Is Curves for Women a Good Franchise Investment?
March 7, 2007 by Sean Kelly
Filed under Business
Do you own a Curves for Women franchise? Have you owned one, or know anyone who has? What are your thoughts on this franchise?
Curves For Women is one of the fastest growing franchise companies of the decade, having now topped 10,000 locations. I know in our area the concept seems to have passed the test of time. However, according to Franchise Pundit, 8% of the current Curves franchise locations are for sale.
What’s the inside scoop on the Curves for Women franchise opportunity?
SHARE YOUR INSIGHT. LEAVE A COMMENT.
Well You are correct Sean. Many consultant firms will attempt to sell your concept to some wealthy ignorant man or women by filling there head with big dreams of getting rich. This hurts the franchise concept because you have handed control over a large region to someone who may not have your companies best interest at hand. The franchisor still remains responsible for the negative actions of the Area developer. The only one who makes quick money is the sales attorney who takes the profit and runs. Most want nothing to do with the company once the sale is consumated. They move on to the next company and so forth. I would not consider an area developer for any franchise. If you want to sell you company fine but do not let anyone get in the middle of your power to lead your franchisees.
Just last week one of the largest womens only clubs in the area closed due to lack of membership. Femme Fitness a Canadian franchise closed its doors without notifiing members. I spoke with a former member and she said she lost $600.00 in future fees. She like many women today do not trust womens only clubs for this reason. When a club closes it effects how many view the concept, which in turn hurts new womens only clubs. Stability of the Larger Co ed Clubs is why women join. I know of 20 womens clubs that have closed here in my area leaving thousands out of a gym. This is another reason I tell people not to consider buying a womens only club at this time.
So, what is a good business to invest in? I was sold on Curves or Emerald City Smootie – now, not so much. Thanks, Wendy in Woodinville Washinton.
Wendy said: So, what is a good business to invest in?
Despite some of the worst-case scenarios that you see here, Wendy, franchising CAN be a great way to start and operate a business. But you have to do your homework (as you are doing) and see it for what it is: the licensing of a system, tradename, and support services exchanged for fees and the freedom to make your own decisions. There’s no magic. It’s still a business and you need to decide whether the tools you are receiving will increase your sales & profitability to the extent it will more than offset the fees required and freedom relinquished. Here are some hype-free articles on the subject:
FranBest Franchise Information Guide
Request information on as many concepts and companies as possible, and dig in to how they work:
FranBest Franchise Directory
Talk to as many franchisees as possible, and always beware of ulterior motives – some are also salespeople and others may be trying to pass off a troubled unit as successful.
Wendy take note.
When you interview and franchisor, they will give your references. These references are 100% of the time paid to tell you nice things about the business. Franchisors pay franchise’s a referral fee should you buy after talking to them. No one will turn down $5000.00 referral fee to tell you the truth. If you interview franchisees remember they will always tell you nice things and how great things are and beware of when the tell you they make tons of money. This gimmick hooks you into thinking you will be rich.
When you buy a business do not expect a profit for several years. 3 minimum 5 maximum. You may be able to pay yourself a small salary but not much more. If anyone tells you the break even is within the first 12 months they are lieing. I have been in business 6 years and I can tell you that the first 2 I was broke paying off bills and working 2 jobs. I made alittle money the 3rd year, the forth I made $258,000.00 of which $110,000.00 went to bills. Nice money! The following year due to downturn in economy it dropped to to $189,000.00 and remained steady. I had to reinvest in new equipment inlarge my club and now I am growing. Now this cannot be done by the average person with limited money. I happen to have had a large bank account which allowed me cash to spend, many people cannot do this so I always tell people, if you do not have one years rent and utilities and salary covered do not even think about going into business. The first year will break the bank if you do not have savings to float your rent and bills. If you Pay $30 K for the business you should have $90K in your bank to grow the business. Wendy have an exit plan and a good business attorney and accountant look over all books and legal obligations. Signing a franchise agreement will bankrupt you if you are not carefull.
I wish you all the best,.
Jose
Does anyone know anything about the ‘new’ Club Closing Rule? Curves is advising me that its a $10,000 ‘penalty’ for us to close our doors, AND we need to return all our euipmment to them (of course, at our cost). Please help! Thanks!
Thank you Jose, your words of wisdom hit deep with me. I left corp America just recenlty and although giving up well over 6-figures was risky, I was tired of working for the man. I thought buying a business would pay off in the long run because I am a smart business woman, know people pretty well and am a hard worker. I did not expect to get rich, I expected more freedom after a year or two. At 40, I was ready for a change and could not focus on that change working 60 hours a week. Now, I am a bit disheartened as I really thought this was it (the time), but I cannot find a franchise worth investing in throughout the area of Bothell, Woodinville or Redmond WA. Again, I sincerely appreciate the sound advice.
Unless they’ve charged the rules since last year, Curves does not charge clubs that close. Matter of fact, they HELP you close.
They also recommend you donate your equipment to local schools or charities.
Update: ANOTHER Curves in our county is now for sale at McCord Business Brokers. That’s 10 of 17. An 18th club closed.
Looks like some ladies in New Hampshire are unhappy with Curves . . . only 400 members total at two clubs? No wonder they closed so abruptly!
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) The New Hampshire attorney general’s consumer protection bureau is reviewing complaints against Curves for Women gyms that closed in Concord and Penacook.
The gyms closed last month without notice. Members complained they didn’t get refunds for membership fees.
The closings displaced about 400 women who used the two facilities. The memberships are transferrable to other Curves gyms but compensation was not offered to some women who decided not to transfer.
Information from: Concord Monitor, http://www.cmonitor.com
Wendy , Thank you for the kind words. I understand your frustration! Years ago I worked in corporate america and found out quickly that trading time for money was not the way to build wealth. In 2002 I opened my own Fitness Business, not a franchise, I thought about opening a franchise but after interviewing Curves, Contours, and others I found the common flaw. Lack of freedom to incorporate my own programs and to help people. All franchises wanted me to be stuck in a rutt and limited my ability to grow and market, so I decided to openn my own club. As I indicated earlier, there were some tough years but soon i will have several clubs open and making more money than I ever have in the past. I am also going to diversify my business and open several new companies other than fitness. If I were you wendy I would investigate many options and move slowly before getting into business.
Curves are failing even faster since the price increase of $39.99 month. All curves have taken this suggested price from the franchisor even though the do not have the Curves Smart equipment. Women will not pay more for this equipment. THe price of $29.00 curves had for years have diminished the ability for curves to charge more. In the past this price was the lowest in the industry. I believe this is why Curves grew so fast. They did not grow because they had good equipment or weight loss, only because it was affordable. Women will not easily pay more than $29.00 per month for any membership long term so the attrition rate for higher priced businesses are higher. Many people just want to feel like the belong and never use the club. Balleys and Fitness USA are great examples, in the 80’s they sold thousands of life time membership. 95% of the people never use the club but pay the $120.00 year, renewal fee. 20 years later They are enrolling new members and still collecting from people who never use the club. People are fearful of losing the deal so they pay. It is still a waste of money but people still pay. I have found that if you allow month to month you will go out of business quickly. Curves cannot stay long term with new private clubs opening around them charging less per month with more equipment. I say good bye Curves and all other womens only franshises, they will become at thing of the past. Small towns may still have the Curves but the larger profit markets are moving to Co-ed clubs.
Sadderbutwiser:
Thanks for the tip. See my post:
http://www.franchisepick.com/curves-franchise-failures-prompt-attorney-generals-review/
I’m going to do several this week on a questions this article raised, including the seeming indifference of the spokewoman in this article to club closings, the lack of interest in why 20%+ MA clubs have closed and doing something about it, the responsibility of nearby franchisees to fulfill the club contracts, and the failure fee of $10,000 levied on owners closing their clubs.
Can anyone confirm that the last point is accurate and being enforced?
Curves will HELP you sell? Good Lord – I have been trying to sell my club for two years with absolutly NO help whatsoever from corporate. This ‘new’ 10K rule to close went in effect on February 1st, 2008. They are telling me that if we need to close, they are doing us a favor by charging us that so we can get out of our franchise agreement.
Anyone know any details on this?? If we had that money, we wouldnt be closing!!!!
Packerfan:
Sorry to hear about the new $10K rule. I guess Curves saw another opportunity to cash in, now that Curves are closing left and right. They already charge $5,000 to transfer ownership of a club.
And what I meant to say is that Curves will help you close, not sell. At least that was the policy LAST year. Now it seems as if they’ve gotten a lot tougher on their franchisees.
Can someone please post the official wording or explanation of the $10K Rule? or email it to me at info[at]ideafarm.net?
Thanks
One more reason not to buy a Curves.
I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s thought/facts and feelings. I worked at aCurves for 8 months and saw the potential for my own busness. I saw so many ladies happy to be “working out” but they were no longer getting physical results (same work out = same result). So I opened my own club 2 minutes away from the Curves that I worked at. I had looked at franchises but the local one (BC Canada) Express fit (now out of business) seemed shady and I decided that I would rather have the freedom to play by my own rules. I have been in business for almost 4 years now and I love what I do. I did think of franchising my concept but after reading this I will rethink it.
I just wanted to add to this topic that with the introduction of “Curves Smart” Ladies have been leaving Curves to join my gym (like crazy)
Jamie- Lyn
I laughed out loud after reading your blog. You speak so honesty it shocks me. Many of the people supporting curves on this blog are
” Curves lovers” and wish to only speak positively about curves regardless of the facts that are apparent. You oepning your own unique club speaks highly of your desire to succeed and not be locked into a narrow fanchise concept like curves, only interested in making the corportation more money while you lose your life savings and then to top it off Curves is no charging the franchisees that fail $10K Now they have found away to double there money on failed franchises. What I have learned about this blog and others is that former owners of curves can speak outwardly about the failure of Curves withour recourse because the are anonymous. Curves cannot come back at them for there comments and that is Great. Why are people now leaving Curves because of the SMART system? I thought this was suppose to increase membership! What is the reason the ladies are telling you they left Curves? How well are they doing now? How did what you learn at curves help you open your own, or did you have to create your own operational plan? I believe you are correct not to franchise, you wuld be foolish to do so , unless you want to get sued like all the others. very fitness franchise out there is being sued at this time. The crooked attorneys are sharks looking for someone they can blame falsely. I wish you luck and look forward to a response.
jose
Jamie-Lyn – I have a question for you. Didn’t you sign a Confidentiality/Non-Compete agreement with the Curves Owner? It is my understanding that you would not have been able to compete within that physical distance for at least two years. Just curious…
Thank you Jose (it was your posts that stuck with me the most).
What ex- Curves members have said about the new smart system
1) The smart machines can’t be synchronized with the cue tape, since your 30 seconds start when you scan your tag. This messes up the flow of the circuit.
2) It has divided members into the one who have tags and the ones who don’t so it takes away from the group feeling that they were going for.
3) A few ladies were offended that they had to pay more when they have been going to Curves since the day it opened.
4) Not all of the smart monitors are right in front of you, so you head and neck are out of alignment when you are watching if you are in the green or not.
The ladies that leave Curves to come here, tell Curves that they need more of a varity of work out options. The fun ones just straight out tell them “I’m going to Ideal Fitness!”
I loved all the members at Curves, it was a fun place to work. But then I started thinking I’m doing all this work (for minimum wage) and the owner who doesn’t live in this province. I figured that if she could run a business from far away I do it hands on and create a wonderful job for myself. One of my biggest payoffs is the difference I make in people lives
As far as the Confidentiality/Non-Compete agreement, turns out I never signed one. And the one that I would have signed wasn’t legal in BC (I took a copy to a lawyer just to be sure incase I did sign it). The owner would of sued me if she could…that was made clear.
Jamie Lynn
It is sad that the curves owner would sue an employee because they opened another club. Non binding agreements like that do not stick and will never hold up in any court of law. It is a scare tactic that curves uses to control the employee’s and stop them from opening there own club. I see the problems that the new curves smart is going to cause thoughout the US and Canada. Not every curves can afford it and once installed it does not gaurauntee profitability. Curves threw it out there to make more money off of the franchisees, not to help them. Also the franchisees must pay curves for the new keys which cost curves $2.oo and they probably charge the franchisee’s $10.00 or more per key. Curves currently charges $39.00 monthly plus $10.00 extra for the curves smart system. That is a monthly cost of $49.00 which is more than a full service health club like mine. Just as you noticed the owners are absent from the daily operation so they really can care less if customers are happy only when they can get there money. This is typical of most fitness franchises. Most fitness franchisee’s own 2 or more because the cannot make enough money with one, it is impossible to monitor customer satisfaction. You can only monitor membership sales but retention is difficult to measure. Another warning for all prospects. Do not allow the franchisor to dictate who collects the membership dues. This is very important. I once used APEX management to collect my fees. What I found out is that they keep a portion of the fee for themselves, about $2.00per transaction plus a return fee if of $25.00 if any are returned and keep the money, they then send it to continental collections, out of oregon and keep all collected fees. They never paid my company in 3 years costing me a loss of over $15,000. and about $15,000 year to collect my membership fees. I found this out when I got a letter from the collection company that said they were told to send all collected funds to Apex not to me. I was paying all the losses while they kept all of my money. I found out later that this company ApEX management is the worst company in the United States when it comes to club management. To top it all off I found out it is owned by Anytime Fitness who owns the franchise and still use Apex for all transactions. The franchisee’s have no choice but to pay threw the noes for services they can get elsewhere for less. I FIRED APEX MANAGEMENT AND TOLD DAVE MORTINSON TO TAKE A LONG WALK.
Word of advice: NEVER let a franchisor dictate who takes control of your money, if you do you will lose every time, they can stop payment anytime if THEY FEEL you are in non compliance and put the money in escroll causing you to go bankrupt. Curves, Anytime Fitness and all the others do the same thing, control your money. do not do it!
As usual, Jose does not let facts get in the way of his polemics. He just makes up whatever “facts” he likes, while stumbling through a bunch of disconnected ramblings.
The extra charge to the member for Curves Smart is $5, not $10. This is true across the country.
The ID keys cost us $2.50 each. We got 100 per club with the setup.
Jose has an agenda against Curves. He has no real knowledge about Curves. He just repeats things he has heard or makes them up.
Non-compete agreements are not legally binding. I have never heard of a Curves trying to enforce one against a former employee.
Non-compete agreements are not legally binding? And yet the cases filed are increasing….
Jamie-Lyn, I wish you success in your business but your situation is why non-competes exist. Put yourself in your former employers shoes> You hire someone to help with your business, teaching them the business, sharing your trade secrets, they get the benefit of one on one mentoring in the business. They decide to take that knowledge & open their own business with the intent of bettering the product or service, possibly placing the former employer out of business. Depending on location and clients your former employer may have had a solid case. Consider yourself fortunate the nc was not enforcable in your locale.
Jamie-Lyn,
Usually a former employer doesn’t need a signature or even a non-compete agreement to protect proprietary information. The franchisor/ee may work together in protecting that info. In your shoes, I’d watch my back esp if your current members are from that club or there are new members asking business related questions.
Hi Buddy , am unsure about what you meant when you said “In your shoes, I’d watch my back esp if your current members are from that club or there are new members asking business related questions.”
As far as my former employer “mentoring” me, I met her twice. I was just an employee, not a manager. I knew as much as any of the members did.
I am one of those crazy people that believe there is enough to go around.
Let’s pretend that I work at a lemonade stand that only sells one kind of lemonade (from Texas ;)). While the customers love this lemonade some are getting board of it and keep asking if we are going to bring in some apple juice or some sort of variety. Being a franchise the lemonade stand is force to stick with conformity; all stands must be the same.
So seeing that there is a market for a lemonade stand that also sells others things I open my own. Yes I have lemonade but I offer 5 other thing as well. So now there is a choice.
I did not really now anything about running business when I started. From Curves I learned what not to do. I listened to want the ladies really wanted and put together my own thing. My biz was just named the 1st finalist for a award from the Better Business Bureau.
I always say Curves was wonderful to get so many women working out that would not normally have joined a gym. And that’s just it, Curves is a weight loss center not a fitness center. No fitness center in its right mind would tell you that working out just 3 times a week is enough, never mind the fact that you are doing the same workout EVERTIME.
But a weight loss center would benefit from you hitting a plateau. “What’s that? your body isn’t losing any more weight or inches…well have you tried our diet program…just buy our shakes/bars.
Hello trendy low carb nonsense is so out now.
Jamie-Lyn, 5 year non-competes are not unusual, again, if you used anything that could be considered proprietory information in establishing your business, you may have a problem. In your shoes I would consult with a lawyer versed in franchise & non-compete law. You may be okay given your locale (or not) but if you had done this to me, you wouldn’t get off so easy. I would find a way to sue. Sorry, it’s just business – nothing personal.
Hello Everyone
Again everyone has an opinion and i see you all are using it. This speaks of the ignorance in the business world. Everyone speaks as if they would do this or that or they have experieced some kind of close encounter with Curves that they have more insight to why Curves is or is not working. The facts, are what people need on this blog. While I appreciate the helpful comments to Jamie Lyn, I believe most are helpful ignorance. Blogs are great for speaking your mind but it would be nice to have someone with business savvy on this blog. Someone in the business world who does not own a curves. Or maybe someone who has a curves and now is sharing the truth not opinion. Remember popular blogs are read by curves and they attempt to get on blogs and post Great successes and make false statements Like
” Curves is a weight Loss Center” BULL !!!! I am a certified personal trainer and to call curves a fitness center or weight loss center is like calling McDonalds a Health food store. Anyone who makes these claims is foolish or working for Curves. In no way is curves a wieght loss center, They are trying to sell Junk food now because they are failing. On this very blog, curves owners admitted that curves is only interested in helping themselves not the franchisees, that is why they sell stuff. not for the franchisee but for the franchisor. So when I blog I tell the facts unbiased facts. I do not care if you own a curves or not I will reveal the truth to help others reading make a better decision for themselves. If my blog helps great if not OK, either way its informative and revealing. As far as the Non- compete BUDDY!! You sueing tells me you would make a terrible franchisee or franchisor. Sueing is for cowards! It takes a good business man to see when HIS failure to help, has caused the problem and rather than sue help the franchisees make money so they never fail. Thats what a good business person does. They do not use the law to opress the rights of others. They allow them to prosper! if we all liked the same thing then we would only have one car company. It is our drive to be different that makes us successful not our drive to be the same Like all curves claims the compeditors are doing, and the are! Thats why they are failing, they took a poor Model, CURVES and did the same thing and now they are all failing! I compliment you Jamie Lynn for being better than Curves and making your customers happy, bless You. I hope more of you open your own private clubs, you can run it like you want and be better than curves.
• My family and I own 2 Curves. We’ve been open for 6 years. We continue to be profitable. We work at it. We market. We advertise. We can’t always ‘count’ how many members come from a newspaper ad or a mailing. All consumers are bombarded with advertising to the point that they don’t know what they are seeing or when they see it. I judge the effectiveness of our marketing efforts by the bottom line. For instance, when we stopped doing Pennysaver covers, our appointments slowed. Even though previously members were not citing Pennysaver as the reason they came in.
• Regarding overweight women owning Curves or being at Curves: One of our very best staff members was almost 300 pounds. She was the kindest, most caring person you could ever meet. She had gained her weight during a 5 year period when she was desperately trying to have a baby. She had more compassion for the members than anyone. She had a 100% ’sales’ record. The members absolutely adored her — even the skinny members loved her (imagine that!)
• Curves is a place where you can get fit and get healthy. One of my members recently had a heart attack. Her doctor asked her what kind of exercise she had been doing. She told him she had been exercising at Curves for 5 years — 3 times a week — faithfully. He told her that CURVES saved her life. She was surprised because even she thought 3 times a week was no big deal. Her doctor advised her that it was enough to strengthen her heart muscle to the point that her heart suffered no damage from the heart attack. He told her not to quit. I do not know this doctor. I’ve never met him. He’s not trying to get me business — he just wants his patient to stay healthy.
• We have countless stories of women who have controlled their diabetes, controlled their blood pressure, decreased their arthritis pain, and improved their self esteem and mood — and they ONLY exercise 3 times a week at Curves. So I take offense to the comments by some on this board that “Curves isn’t really fitness” and “Curves is only pushing products on people”.
• Are we a social club? Yes — for some. Some women are motivated to come to Curves on a regular basis because of the social atmosphere. Women are social creatures … don’t be surprised to learn that they enjoy social activities where they can also maintain their health & fitness.
• The beauty of Curves is STILL the fact that busy women can drop in anytime to workout for 30 minutes. They don’t have to commit to a class time. I don’t know about the women where you live, but most of the women I know do not have the leisure time to commit to a 1 hour class, 3 times a week on a regular basis. Most of our members are running in to Curves then running home to take care of the kids, grandkids, dogs, husband, parents, shopping, laundry, cooking, etc. etc. etc. For that reason, Curves is STILL the answer to: “How am I supposed to stay healthy?”
• Curves diet is not a diet as much as a better way to eat: HEALTHY. It’s not a fad. It’s not unreasonable. It’s hard — because changing bad habits is hard. Giving up foods you love is hard. But the nutritional advice in Curves diet is based on sound science. We always advise our diet classes to take the Curves Member Guide to their doctors to show him/her what they are participating in. The doctors are always very pleased with what their patients are doing at Curves.
• One of the things that happened with Curves is that lots of people saw it as a ‘get rich quick’ scheme. Some of those people became Curves owners and they were surprised that you have to actually work your business. Others bought in to copy-cat systems such as Slender Lady & Contours. They all sold themselves as: “We are just like Curves – but better!”
• In closing: Curves is STILL the best thing that ever happened to women. BUSY women can find time to get at LEAST 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week when it’s convenient for them. The exercise is both cardio & strength training. That’s the heart of the program. On top of that, IF they choose, they can enjoy the social, friendly, encouraging, motivating atmosphere provided by Curves. And IF they choose they can try our diet. And IF they want to eat a protein bar called Curves, or cereal called Curves or popcorn called Curves, all sold by General Mills, they can. All of those things are extras. They don’t have to buy our vitamins or shakes.
Curves is still #1 and I don’t doubt that fitness snobs around the world will continue to try to drag it down. Were it not for Curves, millions of women in this world would not be doing any strength training. And most women who aren’t doing Curves, are simply walking on a treadmill in front of a televsion. Talk about boring!
MCC or Mrs Curves.
Once again ignorance is bliss. Statistics show that over 500 + Curves fail every year, with less than 6450 Curves left in the United States and counting down. It is so easy for you to blame the owners for not wanting to work. Why are you not blaming the Curves concept. More Curves fail yealy than all womens only clubs combined in the United States. How about that fact. Curves owner have lost over $21 Million Dollars of there own money buying a failed curves. The Cereal is more fattening than Snickers Bars. Any dietician will tell you that General Mills products are not healthy. Someone use some intelligence. Nice stories MCC but I do not believe your sales pitch ! it too is BS and thats how Curves convinces people to buy there franchise “STORIES” There is a truthful saying in the marketing business and I quote. ” Facts tell and STORIES SELL” No business person in there right mind would advise anyone to buy a curves, Your risk of failure is very very high. Nice STORIES MR or MRS Curves.
mcc-
Don’t mind Jose. He just rants the same stuff over and over again, making up “facts” as he goes. It wouldn’t be quite so annoying if he could at least write intelligibly.
The intent of my post was not to blame owners. Businesses in all industries come and go for many reasons — and no doubt, blame can be placed on many shoulders.
Regarding “no business person in there right mind” advising people to buy Curves. LOL … there are countless stories of “experts” advising people to do/not do something. Fred Smith of FEDEX is one. He was advised his idea of moving packages would never work. Good thing he didn’t listen. There’s a good book out there called “The Experts Speak.” It’s about 300 pages of ‘expert’ advice that was 100% wrong.
Many of the ‘experts’ advising against Curves are men. Men don’t really ‘get’ Curves. They don’t understand why a woman would get excited to receive Curves Cash because she worked out 3 times this week. Men go to gyms for very practical reasons. A trivia game while men workout would be ridiculous. However, women are more community minded and enjoy activities that fulfill spirit, mind, & body. Ask Oprah … she knows exactly how to market to women.
That said there are a few Curves re-sales that are probably not good buys. But there are many re-sales that we wish we had the time, energy, and money to own. They are strong territories and some have untapped potential. Frankly, I’m surprised that investors haven’t started buying blocks of Curves in metro areas.
The Curves product & model works.
These are the facts:
• Women need to exercise regularly.
• Women need strength training.
• Most women do not want to devote 2 hours a day in a gym.
• Many women don’t have time to go to a gym for more than 30 minutes.
• Some women aren’t motivated to exercise at all.
• Curves provides personal attention, motivation & caring that is missing from traditional gym settings.
• Curves is simple: 30 minutes, when you have time, on your own schedule
• Curves is a complete workout that can be learned in a few visits and doesn’t require members to become experts on ‘fitness.’ Women aren’t looking to become expert on what each muscle is called anymore than they want to know how their car engine works. As long as it takes them where they want to go and doesn’t cause them any trouble — they are happy.
If a woman’s goal is to look like a Hollywood starlet she should probably go to a personal trainer and workout a minimum of 2 hours a day. Then she should visit her plastic surgeon, dentist, stylist, and banker. If her goal is to keep herself strong & healthy so she can take care of herself and her family, then Curves is her answer. Lucky for Curves: there are more women who simply want to maintain their health and enjoy their lives than there are women who aspire to be movie stars.
mcc wrote: These are the facts:
• Women need to exercise regularly.
• Women need strength training.
• Most women do not want to devote 2 hours a day in a gym.
• Many women don’t have time to go to a gym for more than 30 minutes.
• Some women aren’t motivated to exercise at all.
The other day I had to get a car battery replaced at one of my all-time least favorite places in the world: Wal-Mart. Anyone who wants to get seriously disturbed about obesity in America, go sit outside Wal-Mart for half an hour. My God, are we fat! One guy in particular shocked me ’til I realized it was my reflection.
Inside, the McDonald’s, & Auntie Anne’s, and bakery area were cranking. There was a line at the Taco Bell Drive thru on the pad site out front.
I agree with mcc about the need – and many of these franchises are sold based on how much Americans need exercise. Unfortunately, bills are paid on with what people buy, not what they need. And they’re a lot more consistent with their visits to McDonald’s drive thru than they are with visits to the gym.
Isn’t that the bottom-line problem with 30 Minute Fitness Clubs? That they cater to the segment of people who do not stick with a health program long term? If Curves and others had solved the retention problem, would all these clubs be closing or being sold for a song?
http://www.franchisepick.com/a-fitness-franchise-on-a-downward-curve/
http://www.franchisepick.com/article-scrutinizes-quiznos-rick-schaden-1-2-3-fit-franchise-butterfly-life-franchise-contours-express-franchise-fitness-franchise-woes/
I take it MCC that you are a Fat Old women! I am not insulting you but your claims at the end of your blog indicates to me that you fit the description of many Curves owners who do not understand the fitness industry. For years the Fitness Industry has been working hard to lift its reputation to become as important and medicine. People like yourself and Curves make it that much more difficult for women to find good help.
Your Description and I quote,”Women aren’t looking to become expert on what each muscle is called anymore, Some women aren’t motivated to exercise at all. If a woman’s goal is to look like a Hollywood starlet she should probably go to a personal trainer and workout a minimum of 2 hours a day. Then she should visit her plastic surgeon, dentist, stylist, and banker. If her goal is to keep herself strong & healthy so she can take care of herself and her family, then Curves is her answer. Lucky for Curves: there are more women who simply want to maintain their health and enjoy their lives than there are women who aspire to be movie stars.”
This shows how little you Know fitness and women. You place women in a box, indicating by your statements that they should probably go to Curves, Stay Fat and unatractive and be POOR Or go to a real health club get inshape with a skilled CPT save money and be a wealthy Hot momma! and thats what I do for my ladies, make they Hot MOMS. YES women love to look good and get results and be educated about why they are doing an exercise OH and even enjoying exercise for 2 hours if the want, not putting up with the same boring around the circle hydeaulic workout while you gab with them, all the time they wishing you would shut up. This is why a women joined my club today from Curves. She is tired of all the flip flop mouthing and nothing ever gets done at curves. She quit and came here. Good for her.
Sean is correct people want to have something they enjoy. They are more consistant with
McDonalds than exercise, why because exercise is work not simple, it takes work to make money and work to get a great body, nothing will replace this fact. Exercise is a convenience not a necessity and thats why people do not stick to it. People need to get involved in a club that helps them change this.
Jose wrote: I take it MCC that you are a Fat Old women! I am not insulting you…
No, Jose, I’m sure you meant “fat” and “old” in a complimentary way. If you have a serious point to make, why discredit yourself with mean-spirited and ludicrous statements?
You presume to know mcc’s age and weight by her comments? And you, a man, tell a woman that she doesn’t understand women?
Please stick to the guideline of attacking the argument and not the arguer. I doubt anyone here has time or inclination to revert back to 4th grade playground name-calling…
Despite their weaknesses and limitations, Curves and the 30 minute women’s fitness clubs have done an excellent job doing something that the full-service clubs have failed abysmally at: making the average person comfortable going to work out. If you take the perception of health seriously, you should be thanking them and admonishing your fellow full-service clubs for alienating the majority of the population by implying that fitness is for 20-something supermodels and genetically gifted athletic guys.
I think there are some serious challenges with the 30 minute club model, but they’ve done something none of the full-service and bodybuilding clubs have done: created a brand that’s about their members, not impersonal pictures of equipment and concrete abs.
I do want to clarify something because it feeds into the sterotype of Curves employees. I mentioned in this post that we formerly had an employee who was very overweight.
We currently have 15 employees — mostly part time.
two are in their early 20’s
two are in their late 20’s
two are in their 30’s
several are in their 40’s
a few are in their 50’s
one is in her 60’s
Our employees look like our members. They go to college, are young moms, have kids in school, hold full time jobs besides Curves, watch their grand kids, have husbands in the military, they are widows, singles, newleyweds, have pets, drive their kids to soccer practice, etc. They represent the average American woman.
Some of them are in great shape (including the 60 year old), some are a little out of shape and some are overweight. Some have thyroid problems, two are cancer survivors, one has lost a great deal of weight at Curves (100 pounds).
They all have one thing in common: They are kind, helpful, happy, fun, good hearted people who know how to treat customers. And they are dedicated to helping the members who also become their friends.
mcc:
I wouldn’t worry about that stereotype.
I think the more harmful stereotype is this automatic put-down of women because of their weight, especially what “Marc” from Canada said up above. Marc slammed a fitness club owner whose picture was on a website. She was a big woman, but not even clearly obese.
First off, who is Marc or Jose to judge people based on their weight. They know nothing of what they weighed before, what health or metabolism issues they have. One of the biggest problems in health is the portrayal of some absolute perfect weight or body shape. The health club pros and trainers that I respect see each client as being at different places on the journey. What’s important is how far they’ve come since last week, last month, last year.
mcc… One club I worked with one personal trainer who was easily twice as popular as the next in line. He was a pretty jolly guy who could have lost 10-20 lbs. but he made the women laugh, have fun, and get a great workout. He would sing (terrible voice) and talk overly loud – he lit up the whole place. He generated a lot of business for all the trainers. How many have you seen whose great physiques were intimidating, or who were so predisposed to fitness and exercise they couldn’t relate to those who aren’t?
Another sad story of a Curves owner who got into the business to help women and wound up in trouble with the law . . . we know what the road to Hell is paved with, don’t we?
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080508/BIZ/805080322/-1/BIZ
I am looking at a curves to buy. The owner has owned it less than 18 months. She has 200 members. She says she is selling because she has no time since she works full time at another job for 23 years. She does no adversiting, works only 8 hrs a week. Also before her it was owned by a woman who had 1800 members so the current owner says and she was going to close it. After word got out she then sold it with only 99 members, she owned it 3 1/2 yrs. Any opinions or input would be greatly appreciated. Also what is the franchise fee that curves charges? A flat fee or a percentage?
Janet,
Read this whole forum if you haven’t done so already. Curves can be very rewarding, but the situation you describe is high-risk. 200 members is not enough to make a club successful. Exact numbers depend on revenue (# members and monthly dues) and expenses (rent and payroll).
If you are not knowledgeable in this area, I would be very careful about assuming you can make the situation better.
I agree with Kunst that you should be very wary of this situation, for several reasons.
Curves was the first in the market with a fresh new concept and little competition. Like every successful franchise concept, a slew of copycats and variations sprung up to compete. It’s possible your club was the only one in town in its heyday, but now the market is spread among 5-10 similar options.
Also, some things sound a little fishy: Why would an owner close a club with 1800 members? And the second woman probably intended to leave her job, but wasn’t able to.
Probably the most important question to ask is: What happens if it fails? Will you have signed a property lease you’re still obligated to pay? Loans, equipment leases? A Curves $10K failure fee? There are clubs being sold for $1.00 that owners see as a bad investment for this reason.
Buy with your head, not your heart. Best of luck.
I want to thank everyone so much for their input.
Your right she did intend to quit and also when I asked her about a monthly franchise fee to Curves she said she pays $195.00 a month and the cap is 300.00 a month. I was skeptical at that and said no percentage and then she kinda said something like no I believe it’s a flat fee. I think she should know for sure.
The old franchise agreement was for 10 years and has a $395/month franchise fee and $195/month for national advertising.
The current franchise agreement is for 5 years and has percentages for FF and advertising. I think they are 5% and 3% but our clubs are on the old FA so I’m not sure. There is a dollar cap on both, but it would not apply to a club at this level. If you buy a resale, you get a new FA.
Buying a Curves could be a good investment IF:
1) You are knowledgeable about business (marketing, accounting, personnel), the fitness industry, and the current Curves environment and its history. If you aren’t a member, join before you do anything else.
2) You have concrete, reality-grounded reason to believe you can improve the club, over a multi-year period (which you should assume will include difficult macro-economic times).
Many owners are having trouble because their business skills are weak. The right person could get a bargain and make good money on a turn-around. However, go back to point 1 — make sure you really have the skills — and then point 2 — have a reality-based plan (including cash flow projections) you have good reason to believe in. Be skeptical and run your thoughts by some skeptical advisors.
That said, if you believe — not just wish — you can make it work, go for it.
A Curves with 1,800 members that dwindled to 99 members?
As someone who absorbed a similar excruciating fall and is now looking for a rental home because our family home is weeks away from being foreclosed on, I’d say run – not walk – away from this deal. When the smoke clears, you’ll be glad you did.
Sadderbutwiser- I filed bankrupcty and my case was closed in January 2008. My lawyer told me if I couldn’t afford my house payment that it would take about 4 months to foreclose and kick me out of my house. I’ve been struggling to make the minimum payments but won’t be able to very much longer. Does it take 4 months? and how do you find a rental if your home is being foreclosed on? Thanks!
The current owner said there is a 5000.00 transfer fee, i week training at my cost, 195. adverstising cost a month and 200.00 franchise fee a month. She also says she has done no advertising at all since she bought it. She is selling for 56,000.00. Is there any way to find out what she paid for it? Thank you everyone. Sounds like this may not be the best business to get into. She said that when other owner had decided to close she sent out a letter to all members stating that she was closing. That is why it went to 99. Then she sold it to current woman 17 months ago and now has 200 members. I have been looking for a business that Needs very few employees and the price seemed attractive at first.
I’m trying to find a place before our bankruptcy is official, we lose our home and our credit is TOTALLY destroyed.
So I guess what I’m getting at is since I filed bankruptcy my credit is bad and no one will probably rent to me. Great.
A sad story out of Missouri that’s occurring across the country . . .
The Cape Girardeau Curves for Women franchise at 623 S. Silver Springs Road has closed.
The local workout center was purchased in March 2006 by Tish and Bryan Gentry, who also operate fitness centers in Dexter, Mo. and West Plains, Mo.
Curves is a franchise-based company that offers diet guidance and focuses on a 30-minute workout for active women. But the Cape Girardeau franchise just couldn’t build up the momentum necessary to be profitable, Tish Gentry said.
The business was in worse shape than it appeared when they bought it, she said.
“I hired someone really great at marketing and we definitely made some huge changes but I took two steps forward and four steps back,” she said. “I finally was just going deeper and deeper financially.”
http://www.semissourian.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080525/BLOGS0111/501853374/-1/news01
Here’s one way to help keep a Curves suffering from dwindling membership and high rents from going under – start a co-op!
http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2008/jun/01/curves_may_hit_roadblock/