Business Q&A: Curves of Levittown

Patch interviewed Curves of Levittown owner Stacy Vano to get an in-depth look on the all women's fitness facility, which has been open since April 2002.

What do you think separates Curves from other gyms in the area?

We offer a family, friendly, motivating atmosphere. [It is] all women, so they are less likely to feel uncomfortable if they are unsure of themselves.  

What does an all-women's gym provide that a regular gym couldn't?

It is the personal attention to women and their needs. We weigh and measure our members each month and provide them with a printout showing them their results, which helps them and keeps them motivated.

How did you get into this profession?

After my first child, I developed Graves' disease and I started to gain a lot of weight. I was busy like most moms and I was working and I just didn't have time for me. I kept seeing an ad for a 30 minute fitness center in Hicksville. I went to see it and fell in love with the concept. There were three ladies that were selling it, but I decided to open up in my own backyard, Levittown. 

What do you like best about what you do?

I love helping and seeing women strive and achieve their goals.

What sort of amenities and services does Curves offer?

There are machines that target your whole body. They are double positive which means the machines work both sides of the muscle so you will not get sore.  You are not tearing your muscles, you are exhausting them, and every 30 seconds you go on to the next station. In between each machine is a board and we call it an aerobic recovery board used to rest your muscles but keeps your heart rate up. 

We also offer a program called CurvesSmart which is a computer program that is state of the art and is actually a personal coach.  Women tend to get very complacent and with CurvesSmart you have to go for the green!

We also offer Curves with Zumba in the circuit, where instead of using the aerobic recovery stations in between each machine, we simply follow the Zumba instructor in between.

What sort of advice do you and your staff give women just starting their fitness journey?

It depends what their goals are. We are a small facility and everyone is different, so it's hard to say.

I had a woman about six years ago come in with a cane and she was petrified but knew Curves would help her. I took her around, reassured her that I would work with her and she trusted in herself and me. She joined, made friends and is still a member.

Why do you think a comfortable work out environment is so important?

It is so important because many women are intimidated to go to a large gym and be lost in the crowd, not knowing how to use the treadmill. It's nice to be amongst ladies who can relate. All the ladies that work at our club have been there nearly as long as I have and that is comforting to women.

What kind of membership options are available?

We offer a yearly membership which is paid monthly with a cancellation policy. 

At Curves we are understanding and always there to listen, so if you have an issue, you are never locked into one of our contracts. We will always work with you.