This week is National Women’s Health Week (May 13-19). Coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health, one of the tenants of National Women’s Health Week encourages women to get active. To honor the initiative, we profiled a women’s-only gym in North Carolina that’s doing exactly that — encouraging women to be healthy and fit.
Carolina Woman
Founded in 2005, owner Meredith Fagan decided to open Carolina Woman after years of frustration in the health and fitness industry — she worked at gyms during and after college in various roles, including as a manager. “I got pretty frustrated,” said Fagan. “I saw a lot of what not to do. I considered leaving the industry because I was so frustrated.”
Her friend and mentor convinced Fagan that she was too valuable to leave the industry altogether — “and so we came up with a plan to open up my own gym,” she said. Collaborating with her mother as a business partner, Carolina Woman got its start.
At first, Fagan was weary about owning and operating a women’s-only health club. “I didn’t have very good thoughts on what I thought a women’s club was,” she said. However, Fagan used her mother as an inspiration — a woman who hated to exercise, sweat and who hadn’t truly exercised since she was in middle school. “The purpose for creating the club was to cater to women like my mom. Carolina Woman was a way to create a place for women to feel comfortable, ask the questions they needed and get the results they wanted,” said Fagan.
According to Fagan, the biggest barrier that women face when it comes to health and fitness is gathering the courage to ask clubs for help. “Having the courage to walk through the door and ask for help, they have to want it. Why do we work out? That purpose of joining a health club makes a big difference in what they do and what we recommend for an exercise program, which in turn, determines their results.
“Women need to understand the importance of strength training and how to do it,” explained Fagan. “Providing a training program that isn’t intimidating is key. Training in groups is the best way to build confidence, show support and get them involved.”
Understanding what women want out of a gym membership can help clubs cater to female members. “[Clubs] have to have some sort of weight loss program,” said Fagan. “What woman out there doesn’t want to lose weight? They will go get weight loss somewhere. Why not have something in the facility that works that they can follow?”
Providing guidance will make sure your female members’ needs are being met, she continued. Offer programs and services that women love — such as Zumba and nutritional advice. Most importantly, hire an employee who makes women’s health a priority. “You need to have someone on staff who really cares about women and cares about their health.”
How does your club cater to women? Try organizing a wellness seminar targeting women. Organize a Group X class specifically for breast cancer survivors. Most importantly, let women prospects that come into your club know their well-being is important, and how working out will benefit them. “You’d be amazed at how many [women] don’t know they have to exercise and don’t know the importance of what it can really do for you,” said Fagan. As a club, use your influence to enlighten them.
By Rachel Zabonick
