When the local planning board ruled against granting a permit, 250 fitness fans mobilized into action. Hoping to sway the council their way, proponents have filed a petition asking for a town meeting to reverse the zoning restrictions keeping Cuves from the central business district.

According to the planning board, zoning restrictions do not allow health clubs to operate in the area because of parking concerns. Oddly though, a permit was recently issued for a rival women’s health club across the street. The lone planning board member voting against the Curves permit is a member of the rival gym.

But the fact that the Planning Board had previously approved HealthFit, a fitness facility for women and seniors, that is now located across the street from 70 Chestnut St., has produced some tension between the board and the applicants.
The rationale at the time was that HealthFit was not a true gym, but instead a facility where consumers would go to get one-on-one instruction.
Smart, who voted in favor of the plan, said he used the same rationale to vote in favor of Curves. “It was the same language we used to approve HealthFit,” Smart said, but added that he saw the situation as a close call.

Read the entire article here…

Pole dancing has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey show, vouched for by Teri Hatcher of Desperate Housewives, and has swept through the US, Europe and the rest of the world like wildfire.

And now, its reached Edmond, Oklahoma.

“We worked for eight months to make (pole dancing) an exercise,” said Laura Rahhal, owner of Nothing But Class. “All of the moves are everything you’ve done in a gym - (you) just haven’t used a pole.”

The classes definitely provide a total body workout to all those participating.

“You would be amazed at how much strength it takes to do a workout like this,” said Shana Briggs, an instructor at the gym. “And besides the fitness benefits, it gives women such a good feeling personally. It definitely increases self-esteem.”

Read the entire article here…

Read the Aerobics and Fitness Daily pole dancing review guide.

Gordon Stopps has filed a human rights violation complaint against Just Ladies Fitness of Vancouver, British Columbia for not allowing him to join. He tried to join last fall and was told that it was a ladies-only fitness club.

Read the entire article here…

The Curves franchise of women-only fitness gyms has grown rapidly throughout the United States and Canada. While it certainly is possible, questions have been raised regarding whether its short 30 minute workout could really be of lasting benefit.

The find out, the American Council on Exercise asked researchers from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse to look into it.

While the researchers did note some problems with the machines and the sometimes overly social nature of the workout environment, their bottom-line assessment was that the Curves program has done more to motivate sedentary middle-aged women to work out than any other “fitness trend or organization in the history of exercise.”

Read the entire article on Prevention magazine…

September 9, 2005– Curves, a nationwide chain of woman only fitness centers, announced the launch of its new 6 Week Solution weight management classes in the U.S. and Canada. Classes begin September 12, and for the first time are open to members as well as non-members of Curves.

“I am really excited to offer my revolutionary weight management program to all women, not just Curves members,” said Curves founder and CEO Gary Heavin. “The classes provide the support and structure most women need to help them lose weight and keep it off. We’re with you every step of the way.”

New national television ads, entitled “Fat Pants,” launched August 22 to promote the 6 Week Solution.

The cost of the program is $69 in the contiguous U.S. and $99 in Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada, and includes weekly classes, a copy of the new, more robust Member Guide
(with expanded shopping lists, new recipes, and more), a tote bag, canister of chocolate or vanilla protein shake, multivitamin supplement, and the Curves
motivational CD series.

The new 6 Week Solution includes modifications based on the results of an ongoing 5-year study of the efficacy of the Curves program conducted by researchers at
Baylor University.

Sign-ups for the 6 Week Solution are underway at all participating Curves locations.

About Curves
Curves offers a 30-minute workout that combines strength training and sustained cardiovascular activity through safe and effective hydraulic resistance. Curves also offers a weight management program featuring a groundbreaking, scientifically proven method to raise metabolic rate and end the need for perpetual dieting. Gary Heavin, Curves’ Founder and CEO, is the author of several books, including The New York Times Best-Sellers “Curves: Permanent Results Without Permanent Dieting”
and “Curves On the Go.” With thousands of locations and millions of members worldwide, Curves is the world’s largest fitness center franchise and the fastest growing franchise in history. For more information, please visit: www.curves.com.