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 Page 38