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12-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, May 25, 2004 New womt By STEPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion sk any woman why she doesn't regu1ar1y work out, and you're bound to get this universal response: There's jusi flot * enough time in the day. * With jobs, families and a bevy of activities, many women feel they just cant afford to take the time thats needed b focus on their health. And yet they know its important. Moher and daughter teamn Judy and Lisa Fraser, together with Tammy Kuipers, feel their new business has the answer. I February, the trio opened Figures - a women-only fitness centre - at 550 Ontario St. S., unit 17, in the plaza at Ontario Street and Denry Road. Since then, lheyve been realizing more and more that whaî they suspected ail along is Irue - theres a market for fast, fun fitness. "Weve had a great response,' said Ms Fraser. "Our membership is increasing ail the lime." Whats unique about Figures, Ms Fraser said. is ils circuit training workoui that can be coni- pleted in just 3(0 minutes. Thc gym utilies adjustable hydraulice quipnsent, so as a mcmn- bers strength and endurance increases, the ten- sion can be easily adjusted. Forly seconds are spent on each pîcce of * equipmenî, with 40 seconds intermittently spent * at an adjacent recovery station where women can * keep up their heart rate with jumping jacks or * stepping. or slow il down with more relaxing movements. The program is done 10 music, witb a eue tape telling the member when ils time 10 move 10 the next exereise station. "The different pieces of equipmenî work every major muscle group," Ms Fraser said. Theres plenty of flexibility in the programn, as members can tailor the resistance of each piece of equipment to suit their needs. For additional cardiovascular training, Figures offers the use of s treadmill, recumbent bike and an elliptical traîner. In the Tone Zone, there are slability balîs and free weigbts. Figures also offers a number of exercise class- es mncludmng body sculpting, cardio-kick, Iow impact and a running club. Ms Fraaer said although there have been chai- lenges 10 overeome - namnely getting the word en's fitness centre opensi town the tone zone Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Figures Ftness owner Tammy Kulpers demonstrates the free welghts whlle Diane Pelow works out undler the supervision of trainer Tanya Barbosa. out about their new business - the rewards are far greater. 'Some women eome in and have neyer worked out before and they wanî 10 lose weight and inehes. To sec their success is a great thing. it's very rewarding 10 sec people feel better about themseîves," she said. She added its exeiting t0 see members gradu- ally increase their endurance and energy levels. 'Il makes me feel like Ive added something to their lives." As far as why the three women chose 10 dip their entrepreneurial toes mbt the fitness indus- try, Ms Fraser said staying fit through exercise is something they've always found important, and they wanted 10 pass that on 10 other women. Ms Kuipers said something that sets aparl Figures is the one-on-one attention members receive. "We'Il be on t.he floor with the women, seeing how theyre progressing. We dont wanî il to be about the money, we wanî ilto1 be about (the women's) goals," she said. Figures staff encourage members 10 make their heaith part of a lifestyle commitment. Joiming a gym, Ms Kuipers said, shouldnt be thought of as a quick fix 10 lose a few pounds. For one, that won't work, she said. "You have 10 continue on a regular basis 10 maintain what youve accomplished." The facility itself is a drawing factor, she said. "As soon as you walk in the door, ifs a beauti- fuI atmosphere." The private showers and change rooms at Figures are just what many self-conseious women want, she said. I the end, Ms Kuipers said she hopes each woman leaves Figures feeling good about her- self. "I hope when they leave they have a amile on their faces, and have actually enjoyed their workout and feel energized." Figures is open Monday 10 Friday from 6 a.m. 10 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, eall (905) 878-8702 or visit www.figuresli.com. Stephanie Thiessen can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com. **j -Faôt, Fuit, Fiboe ins'i ft LET US HELP MOTIVATE YOU WIT1IOUR.. çSI77eafrJla5oav JOIN NOW AND RECE yState of the. Art Equiprnent vFAT BLASTING Clases E (Hydraulic, CardK») 7 Deys a Week! R .,- P rivate Showers & Change Roors Monthly Welgh & Meaure e v :0 l pn o aIinte rn ffr.C. o b onble oseayote ;55 Ona* St. av : :îo :Îz oftM 058 88 0