10 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FITNESS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2004
New gym to offer cheaper alternative
By Abby Tillery
atleryline@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Wynmor Fitness Express expects more excitement about the new center then just a normal attitude.
Lawrence already has more than five fitness centers, and that doesn't include the Student Fitness Recreation Center.
Hudson Hamilton Jr., manager for Wynmor Fitness Express in Topeka, said there was a demand here, but no supply.
He describes the Lawrence center, which is opening at The Malls shopping center, 711 W.23rd St., as offering a low price without all the extras. There will be cardiovascular equipment, free weights, machines and tanning, but no exercise classes.
Pam Hird, Curves for Women franchise owner, 2104 W. 25th St., said her gym was geared specifically for women and most of its members are there for that reason.
She is not concerned about the new gym affecting the stability of Curves for Women because it has great corporate support and is the largest gym franchise with 7,500 locations worldwide.
Most of the gym members are not college-age, she said.
Hamilton agreed that it wouldn't hurt the centers already open in Lawrence because they would draw a different crowd.
It is going to be geared more toward the college students, he said.
Terry Keefer, assistant general manager for Lawrence Athletic Club, 3201 Mesa Way, said there might be a drop temporarily, but was confident it wouldn't be for long.
Allison Viola, Topeka junior, said it was doubtful that she would switch to another gym to workout.
Viola has been using the Student Fitness Recreation Center for several months and has a membership to the Lawrence Athletic Center that she doesn't use.
"It's just so convenient I don't know why I'd go anywhere else," she said.
Mary Chappell, director of recreation at the University of Kansas, said she was confident in the services the center provided for students.
There are four categories of people that use the Student Fitness Recreation Center: current students, former students who graduated before it opened, faculty and staff and retirees and affili-
FITNESS CENTER RATES
Wynmor Fitness Express plans to have the lowest monthly membership price in town at $9.99 per month. The required student fee for the Student Fitness Recreation Center was $62 for the Spring 2004 semester and is $31 for the summer session.*
Lawrence Athletic Club
3201 Mesa Way ...not available
2108 W. 27th St. ...not available
1202 E. 23rd St. ...not available
Curves for Women
2104 W. 25th St. ...$29/month
Body Boutique
925 Iowa ...$30/month
Therapyworks Wellness Center
1112 W. 6th St. Suite 120 ...$30/month
*other contractual agreements may
apply along with other enrollment fees
— Compiled by Abby Tillery
ates.
Chappell said that with the new equipment, the rock-climbing wall, and the long hours students would probably continue to use the facility even if a
new gym moved into town. The staff of the gym would always be open to any new suggestions, she said.
The new gym is scheduled to open on July 6, charging $9.99 per month.
Hamilton is confident that the new gym will be successful even though it is opening during the summer when most students are not in the area.
He said they had to move on the space now because the landlord would not hold it until the fall semester started.
According to Hamilton, the center needs to average 100 memberships per month to pay the bottom line. He said the Topeka location drew a number of Washburn University students and thought a location in Lawrence would draw KU students.
Chappell and Keefer welcome the new fitness center to town because they feel their centers are strong enough to maintain clientele.
Heather Hellman, Wichita senior and Student Fitness Recreation Center employee, said it wasn't so much about the equipment or cheap price, but rather the opportunity to work out with other students.
- Edited by Joe Burke