By Lori Ehde
Area women have a new way to get in shape since the opening of Curves for Women Tuesday.
Dubbed the "30-minute fitness and weight loss center," Curves is a weight-loss program exclusively for women using both aerobic and resistance exercise.
Located in the north side of the former Smith Furniture building, it's designed around eight resistance stations separated by aerobic recovery stations.
With audio prompts instructing exercisers to move from station to station, each workout is guaranteed to last no longer than 30 minutes.
"That's what makes this so attractive to so many people, especially to working women," said Georgie Pfaffinger, who co-owns the Luverne franchise with her husband, John.
"They can easily fit it in their schedules, before work, at noon or whenever. They're in and out of there in 30 minutes."
Women who already run or bike can supplement their aerobics programs with the Curves resistance training.
She said this is a popular option, because Curves makes them stronger and burn calories more efficiently.
What sets the Curves machines apart from those in standard fitness centers is that they move on hydraulic resistance, and the faster they're worked, the more resistance they offer.
"The harder you work, the more workout you get," Georgie said. "But older women who aren't able to use weight machines can operate these on a slower pace."
New members are weighed and measured and their progress is tracked monthly. Those meeting exceptional goals are publicly rewarded.
Since March, members at the Blue Earth Curves (where the Pfaffingers live) have lost 2,000 inches and nearly 400 pounds among nearly 300 women.
Inches are the preferred measurement at Curves. "You'll lose more inches than weight, because muscle weighs more than fat," Georgie said.
Curves has become the world's largest women's fitness and weight loss franchise, and was named by Entrepreneur Magazine the third-best franchise worldwide.
In the past five years, 3,500 Curves franchises have started in communities nationwide. Another 1,000 have started this year alone.
Curves members can work out in any Curves nationwide. The Luverne franchise, bought by the Pfaffingers, was one of the last available in the state of Minnesota.
It's popularity, Georgie said, is largely due to its women's only status.
"Women are more comfortable in our environment and feel guys aren't looking at them," she said. "Early morning ladies brush their teeth and come in, without having to worry about what they look like."
In Luverne, the Curves dŽcor is distinctly feminine with pink and lavender throughout, and Georgie said the women-only rule fosters a casual, playful workout among exercisers.
"It's like playtime for women," she said. "ItÕs their time away from their husbands and kids, and they seem to have a great time."
The Pfaffingers hired Deb Meyer, Rock Rapids to manage the Luverne business, and four additional part-time employees have also been hired.
Club hours are from 6 to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 3 to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays itÕs open from 8 to 10 a.m. The phone number is 449-8000.
Curves is leasing the space from Lori Ketterling, who purchased the Smith Building from Glen Gust. Ketterling's business, Final Touch, will occupy the front part of the building.