After renovations, all-female gym reopens in Gainesville

Following a complete overhaul that cost more than $1 million, Gainesville Health and Fitness Women’s Center reopened Tuesday.

The two-story gym, located at 2441 NW 43rd St., Unit 15A, first opened in 1984 but closed Sept. 28 for renovations that included new cardio and strength-training equipment, said Wendy Ackerman, the gym’s operations manager.

“We basically gutted it and put it back together,” Ackerman said following a ribbon-cutting ceremony that featured an appearance from UF mascots Albert and Alberta.

Of the three Gainesville Health and Fitness locations, including the gyms in Newberry and Tioga, the Gainesville location is the only female-oriented gym.

Within 20 minutes of opening its doors, more than 200 people flooded the gym.

Sylvie Beukelman, who has been a member of the gym for 20 years, said she enjoys the gym’s easy-to-use equipment and all-female staff.

“I don’t want to work out with men,” she said.

Beukelman said she’d be at the gym at 9:45 a.m. today, the gym’s official first day, for a “body pump” class.

For Sherry Rothermel, 54, going to the gym is a way to empower herself.

A member of the Gainesville Health and Fitness franchise since 1982, Rothermel said the gym provides an inviting environment to focus on her health.

“It’s nicer to come in here; it’s more homey and easier to be yourself, to be able to work on your own personal health goals,” Rothermel said.

What’s available:

• Sauna
• Steam room
• Jacuzzi
• Queenax Functional Trainer
• Kid’s room with free babysitting