I am a 22 year old, male fitness instructor. I am wanting to know how
I can attract the 30-70 year old females to my gym?  How I cater for
thier sepcific training needs by changing my instruction or my gym to
suit them as well as all other gym users?

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Clarification of Question by phelpsy-ga on 19 Sep 2005 00:16 PDT

I dont think you undertand the question, Im asking more the lines of
what i need to do to cater for females in that range or any range
really, i can relate to males for i am one but females tend to get
intimdated by males in a gym situation and things like offering a
seperate part of the gym for females only to train sort of ideas? any
more to offer?

Hello, phelpsy-ga! 

 I have spent over 25 years in the gym - as a fitness instructor,
personal trainer and now, one of those "older" exercisers. There are
many reasons women are intimidated by male-dominated gyms. Being in
the minority, feeling that men are staring at you, not being sure how
to use the equipment, changing the machines from heavy to light
weights while men are between sets, feeling pushed to the side while
the men grunt and groan, etc, are just a few of the reasons women will
stay away.

 I have tried to provide you with a few articles that should provide
some insight into how you might attract more females to your gym, in
accordance to the price you have offered for an answer to your
question.


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"The Unspoken Opportunity: Marketing to Women." Casey Conrad's
Marketing Tutorial. Club Industry's Business Fitness Pro. Feb 1, 2002
http://www.fitnessbusiness-pro.com/mag/fitness_casey_conrads_marketing/index.html

==


"Improve the Atmosphere," by Peter Baxter. Athletic Management.
http://www.sandfordgroup.com/editoriallibrary/athletics_library/university_college_fitness.html

"Catering to first time users, particularly women, within university
weight rooms wasn't a priority on most college campuses five years
ago.......


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"Recommendations for ways to make Powerhouse Gym "gender friendly."
http://www.utoledo.edu/~pfritz/resources/e-faith%20hill.htm


==


"The Changing Face of Fitness," By Lynnette Shelley. Club Industry's
Business Fitness Pro. Jun 1, 2002
http://www.fitnessbusiness-pro.com/mag/fitness_changing_face_fitness/

 (Scroll down to the Senior and Women's Market)


==


Offer a Boxing Class:

"Women Pack Punches in Chicago Gyms," BY PAMELA REDD 
http://www.lib.niu.edu/ipo/ip970126.html


==


 You might also try offering a "women-only, get acquainted with the
gym" session one day a week. Or, perhaps, a "women-only, introductory
weight-training session" to lessen the intimidation. It is also
important that you keep some paper towels and sanitary spray bottles
handy to clean the equipment before and after use. Men don't seem to
care, but women are pretty disgusted when they have to get on a
sweat-drenched machine after some burly guy walks away.

 Just a few thoughts...


umiat

 
Search Strategy
attracting more women to the gym
attracting females to a male fitness facility

I think your demographic range of 40 years is way too wide. The needs
of the 30 year olds will be different from the 70 years olds. This
will be true of either sex, not just women.

Yes, I think it would be a very good idea to have a separate section
for those who prefer not to expose themselves to general view, 
perhaps the older ones.  Try to arrange it so that they can get to and
from the dressing room without passing through the other area.  The
younger ones may be hoping for some sociability.
You might drop around to a couple of all female fitness places and try
to learn about any difference in decor, music, equipment.

Cheers for telling me what i already know

Are you talking about the 'vibe' you want to create in order to
attract more paying customers from the 30-70 year old female
demographic or what you yourself as a 22 yr old fella needs to do to
make yourself more receptive to the needs of prospective women
customers?

As someone who fits your very broad demographic -- most broads would!
;) -- I'd personally suggest that you talk to some women and *listen*
to their responses. Respect, validation and understanding are
important when feeling vulnerable, and believe me, just about every
woman I know feels vulnerable in a leotard in a 'power' environment
like a gym. (And if you think that's nonsense, then give up now!)

The Fernwood gym chain is a women's only gym in Australia and it's
very successful. One of their unique selling propositions was
promoting their complimentary fresh fruit platter to their members.
Fresh, soft, quality towels, light, bright colours, scrupulously clean
showers, etc were other things I seem to remember from their
advertising blurb. Just little things but these made a difference at
the time of decision. http://www.fernwoodfitness.com.au/

Here my two cents!! You open up a curves!