In Australia, the fitness industry has continued to grow over the last decade, with reports warning the market may actually reach saturation in the next few years, but that doesn’t mean it will slow down!
Leisure centres and sports facilities are popular with both males and females but it was only in the 80s that the first exclusive women-only gym opened. Since then, this demographic has grown to be considered the largest consumer group in the industry.
Where are some of the best places to find different types of exercise in a safe, welcoming, woman-only environment? Find out more about these exclusive fitness facilities.
Where Did the Concept of a Gym for Women Begin?
In the 1960s, Kenneth Cooper coined the term 'aerobics' to describe cardiovascular activity. Former dancer, Jackie Sorenson is credited with developing 'aerobic dance' in 1968.
By 1982, 'Aerobics Oz Style' made it to Australian television and this new form of physical workout really started to gain momentum. This style of workout was very popular with women because it didn’t require any special equipment, could be done at home, was considered an “appropriate” type of exercise for women (read: didn’t use weights and was more ‘feminine-like’), and was fun!
Although the exercise fit stereotypes, it didn’t change the fact that it felt liberating for many women to be able to do something more strenuous and empowering.
Before long, aerobics had made its way into gyms, and the previously male-dominated environment of weights and workout machines began to see an increase in female clients and trainers.
Gyms and other training facilities rapidly increased in popularity. During this time, many women would join a club and then 'drop out' because they didn't feel comfortable for all the usual reasons, mostly having to do with men not respecting boundaries, feeling intimidated by men’s exercise styles, or feeling uncomfortable with the "standard" gym experience like being on display.
However, in 1989 Diana Williams opened the first Fernwood—one of the first women only gyms. After the opening, Williams commented:
"The atmosphere was electric. Women were staying and getting results."
Diana Williams
Fernwood quickly grew into a nationwide chain, followed by other similar gyms and an outpouring of so-called 'lady-specific classes' such as Body Sculpt, Step Aerobics, and Zumba.
In itself, this may be responsible for the most recent statistics on gym membership which show that, of the number of Australians who are members of gyms, 53 per cent are women.
Interestingly, a 2017 study also showed that, on the whole, a greater proportion of Australian women than men state they exercise three times a week, and many engage a personal trainer to do so.
The trend of going to a gym is here to stay, with the industry making a comeback after a rough couple of years for obvious reasons. The call for women’s gyms is as strong as ever as women all over the country want to have the option to attend the gym worry-free.
According to a 2017 study, 61% of Australian women exercise at least three times a week, compared to 57% of men
Five Benefits When You Join a Women's Gym
Many women enjoy the challenge and atmosphere of a mixed exercise class. However, many others don't, and this can deter them from continuing to access the facilities once they join.
An exclusive women's environment can reduce the stress of being in a place that is inherently vulnerable, making it easier to keep attending.
Here are five more benefits you could gain if you join a women's gym.
1. Modified Equipment
This does not mean 'lighter weights'. Instead, modified equipment caters for the differences in the physiology of men and women, acknowledging that there is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to exercise equipment.
Group classes and fitness instructors may also be more well-versed in how to teach to women, making those exercises more comfortable and effective.
2. No Unwanted Stares or Veiled Comments
Even though this situation seems to be improving, unfortunately, unwanted and inappropriate behaviours and side comments have not been entirely eradicated from society, and certainly not from the gym.
Not every woman experiences this type of behaviour, but for those who have, a female-only gym may provide the supportive and safe space they need.
3. Meet New Friends
If you join a fitness group, the odds are you will have similar goals to other people in your class. Exercising together affords the opportunity to chat and get to know more about each other.
Finding a fitness buddy at the gym can make exercise easier, and many women find lifelong friendships while exercising together.
4. Less Intimidation
Even perfectly behaved men can be seen as intimidating at a mixed gym. Men tend to be physically larger, with bigger muscles and seem to be more likely to do things like grunt and yell when exerting a lot of force.
In a women-only environment, it feels more secure because everyone tends to be closer in physical size, and women are more likely to be courteous and conscientious, helping foster a welcoming environment.
Furthermore, most women-centred gyms are designed for a more comfortable experience, ie no 'fishbowl' setup.
5. Support and Learn From Each Other
Groups of women with similar goals are more likely to share advice and hints on issues like weight loss, gaining strength, and confidence building.
Finding a group you click with is the perfect way to ensure you have support and continue to strive for your goals. Together, you may be more likely to learn exercises and workouts you’d otherwise be too nervous to try in a mixed gym, like using a bench press, for example.
Australian Fitness Centres Catering Exclusively for Women
These days, there are more choices for women’s gyms than there were many years ago. You have choices of different styles of classes and studios as well as trainers who can help you meet your fitness goals.
Here are some of the most popular women-only gyms across Australia.
Fernwood
Varies by location, generally staffed 8AM-5PM with additional unstaffed hours, some are open all week and some are closed on weekends
73+ locations in all provinces, mostly NSW, QLD, VIC
Varies by location, typically around $20-$50 per week depending on the program
fernwoodfitness.com.au
Open gym, Pilates Reformer, Barre, High Intensity (weights, bootcamp-style, etc), Clubbercise, Cycle, Boxing, Low Intensity (yoga, bodyweight, qi-gong, tai chi, recovery, etc), Meditation, Kids & Teens, Mom & Baby, Pregnancy, HIIT, Zumba, TRX, Walking
Childcare (select locations), Infrared sauna, AstonRX Metabolic Reboot program, HYPOXI, personal training
Fernwood's motto is 'Empowering Women to Shine' with a goal of encouraging growth in confidence, leading to success.
The club offers something for everybody, with cardio machines, weight training, freestyle circuits, group and virtual classes and personal trainers. Wellness is also a huge focus with classes for pilates, yoga and meditation, along with mental health first aid trained staff in all centres.
Perks include gym with creche, hair styling and shower products, access to their online platform with recipes, workout videos and nutrition coaching.
The fee structure varies from location to location depending on which type of membership you want and the length of the commitment you make, so be sure to check the location nearest you to get accurate cost details.
Curves
Varies by location, generally 6AM-7PM all week
About 53 locations mostly near big cities (Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne)
One free workout, fees vary by location, typically about $99-$149 per month depending on membership tier
curves.com/au
Boxing, Cardio, Balance, Circuit, On-Demand At-Home, Health & Nutrition
Body Composition Scan, Curves Coach, Group Coaching, Machines designed for women
Most famous for its 30-minute total-body circuit class with a qualified coach, you'll find Curves gyms throughout Australia. The 30-minute circuit consists of a variety of machines and bodyweight moves designed for an effective total-body workout without overworking.
Their additional classes cater to all levels and range from high-intensity cardio to female boxing classes and low-intensity balance sessions aimed at strengthening the core.
For people who don't have a Curves gym nearby, the club also offers 'MyCurves on Demand', an online program with unlimited access for at home workouts.
Joining fees are approximately $150 (depending on the franchise) with rates starting from $60 per month. Included in the 12-month contracts is access to any Curves club around the world.
Cloud9 Studio
Only when classes are taking place, typically 5AM-7PM
Sandgate QLD
Typically $50-$100 per week or buy class packs (10 for $280 or 20 for $540)
c9studio.com.au
Weights, Pilates Reformer, Strength Conditioning, Mat Pilates, Stretching & Flexibility, Boxing
Small group classes, 30-minute classes, roll unused sessions over to the next week, personal training, clinical nutrition advice, exercise physiologist advice
Although Cloud9 only has one location currently, they are open for franchise expansion so more may be opening soon.
The core focus of the gym is to provide convenient classes that fit into a busy schedule, which is why they are only 30 minutes long. Additionally, classes are always no more than 6 people so you will always get individualized attention from the trainer. You’ll learn how to do the exercises properly and get personal advice to help you in your unique fitness journey.
The atmosphere is fun and empowering with women from all walks coming together for a common goal.
Bodyshape
Varies by location, generally 5:30AM-7:30PM M-F, fewer hours on weekends and holidays
Gordon and Brookvale NSW
One free week, contact club for membership costs
bodyshape.com.au
Open gym with functional training area, Pilates, yoga, Zumba, HIIT, Les Mills, Ballet fitness, Barre, Stretching, Cycle studio, Walking group, Boxing, Meditation
Personal training, small group training, creche childcare, shower facilities
Bodyshape was the first women only gym in Australia, opening the first location in 1984 (Fernwood came along in ‘89).
With an emphasis on providing a comfortable, non-intimidating atmosphere, Bodyshape has an open gym with strength and cardio equipment as well as many classes and a kid’s club area so you can bring your children along.
Crunch Female Fitness Centre
Open Gym:
M-Th 6AM-9PM
F 6AM-7PM
Sa 7AM-6PM
Su 8AM-4PM
Class times vary
Leichhardt NSW
$50 fortnightly - $180 fortnightly depending on membership tier, plus option for single class purchase and discounted 1 month subscription
crunchfitness.com.au
Open gym (cardio, weights, functional training area), Cycle studio, Reformer Pilates, Zumba, RAW (runners and walkers), group exercise classes, RIG 30& 45, HIIT, yoga, Yogilates (yoga/pilates fusion), X-training, boxing, Group Functional Training, Group Fitness, Live-Streamed Classes
Childminding, Personal training, Exercise Physiology
A fully-equipped open gym, Crunch also offers a wide array of classes to suit all kinds of fitness enthusiasts’ needs. With creche services, you can exercise without worrying about how to handle childcare.
While the gym itself is for women only, note that one of the exercise physiologists is male.
EnVie
5AM-10AM, staffed hours are generally 6AM-7PM with fewer hours on the weekend
Gisborne and Berwick VIC
$15/15 days trial period, $19.50 per week - $29.50 per week
enviefitness.com/fitness-studios
Group Training Classes, MetaFiT & MetaPWR, Pilates, Zumba, Yoga
Child care, Personal Training
With locations in both Australia and the US, this international club is focused on providing a great place for women to work out. The open gym allows you to follow your own routine while daily classes can provide you with more guidance. With childminding facilities, going to the gym is easier!
Punch Love
Varies by location, classes generally run from 5:45AM-7PM during the week, fewer classes on weekends
Windsor, Castle Hill, and Annangrove NSW
Contact studios for pricing
punchlove.com.au
Fundamentals of boxing, Boxing classes, Strength training, yoga
Personal training, weight loss coaching, shower facilities
This empowering boxing gym helps women feel confident in an exercise that can be intimidating, especially in a mixed setting! The classes are designed to suit people of all fitness levels and the coaches will help you develop an exercise plan that takes your personal health into consideration.
Learn more about the coaches, watch a sample class video so you know what to expect, and find recipes listed on their website.
Exercise with Personal Trainers
An alternative to attending a gym in the traditional sense is to work with a personal trainer.
There are many ways personal trainers can help you meet your exercise goals. Here’s what you need to know about finding a personal trainer.
Why Work With a Personal Trainer?
Going to the gym on your own is a great way to get into working out, but if you have specific goals or feel overwhelmed coming up with an exercise and nutrition plan on your own, a personal trainer is a great help.
Group classes are great, but with your own trainer, you can be sure that your instruction is tailored to your unique wants and needs. Personal trainers are experts at providing instructions for how to properly perform exercises as well as coming up with personalized fitness and nutrition programs so you can meet all your goals without stressing about how to get it done.
Choose the Right Trainer for You
When you work out with a personal trainer, the most important factor is that you feel completely comfortable with whoever you choose. Some women feel more comfortable with female trainers and others don’t mind having a male trainer. Either way, it’s important to be able to meet with your prospective trainer and make sure you’re a good fit before you commit to working with them.
You should be able to ask about these topics and get a good feel for your trainer's expertise, training style, and personality:
- Their education and professional experience
- Their specialty, if any
- Their approach to training and their coaching style
- The types of clients they usually work with and how they’ve helped
- Their rates and schedule
Where to Exercise with a Personal Trainer
Some gyms have personal trainers who work there, so you may only hire those trainers when you also attend that gym, and likewise, you can’t bring an outside trainer in either.
Other gyms will allow outside trainers to come in with you; you’ll have to talk to someone at the specific gym you have in mind to find out their policy.
Some personal trainers will have their own gyms where you can come to learn how to perform certain exercises and receive a workout schedule, and then exercise on your own outside of your sessions while still in the vicinity of your trainer.
The final options for personal training are utilizing you or your trainer’s home gym, only exercising outside with portable equipment (or a public gym), or training with online lessons.
Finding a Personal Trainer
You can search at your local gym for employed trainers or look for one on your own.
One great resource is Superprof, where you can search for PTs nearby or for online sessions easily. Superprof allows trainers to verify their credentials and real students leave reviews so you can get reliable information about the trainer before you even speak.
Most PTs on Superprof offer a free consultation so you can make sure you’re a good fit before committing to work together.
With Superprof, you can find a trainer who specializes in the type of fitness training you want to do, like Pilates, kickboxing, barre, weightlifting, and anything else you can think of!
Whether you attend a gym or hire a personal trainer, there are lots of options for women in Australia to exercise while feeling safe and supported.
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