Great Finds for Women and Children

By Jessica Porter

When deciding where to work-out, forget the image of a macho, weight-lifting, intimidating environment. Loudoun is home to many gyms and fitness centers that provide fun for children and a comfortable atmosphere for women.

For example, Gold’s Gym is co-ed but offers a women’s only area for privacy.

“A lot of women don’t feel comfortable or they are intimidated working out around the bigger guys; the women’s room offers a little more privacy,” Michael Daley, sales manager of Gold’s Gym in Ashburn, said.

Taking the idea of a women’s room a bit further, Curves for Women is a facility that caters to the average woman’s needs in many ways.

“If one woman who is training for a marathon can do 25 repetitions, someone’s grandmother can come in next and do five repetitions. You initiate how much you want to do to reach to reach your own health goals.” Curves Coach Georgia Milam said.

Just as important as gyms focusing on women are the many fitness centers in the area that provide an outlet for children to begin exercising.

“Children really need to develop a love for movement and excursive at a young age. It’s a learned behavior that they can enjoy when they are young and make a part of their lives as they are older,” Little Gyms in Northern Virginia owner Chad Mussmon said.

The Little Gym offers classes for children ages 3 months-12 years of age and classes for parents to participate with their child.

“Our curriculum is age appropriate and goes to exact developmental milestones for each age group. One of the main things we do is provide small age group classes,” Mussmon said. The Little Gym also focuses on building self-esteem and confidence.

Jumping Jack Sports provides classes for children ages 2-13 along with classes for special needs children and My Gym Children’s Fitness Center offers classes for children only and for parents to participate. My Gym focuses on getting children to be active and away from their video games for a while. Founding partner of My Gym Enterprises Monique Vranesh offers a few tips for frustrated parents.

Among her suggestions are to walk wherever possible, and when driving, park further away and walk to your destination. Do outdoor games in the backyard, such as playing “follow the leader,” jumping, skipping, walking like a duck, etc. Get a hoola hoop and have fun with that. Best of all, get the kids dancing to their favorite songs—they love it and they work up a good sweat, Vranesh advises.