Gaye Yount felt energized and ready to tackle the day after she finished a 30-minute exercise routine on the hydraulic exercise machines at Curves in Newton.  She’s hoping her participation in the Curves/Avon fitness study will slenderize her body and give her a fun way to get in shape.

She made the rounds from the leg presses to jumping jacks and stretches as music provides a bouncy beat.  The songs are only interrupted long enough for a recorded voice to tell her it’s time to switch machines.

“I feel really good when I’m done,” she said.  “When I walk out of here, I feel so much better,” she said.

This is the largest fitness study ever done (by Curves), according to Tammy Reese, area manager of Curves in Newton and Denver.  Yount was the first to sign up for the study at the Newton location.

Yount is still in her first week of the study, but she has high hopes for the remaining 30 days to get her on track toward her goal of losing 30 pounds.

The purpose of the study is to show women what regular exercise can do for the body.  Each participant will complete 12 workouts within a 30-day period, with a minimum of three 30-minute workouts each week.  The women will also complete a pre-and post-study survey that will help determine the results.

 “I think it’s going to be really cool to see the results simply because Curves has never done a fitness study before,” Reese said.  “I’m hoping the study will show women that no matter their size or health, they can come to Curves and get results.”

Yount found out about the study through a Curves flyer that came to her office at Catawba Valley Community College.

“It’s all women, there are no grunting men hogging the machines,” she said.

Yount said she used to walk around her neighborhood for about 30 minutes every other day, and then, in August of 2007, she enrolled in a 7:30 a.m.  weightlifting class at CVCC.  When the school moved the class to 8 a.m. in January, Yount couldn’t take it anymore because she had to get to work.

But now, with Curves opening at 6:30 a.m., she’s found a more convenient time to exercise allowing her plenty of time to change and get to work.

“It makes a difference when people are expecting you (to come),” she said.

Yount works out every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 30 minutes, which is enough time to complete two circuits, using all the equipment for 30 seconds.

“I have more energy and I’m not falling asleep on the couch anymore,” she said.  “And I’m happier.  I think it changes your attitude.”

Yount will turn 50 in July and wanted to do something to improve her health.  She is already on medication to reduce her high cholesterol and she said osteoporosis is also a concern for women in her family.

“That’s another reason to get in shape,” she said.  “At 50, things start to fall apart.”

The Exercise and Sports Nutrition Laboratory at Baylor University will analyze the results from Curves’ 10,000 locations for publication in various journals.

Enrollment in the study will continue through June 16 for new or current Curves members.