Irish gym chain promotes health and longevity for women of all ages

Sandra Dunne

Managing Director, Gym Plus

Irish gym chain discusses the benefits of strength training and exercise for women of all ages, with measurable benefits to body composition, bone density, metabolic rate, hormone regulation and more.

According to research from the University of Exeter, resistance training can help alleviate some of the physical issues which arise during and after menopause. Sandra Dunne, Managing Director of Gym Plus, explains how she hopes to foster an environment in which women of all ages can feel comfortable and safe to exercise.

“We want our gyms to be accessible and welcoming in order to reach that wider demographic,” she says. I think it is important to ask, what sort of 70-year-old do you want to be?”

An inclusive gym community

Gym Plus is dedicated to empowering women without judgment, creating a community where women can engage in tailored fitness programmes, strength training or instructor-led classes with confidence. They can also access the swimming pool and spa area for low-impact exercise and stress relief, ensuring the long-term success of their personal fitness journey.

“Tracking your progress keeps you motivated, ensures results and helps you adjust your training effectively,” explains Dunne. “At Gym Plus, every member gets a tailored training programme alongside access to medical-grade InBody scales to track body composition, muscle mass, bone density and more.”

Group workouts can provide motivation, accountability and a sense of community, making it easier to stay consistent. She adds: “We are interested in people staying with us long term. We want to foster an environment which supports women’s long-term health goals.”

Tracking your progress keeps you
motivated, ensures results and helps
you adjust your training effectively.

Training and advice focused on women

Dunne explains that the focus should be on health span, not just life span, enabling women to achieve a longer period of vitality and wellbeing through consistent and intentional exercise. They are supported by a team of highly skilled in-house fitness professionals whose focus is on guidance, personalised support and approachability.

“We spend a lot of time and money to train our staff, who are all registered fitness professionals, to support our members effectively,” she says. “There is a lot of interest within our teams in supporting the communities we serve, and we regularly send our staff on specialised training courses, including menopause coaching.”

Dunne advises: “It is important to build habits early, mark it clearly in your calendar when you will visit the gym, and don’t set expectations which are too high. Take the support on offer, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Our gyms are always staffed and everybody is happy to support you.”