Players in Perth’s competitive fitness centre market are facing a fresh challenge from rivals catering exclusively to women.
Players in Perth’s competitive fitness centre market are facing a fresh challenge from rivals catering exclusively to women.
The fast-growing segment of the market has increased from a tiny niche just two years ago to 43 outlets today.
Once the domain of a small group of local independent operators, the recent growth in the number of women’s-only centres has been led by US-based Curves and its competitor franchise, Contours.
Australian-owned Fernwood Women’s Health has also joined the fray, opening its first centre in Cannington in May and another in Myaree in June.
Graeme Thomas, owner of Fernwood Women’s Health Club in Myaree, said there was a niche for his business, despite competition from other centres catering to women.
“It was a consideration, but we had points of difference and I was comfortable with that” he told WA Business News.
“My understanding is that there’ll be at least one or two more centres opening early next year. I envisage it going forward quite strongly.”
Mr Thomas said he became aware of the Fernwood franchise at an industry expo while doing some market research into franchises.
“It was an area that I was very committed and passionate about. The franchise system in place was very secure, and as a franchisee I felt very comfortable with that,” he said.
The Myaree centre currently has more than 700 members.
“Initially, it was low numbers, but as people were able to come and experience it, we were able to grow quite extensively,” Mr Thomas said.
Fernwood was established in Melbourne in 1989 and has 69 centres around Australia, with plans to open 150 clubs by 2008.
Curves is the largest fitness franchise in the world, operating in more than 42 countries, with a total of 38 centres in WA to date and a further two opening soon.
There are no more Curves franchises available in the metropolitan area.
Contours Express entered the Perth market in January this year and currently has three centres, with a further two opening next month.
Both Curves and Contours Express centres combine circuit training with weight loss programs, while Fernwood offers gym facilities and group fitness programs.
Fitness WA president Maria Osborne said the new franchises were likely to be successful, considering the size of the potential market.
“Also, there are women who really do feel intimidated and like the idea of training with other women rather than in a mixed group,” she said.
“It has been tried before; there were a couple of women’s-only gyms in Perth about 15 years ago, but they went by the wayside.
“Curves, Contours and Fernwood, which are big market players, will penetrate into the WA market, especially as they are opening up in the suburbs instead of the business district – that is their target audience.”
City of Canning CEO Dominic Carbone said the new trend had not affected Contours Fitness Centre at the Riverton Leisureplex, despite several women's-only facilities being located within the Leisureplex catchment zone.
“Contours has around 10,000 visits per month,” Mr Carbone said.
“The emerging fitness centres access a different market and have not had an effect on business in terms of ratio.”
