Women-Only Clubs: The Reason & Need

In an article last year in CBI (Club Business International) Magazine, John McCarthy, the Executive Director of IHRSA (International Health & Racquet Sports Association) addressed the issue of Women-Only Clubs. IHRSA estimates that there are approximately 2,000 women-only fitness centers in the US serving approximately 2 million women. McCarthy cited research done for IHRSA by Dr. Christine Brooks of the University of Michigan's Fitness Research Center, which indicated a variety of reasons large groups of women did not use coed facilities, especially the large population of de-conditioned women who are in the most need of regular exercise but have the most anxiety about beginning.

We at Pro*Fit Enterprises could not agree more. Since over half of our sales of our PACE hydraulic circuit equipment is sold to women-only clubs, experience tells us that intimidation is the #1 reason why the de-conditioned/overweight/senior woman does not join a coed facility. We say, if a women-only club with a non-intimidating program such as PACE is what it takes to get a non-exerciser off the couch and into a healthy lifestyle, we are all for it! Sadly, there have been a few court cases testing the validity of women-only facilities. We are pleased that we know of no successful action in these cases! We feel that women-only clubs are here to stay; there is a real need for these types of clubs if we are ever going to see a positive change in the health of this country! We are pleased to offer free informaion and video to any one interested in opening their own women's club. Contact Pro*Fit Enterprises at 888-604-2244 for details or visit our web site at http://www.pacegroupexercise.com. Pro*Fit Enteprises is recognized as a Continuing Education Specialist by the American Council on Exercise (ACE). nnnn