Motivation Included
Support is endless at W3Body!
Real Women Real Results Podcast
Be Inspired by Women Just like You!
Support is endless at W3Body!
Be Inspired by Women Just like You!
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?
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!
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.
There are plenty of training gyms, studios, and high-end traditional gyms with amenities all around us. So why do women choose our gym?
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.
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:
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.
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.