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The Woman's Got "Curves"
Workout Franchise Offers Fun and Fitness
By Teri Brown
I wasn't sure what to expect when I first walked into Curves for Women. The buzz about Curves is practically deafening from the thousands and thousands of happy women gushing over this new workout club. As a veteran (and drop out) of the old Nautilus club and Bally's, I was eager to see what all the fuss was about – surely a health club couldn't be all that awesome.
I was wrong.
I was met at the door by Leah Tucker, manager for the Tigard, Ore., branch of Curves. She was warm and welcoming, and we sat and talked for quite some time about goals, healthy living and the Curves way. I watched the other women while we chatted and was struck by the friendly banter among them as they worked out. It certainly looked different from other workout clubs.
The machines were placed in a circle so all the women faced each other. It was warm, friendly like. There were no spandex leotards, no hard bodies with big hair and no pretensions. You were there to get healthy, and no one looked as if they cared about their appearance while working out.
Tucker took my measurements and weight, and because of her attitude, it wasn't nearly as painful as it usually was. Between each hydraulic exercise machine was a padded board the exercisers jog or hop on to keep their heart rate up. Tucker showed me what to do and a recorded voice told me when to move to the next station and when it was time take my heart rate. Two and a half times around and I was finished. Just that fast, just that easy and just that – fun!
I'm not the only one who thinks so. Dubbed the fastest growing franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2003, Curves now boasts 5000 clubs internationally and has nearly two million members.
