About 14 months ago, Rosanna Hill decided that she wanted to find a place to work out and drop some pounds. She heard about a place called Curves that specialized in having a comprehensive 30-minute workout, especially for women. It had opened near her home in Parsippany.
“I went to the Curves near my home and I absolutely fell in love with it,” Hill said. “I was able to lose two dress sizes and toned up with the program. The concept was so simple, and it’s what every woman wants.”
In fact, Hill fell in love with the Curves program so much that she went out and purchased a franchise. She met with the Curves’ corporate national representatives, based out of Waco, Texas, to see what areas in the state were available to have franchises.
“It was something that I wanted to do,” Hill said. “It was a marketable idea and I felt like I could show women how to make exercise work, how to make it fast and fun.”
Hill found a location on Palisade Avenue in Weehawken. It was a perfect locale.
“It’s such a great area,” said Hill, whose husband, Glen, is also a partner in the business. “It’s so condensed and close, so it’s perfect for women to get to. I had a fear that we wouldn’t be able to find a spot that would be big enough for us.”
But the former Fontaine Bleu hair salon turned out to be just right.
Earlier this month, Curves of Weehawken opened, and the women have been flocking to the workout spot ever since. More than 150 women have registered in the first three weeks since the doors opened.
“I honestly knew that it would turn out that way,” said Hill, who had her official grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony Monday. “Every day brings new people.”
Hill said that the workout routine is pretty easy, going for 30 minutes a day, three days a week.
“It’s a strength training workout,” Hill said. “All women need it, especially with the problems we face with bone density and osteoporosis. It really doesn’t cater to any particular age. Anyone can do it, so it makes it nice.”
Hill said that there are several workout machines available at Curves, like bicep and tricep, waist, abdominal, leg and shoulder presses. Hill said that the turnout has been so great that she has already purchased two new pieces of equipment to accommodate the members.
Hill has been able to hire three local instructors from Weehawken, namely Maggie Frederic, Suzanne Dorsey (who is also a teacher at Roosevelt School) and Karina Espaillat.
Hill said that the response has been positive from the patrons.
“One woman came up to me the other day and said, ‘Thank you,'” Hill said. “I asked, ‘For what?’ and she said for doing this for us. I guess we’re doing something for the town and for the women of the town.”
Some of the first women to register for the Curves sessions are thrilled that the workout site is there.
“I heard about it through my Weight Watchers’ plan,” said Virginia Ramos of West New York. “My friend, Lupe Rodriguez, had signed up, so I looked into it and joined. It’s been very helpful. I work in Weehawken (as an administrative assistant), so it’s close and fits into my work schedule. I tried to work out in other places. There was a gym in work, but that didn’t work. I joined a gym and that wasn’t the answer. I think this is the one I’m sticking to. People at work tell me that I look better, and look happier already.”
Weehawken resident Marta Quigley echoed those sentiments.
“I passed by and saw that there were so many women of all sizes and shapes and ages,” Quigley said. “I saw that everyone was having a great time. I had to join. Now, it’s almost like a social thing. You don’t have to worry about impressing guys. It’s great for women. It builds a lot of confidence. It made me feel comfortable right away.”
Hill said that she is encouraged by the kind words.
“I like the fact that everyone likes it,” Hill said. “The people are pleased, so that makes me happy.”
Hill said that memberships are very affordable.
For more information about Curves, call (201) 330-9001.
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