Curves and 'The Zone' share space and commitment to staying active

Husband and wife Troy and Nicki Wright have combined their mutual interest in fitness into one location on N. Evans St. in Tecumseh. The Zone Elite Performance Center and Curves offer different fitness options in the renovated Airport Bowl.Nicki, a Curves owner for almost nine years, was thrilled to move her fitness center into a larger location. “It’s been great,” she said. “We can have everything we always wanted in this space.”The Zone was designed to bring an indoor practice facility for turf sports into Lenawee County, saving teams from having to travel for practice space. General Manager Jeff Jennings coordinates practice activity for soccer, lacrosse, baseball, and softball teams. The facility can also accommodate regulation dodgeball games.“The big thing is we can accommodate a variety of sports, because the netting can be set up in a variety of ways,” said Jennings. “Most people that come in say how glad they are this facility has opened in the area.”With all the snow on the ground, local spring sports teams will be waiting a while for time on the practice fields. The Zone provides both batting and fielding practice options, including three pitching machines for baseball and softball, with practice warm and snow-free.The more than 200 members of Curves are enjoying working on a double circuit as well as the addition of a Jillian Michaels workout and Zumba classes. “We aren’t just our circuit anymore,” Nicki said. “It’s giving a huge variety.”The Curves focus continues to be strength training and cardio in one workout, completed in 30 minutes. The Jillian Michaels workout is a more intense fitness option.Zumba is very popular, and focuses on the core muscles with its dance-based workout. “It’s so much fun you don’t even know you’re working out,” Nicki said.The Zone does a lot of work with young people, and Troy wants the focus to be on more than just sports. After spring break, Tecumseh Middle School teacher Chris Anklin will provide tutoring two nights a week for an additional fee. Students will receive assistance for an hour and a half each night.“We want to help kids with more than just athletics,” said Troy. “We want to make sure all these kids are smart.”Clinics will be offered regularly for students, including a skills and agility clinic at The Zone led by Gary Grey.Nicki believes what sets Curves above other fitness regimes is personal attention and a sense of community. “It’s all in one place,” she said. “You can share in your experiences.”In addition to fitness activities, Curves offers optional weight management with 15 minutes of one-on-one coaching each week. Members have access to vitamins, protein shakes, snack bars, meal bars and dessert bars as part of the weight management planning.“We’re constantly working with our members,” said Nicki. “We greet everybody who walks in the door by name, and we know everybody walks in the door for different reasons.”The Zone has plenty to entertain those waiting for turf time with seven televisions playing the game or even cartoons and snacks available to purchase. There is an event room that can be used for any kind of rental, including birthday parties.“For me it’s a space available for whatever people need,” Troy said.Both Curves and The Zone are committed to giving back to the community. Curves is hosting a food drive this month to help the local food bank.From March 10 through March 27, service fees will be waived for anyone bringing in a bag of groceries. “The members are very generous,” said Nicki.A recent fundraiser to benefit Wounded Warriors brought in $2,200, according to Jennings. The Zone furnished its facilities at no charge to a local U14 baseball team who held a hit-a-thon to raise funds for the non-profit organization.The building is open morning through evening, with hours at the Zone set from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekend. Three membership levels are available at The Zone including single-month, six-month and one-year memberships.“People are buying memberships because they want to keep coming back,” Jennings said.Find The Zone Elite Performance Center on Facebook or call 517.662.9314 for more information.Curves is open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, on Friday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.“We’re here to help women stay strong and healthy,” said Nicki.For more information on Curves visit www.curvesoftecumseh.com or call 517.424.9448.