Lawsuit accuses Curves founder of fraud, threats

[NoPasaran]

WACO, Texas — A lawsuit seeking more than $20 million accuses the founder of Curves International of defrauding seven people who sold franchises for the fast-growing chain of no-frills fitness clubs for women.

The plaintiffs claim they're due the money for helping Gary Heavin turn his Waco-based company into the world's No. 1 fitness center in terms of number of clubs.

Since the mid-1990s, Curves has grown to more than 8,400 franchises in all 50 states and 28 countries. One in every four fitness clubs in the United States is a Curves. By comparison, Gold's Gyms and Bally Total Fitness have about 1,000 facilities between them.

In the lawsuit filed this month in state district court in Waco, seven former friends and associates of Heavin allege they quit their jobs, mortgaged homes, maxed out credit cards and slept in their cars to help Heavin launch Curves in the early years on the promise he would share the wealth once the company took off.

http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/gen/ap/TX_Curves_Lawsuit.html

[rooboy]

1. I won't register for The Statesman, but I believe this guy...

is a major "pro-lifer" who continually has Fox News on the tv screens.

[NYC]

3. You shouldn't need to register.

Use www.bugmenot.com to get a name and password.

That didn't quite work out. They wanted an email address, and BugMeNot didn't provide one.

[Toucano]

16. It does provide on, it's just tricky.

Gern is the name.
[e-mail] is the email.
PW is frau.

Just in case anyone wants it. ;)

[NYC]

21. Thank you.

I got something completely different when I used Bug Me Not, and definitely no email.

:hi:

[Toucano]

22. I bet you prompted someone to register a new one.

Good job! :hi:

[Sydnie]

6. He very much is

and his company makes large donations to pro-life groups as well. That was documented here at DU in either October or November of last year. Sorry, I don't have a link to that documentation, but I remember it vividly as it jumps to the front of my mind everytime I drive by the either of the local Curves locations.

[WhiteTara]

17. In the past, I visited many Curves

and I never saw a tv monitor anywhere.  Before I quit going
however,they started with the Jesus music.

[countingbluecars]

2. Interesting.

Just a few days ago, Curves International was featured during a story on faith based businesses. The founder was speaking about christian values. I think it was on the Today Show or Good Morning America.

[kevinmc]

5. "christian values"

Is new buzz words for Stealing.

[WhiteTara]

18. actually, any time I hear someone is a Christian

I hide my wallet and run in the other direction, it usually
means they are out to cheat and steal.

[bitchkitty]

4. New link - no need to register:

http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3128624

[Merlot]

7. There is no comparison

Curves has grown to more than 8,400 franchises in all 50 states and 28 countries. One in every four fitness clubs in the United States is a Curves. By comparison, Gold's Gyms and Bally Total Fitness have about 1,000 facilities between them.


A Gold's Gym or Bally is a GYM. They have heavy equipment. A lot of it. They cater to a very different crowd and probably have more members.

Curves is a good idea for women who are intimidatd and uncomfortable working out at a gym, but Curves isn't a gym. From what I understand, they are in store fronts at the mini-mall and have minimal equipment. I think they give classes, and their hours are restricted.

[WhiteTara]

19. actually there are machines, no classes and of all

the workouts I have done in my many years, it is the very
best.  It is too bad that the politics of the owner make it
impossible for me to go there. 

[jaysunb]

8. I hate to hear this....

My wife has been going there for a few months now, and has had some spectacular results.
We try not to patronize business that support RW causes or are anti choice.
This may be one of the times I just keep my mouth shut :evilgrin:

[Dervill Crow]

9. I go to Curves, too.

I should have researched better before signing up, but the fact that they are closed Sunday and I heard Amy Grant songs playing during my workout gave me the first clues.

I'm really torn, because I also try to give my money to "blue" companies, but I do like Curves (other than being closed Sunday!).

[msanthrope]

10. Do you have a YMCA nearby? You might be surprised....

some YMCA's are very well-funded, and have all the equipment Curves would have. Also, some colleges allow non-students to use their facilities for a fee.

Worth checking out...

[unhappycamper]

14. i looked into rejoining the local YMCA, they wanted a copy of

last year's federal tax return. I said - well, how about if I give you a check right now for one year's dues?

Nope - they wanted a copy of my tax return. Needless to say, I won't be joining the Y anytime soon. Has anyone else seen this?

[politicat]

15. that's really strange. My local one does not.

Did you ask their rationale?

[keroro gunsou]

24. don't like the Y

too many kiddies running about un-attended, some in teh free weight areas, that made me quit, i was afraid one of them might drop a weight on themselves.

at least that's the Y by my house.

Suburban moms drive in their escalades with broodlings, do a few laps, chat with the girls, and generally are more trouble than they are worth.

My Y offers activities for kids but they are so poorly staffed, it's almost not worth it. I've heard these moms complaining about having to pay to have their kids watched.... oh well, then i guess they shouldn't be allowed to complain if one of their 'lil woogums drops a 25lb plate on their foot. I've had to personally get Y staffers to round the little critters up to get 'em out of harm's way a lot of the time.... i'm seriously considering dropping the free weights and just lifting the kids....

At least the kids are pretty nice, even if they get in the way from time to time.... too bad they got complete airheads for moms.

[jdj]

26. is it true that you have to sign a form that you are a xtian or

support xtian values or something? A friend of mine is Jewish and he's a member and he warned me about some stupid thing like this he had to sign to get a membership

[Logansquare]

12. A health club closed on Sunday--that's ridiculous!

Could you imagine Gold's Gym closing on Saturday because it's the Jewish Sabbath? No, because they don't assume everyone is Christian or *should* be.

[WhiteTara]

20. the guidelines for the workout are only 3 days a week

so if you go M W F or T TH S then there is no need for Sunday.
 Also, because most of these are owner run, it gives them a
day off.  I can't fault the workout, method, equipment or
schedule, but to give someone $30 a month for them to turn
around and fund things that are diamentrically opposed to all
my principles made me quit.  

[Ripley]

11. Good! I hate their commercials.

They have "normal" women trying to do pilates and yoga and imply those exercises are weird, alien, foreign or stupid. They roll their eyes and look retarded trying to do a yoga balance pose. Of course then they sit in the Curves gym where only "normal" women are (no men of course) and they use the standard weight machines. Gee, like other gyms don't also have weight machines, free weights, aerobic equipment and "normal" aerobics classes.

To me the commercial implies women should be cloistered together in a single sex exercise place and not try anything new or different, especially because Yoga comes from a non-Christian culture. However, these overweight middle aged women are exactly the people who should practice yoga in order to reduce stress, increase flexibility and breathing control and circulation, better posture, etc. etc.

Are the Religious Right Fundies telling women NOT to do Yoga? In fact, I heard one woman at my gym ask another person if we did chanting or Hindu stuff in yoga!!!!!! Why are people so ignorant? Yoga is not new and there are many types, but most gyms only teach your standard hatha yoga.

I guess it's all because of the Post 9/11 Bible. George I, verse 666: Abstain from practicing coed-non-American-non-Christian exercises.

[Dervill Crow]

13. I'm an obese pagan too clumsy for yoga or Pilates

and Curves is easy and across the street from my employer. The "real" gyms I've gone to generally have athletic pretty people. I'm not terribly bothered by the fact that a lot of the people who go to Curves are Christian. I tuck my pentacle inside my t-shirt for the second lap around the circuit to keep track of how many laps I've done.

[havocmom]

23. Do all Curves franchises require a term membership/contract for

a specific period of time? There was a bit of ruckus back in the mid 90s with fitness centers catering to women requiring a long term contract agreement. Many women joined then decided they didn't like it and stopped going/paying. They found liens put on their homes. I thought that was a pretty nasty deal, demanding long term commitments then attaching homes if the women did not like the place.

Was that Curves or some other fitness chain? They targeted marketing to women and I recall some women's groups fighting their tactics as being a way to attach liens to single women's assets.

[countingbluecars]

25. I had to sign a one year membership agreement.

That was several years ago. I'm not sure if anything has changed since.

[kittenpants]

27. you don't have to sign a year contract, but it's a better deal if you do

$10 less a month