The YMCA has re-purposed a previously unused space into a women's only gym in an effort to help first timers build confidence and get fit.
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Completely separate from the main gym on the ground floor, the space is decked out with treadmills, exercise bikes, functional equipment, free weights and machine weights.
"It can be very intimidating for women to work out with big, muscly men," manager of the YMCA Darren Powell said.
"This is a space where women can come in and start working out without any intimidation and they don't have to worry about knowing what to do, or how to use a certain machine."
The women's gym has been functional for a couple of weeks, Mr Powell said, and he is already seeing females who only attended group fitness classes, step out of their comfort zone.
"Our group fitness classes are predominantly made up of women," Mr Powell said.
"We have a great range of classes, but you are held to certain times if that's all you are going to do.
"If you have the confidence to work out on the gym floor, you can work out any time."
He said he is hoping the women's only gym acts as a stepping stone for those starting out with fitness.
"At the previous gym I worked at, women would spend a couple of weeks in the women's only section and then you could just see their confidence soar and they'd be on the main floor in no time."
New to Katherine off the back of working on outback stations, Kate Corney and Korreigh Wade said they felt more comfortable learning the ropes in the upstairs space.
"It can be pretty nerve wracking when you don't know what you are doing," Ms Wade said.
"It makes it even harder when you're in a new town and you're joining a gym for the first time."
The pair have swapped out tough physical work on a cattle station for office-esque duties in Katherine, and were needing a way to burn energy and keep fit.
Only new to the YMCA, they said the women's only gym has made for a comfortable re-introduction into the world of fitness.
"The people working out [in the main gym] are really advanced, they definitely know what they are doing, which is a big contrast to us."
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