Yellowknife (Oct 31/03) - It's the talk of the town: a new gym just for women.

Dan O'Neill, owner of Sundance Health, is bringing Curves to Yellowknife.

"It's been my life for the past three months," O'Neill said. "It's the fastest growing (fitness centre) franchise in the world."

The unique aspect of Curves, aside from its gender specific clientele, is its approach to fitness.

There are no stacks of freeweights and everyone is given one-on-one instruction to help them achieve their fitness goals.

"It is a turn key program, designed by women for women," O'Neill said.

"A woman walks into the door and it's a different experience from your typical gymnasium."

Each new client is greeted and then treated to a fitness analysis and nutritional evaluation.

O'Neill said it is designed to be less intimidating than a normal fitness centre environment.

The fitness program is 30 minutes, three times a week, combining aerobics and muscle training using hydraulic exercise machines.

O'Neill is confident there is a niche for Curves in the city.

"I am in the fitness business already and I've noticed more and more that most of my clients are women," he said.

Curves is expected to open at the end of November in the Range Lake district under the direction of manager Kathy Ruman.