Fit: Man, I Feel Good

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MARK WILSON wasn't exercising as often as he knew he should. He just wasn't motivated to get himself to a large gym on a regular basis. He needed a no-fuss workout to work his muscles without taxing his schedule.

What he was craving was a lot like Curves, the chain of tiny circuit gyms that have become a fixture of suburban strip malls by offering a full-body burn in just half an hour. The problem for guys like Wilson? It might be strong enough for men, but Curves is made strictly for women.

To fill the void, Cuts and The Blitz, two all-men's circuit-training chains, have sprung up, swapping the pastels for neutrals and manly primaries, and providing heavier-duty workouts.

Wilson found fitness heaven at Cuts in Alexandria, which opened in August. "The structured work-out has made all the difference," said the Arlington software architect, 48. "I need the strict regimen. It's predictable and sustainable. I don't putz around and flip-flop about what exercise to do." The Blitz is also working its way into the Washington market with a branch in Hagerstown.

Although the testosterone-laden scenes may conjure up images of Muscle Beach, this is not Hans and Franz territory. "We're directed not at the guys who want to build up, the Schwarzeneggers, but at the family guy from 30 to 65 or 70 who just wants to come in and be healthy for his family, work out, get it done and go home," said Cuts franchise owner Dave Hommerbocker.

The chains' goals are the same: to lower heart rates and cholesterol levels and shrink waists, all in 20 minutes at The Blitz and 30 at Cuts, but their methods differ slightly. At Cuts, cardio is a more integral part of the workout, with two Stairmasters, two stationary bikes and one rowing machine. At The Blitz, heavy punching bags are positioned at every third station.

For strength, both use double concentric contraction machines, which force users to exert power not only out or up but also back to the start position. Imagine rowing a boat but never bringing the oars out of the water to get an idea of the resistance.

Though you won't hear plates slamming, it's far from low-impact, leaving little breath for shooting the breeze. That's not to suggest socializing isn't part of the allure of these more intimate gyms. Hommerbocker says military officers from the three area bases enjoy the casual atmosphere, which frees them from "talking shop."

As an ex-military serviceman, physical therapist Keith Rozelle knows the benefits of the focused regimen he's getting at The Blitz. "For one, my cardio has really picked up," Rozelle, 36, of Mercersburg, Md., said. "I feel more in shape and I can tell I'm getting tighter, my clothes are fitting better and everything. [My girlfriend] wants to relax and I don't want to relax now."

The Blitz owner Bernie Gettel, a physiology teacher at Penn State's Mont Alto campus, has seen many members benefit. "After they're here awhile, they say, 'The doctor's really happy. My blood sugar has stabilized, my cholesterol is down, my weight's down, I have increased flexibility.' One guy, after he'd been here about a week and a half, said, 'Look, I can reach down and pick up this pen off the floor.'"

THE BOYS CLUBS
» THE BLITZ: Two laps/16 stations/30 seconds per station. Four rest areas per circuit of 30 seconds each round out the 20 minutes. A one-year membership is $79 to enroll, $15 for gloves (required for punching-bag usage) and $30 per month. (18028 Maugans Ave., Hagerstown; 301-393-5380).
» CUTS: FITNESS FOR MEN: Three laps/15 stations/40 seconds per station. A one-year year membership is $100 to enroll and $39 per month; $29 for military, police and fire personnel. (6328 Richmond Highway, Alexandria; 703-721-3488).

This post was written by Express contributor Christian Pelusi
Photo by Michelle Repiso/Express