All it takes is half an hour.
The women-only gym chain Ladies Workout Express is gaining ground in Tucson with a 30-minute quickie workout that promises to catapult the metabolism into fat-burning mode within less than two minutes.
Workout Express recently opened its third location at 3603 W. Cortaro Farms Road. There, women can exercise thoroughly without spending hours at it, said Nathalie Janke, one of its owners.
Machines that are designed for women's needs, along with lots of chatter, make the workout pleasurable and keep the motivation up, Janke said.
"Nobody is judging each other and (the women) are really comfortable in the environment," she said.
Janke and sister Patty Nathan opened their first location in September 2004, and since demand was rising, they decided to open another at Cortaro Farms Road. Two of the three Tucson-area Workout Express branches are owned by the sisters.
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One of the reasons for opening a women's gym is the non-competitive, community atmosphere that lets members work out without pressure, she said.
"We interact with the members and we build a relationship," Janke said.
Someone who has profited from the business is Sandy Shkolnick, who joined Ladies Workout Express a year ago.
Since then she has shed 80 pounds by working out six days a week.
"I'm happy to go there every morning," she said. "I feel I'm doing the right thing and I feel very successful."
Shkolnick, 60, started working out because a doctor had told her to lose weight.
She said she felt welcome and made friends right away and is now a role model for other members who are struggling with weight or health problems.
"Everybody was sweet, and I want to keep doing it for the rest of my life," Shkolnick said.
After joining gym after gym, Rebecca Janes said she has finally found a place where she can enjoy working out.
"It's been wonderful, and it's definitely more than I expected," said Janes, who just joined Ladies Workout Express a few weeks ago.
Her goal is to lose 25 pounds or "a couple of inches," Janes said, adding that the individual attention and guidance will help her stay motivated this time.
"It's fun, and half an hour goes by faster than you think," she said.
Because losing weight and good health concern nearly everyone, Janke said outreach programs are near the top of the agenda.
They offer a number of programs to fight teen obesity, including free workouts for girls between 12 and 17 years whose mothers are members. And the "Fit Teen" program offers free workouts for teens during the summer.
Women whose husbands are abroad with the military work out for free, and members take part in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
In addition, the owners donate membership certificates on a regular basis.
"We are so privileged to have a business, and we want to give back to the community," Janke said.
If you go
● Ladies Workout Express is at 3603 W. Cortaro Farms Road, Suite 135. It is open 7 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-7.30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. Fridays, and 8-11 a.m. Saturdays.
Monthly prices range from $19.95 to $39.95.
Call 579-6711 or visit the Web site www.ladiesworkoutexpress.com.
