Contours Express Expands Internationally

Announces Master Franchise in United Kingdom

NICHOLASVILLE, KY (Thursday, May 20, 2004) - Contours Express, a rapidly growing woman’s fitness and weight-loss franchise best known for its weight-resistant equipment and 29-minute circuit training workouts, recently announced it has secured a master franchise agreement in the United Kingdom .

Contours Express is quickly “gaining global muscle,” with more than 450 locations operating by year’s end and heightened interest from entrepreneurs around the world. In fact, Contours Express is opening an average of two locations per week across the United States , responding to rising demand for an alternative to traditional co-ed workout facilities that suit the fast-paced lifestyles of today’s women.

Women are more comfortable exercising in a non-intimidating environment with other women,”said Jason Chong, master franchisee for Contours Express in the United Kingdom , who spent eight years working for PriceWaterHouse Coopers in Toronto and Ernst & Young in London before bringing the Contours Express concept to the United Kingdom . “Similar to the demand in America , women in the United Kingdom are also seeking fitness centers like Contours Express that feature smaller equipment, customized circuit-training workouts and a comfortable, friendly atmosphere where they don’t feel self-conscious by the presence of men.”

The master franchise agreement calls for 82 Contours Express locations to open throughout the United Kingdom in the next 10 years, with the first location opening in late 2004. However, the UK market has the demographics to support more than 1,000 locations throughout the country, Chong said.



Contours Express also recently signed an area development agreement in Brazil , and continues to rapidly expand its presence in Canada and Mexico . Company executives project at least 1,000 Contours Express studios in operation internationally by 2009.

“We are seeing increased interest in the Contours Express franchise concept internationally,” said Daren Carter, founder and CEO of Contours Express. “Entrepreneurs are seeing how women are embracing the Contours Express concept in communities throughout America , and are eager to be a part of our successful and rapidly growing global franchise network.”



In response to its international growth spurt, Contours Express recently hired William Arvin, Jr., as Director of International Development. Arvin, an attorney with more than 10 years experience in international law, will support new and existing master franchisees outside of the United States . Specifically, Arvin will assist international franchisees for Contours Express with operations, sales and marketing and on-site training for new openings.



The irony of it all … Ironically, one factor driving Contours Express’ growth worldwide is the booming popularity of its largest competitor. According to Carter, a significant share of Contours Express franchisees had originally planned to open a Curves franchise, but “defected”to Contours Express in the course of Internet research. While Curves is nearly completely sold out of U.S. territories, Contours Express has plenty of room for growth in the United States and overseas.

The Contours Difference
The key difference between Contours Express and many of its competitors is that it provides strength-training machines tooled for positive and negative resistance to build bone density, as opposed to hydraulic equipment. Contours Express’ customized equipment, designed specifically to fit a women’s body, eliminates the need to make constant seat adjustments. Many patrons report that Contours Express’ resistance equipment allows them more opportunity to continually increase the challenge and progress their workout, versus reaching a stopping point early on with hydraulic equipment. In addition, most Contours Express locations have hours designed to accommodate women’s busy schedules.

At Contours Express, a 16-piece training circuit alternates strength-training machines with aerobic stations, while a cue tape keeps members moving through the circuit at a fast pace for a total of 29 minutes. By following the 16-piece training circuit that alternates strength-training machines with aerobic stations, Contours Express members quickly see results. On average, women who do the workout three times a week can lose up to 6-8 inches in just six weeks.

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