Inches-A-Weigh

Do you prefer to exercise and get weight loss counseling at the SAME location? Few companies do it. Then the weight loss program offered by a commercial chain called Inches-A-Weigh might be for you. Take our Top 60 Diet Quiz to find out whether Inches-A-Weigh is the best diet plan for you. Our objective diet analysis examines your lifestyle, food preferences, and budget, and reviews your needs versus Inches-A-Weigh and other chains, as well as other popular diets. Then BestDietForMe.com provides you with unbiased and in-depth reports on your matches, complete with detailed reviews of diet programs like this to help you choose a diet plan that’s right for you…

Inches-A-Weigh North America

(Commercial weight loss clinics chain)

Type of Counseling: weight loss counselors, in-person at center

Typical Cost: $1,000-1,500

Type Program: commercial weight loss center chain

Type of Foods Used: regular grocery store foods

At-Home or Direct Mail Plan Available? No

Headquarters

Inches-A-Weigh North America

4320 Alpine Court

Rockford, IL 61107

815-227-4623 or 800-241-8663

Website: www.inchesaweigh..com

(However, the company website lists the address below as the corporate headquarters)

Inches-A-Weigh North America

500 Southland Drive, Suite 500

Hoover, AL 35226

Company Summary

Inches-A-Weigh claims to be the only commercial weight loss chain with exercise facilities (and personal trainers) on-site. This chain is different from other commercial weight loss companies in that it combines a counseling center, a health food store that stocks low-cal foods, and a mini-exercise facility.

Launched in 1986, Inches-A-Weigh today has 70 centers in operation, in the U.S. and Canada (vs. 45 in 2000). The firm has modified its pricing structure, eliminating the old $27/week fee for required supplements. It uses "certified exercise instructors" and "lifestyle counselors", as well as registered dietitians and personal trainers. RDs and personal trainers are not available at every center, however.

Information on the company website is very program generic, and some material on the home page is outdated. The program appears to be virtually identical to what was offered several years ago—no significant recent changes or modifications.

Inches-A-Weigh is an Alabama-based corporation concentrating on developing and positioning weight loss with exercise initially for women only throughout North America. However, it does have some male clients and no longer bills itself "for women only".

The firm uses a "condensed concept", operating a center with a minimum level of staff--only 4-5 employees, less square footage and overall minimum operational expenses, which lends itself to semi-absentee ownership. The plan claims to be a completely safe and satisfying weight loss program tailored primarily for women, with nutritional counseling blended with less strenuous and isometric figure reshaping.

How The Program Works

Centers are located in secondary strip malls in retail density areas. The average center covers 1,400 sq. ft. and is staffed by four employees. Each center serves about 100 clients daily during 58 one-hour classes weekly. Center hours are 8:30 am to 8:00 pm Monday - Thursday; 8:30 am to 6:00 pm Fridays; and 9:00 am to 12:00 PM Saturdays.

The average cost is $13 per week, and most clients are said to visit a center about 3-6 times per week. The average customer of this chain attends for one year, at a cost of approximately $1,000, and 80% of the clients are people over age 40. About 70% of franchise owners are female and a number of multiple-unit owners are men.

In this program, the company employs a "3-Phase Figure Correction" plan designed exclusively for mature women. In Phase 1, using guidelines of the American Heart Assn., it provides a nutritionally sound, family-oriented eating plan using regular (supermarket) foods, nutritional supplements and vitamins. As the client loses weight, the nutritional counseling is combined with Phase 2 -- on-site, individualized, figure-shaping programs that concentrate on low-exertion exercise using specially designed equipment to reshape and redevelop the musculature of the typical problem areas of the female figure.

Phase 3 is an open door maintenance policy utilizing a more exertional and cardiovascular activity to finely condition the heart and muscle groups. Here they address the "yo-yo dieting syndrome" by offering the application of exercise while allowing clients to periodically withdraw and return to the program. Inches-A-Weigh’s concept is designed to correct the four problem areas of the mature female (upper arm, upper back/midriff, waist/tummy/hip/buttocks, and inner/outer thighs).

According to founder Scott Simcik: " The centers feature an inviting environment with lively music from the 1960s/70s, and there are no men or 18-25 year old ‘hard bodies’ to make clients feel self-conscious.... Although we appeal to a broad range consumers 18-75 years old, our profile is a 40-50 year old female who is deconditioned, non-athletic, and has grown tired of other programs."

This company’s centers attract a clientele ranging in age from 18-80, its niche being women over 40, with 41 the average age. The company feels that this market segment has psychological, attitudinal, structural, financial and functional barriers inhibiting them from attending health clubs. They avoid aerobics, weight lifting, jumping, sweating and straining.

The plan suggests that clients drink eight glasses of water daily, and it is based on a nutritionally sound, regular food, eating plan that reduces calories by 1,000 per day. Food supplements may also be used, as a option. The firm does not sell long-term contracts and has no monthly fees. The dieter's program cost is individualized and affordable around each person's goal weight. The company will guarantee results or the dieter continues FREE until reaching his/her goal.

The company's plan guarantees a loss of 1-2 pounds per week, has a full food line, free maintenance plan, three individual consultations weekly, and an average enrollment price of $399-688.

Comment

This company has been around since the mid-1980s, serving a special niche with a very good program and some different features than other commercial weight loss chains. It is not the biggest weight loss chain around, but does offer one thing companies such as Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers do not—exercise on-site at the center, which can be very convenient. Bigger is not necessarily better in the weight loss field. This company has managed to survive some tough competitive times, by catering to its niche—middle aged women that prefer to exercise among other women, rather than at a health club (This is one of the reasons for the success of Curves--the large health club chain for women only.). The counselors (dietitians and personal trainers) appear to represent a good mix of competent, professional personnel.

Try our Top 60 Diet Quiz to find out which diet programs are best suited to your specific needs, and which ones will help you keep the weight off.

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The information on this web site is intended for information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Before starting any weight loss program, it is recommended that you consult your physician or other health care professional.