November 28, 2002 - Roxborough Review: Morocco RPCV Toni Tyree Habib operates weight loss franchise for women

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Headlines: Peace Corps Headlines - 2002: 11 November 2002 Peace Corps Headlines: November 28, 2002 - Roxborough Review: Morocco RPCV Toni Tyree Habib operates weight loss franchise for women

By Admin1 (admin) on Thursday, November 28, 2002 - 11:42 am: Edit Post

Morocco RPCV Toni Tyree Habib operates weight loss franchise for women





Read and comment on this story from the Roxborough Review on Morocco RPCV Toni Tyree Habib who operates a franchise for Curves For Women, 30 Minute Fitness and Weight Loss Centers, that operate nationwide as well as in Mexico, Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom and soon Australia. Based on the popular concept of circuit training, Curves offers members a unique circuit mix of hydraulically powered equipment and recovery/aerobic boards creating a 30-minute workout designed specifically for women. Read the story at:

Curves for Women comes to Manayunk*

* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.



Curves for Women comes to Manayunk

By: Saranne Miller November 27, 2002

Renowned fitness chain specializes in 30-minute workouts for busy females

Toni Tyree Habib grew up in Roxborough, graduated from Roxborough High School and went on to Rosemount College to work towards her bachelor of arts degree in math.

She later transferred to Texas Southern University where she earned her undergraduate degree and continued her studies, graduating with a masters degree in education. After a year in Morocco with the Peace Corps, Habib returned to the Philadelphia area where she has been a math professor for 18 years, most recently at the Community College of Philadelphia.

Decades ago, Habib's Roxborough High School gym teacher teased her for choosing a mathematical direction in life. She told Habib that she would someday be a gym teacher too.

That gym teacher was not all that wrong.

After teaching math to college students for almost two decades, Habib has turned her interest and her life to a new and innovative fitness program at her brand new Curves franchise in Manayunk.

Curves For Women, 30 Minute Fitness and Weight Loss Centers, operate nationwide as well as in Mexico, Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom and soon Australia.

Based on the popular concept of circuit training, Curves offers members a unique circuit mix of hydraulically powered equipment and recovery/aerobic boards creating a 30-minute workout designed specifically for women.

According to Habib, hydraulic exercise equipment offers resistance through liquid, rather than weights or resistance cords, to adjust to the personal strength needs of each individual user.

The complete circuit places emphasis on the upper and lower body muscle groups while incorporating that needed cardio. The 30-minute workout is perfect, says Habib, who is full of energy, even at the end of her long day.

"You can fit 30 minutes into your schedule," Habib explained. "Women don't always have an hour or an hour and a half to exercise."

A new client is required to have a personal, initial consultation at Curves. This consultation consists of a one-on-one introduction to the facility and use of the equipment. After the first consultation, a member is welcome to come any time during hours of operation for 30 minutes of exhilarating exercise.

At Curves, there is always a staff person on hand and available to instruct and guide members through the 30-minute workouts, which run continuously throughout the day. Referred to as Quick Fit Strength Training, the stations at Curve are versatile to meet the needs of all fitness levels.

Habib has 16 stations set up in her fitness room. Eight pieces of hydraulic strength training equipment and eight recovery/aerobic boards are positioned in a circle around the perimeter of the room.

The beat of popular dance music pounds into the air, making it almost impossible not to start moving to the beat. While clients pick a station to begin, a staff person will stand in the center of the room, or at a station and the class begins. After a few minutes at a station, everyone stops for a second and moves to their left to engage in the activity required for the next station.

Recovery/aerobic boards are constructed of wood and foam. These stations can be used for a period of rest, or for more advanced exercisers, for a period of high-energy aerobics.

Habib's journey into a career in fitness began when she called around looking for a Curves in the Philadelphia area. When she called the main headquarters for Curves, the person on the other end of the telephone line asked, "Why don't you open one?"

That set the tone for Habib, and while visiting her sister here in Our Town, she saw that Brambles Flower Shop at Main and Leverington was for rent.

"I loved the building!" recalls Habib, who wanted to open the fitness center in her hometown. "The location is great with the water and the trail behind me. I didn't want to change the structure of the building. I liked the openness and calmness I felt here."

After that, Habib said that everything fell into place for her. She was required to travel to Texas for a week's worth of formal training at the Curves education center, and she continues to study and learn about the Curves concept of fitness and new ideas that can be implemented to her current structure.

"A lot of this is new to me," admits Habib, who has always had an interest in exercise. "The equipment is new, the philosophy is new. It's all amazing."

After returning to Philadelphia and putting the finishing touches on her center, which includes an upstairs stretching room, a Curves mentor was flown from Texas to walk Habib through the opening process.

In addition to the circuit workout and the short amount of time it takes to complete, Habib says that she is happy to offer a fitness center exclusively to women. She believes that women don't always feel comfortable in particular atmospheres and that Curves offers a place for women to come and "let loose."

"Members can come in here and not worry about being self-conscious," she added.

Habib is married and has three children, and still teaches a math class at Community College of Philadelphia. She says that her fitness program addresses more than just health. Habib takes part in the 30-minute workouts to raise her energy level so that she can meet the needs of her busy lifestyle.

She says that she watches mothers come into her establishment with their teenage daughters and witnesses a transformation in the level of self-confidence and character in the teens.

Another member recently joined Habib's Curves after the member's 80-year-old grandmother called and raved about Curves. The grandmother had never been smaller than a plus size, but after joining a Curves and experiencing the workout, the grandmother has lost weight and no longer wears a plus size.

Overall, Habib's clients are having fun.

Habib does not feel that she is in competition with the established gyms in the area. She feels that each facility gives people varying options and that Curves just adds to those choices in fitness centers.

As a Curve member, an individual is free to exercise at any Curve worldwide.

With already 100 members at Curves on Main St. after being open for only four weeks, Habib has had a great beginning to what she hopes to be a long-term career.

"This is my passion," she said. "This is what I'm going to do."

Habib calls herself a person who is always able to change in order to try something new. The ease and enjoyment she has experienced in opening her new facility has made her feel fortunate to have found this amazing opportunity and to share it with the community.

"This [neighborhood] is stable. Everyone has been receptive and helpful," Habib shared. "I'm happy to be back home."

©The Review 2002


More about Curves for Women

Read more about Curves for Women at:

Curves for Women

Welcome to the online home of Curves for Women®, the first to offer 30 minute fitness and weight loss facilities designed for women! We are now the largest fitness center franchise in the World and the force in providing women affordable, one stop fitness and nutritional guidance!

We commit our methods, systems, energies and motivation to helping people, whether a Curves' member or franchise owner, to help themselves in their quest for a better quality of life.

Whether you are a potential Curves franchise owner or a prospective club member, please browse through our website and discover the opportunities and rewards associated with Curves for Women. Please contact us today at (800) 848-1096 or use our online request form to request more information.




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