Fitness for women

The gym as a pseudo pickup club isn't what it used to be. Many ladies are enrolling in women-only fitness centres, and even co-ed fitness facilities are introducing women's sections to accommodate growing demand from its female clientele.

Clubs like Spa Lady in Calgary and Just Ladies Fitness in Vancouver are among a number of women-exclusive fitness clubs. Some are outfitted with posh amenities making these clubs triple-threats: spa, women's social club, and fitness facility all in one. They are non-intimidating, comfortable and relaxing places where you can work out -- and hang out. Here are a few to consider.

GoodLife Fitness for Women
www.goodlifefitness.com

GoodLife Fitness Clubs for women are located in eight provinces across Canada: Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Alberta. Most of the women's facilities are located in Loblaws super stores under the name GoodLife Fitness for Women and GoodLife Fitness for Women and Kids.

Kathy Kaye, vice president of operations for the women's division of GoodLife Fitness says the convenient location of the clubs appeal to women because they can drop their kids off at the day-care centre, shop, run other errands as well as work out all under one roof.

Kaye sees a definitive niche for women's-only clubs. "We've built 44 women's clubs in the last six years. The demand is there but it hasn't hurt the co-ed facilities," she says. "I just think that the women that would never have joined a co-ed facility are now joining the women's clubs."

Facilities/classes: Day care, tanning beds, personal trainers, cardiotheatre, cardiovascular strength equipment, yoga, pilates, spinning, group cycling, pump and step, access to co-ed clubs with swimming pool, women's only section in many of the co-ed facilities.

Membership fees: Monthly fees can range from $30 to $50 depending on individual fitness plans and club location. Initiation cost depends on location of club as well. A free trial workout is available to those who are considering joining the club.

Soul Fit
www.soulfit.ca

Soul Fit, in downtown Toronto, is the newest women's fitness club by GoodLife. General manager, Heidi McKnight says members appreciate the "culture of caring" and the benefits of having personal trainers included in the membership. "They feel that they receive the personal attention that is sometimes lacking at other fitness clubs and the women's-only environment allows them to feel comfortable and at ease while they work out."

The boutique-like atmosphere of the club struck Meagan Filion, a new member at Soul Fit. "I wasn't originally thinking that I would join a female gym, but once I was there it seemed more comfortable somehow," Filion says. "The women are really friendly and supportive, whereas in mixed gyms I haven't always found that to be the case."

Facilities/classes: 12 personal training sessions, unlimited group exercise classes, yoga, pilates, aromatherapy steam room and shower, reclining leather massage chairs, beverage bar with green tea and spa waters, gravity training systems, bi-weekly lunch-and-learn seminars, fitness workshops, monthly open houses and social events.

Membership fee: $92 - $132/month. Members knock off $20 per month in their second year of membership. Non-members can work out at the club -- on weekends only -- for a guest fee of $25.

Curves
www.curves.com

Curves is the largest fitness and nutrition franchise in the world with clubs in every province in Canada except Nunavut.

Melanie Tuele-Frazer, regional manager, for Toronto's downtown core says their motto is "no men, no makeup and no mirrors!"

Patricia Pinches of Ancaster, Ont. has been a member of Curves for the past three years. She enjoys the circuit training offered at Curves, the hydraulic weight machines and the opportunity to mingle with friends during her 30-minute circuit workout.

Facilities/classes: Nutritional class called the 6-Week Solution, in which women are taught how to break the cycle of yo-yo dieting with a medically proven program that claims to produce permanent results without permanent dieting.

A 30-minute circuit workout includes all five components of a workout -- warm up, cool down, cardio training, strength training and stretching. Another Curves motto is that the workout has to be fun, fast and safe!

Membership fees: $39 - $44/month plus a service fee of up to $199.

Truestar Health for Women
www.Truestarhealth.com

With 25 Truestar Health for Women centres in Ontario and three in Winnipeg, Truestar is an integrated health company that focuses on five key areas of health: nutrition, exercise, vitamins, attitude and sleep. Every member has a personal coach and is prescribed an individual program based on all five areas. Terry Nason, president of Truestar Health for Women, says there is a "Cheers" vibe to the Truestar fitness centers: everybody knows your name."

"In our centre we do personal calls," says Nason. "If I haven't seen you in the centre for a week or two I am going to call you." Nason suggests that Truestar's staff members aren't just interested in a membership. "We want to change your life. That is our marketing: 'change your life forever, become the ultimate you,'" she says. "And that is why it is important that you actually attend our centre and not just enroll."

Facilities and classes: 30-minute exercise circuit that includes hydraulics, weight machines, free weights and punching bags, a 20-minute abs, butt and thighs circuit, cardio machines, non-impact bike and elliptical machines, personal coaches.

Membership fees: Monthly fees vary depending on your program. Initiation fee is $199 but it's waived if you're switching from another gym. Women are invited to a free personal coaching session.

There are several other women's fitness clubs to choose from -- from Toronto's upscale Verity with its spa and non-chlorinated swimming pool to women's sections in co-ed clubs like Vancouver's Fitness World. With options such as these, there's no need for women to feel self conscious or awkward working out around the opposite sex and you'll never have to let 'em see you sweat!

For more women-exclusive fitness, check out the following sites:

www.adelaideclub.com
www.spalady.ca
www.fitnessworld.ca
www.verity.ca
www.justladiesfitness.com