Fitness aficionado Carolyn Thiele of Springfield Township, owner of Curves Davisburg, is committed to making people more comfortable. Thiele ensures the nearly 240 clients of her center get comfortable with their exercises, diets as well as their personal comfort level.
‘I know every one of them when they walk in the front door and I call them all by name,? Thiele said. ‘You get to know them personally, so it would be like forgetting a friend’s name, you don’t.?
Thiele reads and stays current on all the latest news and information in health and exercise and steadily relays that to her members. Every day, Thiele and members talk about proper nutrition, which goes hand in hand with exercising. The proper mix can result in a reduction or even elimination of certain prescriptions, a sign of dedication from her members which Thiele wants to recognize.
‘We have a celebration every time someone says they have gotten off their medication or they’ve decreased their medications since they’ve started (at Curves). That brings joy to my heart when I hear someone has seen results and their doctors are encouraged they’re getting into better health,? she said.
Thiele got headed in her current direction after she went back to school. She earned her associate’s degree in exercise science from Oakland Community College in 1994.
‘I’ve always been physically active and really liked sports,? she said. ‘I was trying to find something that I loved that would allow me to stay in shape.?
Thiele began exercising at Curves two years ago and purchased the location in Jan. 2006 after encouragement from her daughter Leah and husband John.
‘I have a natural concern and love for people and women in general and I just felt I would be really good at this, encouraging and supporting women,? Thiele said.
‘We go through good times and bad times in our little community here. We celebrate the births and graduations, all the mile markers in our kids? lives and we help each other through tough times too.
‘It brings us all closer together.?
Thiele employs a lighthearted approach with her members that includes using contests to inspire their workouts.
‘I’ve always got an incentive program going to keep members consistent with their workouts and it really works,? Thiele said. ‘We try to make it a fun atmosphere and (play) games here.?
Thiele stayed active as a child, where being the youngest of six children gave rise to her competitive streak. ‘I grew up in that generation where your parents booted you out the door after school and said, ‘Stay busy until dinner and then you can go back out and play,? that’s where my competitive nature came from,? she said.
Thiele is determined to help Curves reach out to its neighbors. ‘I’m looking for more ways to get involved with the community. I’m always looking for ways to give back to the community,? she said.
In March Curves held a food drive to benefit Neighbor for Neighbor in Davisburg, for which they collected more than 1,600 pounds of food. Each October, the center collects donations for breast cancer awareness. Currently, Curves is helping collect school necessities to give to less fortunate students in Clarkston Community Schools.
The Thieles, who moved to Springfield Township in 2002, enjoy fitness together, oftentimes golfing together.
‘I love the time with my husband. We have a good time together and we encourage each other with our golf game and it’s a good time to be together with no phones ringing. And we’ll go out to lunch or dinner afterward,? Carolyn said. ‘It gives us an excuse to go out on a fun date on a regular basis.?
Curves Davisburg is located at 9811 Dixie Highway, Suite 1 in Springfield Township. Curves can be reached at 248-620-1111. For more information about Curves, visit www.curves.com.