DEMOPOLIS-Demopolis is about receive some new curves thanks to a fitness center opening in the Marengo Square Shopping Center that deals specifically with women. The owner is traditionally from Southern Illinois, but thanks to the crime in Selma and a friendly face in the Demopolis Chamber of Commerce, she decided to move to Demopolis and open up shop.

Janet Hunt, owner of Curves has always been involved in fitness someway or another. She owned an aerobics company during her time in Baltimore, Maryland and a taught aerobics during her 20 years in the City of Tuscaloosa.

“My mother brought up the idea of opening a Curves franchise, but at that time I wasn’t really interested in owning a gym,” Hunt said, “But I slowly grew into the idea after wanting to leave Tuscaloosa.”

After deciding on opening a Curves franchise, going home to Illinois popped back into my mind because of my mother’s age, but there’s no place like Alabama, she said. She took a map of Alabama and went through and highlighted all of the places that she thought could maintain a Curves franchise.

“I also went through and circled the towns that currently had Curves and Selma was tops on the list as well as Demopolis,” Hunt said.

A friend of mine and myself went a trip to the towns that were on the list and a stop in Selma was less than enjoyable for them. After stopping at the Selma Camber of Commerce were the door was locked because the woman working was scared because of the crime, really left a bad impression on her.

“We decided to take the long way home and drive through Demopolis,” She said, “Once I saw how nice and clean downtown was I was hooked.”

The Director of the Demopolis Chamber of Commerce Jay Shows also really sold me on the idea of Demopolis was the right place for my gym, she said. He spent about an hour and a half talking with me and showing property for sale.

“I was in Tuscaloosa for a long time and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and no one ever gave me the attention like Shows did,” Hunt said.

Curves is a women’s only gym that offers all the essentials in a modern day setting. The program gives the clients an one hour and 30 minute workout in 30 minutes time including warm-up, strength training, cardiovascular training, and stretching.

“We also offer a separate weight management program for the women who want to lose and maintain their weight loss while they are exercising,” Hunt said.

Hydraulic resistance controls all of the equipment and they work all the major muscle groups during exercises. After every session, there is a recovery station for the ladies to take it easy before the next exercise.

“My mother is 70 years-old and she has been going to Curves for the last three years and loves it,” Hunt said.

Ladies are welcome to come in to the gym at anytime during business hours and workout. There will always be a coach available to help the ladies in their daily exercises and to make sure that all of their questions are answered, she said. This gym will have a fun, positive attitude.

“Our grand opening will be held on July 26 and we are currently taking applications for membership,” Hunt said, “The phone number for the gym is (334) 289-3808.”