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Exotic Fitness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 ter is held outdoors, perhaps in deference to janitorial protests. “Our goal is for people to have a good time and be entertained while they’re getting a workout,” says Shetal Amin, a Crunch spokeswoman in New York. “First and foremost, it should be fun. If it’s drudgery, you’re not going to want to stay with it.” With more than 22,000 gyms across the country — raking in a collective $13 billion a year—club directors must compete to bring in new members and keep satisfying ^ the old ones. Thus, the need for nov W elty. Boredom not only makes it hard for exercisers to stay moti vated, but it’s also bad for business. How innovative, trendy or bizarre any particular health club is depends largely on its target clientele. The Central Florida YMCA, for instance, prides itself on steering clear of fads and opt ing for steadiness. “Mnct chi^ino ciicrcroct thflt nAn. pie who commit to regular, con sistent, basic exercise and healthy eating are better off in the long run,” says Tom Bohn, the Y’s vice president of marketing. “I don’t think you’ll be seeing the YMCA offer a striptease class anytime in the next century.” Likewise, the international and highly successful women’s fitness t chain Curves tends to appeal to - those put off by the very things that attract the boot-camp and Whipped crowds — intimidating instructors, heavy lifting and feel the-bum bravado. Instead, Curves plugs its “sup portive, encouraging environ ment,” and women are paced through their 30-minute aerobic and strength-training circuit by a pleasant, feminine automated voice — so there’s no in-the-flesh, would-be supermodel/teacher to loathe in envy, although fitness trainers are on hand to help. Meanwhile, Steel Mill Gym dis tinguishes itself by staying open 24-7, luring in a youthful crowd that sometimes parties till the bars close, then works out. Despite the macho name, the ^P t gym offers yoga classes, pilates and step aerobics in addition to weights — but salesman Samuel Gonzalez says that, like the Y, there will be no erotic dancing anytime soon. “That’s too bizarre,” he says. “But I guess for some people, they need a gimmick.” r--t ^ Releases March 29-April 2 _^ HONKIN' ON BOBO Aerosmith •t ■ w »•> *-• DAMITAJO JanetJackson HOOD HOP J-Kwon NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: THE REMIX ALBUM Jordan Knight tabu >shfrf|g' •to**** LITTLE THINGS Toby Lightman Vintage CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 then what is the appeal of mod ernized vintage clothing? “I think the main issue with vintage cloth ing is that someone else wore it first and you really don’t have a clue where it came from. I know a lot of people who have a prob lem with that,” Palmer said. Strauss believes “there really isn’t a difference” between the two types of vintage clothing. Finding a quality vintage piece does take effort — and luck. Palmer explained, “Sometimes it’s difficult to find that one good vintage piece. I think a good vin tage piece is one you can update with your own little touches. The really cool, crazy pieces are good, too, because if you pair them with a simple pair of jeans, you have the potential to look like a movie* star who has her own stylist.” Albonetti said she likes the hand me-down slogan t-shirts that you can get for a low price. Vintage-style clothing is clear ly making a comeback in main stream stores; however, retd vin tage apparel has been popular for years. Which is better? In the words of Strauss, “it’s a choice of style.” Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc. edu -• Library Customer Survey March 21st-April 13th Click on the library survey link at: http://www.sc.ed u/l i bra ry or go directly to: http://survey.libqual.org/index.cfm?ID=922 >istihiS your q PSti time: we'U pay you $50 to travel abroad!* _ia —a, .travel through Europe for as n TRAVEL CUTS . httle as $75 a day! See the world your way .receive $50 cash back when you book by March 31! 800-592-CUTS (2887) www.travelcuts.com -