By Bonnie Mason
How many times have you joined a gym or fitness club in your lifetime? Many women join health clubs and don’t stick with them because they either don’t feel comfortable, or are intimidated by the environment. Some women don’t feel that they are receiving the support they need to help reach their weight loss and/or fitness goals. And, other women simply don’t like to exercise in a co-ed facility.
According to FranchiseHelp.com’s 2014 Fitness Industry Analysis, more than 41 million Americans are members of a health club or gym and the numbers are increasing, although the same study showed that some fitness centers in the marketplace today miss the mark when it comes to meeting the needs of their female members.
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As a result, women-only health and fitness clubs are on the rise and 27-year-old Shapes Fitness for Women continues to grow, now with nine franchise locations across the Tampa Bay area, including a Wesley Chapel location off S.R. 56, east of I-75 (near the Ashley Signature Furniture store).
Long-time Shapes executive Ann Gilbert purchased the Brandon and Wesley Chapel franchise locations in October 2013. In addition to her role as franchise owner, Gilbert continues to oversee the education and training programs for all nine Shapes locations in this dynamic Tampa Bay-area-based chain of fitness centers for women only.
Shapes of Wesley Chapel is a premier, semi-private health club for women that offers a state-of-the-art facility with the latest in free weights and a full range of cardio equipment, focusing on the health and fitness needs of women. Expert group fitness instructors, certified personal trainers and amenities such as a nearly Junior Olympic-sized exercise pool, spa, sauna and on-site child care, are available for busy moms and single women who want to get fit.
“All of our group fitness and personal trainers are certified professionals, although experience also is important to me when I’m hiring,” Gilbert says. “I personally head up the educational system for all Shapes locations and see to it that proper staff training is the number one priority.” And, even with all of that professionalism, Shapes membership fees are pretty reasonable, starting at just $19.99 per month, which includes all group classes and use of equipment.
“Shapes staff and instructors are here to help you in every step of your fitness journey,” says Shelley McFatter, hired by Gilbert to be the general manager of the Wesley Chapel location. McFatter began her health and fitness career with Shapes as a receptionist when she was 16 years old. Two years later, she became a certified personal trainer. McFatter says that she left Shapes for several years and worked at other fitness centers in the area. However, once she decided to get into management, she chose to return to Shapes because, “it is a progressive company that offers a management program for women who are looking for a career.”
McFatter even trained the general manager for Gilbert’s Brandon location, before moving into her current GM role at the Wesley Chapel Shapes.
“What sets us apart from our competition is the focus we put on making women feel comfortable and appreciated,” says McFatter. “We offer 45 group fitness classes each week. Group fitness is extremely popular with our members. It’s an activity where you create friendships and build a peer support system.”
Group fitness classes include Ab Attack, stretching and cardio classes, yoga, Pilates, kickboxing and even the very popular Zumba!
Also well-liked are the aquatic classes in the pool at the Wesley Chapel Shapes, including WaterMotion, Making Waves, Aqua Core, and Aqua Zumba — again, all included with your monthly membership.
of Two-year Wesley Chapel Shapes member Deanna Rose can attest to the effectiveness of the aquatics classes. She began her journey having to use the aid of a walker, taking four or five ‘stops’ to make it from the front door of the gym to the changing rooms. Her aqua therapy began with seven repetitions for each exercise in the pool. Within one month, she says she was doing 21 repetitions and walking without a walker. Within two months, Rose says she was doing 30 repetitions and walking without assistance.
And, at the end of three months, her pain level significantly decreased and her range of motion had increased remarkably as she moved to a “maintenance” aqua therapy exercise routine.
“My pain level reduced to about a 6 (on a scale of 1-to-10),” Rose says. “My quality of life has improved, remarkably. I can do things now that I was unable to do two years ago. Bottom line? IT WORKS!”
Personal & Small Group Training
Shapes also offers optional personal one-on-one fitness training and/or nutritional counseling to enhance your fitness routine and overall well-being.
“Once you reach a level where you’re comfortable with your fitness routine, you might consider our buddy training or small group training, both of which provide some extra support and motivation to help maintain your fitness level,” explains McFatter.
Shapes member Lynne Jenkins says, “After my first month of Tsunami (a special, high-intensity small group program offered at the Wesley Chapel location), I lost 10 pounds and I feel great! The water work has been tough, yet challenging, and tons of fun. It’s different than any other exercise program I’ve done, as we do different exercises every 2-3 minutes, like circuit training. I know anyone who tries this program and puts 100 percent into the workout and at least 80 percent into the recommended food plan will lose weight and feel great!”
McFatter says she really believes that Shapes helps remove barriers for women who may otherwise not join a club or for those who join other fitness centers but end up never being comfortable at the facility.
“We get involved; we care about our members,” McFatter explains. “You don’t get lost in a crowd here. Shapes has great member retention —we see women renew year after year.”
She adds that, “Many gyms don’t call their members if they don’t see them for a week or two. Shapes staff members make it a point to check in with you to see if you need any help or if there are concerns as to why you haven’t been to the facility or attended a class. We truly want you to succeed in your goals. We focus on the individual. For example, I don’t let anyone become a member without first getting to know their story.”
Grand Reopening!
A Grand Reopening celebration to show off the Wesley Chapel Shapes’ recent makeover will be Sunday-Wednesday, March 23–26. Although the event list for the celebration is still being finalized, women from the community are invited to tour the facility and meet the members of the profesional staff, who will be excited to learn about you and your story to better help you meet your weight loss and fitness goals.
To learn more about membership or the Grand Reopening event schedule, call 973-7354 or visit ShapesTotalFitness.com. Shapes Fitness for Women in Wesley Chapel is located at 26240 Golden Maple Loop, next to Ashley’s Signature Furniture (off S.R. 56), and is open seven days a week, with convenient hours to meet anyone’s schedule. Stop by the Wesley Chapel Shapes Monday-Thursday, 5 a.m.–9 p.m.; 5 a.m.– 8 p.m. on Friday; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday; and 9 a.m.–3 p.m. on Sunday.
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