Traditional coed gyms can be problematic.
A safe, comfortable environment is not always found at a coed gym, where it’s not uncommon for women to have uncomfortable interactions with male members, whether that’s in the form of unwanted stares, unwanted advances, or simply unwanted advice on how to correct their form.
“This is not my personal experience, but several clients of the club have expressed that they transitioned to our club due to an experience like this,” Julie affirms.
A women-only gym like Women’s Fitness of Boston removes the male gaze, allowing women to focus purely on their workouts.
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But is a workout at a women’s gym enough of a challenge?
You might think that the workouts at a women-only gym wouldn’t be “tough enough,” but as Julie says, “it’s a common misconception.”
“Wherever you choose to work out, modifications should be made for the varying levels of fitness (or injury) to meet each individual’s needs/goals. This is not specific to gender,” Julie says.
“Our instructors offer modifications for participants who want an extra challenge in their workout routine and also for those who would like to level down for the day,” she adds. “We invite all women of all fitness levels to come try our classes and experience it first-hand, and/or meet with one of our personal trainers and challenge themselves to a workout.”
Spotlight on Success: Joanne
- Age: 43
- Occupation: Accountant
- Achievements: lost 65 pounds, 12 inches, and more than 10% body fat in a little more than 1 year
- Workout schedule: 2x a week for 30 minutes
- Types of Exercise: Mostly strength and resistance training, HIIT (high-intensity interval training) exercises, and strength and conditioning workouts using things like kettlebells, medicine balls, and body weight.
“These workouts were designed to boost her EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) and keep her metabolism functioning for 24–72 hours, burn calories, and build overall core strength,” Julie explains.
- Diet: Julie says that Joanne has also “focused heavily on a well-balanced diet,” doing away with simple carbohydrates and instead eating complex carbohydrates. And she gets one cheat day a month.
“Healthy food and a balanced diet is not a punishment,” Julie says. “Find balance and enjoy delicious healthy meals and do workouts that you enjoy.”
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MINUS THE MEN, IT’S THE SAME AS A COED GYM.
Women’s gyms typically have all of the trappings you would find in a traditional coed gym, including a weight room and a wide array of cardio equipment. They usually have a variety of fitness classes, too. For instance, Women’s Fitness of Boston has more than a dozen offerings, everything from ballet Pilates to strength and conditioning classes. Julie’s personal favorite class is Power Flex 45, a muscle-building workout that she says not only strengthens muscles, but also burns fat and calories. “And it’s fun!”