Why Women-Only?
It seems silly to open a gym where you can only have ~half of the population as your members, especially when statistics show that less than 75% of the population works out and strength trains. So why take the risk?
A Personal Journey in Women’s Gyms
Over time, I have been exposed to both coed gyms and women-only gyms, but my first experiences were in women’s gyms. I grew up in health clubs. My mom owned Women’s Workout World, a popular women-only health club chain and franchise in the Chicagoland area from 1982-2021. The gyms were traditional—big-box style with group fitness, cardio machines, and strength equipment.
Her business helped thousands of women get fit and active in eras where gyms were dominated by men. I didn’t need to be taught the value; I saw the value of women-only gyms firsthand. I felt the impact as I watched this dominant player in the local fitness industry boost women’s health, confidence, and strength. I’m so fortunate to have had that front-row seat and perspective!
Experiencing the Coed Fitness World
Although I loved the concept of women-only gyms, I wanted to understand what it’s like in a coed fitness environment. I immersed myself in those experiences:
- I took and taught classes in coed studios.
- I worked out in traditional coed gyms, lifting weights on my own.
- I even did CrossFit to understand the hype and speak to it honestly.
After all of these experiences, my appreciation for the women-only niche deepened. I found myself asking, “Why would I work out in a coed gym when I could work out in a women-only gym?”
Not everyone has access to a women-only gym, but for those who do, the experience is transformational. It boosted my confidence in speaking with prospective members about gym choices. I could better empathize with women who had negative coed gym experiences and passionately describe the welcoming, non-judgmental environment we provide.
The Risk and the Reward
Despite the competition in Elmhurst, I took the chance to open a women-only training gym. Since opening in October 2023, my belief in the value of a women-only niche has only grown.
Why Choose a Women-Only Gym?
There are plenty of training gyms, studios, and high-end traditional gyms with amenities all around us. So why do women choose our gym?
- They have lived in Elmhurst for years and never joined a gym before.
- They’ve had fitness goals in mind but never followed through.
- They chose us, a brand-new gym with no track record in the area.
Why? Because it’s a women-only gym. It’s a space where they feel more comfortable, supported, and free from judgment. No one is watching, judging, or caring about what they’re wearing or how much weight they’re lifting.
It’s a place that welcomes beginners and shows every woman that she can succeed.
Validation Through Experience
My third firsthand experience—opening and running a women-only gym—has only validated my belief in its value. Many of the women I’ve met in the past year and a half might never have achieved their fitness goals without the comfort and support of a women-only space.
Yes, our incredible strength programs play a huge role in their success (more on that another time!), but the first step—the one that got them through our doors—was the appeal of a gym designed specifically for them.
For that, I am truly grateful.