Exercising Women's Right: No Mirrors, Make-up Or Men

Sun Herald

Sunday May 29, 2005

By HANNAH EDWARDS

THERE are few mirrors and even fewer muscle-bound jocks or body-beautiful girls. Flowers and murals decorate the rooms instead of the pictures of lean, keen gym junkies.

Welcome to one of Australia's fastest industries, the world of female-only fitness clubs aimed at "real" women warts, sweat and all.

Fitness Australia president Susan Kingsmill said the female-only gym phenomenon was "unquestionably" the growth area in the Australian health industry.

"The fitness industry has struggled with its image for the past 15 years," Ms Kingsmill said.

"There is a stigma that only terribly beautiful people go to the gym and some women feel they would not measure up.

"People hate to feel out of place. But in a female-only culture, women can feel a certain comradeship with every one else there."

One of the faster growing outlets in the business is Curves, a brand of gyms that has migrated to Australia from the US and, says the company, is the largest franchise in the world.

So far 31 outlets have opened in NSW in less than one year of operation.

The equipment is designed with women in mind, and most important, there are no men.

The workout takes 30 minutes as the women move around the 12 fitness machines that are arranged in a circle.

The unofficial Curves mantra is: "No mirrors, no make-up, no men."

"I like the fact that you are not sitting next to someone who is 21 and looks like Elle Macpherson and has a sequined g-string up her bum," customer Pat Gerahty said.

"There are no mirrors and no pressure."

Members at the Cremorne gym range in age from 17 to 89 and after just five months of business its membership has shot up to 200.

Janice Conley, a trained opera singer, attends the classes three times a week.

"I have a hate relationship with gyms normally," Ms Conley said. "I don't want sweaty men walking around talking about their sex life or feel the pressure to dress up. Many people come to get away from their husbands."

Susie Lee attended her first session at the gym last week.

"I can't jazz around and do all the things they do at the other gyms," Ms Lee said. "Here women can feel comfortable, and don't feel intimidated or embarrassed."

Another fitness outlet specialising in women-only classes is Fernwood Women's Health Club.

Fernwood is almost a one-stop-shop offering members a free video hire service, child-minding facilities, a hair salon, a beauty spa, a library, an internet kiosk and a cafe.

BASIC CURVES WORKOUT

? Members join the routine at any point of the circle and change machines every 30 seconds.

? There is no traditional warm-up. Instead, the routine begins slowly on the machines with speed and exertion gradually increasing.

? Either the upper or lower body set of muscles are tested on each machine, with the legs pushing against a pivot bar and hands pumping handles. The handles

are linked to a hydraulic system to give the same effect as lifting a barbell.

? After each machine workout membersstep on to a recovery station and do light exercise such as jogging on the spot to keep their heart rate up.

? There is a five-minute stretching session at the end.

© 2005 Sun Herald

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