Durban – Shapes for Women, a franchise system of women-only gyms, is planning to open a further 40 outlets by the end of next year to capture a growing market of women who do not enjoy the testosterone climate of conventional gyms.
Barry Owen, who with partner Greg Ivins started the business in February 2005, said on Thursday: “We saw a good opportunity to tap into a market that is not being serviced.
“The concept of women-only gyms is very successful overseas. Virgin Active does a good job of servicing a particular market but not all women find these gyms appealing.”
There were about 15 000 women-only gyms worldwide catering to 5 million women, Owen said.
Since Shapes for Women launched in February 2005, competitors Curves and Contours Express, both US franchise systems, have also opened in South Africa.
Curves currently has 47 local outlets and Contours Express has 21 outlets, with plans for a further nine gyms.
The two partners behind Shapes for Women put in start-up funds of R650 000 to open two gyms and then franchised from November 2005.
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