Contours Express ® Launches First Television Ads, Positioning Bran As Better Idea In Women's Gyms

Contours Express ®, ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2005 as the country’s second fastest-growing women’s Fitness Franchise and a member of the “Franchise 500,” today unveiled its first-ever TV advertising campaign.

The campaign promotes Contours Express as the “better idea in women’s gyms” based on the benefits of its unique workout experience. Unlike women’s studios which use hydraulic equipment, Contours Express uses weight-bearing equipment designed and sized especially for women’s bodies, which provides both positive and negative resistance for a far superior workout.

The ads are designed to further Contours Express’ brand image, capture new customers and attract franchisees while emphasizing its competitive advantage over other women-focused fitness franchises. The innovative ads, which were produced by FireLight Films, in conjunction with New York advertising agency Roberts and Tarlow, will run in select markets across the country.

The Contours Express time-efficient 29 minute program combines strength training with aerobic exercise for benefits that include fighting obesity, osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and depression, and also includes a lifestyle-behavior modification program for weight loss.

Bill Helton, president of Contours Express, said. “The worldwide success of Contours Express has everything to do with the difference we provide for women interested in improving their health and their lives, and makes it easier for them to meet their health and fitness goals. We also enable our franchisees to live balanced lives and reap economic rewards while making a positive impact on their communities. Contours Express means a better workout experience than its competitors and a terrific economic opportunity for its Franchise owners.”

Mr. Helton said that Contours Express will have nearly 500 franchisees around the world by the end of this year, the majority of them in the United States. Others are located throughout Central America, South America, Mexico, Canada, South Africa, Australia and the UK.

“From a business standpoint,” Mr. Helton continued, “we have created a model for individuals interested in working for themselves and in their communities. We’re also particularly pleased that to date, over 85 percent of our Franchises are owned by women, providing them with business opportunities and allowing them to help other women who are dedicated to helping themselves by improving their health.”

About Contours Express

Contours Express® is a fitness and weight loss franchise system committed to helping women across the globe achieve their fitness goals. Since 1998, Contours has provided clean, comfortable workout environments designed especially for women which are equipped with the latest weight-bearing equipment, and friendly, motivated fitness trainers. Unlike its competitors, Contours utilizes real weight-bearing equipment, which has been proven effective in increasing and maintaining bone density and decreasing the risk of osteoporosis. The first clubs outside the U.S. were sold in Canada and Mexico in 2003. Last January, Contours Express was named by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top 100 franchises in the world and the 23rd fastest-growing franchise in the country. INC Magazine ranked Contours Express as the 80th fastest growing privately owned business in 2005.