Women flex their muscles

Women are taking their place in one of the last bustions of male supremacy; the weieht roam.
Staff ai local recreation certres and North Shore svims such as Empire Fitness and Gold's
— which has just opened « Far Women Oniy branch to cater te its growing female
clientele — say that as wonten begin to realize that working with Che weights can
give them toning without adding Superman bulk, they are more cager to add
weight training to their fitness schedule.

Gyis and rec centres offer personalized introductions to the weight room for men and
women. Reporter Peggy Trendell-Whittaker decided to be a trend follower and check out
the scene herself, sa she signed up for a private lesson at the West Vancouver Aquatic
Centre. A first-hand account of her experience follows,

STRUGGLING INTO my newly purchased, black
stretchy tights, | look longingly at the change room

oe. exit leading to the pool — a more familiar arena
than the one 1 am about the enter.

By PEGGY TRENDELUL-WHITTAKER

News Reporter

My running-shoe clid feet, however, carry me in the
opposite direction — into the West Van Aquatic Centre's
weight room where my personal trainer-Tor-an-hour,
Debbie Baick, awaits me with clipboard in hand. After
peeking in the door at the muscle-clad men, insecurity
rears its ugly head and | rush back to the change
room to get my notepad and pencil — a thin shield, 10
be sure, but these tools of the trade at least emanate
a comforting air of familiarity.

Debbie leads me to a corner of the weight room
and describes the importance of a good warm-up.
As L contort my body in a semblance of her
stretches, | chant my silent mantra: E will not feel
dumb, | will not feel dumb.

We approach the ‘‘bench press’* — a term
that’s never crossed my lips before, but is
familiar from overhearing learned others
casually toss these sports-related names
about. Debbie moves the key from the 30-
kilo level up to the lightest, seven-kilo
weight, assuring me that this is the
appropriate starter weight for a beginner.

No argument from me.

So far, we don't seem to be attracting
much attention from the sweating,
grimacing horde around us, but as |
assume the bench press position, News
photography manager Terry Peters
arrives and all eyes shift to the woman
weakling who for some unknown reason
is having her photo taken.

See Weight
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