FAIRMONT — Sisters Lida Chaplin and Connie Gregory really believe in Curves for Women.
That’s why they recently decided to take over the Curves for Women facility in Fairmont. Chaplin and Gregory, both originally from Fairmont, became the new co-owners on March 1.
The business is located at 1228 Country Club Rd., in the Shop N Save Plaza behind Fairmont Federal Credit Union.
Gregory spent most of her life in California and was a paralegal. She was a member of Curves for Women in Los Angeles. After retiring, she moved back to Fairmont and bought a house in the same neighborhood as her sister.
Chaplin had been a member of Curves for Women in Fairmont and started working there part-time when she retired from Allegheny Power after 26 years.
“The opportunity came up, and I said we would love to purchase it,” she said.
Chaplin and Gregory remodeled the whole space, including painting and putting in new carpet and blinds.
“Curves is all about strengthening women,” Chaplin said. “It’s easy, it’s convenient, and they’re in and out in 30 minutes.”
She said the facility is designed specifically for women and focuses on 30-minute workouts. There are 12 machines, each working different muscle groups, and 11 recovery pads. Members go in a circuit using the various machines, and their heart rate is measured. The workout combines strength training and sustained cardiovascular activity.
A weight management program will also be offered.
“It’s a one-stop shop,” Chaplin said. “You can loose weight, gain muscle and aerobic capability and raise metabolism.”
Curves for Women has helped Chaplin loose inches and has also helped with her arthritis.
“I am just really convinced that it’s worked,” she said. “It keeps you moving and you have energy after you’re finished. I just love it.”
Chaplin and Gregory encourage women 65 and older to consider participating in the Silver SilverSneakers Fitness Program, which can be paid for through Medicare. Interested persons can check with them to see if their insurance carrier honors the program.
Curves for Women currently has approximately 150 members. In the last two weeks, several former members have returned to the facility and some new people have joined, too.
Right now, the facility is offering 30 days free for anybody.
The Fairmont Curves for Women is open 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. In the future, the facility plans to stay open all day and offer Saturday hours.
For more information, call 304-534-8110.
E-mail Jessica Borders at jborders@timeswv.com.
