In March last year, friends, Ellen Feibig and Tanya Knight opened a ladies sports boutique because they felt there was a need in the market to supply women with sports gear.
Both women are active cyclists in Cape Town and often struggled to find what they needed in shops run by men.
The boutique, Femme Sportif, offers the widest range of cycle, running, gym, pilates, yoga and casual wear specially designed for women.
The boutique, based in Cape Town, also offers outrides for ladies only and they send out weekly newsletters to inform women about all ladies events happening over weekends.
Co-founder of Femme Sportif, Ellen Feibig, spoke to gsport about the boutique and about the growing popularity of cycling among women.
What prompted you to open a sports boutique? 
From our own experience and the struggle to find a variety of nice sports clothing for women under one roof we did some research and saw the gap in the market. To give women what they need and want.
To provide a safe place for women when trying on women’s sports clothing, to ask any kind of questions, to get all kind of sporty related advice from experienced sports women. From women to women.
What was the inspiration behind the name, Femme Sportif?
It means sporty woman in french with a slight different spelling and we found it comes to the point and sounds very interesting – to us it’s a beautiful name.
How have women responded to it?
Women love the concept. We are not only a shop but offer free advice for all sport related issues, we are the link between the supplier and the customer for any changes/needs that women feel are necessary.
We take women for rides on bicycles, we offer beginner classes, send weekly newsletters to inform them what event/news are coming up, to create a meeting place for likeminded, to invite them to social evening to nutrition talks, how to improve fitness etc…..
Women say that it is about time something like this started and they simply love our pink feminine shop.
What is the biggest challenge in running something like this?
To tell South Africa that we are here. To tell suppliers that women do sports and want to look good while doing so.
To make everybody aware that there are lots of women out there and they want to be heard.
To let women know they are not alone! To motivate them to start any kind of sport. That there is no shape/size that can’t do it and that there is clothing for them to wear, to feel good, to look good.
To make women aware that there is a growing number of women in this country who do sport for reducing weight and feel better.
That they can get any advice by contacting us. There are 24Mill women in this country and 58% do sport!
How often do you and Tanya cycle?
Tanya and I offer rides every Tuesday and Thursday and if we can on Saturdays and then we do the fun rides once a weekend offered by PPA.
Will you be taking part in the Pick n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour?
Tanya and I have entered the Pick n Pay Cape Argus cycle tour again. But we have a stand at the Argus Expo and have to be on our feet for 4 days from morning to evening. At the end it depends of how we feel and if we are able to ride the Argus☺
What do you enjoy most about endurance sports?
Endurance sport is a sport that you can even take up at mature age. Young people haven’t got the power, stamina or patience for endurance sport and give up more easily.
At a more mature age you don’t go crazy from the start. You know how to pace yourself and as such you can enjoy the sport much more and become better without burning out.
It’s a great "weight loss sport" as well if you go at reasonable heart rate for long time.
Is it expensive to take up cycling?
Cycling is expensive because of the costs involved like the bicycle, helmet, shoes, glasses cycle top and shorts, gloves and accessories.
But once you have the initial equipment you can slow down and treat yourself to a new pair of shorts once in a while and a bicycle service is needed once a year.
What can women wear to make their ride more comfortable?
The most important thing is a good cycle pants with comfortable shammy. We have plenty of those in our shop to choose from.
Obviously you need a breathable cycle shirt, a good/comfortable helmet to protect your precious head, good sunglasses definitely make your ride more pleasant and gloves to protect hands and comfort the pressure while leaning on the handle bars.
What is a big no-no as far as cycling gear goes?
To ride without the helmet. It is most important to cover the head in the case of a fall and the damage you can do to the head. PPA does not allow anybody to participate in a fun ride without helmet!
Why do you think cycling is so popular among women?
Bicycling becomes more popular because of its growing exposure visible to everybody out there. Women want to be part of it.
Cycling is a great sport and does not hurt the joints so much as running. Any age and size woman can cycle without too much effort.
One just has to start slowly and then it grabs you because it’s such a great feeling to sit on the bike and enjoy the scenery and camaraderie and slowly getting fitter and appreciating that feeling. But mostly, to be part of a group and do sport together with likeminded.
How can someone join the Femme Sportif club?
Anybody can join the Club as we are a social club and take no fees but encourage anybody to join us whenever they feel like it. That’s why we are sending weekly newsletters out to inform women of the rides we offer and all they have to do is pitch at the rides….
How can women contact you at the shop?
Our shop number is: 021 713 37812 or they can contact Tanya: 082 5933 235 or Ellen: 082 3358 266 directly. The other option is the e-mail: [email protected]
We can also be contacted via the Femme Sportif website.
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
