By Teresa Hidalgo Dance
Curves in Aptos is all about people — from its members to its coaches and to the community at large. Its 250 members trust the gym completely to help them reach their fitness and health goals.
The Curves coaches help provide a fun, fast, and safe exercise experience through a low impact, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) 30-minute workout that is unique to Curves.
The use of hydraulic resistance machines (and resistance bands for their online programs), instead of weights, make the workouts safe for all ages and fitness levels.
Whatever the long-term and short-term goals, Curves Aptos strives to help their members meet them. “They can come in and say, ‘I want to lose weight before my wedding in June,’ ‘I want to work on my core for balance,’ or ‘I need to lower my cholesterol,’” said Annette Hunt, owner of Curves Aptos. “We are here to help you feel good about yourself and help you live your best life.”
Originally founded in 1992, the Curves franchise was born out of a necessity to create a fitness space where women felt comfortable.
“The standard gym can be intimidating for women. We replace that intimidation with motivation, accountability, and consistent training,” Hunt pointed out.
Particularly for those who might feel isolated or intimidated in other fitness settings, the community aspect of Curves has been crucial in motivating and retaining members. This community spirit is perhaps the most distinctive feature of Curves.
The members work out to each other’s encouragement and support, and the coaches help provide accountability.
Curves Aptos is a premier club, meaning it offers all the services Curves has developed for its clientele. Its new Health and Wellness series not only offers weight loss and weight management programs, it includes Balance and Posture classes, Strengthening Your Pelvic Floor routines, and lifestyle coaching. This is how Curves Aptos goes beyond physical fitness to provide holistic wellness.
Whether 25 years of age or 94, all of Curves Aptos’ members are thriving. Hunt explained that whatever a member’s physical condition, Curves can modify her workout to maximize the exercises within her limitations or else drive her to work out even harder than she thought possible.
Mary Jo Kutch, 83, and a 20-year veteran of Curves, affirmed, “I am a firm believer in preventative medicine and consider my workouts at Curves to be precisely that.”
Curves also plays a role in supporting charitable causes. Curves North America, which is currently owned by Krishea Holloway, fully supports the American Cancer Society, ALS Research, and Women Against Alzheimer’s among many other national non-political causes.
Curves Aptos, for its part, raised over $7,000 for Women Against Alzheimer’s and contributed as well to the local Second Harvest Food Bank last year. The Aptos club also participates in Natasha’s Run, a race through Nisene Marks to raise money to support the sexually exploited.
Last Christmas, the gym adopted three low-income families in the community through the holiday gift drive of the Santa Cruz County Volunteer Center.
Hunt has always been into physical fitness, starting off with dance as a young child, then as a cyclist, swimmer, and aerobic dance instructor, before taking over the Curves club in Aptos five years ago. A graduate in dietetics, she knew owning a Curves club would be a good fit for her. She finds fulfillment in the fact that her club is “keeping our members strong and changing people’s lives.”
Sherrie Glaum attests to Curves changing her life “tremendously.” She revealed, “I feel I’m so much stronger, the biggest thing for me. I am just so grateful that Curves Aptos is open.”
As with other Curves club owners, Hunt believes that Curves represents more than just a gym; it is a movement, a community, and a testament to the power of fitness solutions centering around women. n
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Try a FREE Curves workout for yourself! Give them a call at 831-688-2348 or stop by 7000 Soquel Drive, Suite 1, Aptos or visit www.Curves.com/get-started. You’ll be so happy that you did!
