Curves Downsizes to New Location

Los Alamos, NM, June 29, 2009 -- In a weak economy many businesses are finding income streams waning and are looking for ways to cut costs or add revenue in order to stay afloat.

Crystal Dufresne has been the owner and manager of the Los Alamos Curves since September of 2007. She says that nationally, Curves is the largest fitness franchise in the world with 10,000 locations and more than 4 million members worldwide. Curves also claims to be the first fitness and weight loss facility dedicated to providing affordable, one-stop exercise and nutritional information for women. Membership is $34 a month, after a one-time initial membership fee.

In early June, the Los Alamos Curves moved to a new, smaller location at 967 Central Avenue, a few doors south of the Motor Vehicle Division and just up the stairs from the Coffee Booth. A decrease in membership over the past few months is part of the reason, says owner Crystal Dufresne.

"Membership is currently at about 280," says Dufresne. "It began to fall with LANL's down-sizing 2 years ago, and then the increase in the cost of gas and the stock losses caused people to cutback too. We've lost about 1/3 of our members in the past two years with all these stressers."

In response, Dufresne has focused on encouraging current members to continue, encouraging past members to return, and reaching out to newcomers by offering specials and doing a combined TV advertising campaign with other Curves in New Mexico.

"During stressful times, exercise is one of the last things that you want to stop," she says. "Every reputable medical organization has many studies and articles that have been written on the benefits of exercise during stressful times."

The new space is 1,300 square feet -- about two-thirds the size of the Central Park Square site, which was 2,100 square feet, but members don't seem to mind.

"I think it's a more intimate space," says long-time member Kathy Hjeresen. "You can have a conversation with anyone in the room."

"It's easier to chat while we exercise," says member Nina Thayer.

"It works nicely," says member Gail Diedrich. "It's lots more fun. The time goes by faster when you're socializing."

Many members say that's why they choose to exercise at Curves - because of the community of people to share and talk with as they work out.

"Curves is a special way to stay fit because it's community-oriented," says Dufresne. "Our members love to get together to work out and to support each other. "

Curves also supports the community by participating in a variety of fundraisers, including an annual Food Drive, the American Cancer Society walk, the Health Fair, Trick or Treat on Main Street and holiday gift-collecting for Casa Mesita Group Home.

Cathy Walters, a member since 2001, says of the downsize, "My bumper sticker says 'I love Curves.' We'll overcome this, just like everyone else in this economy. I'm grateful we still have Curves to work out at."

"I'm hoping that people realize this sooner than later and are able to come back and get healthier, both physically and mentally," says Dufresne.

Exercise can decrease the production of stress hormones and counteract the body's natural stress response, she explains. The same regular exercise routine that helps prevent disease and builds muscle can also help you better manage stress.

"I love being the owner of Curves," says Dufresne. "I know we are helping to make women stronger in so many ways."

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The Benefits of Exercise:
-- increases your overall health and your sense of well-being, which puts more pep in your steps every day. But exercise also has some direct stress-busting benefits.

-- pumps up your endorphins. Physical activity helps to bump up the production of your brain's feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins. Although this function is often referred to as a runner's high, a rousing game of tennis or a nature hike also can contribute to this same feeling.

-- It's meditation in movement. After a fast-paced game of racquetball or several laps in the pool, you'll often find that you've forgotten the day's dilemmas and irritations and concentrated only on your body's movements. As you begin to regularly shed your daily tensions through movement and physical activity, you may find that this focus on a single task, and the resulting energy and optimism, can help you remain calm and clear in everything that you do.

-- improves your mood. Regular exercise can increase self-confidence and lower the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. This can ease your stress levels and give you a sense of command over your body and your life.