Launnie Long-standers: Curves

Tucked upstairs on York Street, Curves Launceston has become a cornerstone of women’s fitness in Launceston. Twenty years ago, owner Eve opened the doors to this women-only gym with a simple vision: to create a welcoming space where local women could get healthy and feel at home. Fast-forward to today, and Curves Launceston isn’t just still around, it’s thriving, showing no signs of slowing.

Eve’s expertise in fitness and health gave her the tools, but it’s her heart that shaped Curves Launceston’s culture. “I believe in building not just a successful business, but a thriving community,” Eve reflects. “Over the years, Curves has become the leading women’s gym in Launceston.”

Walk into the Curves studio on any weekday morning and you’ll feel that community spirit instantly. There’s the hum of machines and up-tempo music, but also the sound of friends catching up. Many of the members on the circuit have been coming for years; some who joined in the early days are still here. The familiarity is palpable: coaches greet everyone by name, and members chat about everything from weekend plans to grandkids between reps.

Ask Eve the secret behind Curves Launceston’s endurance, and she doesn’t hesitate. It comes down to people. “Our recipe for success is simple: our people,” she says. “Our passionate coaches, each with their own unique training style, and our amazing members, who support and uplift one another every step of the way.” In other words, the Curves team operates more like a family than a business. Every coach on staff brings their own flair to a workout, but all share a deep empathy for helping women reach their goals. That empathy translates into genuine encouragement on the gym floor. “This level of connection and engagement sets us apart from other gyms. No member ever feels alone,” Eve notes.

Curves Launceston is a place where workouts turn into catch-ups, and where health victories are celebrated with genuine collective joy. For the women who come here, breaking a sweat is only part of what keeps them coming back. Equally important is the sense of belonging. “It’s a place where women come not only to improve their health, but to connect and feel supported,” Eve explains.

Eve herself is at the centre of this warm, inclusive environment. She’s not the type of owner to hide in an office. When I walked in to interview her, I found her on the gym floor. “I love coming to work every day, knowing it’s an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life,” she says. Running a business has its challenges, no doubt, but for Eve, the rewards have always outweighed the hurdles. “When you create the right environment, success follows.”

After two decades, Curves Launceston stands as a testament to the power of consistency, community, and a clear purpose. Eve’s club has weathered economic ups and downs, fitness fads, even a pandemic, emerging each time a little stronger. That family mentality, cultivated over years, carried Curves through the toughest times.

Being recognised as a “Launnie Long-stander” is the icing on the cake for Eve. It validates all those early mornings and late evenings she poured into building Curves from the ground up. “For me, it means what we’re doing truly matters to the community,” she reflects. “Longevity isn’t just about surviving; it’s about continually engaging with people and staying relevant to their lives. Launceston has given so much to us, and we’ve given back by keeping generations of women strong.” Eve’s eyes light up when she talks about the future, because for her and the Curves family, there’s always another life to change or friendship to spark.

At Curves Launceston, time has proven one thing: strong women lift each other up, and together, they all rise. And that enduring spirit of strength and sisterhood is exactly why Curves Launceston remains, year after year, firmly at the heart of our community.