Altadenablog welcomes our new sponsor, Curves Altadena.
Rose West circled around the idea of owning a Curves franchise for several years.
"Seven years ago, I met a woman who opened one in Duarte, and was fascinated. I joined immediately," she said. "I was fascinated that I could work out in 30 minutes, which suited my lifestyle."
When a franchise opened in Altadena five years ago, she said, "It broke my heart -- If I had one, it had to be in my own community." But the idea of ownership didn't go away -- during a women's retreat in 2008, she participated in an exercise to imagine what one would do if money was no object -- and for West, it was "either go to makeup artistry school, cooking school, or buy a Curves."
Then she heard the Altadena franchise was for sale. After several months of indecison, her husband, Keith West, in exasperation, said, "buy it or don't buy it, but don't talk about it any more!"
So she bought the franchise and opened it up in its new location, 2525 N. Lake, No. 6, in July 2008. West sees it as an extension of the work she's done professionally all her life. "I sold Mary Kay for 18 years," she said. I never sold lipstick. I sold a chance for women to take care of themselves, to feel glamorous." With Curves, "I'm taking care of women in a different way, but it really is the same thing."
The Curves formula Is simple but elegant: a circuit of equipment that provides a mixture of cardio and resistance training, piped-in music that encourages a steady pace, and and verbal cues to remind members to change equipment or cool down. It's quick, easy, and adaptable for women of every age and fitness level. Curves members in Altadena are as old as 84 years of age.
It's also a commitment: new members receive a health history and discuss their goals. "If they don't come for a couple of days, we'll call or email," she says. Members are also weighed once a month, and analyzed for body mass.
West says that Curves never says you're going to lose weight with their program, but you will reduce body fat and increase lean muscle mass. The Curves franchisees recently were named the best fitness/weight loss program by the Pasadena Weekly.
Curves is open on Mondays and Fridays from 6 AM- 1 PM, and from 3-8 PM; Tues. and Thurs. from 12:30-3:30; and Sat. 7 AM-noon. To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Week, until Oct. 31, you can join for free with proof of a mammogram or a $25 donation to breast cancer research. Curves Altadena is also fielding a team of walkers for next summer's American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
(Pictured: Rose West and Curves manager Laura Honore.)
