Bermuda is to be a part of the world's largest fitness study, a project hoping to determine health levels of women in the Americas.

Female residents are now being asked to commit to 30 days of exercise to assist the survey, a partnership between women's fitness franchise Curves, and Avon, the world's largest direct selling beauty company.

The aim of the task is threefold: to determine the benefits of exercise, discover what prevents women from exercising and to learn whether females who commit to an exercise programme for 30 days, are likely to continue.

A fee of $30 is attached. Participants must commit to 12 workouts over the 30-day period with a minimum of three workouts per week. Results will be analysed by the Exercise and Sports Nutrition Laboratory at Texas' Baylor University.

In addition to improved health, women receive two fitness evaluations, workouts supervised by a Curves trainer and 30 days' free access to the online diet and exercise web site, CurvesComplete.com, in return.

"With so many fitness membership choices, it's imperative that we demonstrate how serious we are about weight loss and an active lifestyle," said local Curves owner Sharon Miller (pictured).

"This study allows us to further differentiate ourselves from the competitors. And Avon, a company that is so compassionate about women, is the perfect partner for this initiative. We encourage Bermuda residents to be a part of this study. What is there to lose, except a few pounds?"

She explained that two factors made the Curves franchises appropriate for the study: an international membership of more than four million and its regard as "the most researched fitness and weight loss programme worldwide".

While a great deal of previous research has been conducted in a laboratory setting, the Curves/Avon Fitness Study is designed to measure the impact of the Curves programme in real life.

According to the organisation's web site, the aim of the study is "to quantify the physiological and psychological benefits of regular exercise and weight management, to examine the factors keeping women from regular exercise and to analyse adherence to regular exercise and weight management after a 30-day exercise and weight management programme".

"Data will be collected through a pre-study figure analysis and post-study weigh and measure, at your local club. (Participants) will also be asked to complete a pre- and post-study assessment on (the Curves) website. Information collected includes body measurements, age, ethnicity, and psychological factors affected by exercise and weight management.

"We will also assess adherence to the 30-day exercise programme and dietary plan."

Once Baylor University has analysed the research, results will be published in journals.

Interested women should contact Curves on 296-6000.