CURVES

Empowering women for strength and health

by Joanna Gail King

Cindy Sullivan

The desire for change is what brings women to Curves. What keeps them coming back is Curves commitment to empowering women and helping them to grow stronger and healthier together.

More than a decade ago, Cindy Sullivan began to work out at Curves in Yorktown. She loved it so much that she wanted one of her own.

She opened her first location in Great Bridge in 2001 and ultimately added three more.

Now, Cindy has brought her four long-time managers into the business as co-owners. Christa Donison, Carmon Pizzanello, Dawn Manarchik and Melanie Shonkwiler share Cindy’s passion for bringing the benefits of Curves to as many women as possible.

From left: Carmon Pizzanello, Dawn Manarchik, Cindy Sullivan, Melanie Shonkwiler and Christa Donison.

"Curves is just for women," Cindy says with her charming smile. "A lot of women think they have already tried-and failed-at the 'gym' experience. I'd like for women who haven't walked through the doors of a gym in a while, or who don't think they are candidates for gym membership because of weight issues or health issues or age, to just stop by and see what it is we do here."

“Empowering women to change their self image by  working out and getting one-on-one weight loss assistance turns into a life changing experience.”

— Co-owner Cindy Sullivan

The Curves program combines strength training and cardio circuit work three times a week for just 30 minutes a session with a weight-loss program that’s  based on a five-year weight loss study at Baylor University.

No institutional or intimidating equipment here. The décor is kindergarten-class colors and warm. The equipment is specifically designed for women's bodies and based on a controlled-hydraulic system to avoid injury.

Each new client starts with a computer-generated profile that not only takes into account her stats but also "remembers" her strength and range of motion and automatically adjusts each machine on the circuit just for her. As her strength increases and her flexibility improves, the machines automatically adjust.

This CurvesSmart system provides real-time feedback during each exercise and also generates detailed progress reports. Clients can see their progress on a computer screen right down to individual muscle groups they may have favored today so they can push just a bit harder tomorrow.

“Many women give up on traditional exercise simply because it's not working and they don't know why,” Cindy explains.

Having this detailed knowledge allows women to do what women do best — work smart and move on to the next task.

Best of all, the co-owner of each of the Chesapeake Curves locations is right there to help, to explain, to get to know the members as individuals.

And each of these dynamic women willingly shares her own success story to encourage others.

For Carmon Pizanello at the Deep Creek location, sheer convenience first led this busy mom to Curves.

“I could get a workout in, and still be home for my children,” she says. “In a few short months I reached my weight loss goal of 15-20 pounds.”

“I like helping women lose weight,
staying motivated, keeping their energy up and staying accountable. I love it when women say this program is something they can stick with and do the rest of their lives.”

— Chesapeake Square co-owner Melanie Shonkwiler  

Dawn Manarchik started her Curves career in 2001. Now the co-owner of the Greenbrier and Great Bridge locations, she sees every day the difference the program makes in the lives of women.

“Curves is a great place for women to take a break from their lives, to listen to upbeat music, transform their bodies and then their lives,” she says.

During the month of March, women even have the opportunity to contribute to others.  Curves will waive its initial service fee for anyone who brings in a bag of groceries for the Curves National Food Drive, which helps local food banks.

Christa Donison, who started working at Curves fresh out of high school, has come up through the ranks from trainer to manager and now to a co-owner with Dawn. She’s also a full-time nursing student.

“Empowering women to change their self image by  working out and getting one-on-one weight loss assistance turns into a life changing experience,” Cindy adds.

Being involved in that kind of  excitement and energy  makes Melanie Shonkwiler’s workday at the Chesapeake Square location a real joy. She brought her previous experience in the weight-loss industry to her new career at Curves.

“Curves and our members are my energy source,” she says enthusiastically. “It keeps me excited, it’s a kick-your-covers-off kind of job. I like helping women lose weight, staying motivated, keeping their energy up and staying accountable. I love it when women say this program is something they can stick with and do the rest of their lives.”

The weight loss program is free to members and non-members looking for permanent results without permanent dieting.

“What I love about being a Curves owner is knowing the ripple effect it has on the community.  When women take care of their weight and fitness issues, they can be more present for the other people in their lives—their children, husbands and co-workers all benefit . . . and on it goes,” Cindy says.

“I love the Curves weight loss program. It is easy and fun.  You eat normal, healthy food and portions.  I don’t feel like I’m dieting at all.”

Cindy, Christa, Carmon, Dawn, and Melanie are always eager to invite women in for the free weight loss classes and fitness assessment, and to become a part of this empowered community of women who are growing stronger and healthier together.