GARY HEAVIN opened his first fitness center for women in 1976, after pursuing a pre-med major in college. As a nutritional counselor and fitness instructor, he has worked individually with more than 100,000 women on weight loss and fitness. Heavin began the Curves franchise in Harlingen, Texas, in 1992, and today it is the largest fitness franchise in the world, and the third largest franchise of any kind in the United States. Currently, 250 Curves franchises open every month.