Spotlight: Curves
by Nora m. Davis (HBCA)—AUGUST 2010
Owner Bobbi Ettinger Wilf, with daughter and General Manager Tammi Brengman
A very welcoming environment greeted me the day I stopped to interview Curves’ owner Bobbi Ettinger Wilf. I watched as Bobbi, along with her daughter, Tammi Brengman, personally greeted each member by name as they entered (and with hundreds of members – that’s quite a feat!). Members greeted one another, and I heard laughter and jovial banter. It was obvious this was a community— focused on healthy exercise, nutrition and having fun!
Bobbi opened Curves in Hopkins in October of 2001. Her first location was on Blake Road, and last fall they moved to their current location at 8570 Excelsior Boulevard.
What happens at Curves? Curves offers a complete fitness and nutrition program specifically designed for women. In just thirty minutes Curves provides a workout exercising every major muscle group through strength training, cardio and stretching. I watched as members moved from station to station, fourteen in all, with a cool down between each.
How does the workout differ from other health clubs? “It’s our equipment,” Bobbi told me. “Members do not need to add weights to the equipment as each of our exercise machines operates on a hydraulic cylinder. As a member gains strength, she works faster, increasing the resistance and thereby increasing the intensity of her workout,” she continued. Simple – and fast! Members make two circuits – and at the end of their workout head to an additional piece of equipment designed to help them stretch.
Bobbi also teaches a six-week Weight Management course based on healthy eating – a perfect complement to the exercise regimen.
And what about those members who’d like to track their progress? Curves offers the CurvesSmart system that includes a precision designed workout, moment to moment feedback and progress reporting. By inserting a personalized ID tag, a member has her progress tracked and the system increases the intensity of workouts as she becomes stronger.
Before I left, several members approached me to share their success stories. One proudly told me at her last physical her physician knew she’d been at Curves on a regular basis as her cholesterol was down and her bone density up! Another member, dealing with Multiple Sclerosis, was accompanied by her companion dog, who patiently watched as she exercised. Regular exercise helps her maintain her mobility.
Interested in becoming a member? The process starts with a phone call to set up an appointment. During the appointment Bobbi will review your health history and exercise goals. She also told me about their current special: 30 days for $30! Bobbi also explained that many health insurance companies help pay for memberships so she always encourages members to check with their health insurance company. (Members also told me about the “Garage Sale Table” where members can sell items they no longer use.)
So if you want to lose weight, increase your strength and energy, call Bobbi or Tammi at
952-908-1000. You’ll like the comfortable, non-intimidating atmosphere of Curves in Hopkins!
