Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Madonna's First Mega-Gym Opens in Mexico City

The Material Girl is trying her hand at a new business: her first gym opened its doors Monday, the Associated Press reports. Hard Candy Fitness, located in the heart of Mexico City, is Madonna's first foray into the fitness biz.

Though the gym equipment is pretty similar to other high-class gyms in the city, there's no missing the huge Andy Warhol-esque mural featuring the singer that greets every customer as they walk in.

The name of the club is also a nod to Madonna--Hard Candy was the title of her last album. She states the name is the perfect combination of "hard body" and "eye candy."

"It's a sexy name that gives you the opportunity to have fun and to build strength as far as the imagination will allow," the singer-actress said in a statement.

As for choosing Mexico City as the location of her first gym, Madonna reveals it was a calculated move. "Our plan is to use Mexico as a place to fine-tune our brand and then expand it to other countries and, in the long term, develop a global brand that includes the United States," she said.

For the red carpet opening of the gym, Madonna handpicked 20 members to join her for a dance class--DJ'd by Paul Oakenfold, the same DJ who opened her last tour.

Gym fees run about $160 a month, after a one-time $830 sign-up fee.

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