Curves: A fun way to exercise and manage your health

By Rozella Hardin
STAR STAFF
rhardin@starhq.com

   Building a better tomorrow means helping Carter Countians become healthier citizens. "We hope to help do that with our new fitness health management program," said Gib Carr, who with his wife, Debra, are owners of Curves.
   The new business opened late last month in a building next to Lingerfelt Drug Center on Elk Avenue. However, it will soon occupy new quarters in a new building being constructed at 420 Railroad St.
   The 30-minute fitness health-management program has as its purpose: permanent results without permanent dieting. "My wife and I got involved with Curves because neither one of us liked going to a conventional gym. We were looking for an exercise and health program that was fun and had great success. And, Curves proved to be that program," said Carr.
   "It has been very rewarding to those people who are serious about health management," said Carr.
   The Elizabethton Curves is one of two Curves owned by Carr and his wife. "We have a Curves in Kingsport, which has been very successful," he said. "Elizabethton was chosen for the second location because of demographics, and the response has been good," Carr said.
   "Currently, we have 16 stations which focus on strength training and aerobic activity. When we move to our new location we will have 24 stations. We have planned our growth slowly to get our staff trained. We could easily be overwhelmed," he explained.
   "I'm encouraged at the success our members have had. Curves has been successful with people at all level fitness -- from the very fit to those who are just beginning a fitness program," Carr said.
   "Participants in our program should never outgrow the equipment as long as they challenge themselves. At the same time, it's a fun way to exercise," he said.
   Curves is also very involved in the community. "At our Kingsport location we have had fund-raisers for Breast Cancer and Juvenile Diabetes. The Curves Corp. will match up to $500 for two fund-raisers a year," Carr said.
   Carr, who grew up in Johnson City, returned to the area two and a half years ago from Atlanta, Ga. He has been trained by Curves to manage his business as well as coach participants in the program. "Curves has an ongoing training program for its managers," he said.
   The business presently employs one full-time person and two part-time persons. "When we move to our new location, we will probably have two full-time persons and two part-time persons," Carr said.