Curves history

The innovators of the first 30 minute circuit workout, Gary and Diane Heavin, share a passion for fitness and a commitment to women’s health which led them to open the original Curves in 1992 in Harlingen, Texas.

Their innovative, 30-minute full body workout, combines strength training and sustained cardiovascular activity using safe and effective hydraulic resistance machines. The first club became a success, because it gave women a supportive and comfortable atmosphere in which to work out.

When their second club also turned into an immediate success, they knew they had tapped into a market that wasn’t being served by traditional gyms and that they could help millions of women worldwide. To achieve this they needed to find passionate people who wanted to help these women in their communities and teach them how to run a Curves. Gary and Diane turned the business into a franchise and the first independently owned and operated Curves opened in Paris, Texas, in 1995. Curves has been expanding ever since and you’ll find it in over 76 countries with more than 4500 clubs.

Curves International is owned by North Castle Partners, a leading private equity firm focused in the Health, Wellness & Active Living Sector.

Curves International was purchased by North Castle Partners in September 2012 with the mission to reinvigorate the company by applying the investment group’s knowledge and experience in the fitness and wellness arena. Since then, North Castle has invested heavily in the brand by introducing innovative new programs, products, equipment and service improvement.