Fitness USA to go ladies-only

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Posted March 29, 2013 7:54 pm by

Fitness USA in South Bend to go ladies-only

http://www.wsbt.com/news/wsbt-south-bend-fitness-center-kicking-out-men-20130329,0,4411597.storySOUTH BEND – Feel the burn is taking on a new meaning for some members of a local gym.

On April 8, Fitness USA in South Bend will become a ladies-only facility.
It’s a decision that has upset many male members.
The executive director of Fitness USA says they took every member into consideration when making the decision, but they needed to do what was best for the company.
One local man says he asked for his money back but was refused.
Red Williams has worked out at the South Bend location of Fitness USA since 1994.
“I joined this facility because I live about a mile from it and there’s many others that go there because it’s convenient,” Williams said.
He and his wife initially signed up for lifetime memberships, but now that the facility is turning into a women-only environment, he feels like he’s being torn away from friendships and a place where he’s comfortable working out.
“I know dozens of people and, you know, we have and say hi and every time i visit it’s very comfortable,” Williams added.
Fitness USA Executive Director Jodi Berry says many women have expressed interest in having a female-only gym and the popularity of classes like Zumba and yoga demonstrate a demand for a ladies-only fitness center.
“We need to address the challenges that we face in this day and age,” said Berry in a phone interview with WSBT-TV. “As a business, we cannot stay constant. We need to be changing with the trends.”
Fitness USA has other locations in Mishawaka and Elkhart.
Berry says they decided South Bend was the right choice for the female-only location.
Williams says, “I know the one in Mishawaka is much nicer, but especially at my age, I don’t want to be driving at 6 o’clock in the morning to go exercise.”
Williams wants a portion of his $29 annual fee back and all of a $79 fee he paid in December.
When he asked for his money back, he says he was denied.
“There’s a wide variety of circumstances and types of memberships so each members will be looked at on a case by case basis,” Berry said.
 
The notice was posted to the door earlier this week.
Williams says as a loyal member, he would have appreciated a letter or some other type of direct communication.
He and his wife plan to go to another gym.
Fitness USA looks forward to serving new female members at the South Bend location.
Williams plans to contact the corporate office about the refund.

Fitness USA has given male members automatic upgrades and perks as a way to make the switch to the Mishawaka or Elkhart locations easier.

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