NOT FOUND: curves.jpgSometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name…
And they’re always glad you came…
Yes, those are lines from the 80’s favorite, Cheers. Congratulations to those who knew. The sitcom may be gone, but the theme still lives on. Even with our fast-paced, hectic schedules, it is always a comfort to enter a place of business and be welcomed by a familiar face that knows you by name and genuinely cares about “how you are doing today”.
“It’s great to be at Curves,” is how the team answers the phone and they sincerely mean it. It is great to be at a place where the staff knows your name and truly desires to help you reach your goals. When you walk through the doors of the Curves in Antelope, you know there is something different about this health club. The environment is non-intimidating and inviting.
“This place is very special and an important part of my life. I don’t know where I’d be without the encouragement and care I get from the members and the staff,” says a member who has been coming since 2002, shortly after they opened their doors.
In August of 2002, Linda Reed was sitting at lunch with her husband, Kevin, and she commented on how discouraged she was about her weight. She had tried different diets and exercise programs, but wasn’t able to stick with any of them. Linda was ready for something different. “Maybe I should look at Curves…”
Before she finished the sentence, Kevin suggested, “There’s one right here in this complex. Let’s go now.”
NOT FOUND: curves2.jpgWhen the owner, Bonnie, met Linda, she loved her enthusiasm and asked her if she wanted to work at Curves in exchange for her membership. That sounded perfect to Linda and she started immediately. She lost weight, lowered her body fat % and felt the best she had in years. Not only was she having a great time reaching her own goals, but she was able to fulfill one of her passions –- helping other women feel better about themelves and achieve their goals. In less than a year, Linda was managing the Curves which was located on Watt and Elverta at the time. They moved to their new location on Walerga and Elverta in 2008 and the place has been thriving. In October 2009, Linda became the owner of the Curves in Antelope. Because of her faithfulness and dedication to the business as an employee and a manager, Art and Bonnie Hager knew that Linda would be the perfect choice to take over the club.
The Curves method is pretty amazing. Even fitness buffs are impressed with the thirty minute workout. The Curves corporation has done millions of dollars of research on women’s health, nutrition and exercise. The program is thorough, effective and best of all, fun. They include Weight Management classes, incentive programs, ongoing training and accountability and more.
“I have always loved being here, whether it was working out or working my shift,” said Linda with her ear to ear smile.
There is a constant buzz of energy and enthusiasm at the club. “Working out at this club has saved my life,” says Susan who transferred her membership from the Rio Linda club. “It is an important part of my day and I don’t want to know what life would be like without it.” Susan works out with her friends just about every day. You can sense their excitement when they drive in the parking lot. Susan’s friend Sherry was 198 pounds when she walked through the door of Curves and was celebrating the fact that she had to buy smaller clothes – again – because she now weighs less than 140 pounds.
“This is more than just a place to workout,” smiles Sylvia who has been a member for five years. “Linda and the crew make the difference. They truly care and love the members. They make it fun to be here.”
The consensus from the members is that the Antelope Curves is about more than losing weight and getting in shape. It’s about developing friendships and relationships that help get you through whatever you are going through. “There is accountability here because the staff and the members really care. They know when I miss a workout and it’s a good thing,” noted Nancy who relies on her visits to Curves because of her high stress job.
In addition to motivating women to live healthier lives and feel better about themselves, Curves in Antelope is heavily involved in community service. In one week, they collected over 2000 pounds of food for the North Highlands Food Closet, they support Race for Life and other organizations and each Christmas they have a Giving Tree for which they collect over 100 gifts for foster kids and needy families. “Our members are generous and love giving to others wherever they can,” boasts Linda.
In order to truly experience the positive and supportive environment that Curves in Antelope offers, it is necessary to stop by and visit.