It’s curious that while gender-segregated schools are increasingly a thing of the past, women’s gyms in Madrid are expanding. What is it that makes a single-sex focused space so appealing? There are several reasons that could explain why Mujeres choose spaces that are either exclusive or mainly designed for us. One of them is the development of sports methods created for women’s health, in fact, a growing trend is to adapt exercise to the hormonal cycle of the female body and the changes it undergoes with age.
On the other hand, there is the search for a safe space in which to do sports without male supervision, which is often common in co-ed gyms, especially in the weightlifting area.
1. B3b Woman Studio
B3b has developed a high-intensity method that combines in 45 minutes a stationary bike to practice cardio; non-contact boxing to tone the upper body; and ballet fitness inspired by the warm-up of ballerinas.
This training is created to work the whole body and is completed with mindfulness and empowerment techniques to relax mind and body. One of the goals is to get you into a fitness routine, so everything (from the lighting to the locker rooms) at this boutique gym for Mujeres is designed to make your experience a good one and make you want to come back.
From 69 € per month.
54 Ayala Street, 54 and Paseo del General Martínez Campos, 20
Women’s Arsenal
Arsenal Femenino is one of the most complete and luxurious gyms for women in Madrid. It occupies an entire building of eleven floors plus attic, with a built area of 8,500 m² in the heart of the city salamanca neighborhood.
There are few sports that can’t be practiced here, some of those included in the schedule are G.A.P, Cycle, Aerobic, Combat, Tone/Strech, Taichi, Pilates, Yoga, runningclub, fitness and also personal trainers. There are also dance classes and four pools: one heated, and two outdoor. They have private parking, cafeteria and full spa.
Consult the center.
José Ortega y Gasset, 82 (Salamanca district)
Curves
The Curves centers have not only developed their own workout, but the machines in this women’s gym are also designed for the female body.
Its workout dynamic consists of 30 minutes working the entire body in a targeted circuit that combines strength training with cardio and stretching to build muscle mass, accelerate metabolism, burn fat and tone.
In addition to workouts, Curves offers a personalized service tailored to each member’s individual goals. The membership has a monthly progress evaluation, where trainers and members analyze progress and set new goals.
8 weeks: 99€.
Barre Yes
Barre Sí is a center in Madrid focused on training Mujeres through barre, a trendy discipline that fuses ballet, yoga and pilates. It is from the same creators of Siclo -sports classes on an exercise bike that have become popular in networks- and follows a similar strategy, but the focus is no longer on cardio, but on toning the body, gaining elasticity and mobility, but always to the rhythm of music.
One class 18 €.
Columela Street, 4 (Salamanca neighborhood)
Tracy Anderson Method
This is not a women-only gym, but it does have a training system created for women and by a woman: Tracy Anderson. Known for being the trainer of many of America’s top actresses, including Gwyneth Paltrow – now also a wellness guru with her company Goop. Tracy Anderson has brought his method to Madrid, in particular to the salesas neighborhood.
His classes are at 35º and 75% humidity, according to his method this will make you uncomfortable, and you will concentrate more, with this same objective there is no music either, in fact, silence reigns. The classes change every week so that the body cannot get used to it, and there is a continuous evolution.
One class 40€.
Fernando VI Street, 10 (Salesas)