing,” said MacInnis.

The reason these gyms are increasing is because more women prefer a single-sex environment when exercising. A 2000 survey by IHRSA found that 63 percent of women prefer to start an exercise program at a single-sex gym, and only 43 percent of men preferred single-sex gyms. 

Jackie Melka, a sophomore at Indiana University, decided to switch last year to Curves after exercising in a coed setting for about five years. “I felt uncomfortable working out in front of guys. Working out in an all female setting has made me feel less intimidated,” said Melka. 

Female membership in health gyms is also increasing. According to IHRSA, women continue to represent the majority of overall health club members, accounting for 52 percent in 2001. The percentage is slightly higher in commercial gyms, where women represent 53 percent of membership. This is about a 26 percent growth in female membership at commercial clubs since 1998, whereas male membership increased only about 6 percent.

Curves International

One women-only gym on the rise is Curves International. CEO and founder Gary Heavin opened his fist Curves facility with his wife, Diane, in 1992 in Harlingen, Texas. His goal was to provide strength training, weight-loss guidance and a comfortable environment designed for women, according to the Curves International website.

Quick facts about Curves -    NO MEN! -    Locally owned and operated -    There are no weight stacks to manage or change -    Safe accommodating resistance keeps you moving smoothly & safely around the circuit -    A positive, motivating atmosphere with personalized service from a friendly trained staff -    Any woman can participate regardless of age or fitness level -    Workout with friends. No classes to meet or schedules to keep -    And it only takes 30 minutes, 3 times a week

Curves became such a success that in 1995, Heavin turned the health club into a franchise. Other franchises began to follow Curves, such as Ladies Workout Express and Slender Lady Inc.

“Women-only gyms empower each other,” said  Crowe.

Curves opens 200 facilities throughout the world each month and has over 7,000 in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain and Mexico. The only single-sex health clubs in Bloomington, Ind., are two Curves facilities: one at 3826 West 3^rd Street, which opened in 1999, and the other at 105 N. Pete Ellis Dr., which opened in July 2000.  The two facilities have about 800 members.

“It is a great facility for women who want to exercise and gain friendships,” said Erica Bieterman, an employee at Curves in Bloomington.

Curves’ program consists of a structured circuit-training routine that combines strength training and cardiovascular exercise. A small group of people move rapidly around a circle three times, which consists of about 10-12 hydraulic resistance machines. Between each machine is a recovery station, where a person can walk or jog in place to the beat of music. Every 30 seconds a recorded voice on the music CD tells you to move to the next station. The workout last for 30 minutes.

Monroe County YMCA

Women-only gyms aren’t the only places women are flocking too. The Monroe County YMCA has also seen an increase in women membership of approximately 8 percent in the last year, according to Nancy Parker, Fitness Director at the Monroe County YMCA.

Although there are no programs specifically geared just towards women, Parker does see a trend of mostly women participating in fitness classes. “I do feel there are some women that are much more comfortable in this setting,” said Parker. “I am sure men would feel the same way if you approach them.”

Bloomington Sportsplex

Bloomington Sportsplex also has seen an increase in women membership. Although men comprise 60 percent of the membership, “women membership is increasing every year,” said Elizabeth Feldman, membership and fitness director at the facility.

They have added yoga and pilates this past year. It also has offered jazzercise for about three years. Although there programs are coed, “mostly women attend them,” said Feldman.

Besides these programs, Sportsplex’s main focus is on personal

Photo by Lesley Roselle

Kristin Tarnoci enjoys the supportive, comfortable environment of a women-only gym. She switches between strength training, above, and cardiovascular exercises.

training. Feldman says that more women do the personal training and take advantage of the option. “It is so popular among women. If anything, we expect more trainers, especially women. Some only want women trainers,” said Feldman.  This type of workout is popular because most women are very busy with college, being mothers or working. “This sort of personal training caters to that type of woman,” she said.

Hectic Lives

Women-only gyms or gyms that have programs geared towards women are starting to focus their programs on the “working women.” Curves’ program lasts only 30 minutes, while Sportsplex schedules its sessions around the women’s schedule. “Our programs specifically targets working women or women who don’t have a lot of time to exercise,” said Crowe. Find the Curves in your area.

These facilities solicit more than working women for there membership roles. They also cater to women who are self-conscious about their weight, women who are recovering from medical issues or from domestic and physical abuse, and women who are religious and are prohibited to be in coed settings. In this type of single-sex atmosphere, women find comfort and support, said Crowe.

Controversy

Although single-sex gyms have many positive aspects, controversy has risen among men and women who feel these single-sex environments discriminate by gender.

A couple of years ago the Massachusetts chapter of the National Organization for Women opposed legislation to protect women’s health gyms. NOW fears that allowing discrimination in health clubs could lead other places to discriminate by gender. Some men have also filed civil rights lawsuits in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, saying how these clubs discriminate by sex; but no one has won.

What do you think are the advantages/disadvantages of single-sex gyms?

Following in Their Foot Steps

Despite this controversy, women-only health clubs keep increasing, and men-only health clubs are following suit.

"I now have the confidence to workout. I don't feel like I have to impress anyone, especially guys." - Jackie Melka, Curves member

In February 2003, John Gennaro built his first men-only gym in New Jersey. His gym models Curves’ circuit training because it has been so successful in that type of workout. In May 2003, Cuts had 50 franchises and plans to build more. So far Cuts is in 12 states, but not in Indiana. Like women, men also need a quick, convenient workout in a place that's not intimidating, said Gennaro.  

Blitz for men was also established in January 2003. The company offers a cross-training exercise program that combines strength training, boxing and martial arts techniques into a 20 minute workout.  Blitz currently has about 60 branches around the country and in Canada. Founder Scott Smith plans to have 400 facilities open by the end of 2004.

In general, health clubs can expect a strong growth in the young adult market over the next decade and beyond, according to the IHRSA trend report in October 2002. And a huge part of this growth is due to increase participation by women.

“Working out in this type of environment makes a difference,” said Melka, who joined Curves in 2003. “I now have the confidence to workout. I don’t feel like I have to impress anyone, especially guys.”  

Designed and edited by Briana Rauen