[Cincinatus' Wife]

[This is an earlier thread on this subject]

(10-06-04)

KEEP YOUR CURVES, WE'LL KEEP OUR MONEY

I GOT THIS TODAY FROM PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S FEDERAL ACTION FUND...

Got Curves?

Last week, a socially conscious pro-choice advocate asked The New York Times Magazine Ethicist this poignant question:

"I am in my month's trial membership at the fitness chain Curves, and I love it. I must decide whether to sign up for a year, and I've learned that the owner of the company financially supports pro-life efforts, whereas I am pro-choice. Do I have a duty to give up my Curves membership?"

Many people often ask Planned Parenthood this very same question and we applaud columnist Robert Cohen for his response:

"It depends: which do you value more, your reproductive rights or your figure? If the former, clean out your locker. You won't be alone."

A not so well–known fact is that Gary Heavin, founder and CEO of Curves, is an avid supporter of anti-choice causes, having pledged more than $5 million to various groups that oppose reproductive choice. So if you're a member of Curves, your money may be indirectly supporting abstinence-only education and other anti-choice programs.

Help others learn the truth about Curves founder by e-mailing The New York Times Magazine article to a friend. (registration required)

Send Robert Cohen a nice note to thank him for raising awareness about this.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1237017/posts

[weegee]

Interesting that the Comical sees fit to give "both sides" to the story and considers a Christian business owner to be a "bad thing".

I'm sure that racists don't like black owned businesses but Houston's only daily won't promote their bigotry by acting as if "all sides" need to get exposure.

[since1868]

book mark

[Destro]

Lefties quitting membership in Curves for political reasons is like a Rightist not seeing a movie actor's movies because they backed Kerry. Stupid either way.

[Moonman62]

Targeting women in small-town America is part of the company's business strategy — and it's working.

The same strategy worked for Walmart. But I'm suprised there's anyone able to buy a franchise or afford to join in the communities destroyed by the evil Walmart.

[Sunnyvale CA Eng.]

There is a 'Curves' in the development where I live. (I'm a guy so I'm not a member) I'm curious on how the owner would make any real money at it. There's 8 to 12 machines, a 30 minute workout. If the place was open from say 6:00AM to 8:00PM (14 hours) that's 168 women per day maximum. Most will not workout every day - say 3X per week - that would be 336 people per week at $29.00 per month (found on Google - may vary). Thats 336 X $29 = $9744 gross revenue per month. Out of that you need to pay a trainer, yourself (if you are not the trainer), rent (very steep where I'm at), insurance (liability can be $$), cleaning, equipment maintenance, utilities, franchise fee (~$400/ month), payments on the original franchise purchase (if financed), taxes...

I would guess most clubs do not operate at anywhere near maximum numbers. I found that a 1 year contract is required which is good for the owner as many people stop going to a gym after a while. This may be part of the business model - perhaps you can sign up 1.5, 2X or 3X your maximum throughput and still not have overfilled classes.

I looked at their website and noticed there are a lot of franchises for sale. Any FReeper own an interest in one of these?? Where am I wrong?

[Caipirabob]

All the guys, repeat after me:

"Curves" is good. "Bones" is bad.

Apparently "Curves" owner believes in the preservation of life, which won't lead to "Bones" any sooner than it has to.

[SirLurkedalot]

Cool post. When I told my fiance about the founders pro-life stance and that local members were quitting because of it (we're in Santa Cruz) she went and joined the next day. She loves it there.

[the invisib1e hand]

a socially conscious pro-choice advocate

yeah. just the kind of thing a man looks for in female. bwahhahahahahaha!