The best female-friendly gyms in KL

Named after the word for ‘brave’ or ‘warrior’ in the Hawaiian language, KOA Fitness is a women-only gym that aims to help boost the everyday woman’s courage and confidence through fitness. The gym offers group classes, workouts designed specifically for women (weight training, HIIT, cardio, etc), and trainers available on hand at all times. There are also personalised fitness programmes like ‘Bride-To-Be’, ‘Hot Momma’ ‘SHH (Stronger, Healthier, Happier)’ and more.

Using hydraulic pressure machines targeting hard-to-tone areas (glutes, inner thighs!), the strength and cardio circuit workout programme at Curves is specifically designed for women. It’s a brilliant idea: it’s quick (you spend 30 seconds on each machine, completing the whole workout in 30 minutes); it’s fun (members work out in a circle on alternating machines, with a coach in the centre); and results can be seen clearly (apart from going through monthly body composition analyses, members are also given a personal coaching system in the form of the CurvesSmart ID card to keep track of daily performance levels). We’re sold already. Various locations including TTDI, Wangsa Maju and Bukit Damansara.