Women-only gym offers new twist on fitness centers
By Youmi Chun
Feb. 16, 2004 9:00 p.m.
The newest addition to Westwood is throwing an innovative curve
on fitness.
Located across the street from the UCLA Medical Center on Le
Conte Avenue, the new women’s fitness center, Curves, opened
Jan. 5.
Geared toward female members of the UCLA and Westwood community,
Curves already has over 200 members.
Curves, which was founded seven years ago, has already expanded
to over 7,000 centers and over 2 million members worldwide.
The Curves fitness program caters to women with busy
schedules.
“Curves offers them an opportunity to come in any time of
the week, for a short amount of time, which is incentive enough to
most people,” said Kim Kortlander, the manager of Curves in
Westwood.
The program consists of a 30-minute workout three times a
week.
Curves members can go in and out of the facility quickly after
completing a sufficient workout in a short amount of time.
“One of the reasons I joined (Curves) was because it was
the only thing that would fit into my schedule,” said
Caroline McIntyre, Director of General Services at UCLA’s
Medical Center.
Curves’ unique method of circuit training is like a system
of fitness musical chairs.
To the timing of upbeat music, members rotate from one of the 10
workout stations to the next, spending 30 seconds at each.
Musical cues are played on a CD, telling the exercisers when to
get up and switch to the next station.
This quick-switch method of working out prevents boredom due to
the fast pace and constant change of scenery.
“I’m motivated because it’s so easy and I know
it’ll be over faster,” said Curves member Abby
Stevens.
A Curves staff member supervises from the middle of the circuit,
ensuring that the machines are being used correctly.
The circuit workout employs hydraulic resistance as well as
cardiovascular and strength training.Â
Women do as many repetitions of a strengthening exercise as they
can in 30-second intervals ““ the optimal time for weight
training.
Strength training can be particularly important for women, as it
helps to maintain bone density and decreases the chance of
osteoporosis, a bone-weakening condition which affects millions of
women every year.
The available cardiovascular exercises are based on a push-pull
system. The faster the exerciser pushes on the machine, the more
resistance is provided.
Many women enjoy and prefer the friendly exercise environment
offered by Curves.
“Everyone has something to be happy about here, and
it’s more intimate so women can make friends,” said
Kristin Latempa, a second-year philosophy student, and Curves staff
member.
“There is no pressure here,” she said.
The smaller and more personal setting of Curves also provides an
alternative to the UCLA Wooden Center.
“I used to go to Wooden, but it was too crowded and the
lines were really long,” said Jennit Stevens, a recent UCLA
graduate.
Curves also offers several promotional programs for members each
month.
During the week of Mar. 8-12, Curves will sponsor a “Food
for Friends” drive. Members can bring in a bag of food
for donation to a local food bank in exchange for a zero service
fee that week.
In addition, the ongoing grand opening promotion allows UCLA
students and staff to receive a 60 percent discount off the regular
membership fee of $149.
