Stylish circuit training center is attracting a crowd
Nothing about Fit Sisters, inside or out, says "I’m a gym."
Except the pink leather-upholstered weight machines.
But plenty of women are catching on to the cleverly disguised 30-minute circuit training center in downtown Vancouver.
Laura Bullock opened Fit Sisters – which feels more like a hip, cheery French-country-chic living room than a place to sweat – in September and has since drawn more than 100 members.
The walls are Tiffany-blue, the ceilings apple green and punctuated with sparkly crystal chandeliers. Colorful furniture and funky lamps collected via Craigslist are scattered throughout the open space and a vintage bike with a side basket full of flowers evokes one feeling: happiness.
It’s not stuffy or intimidating, and Bullock designed it that way on purpose.
"If it helps someone get the motivation to come in more often and work out, that’s great," she said. "Plus, I’m here all day," she added with a laugh.
Business has been so good, Bullock was able to order two more weight machines to be installed this month – something she’d planned to do this summer. She recently added pilates and belly dancing classes to the menu, and she is looking for qualified yoga, self-defense and tai chi instructors for classes.
In Portland, Bullock ran a Curves gym, which is fundamentally the same idea as Fit Sisters. The workouts are the same in that the heart rate is kept at an aerobic level throughout, but that’s where the two part ways, she said.
"This is a gym designed by women, for women," she said. "Curves is owned by a man."
Bullock said she finds gym equipment made for women insulting and wimpy.
"They act like you’re never going to lift more than 50 pounds," she said.
Bullock spent a chunk of time shopping around until she found the California-made equipment that is not made specifically for women, but is easily adjusted to fit people of every size.
Bullock never imagined herself as a business owner.
"I live downtown and was looking for a place to work out," said Bullock, who is a certified personal trainer. "I kept talking myself out of driving to work out and I missed coaching circuit training, and my husband hatched this idea."
The space had been sitting empty for two years on a block filled with women-owned businesses, and the couple used savings to set up shop, she said. Fit Sisters charges a $180 joining fee, which is half-off this winter, and in February will waive the joining fee in lieu of bag of groceries for a local shelter. The contract is year-long, at $35 a month, with a buy-out for early termination.
The downtown community has become the spirit of the venture. More than a quarter of her clientele walks or is within walking distance to the center.
Bullock has plans to start a walking group that will train for the Portland Marathon, a craft group and a book club. There’s even been talk of a game night.
"It’s hard not to be involved in the community," she said. "That’s who’s here. It is amazing who walks in my door. We have a former stripper and women who’ve retired from amazing jobs and have led incredible lives.
"I never had a sister," she said. "Now I have many."
Fit Sisters
Laura Bullock, owner
1715 Broadway St., Vancouver
360-750-9090
