Waco-based Curves Inter-national Inc., the world's largest fitness center franchise, will open its newest Curves on N.C. 5 in Aberdeen next to Food Lion in the Pinehurst Plaza on Jan. 8.

This Aberdeen Curves center is bringing to residents a supportive environment offering 30-minute fitness solution with a common-sense weight loss program that helps break the weight loss cycle, the company said in a news release.

"We are excited to become part of the Aberdeen community," said Cinny Beggs, owner of the Aberdeen facility. "Curves offers a comfortable, welcoming place where real women work out. Our facility is designed so women can encourage and support one another while moving around the circuit.

"We look forward to helping women in this community reach amazing results, both physical and emotional, through our Curves Workout program and support network."

With the average person gaining three pounds a year, a reasonable workout regime that can fit into today's busy lifestyle of work and family is critical to help combat diabetes, osteoporosis, hypertension and other health risks that women can face.

The Curves Workout program, designed by Gary Heavin and his wife and co-founder, Diane, is utilized in all Curves locations.

The system allows women of all ages and fitness levels to perform all five of the components of a complete fitness program, combining strength and cardiovascular training through hydraulic resistance. The experienced instructors at Curves offer one-on-one training, while members talk and inspire one another during the workout.

Since the first Curves franchise opened in 1995, the organization has seen exponential growth, beginning with 44 locations in 1996 and expanding to more than 1,500 centers in 2000.

In Entrepreneur Magazine's 2004 list of the top 500 franchises, Curves was named the fastest-growing franchise of any kind in the world, as well as the No. 2 overall best franchise. Today, Curves continues to establish itself among the premiere franchises and currently has more than 4 million members in more than 10,000 locations within the United States, Canada, Spain, Mexico, Europe, Israel, Australia, Japan and the U.K.

With a Curves center opening every four hours on average, it has grown from just one franchise in 1995 to having one location for every two McDonald's in America.

"Helping say goodbye to unhealthy lifestyles, unattainable diet resolutions and unreasonable fitness regimens gives women a new outlook on exercise and feeding their body properly," said Beggs, who also owns the Curves in Southern Pines. "We look forward to providing women in this community a complete workout in only 30 minutes that will ensure they can stick to the program and sustain a healthy weight."