In search of the right gym

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Story Published: Dec 30, 2006 at 6:11 PM PDT

By Andy Peterson

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Curves in North Eugene is an all-women's gym, a little smaller than most, with a specific workout on the menu.

"They can come in, and they just start on any square or any piece of equipment, and get started, says owner Jan Reel. "You go around twice, you do your stretching afterwards, and you've done an hour and a half workout in that 30-minute time."

Curves caters to women who may feel uncomfortable in traditional gyms. No men. No mirrors. And shaded windows to keep out the gawkers.

"We can dress as we like, and there's all shapes and sizes," says Curves member Maureen Dunnihoo. "You don't think of that workout, that you're really doing, because you're so busy. You talk, you laugh, and the weight comes off. I've lost a lot of weight since I've been here. About 20 pounds."

Looking for more options? The Eugene Family YMCA might be more your style.

"Well, it's close to my house, so I can bike here or walk here," says YMCA member Kari Davidson of Eugene. And I have 2 children, and they have a wonderful daycare center, so that's one of the reasons I like coming."

While Curves has just 700 members, the "Y" has 7,000 members. They also have 95,000 square feet of space, if you're looking to swim, or play basketball or tennis.

But officials at the YMCA say, whatever gym you choose, make a plan, and stick with it.

"It's a 12- to 16-week time period, that if people are steady about it, they'll end up staying," says YMCA Executive Director Dave Perez. "But if they plan on doing it for 30 days, it's not going to happen."

And if you're looking for a little more motivation from a regular...

"It's nice having new people come," Davidson says, "but sometimes it's nice when some of them fall of the bandwagon, and I can get on my bike right away."

How's that for a challenge?

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