Curves
The popular women's fitness program has a one-two punch, now with an online component.
BACKGROUND
Women today live hectic schedules, balancing family, work and often not able to schedule time to workout. Thanks to Curves, a nationwide women's gym, you no longer have to worry about squeezing in enough time to hit the gym. Curves offers a 30-minute workout that you only have to do three times a week. The Curves program was created specifically for women to fit busy schedules and alleviate some of the uncertainty and hesitation that comes from being a part of a co-ed gym. Each Curves offers trained professionals on staff to teach you the right way to use the equipment. Based upon your weight and height, a single Curves workout can burn up to 500 calories.
CONCLUSION
For women who want to exercise but lack the time to clock hours at the gym to stay in shape, Curves offers a convenient way to get fit. Its all-female gyms are also appealing to those who are uncomfortable working out around men.The gym also features a weight management program that can help you lose weight and improve your nutrition. You also get an online component at an additional cost, which gives you more support and motivation to succeed.
PRO
- Curves offers fitness in a manageable amount of time
- Includes an online diet and fitness plan
- Female-only gym
- Trainers available for instruction and motivation
CON
- Curves locations are franchised and may not provide the same quality experience at each one
- Female-only gym
DIET and NUTRITION
Curves offers three nutrition plans that are available to you as a member. The Curves Complete is an online nutrition program that includes weight-loss solution with meal plans, tools to track success and an online support group. The Six-Week Solution is a nutrition program with small, intimate classes where you'll learn to lose weight and keep it off for good. And a line of Curves books offer healthy-living ideas and information from Curves women who have lost weight and kept it off. Curves also has their own line of vitamins, supplements and nutrition shakes to help you meet your health and weight loss needs.
EXERCISE
Known as the Curves Circuit, this 30-minute program includes five parts; warm up, aerobics, strength training, cool down and stretching exercises. You can jump in the circuit at any point and simply perform the exercises until you have completed the full workout.
You alternate between strength training machines and cardiovascular exercises. Between each machine is a recovery board where you walk, jog or run in place for maintain your heart rate so that you're burning calories throughout the entire workout. The machines focus on strengthening the major muscle groups in your upper and lower body.
A Curves trainer will walk you through the entire circuit so that you know how to use the machines effectively, safely and properly.
Common Misspellings
Curve, Curves deit program, curves for women, curves.com
Related Diets: Curves Complete, The Curves Diet Book, 24 Hour Fitness, Curves Smart, Elements for Women, LA Weight Loss, Lucille Roberts
Wikipedia
Curves International, also known as Curves for Women, Curves Fitness, or just Curves, is an international fitness franchise co-founded by Gary and Diane Heavin in 1995. Curves currently has 10,000 locations worldwide and an estimated 4 million plus members (as of October 2006). It is a privately held company by its co-founders, with corporate offices located in Waco, Texas. Curves fitness and weight loss facilities are designed specifically for and focused on women, although in some states, men are allowed to join.
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I joined curves a month ago and I love love love it. I am losing weight and my energy level is up. Its so much fun and very doable.
***I have read ALL the reviews. Im trying to do my hw before signing up.***
Hi. I am a 22 year old, fit girl since I work all day and have a puppy, I need to be home as soon as possible but I used to work out everyday (and I just cant workout at home)... with the 30 min circuit, Curves seems a great place to loose the 15 lbs that I gained over Chrismas and the unlimited food bar (where I work) for lunch.
What concerns me is.. is it going to be good enough (hard enough) in a few months when I get back in shape? I mean, after all I will sign a one year agreement I dont want it to go down the drain in a few months.
I like rutines & easy to use machines (less time spent figuring them out, it really adds up) and time is my biggest constraint.
I have been to gyms before where if I work out everyday the same routine I can loose 15 pouns in a months, no change in diet... so I know workouts do it for me. so all I ask is for someone young and fit to tell me that it will work for me and I can sign up right away.. I am currently doing the 2 weeks free trial and so far I like it... but I have only seen older women (40-80s) and its stops me from commiting... I mean their metabolism is different, most of them have had kids (different bodies)...
Anything would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you all for your feedback!
I joined about six weeks ago. I'm 49 and have done no regular exercise for decades. I have fibromyalgia and early rheumatoid arthritis. I am about 20 lbs over weight.
I joined to get my self out of the house and moving my muscles. Also joined so I would not stay home and be depressed. Cold weather and grey winter skies get me down.
Curves has helped me get through this time in my life where I would rather not leave home! An old friend who I had not seen in several years found me online on LinkedIn. We had lunch, she invited me to try Curves for a week for free - she is the owner. I think she is an angel in disguise. Oh yes, I have lost 5 lbs! and my body doesn't ache nearly as much. My spirits are up and I just feel better all over. If nothing else, join for the friendship and fellowship. There are wonderful women at the location where I go.
Curves could be great for weight loss but at our local Curves there is no way to get a good workout. It was mostly older women who seemed to be more interested in talking than working out.
I joined curves a month ago after trying it out for two weeks free. I love it! I go three days a week. The staff is very friendly and answer any questions that you have. We have the smart machines at the curves that I joined. I really like to see the results after the workout. The calories that I burned where I may need to work a little harder, I like to push myself to see if I can do better with each workout. When i'm finished working out I can really feel it. The music at the curves I go to is great!! I have no complaints at all. I can tell the difference in my cloths already. That's the best part of all. I don't really need to lose much weight maybe 10 pounds, I want to be more toned. I tell all my friends and family about curves and how much I enjoy my workouts there.
curves worked for me, i lost 75 pounds and went from a size 24 to a size 14!!
the machines are what you make of them, the harder you push yourself the more muscle your going to gain and the cardio mats are great for jumping jacks or leg lifts or boxing kicks and punches, add leg weights if your needing more out of your workout, or your getting Bored with it.
i do agree that the music needs to be updated, but that can be fixed as easy as requesting new curve cds.
one day i just couldnt get into my work out so i walked out. I was MAD and made it well known, when i came back in, i talked to the owner, i explained that the music just wasnt doing it for me, she ordered new CD's that week.
Be open and honest with your curves, tell them your ideas for making your circuit time fun.
i would say if you can do the standard gyms then do them, but if your new to the working out world then curves ranges from a super light workout for the newbies, to a full body sweat.
i do wish they was open all day cus lately since my pregnancy 5 months ago, all my free time falls right around the time of day when they're closed!!!
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Curves is great.
I had been going to curves all through college, when I was my slimmest. I, also, walked several miles a day. I stopped going to curves & went to a regular gym & I did not notice a difference. Currently, I re-joined curves & I run an inline a few days a week in addition to curves. I think the best option is to do curves & cardio on the side. I do think curves works. This is coming from someone who has used their workout & not in a matter of 6 years.
I bought the Curves Book some time ago and it's been extremely helpful and effective. Over a period of 6 months I lost 45 pounds, many inches, and gained tone and energy. The book has an interesting and motivating section on nutrition and the Curves rational, a good home exercise regimen that you can even travel with (only thing you need to buy is a resistance band), and diet plans complete with menus and grocery lists. I planned to start with the book and if I liked it join Curves - but the book was all I needed. Highly recommend - just remember it takes two; the book won't do your exercise and lose your weight for you!
I have been going to Curves for about 18 months and have lost 10 lbs and many inches. I was not noticebly overweight, but have been told by SO many people that I have lost weight and trimmed down and look GREAT!! These are people who did not know I wanted to lose any weight or that I was doing exercise. I walk on the days that I don't go to Curves, and I am careful what I eat, but I don't really diet.
More importantly, I feel fitter and suffer from less headaches. I know this would happen with any regular exercise, but as I virtually did no exercise until I was 42, a program that keeps me committed is very important.
It is fun to go, the music is great and I REALLY sweat. Anyone who doesn't is not putting in the necessary effort. The machines work on resistance, so you can spend 30 secs on machine, just moving with it, or you can work!
I love Curves! I joined this month and love the workout. I too just listen to others talk. Everyone is friendly and asks if I'm OK or need any help. Nothing comes easy so if you want something out of it you need to put some extra effort into it. All I know is this: I work up a sweat and love it! It's the only workout I have stuck to.
I wasn't impressed with the center near me, the machines were never moved to prevent boredom in the circuit and the employees save 2 left alot to be desired. Not watching senior patrons closely and two women were almost injured. Not good. The program is fun but the music gets stale.
How can I get out of my 1 year contract. My club is VERY boring and never anyone there...and the MUSIC is best suited for an elevator!!
I have been a member of Curves since 2001. It is the only program I have stuck too and gone back to after injuries. I lost 5 lbs the first month with exercise alone. I lost a total of 42 lbs. and the only time I can 5-10lbs back is when I slack off and don't go. It can be what you want it to be.Anyone who says Curves does not make you sweat or gives you a good workout has not put their all into it. I exercised at all times ofthe day and every group I met was friendly. Our club in AZ even does girls night out as many people in AZ have moved from out of state. We now have the Smart computer program and it really makes you work and my heart rate is at 75-80% for my workouts.I LOVE CURVES !!
Don't waste your money. The routine becomes very boring and barely makes you break a sweat. If you truly want to loose weight - learn to eat right. As for exersize see a real fitness trainer not a wannabee. Buyer beware!
two of my friends joined Curves. They go three x's a week, follow the diet and have each lost about 10 pounds in 3 months, but you can't SEE any weight loss. They still look as huge as they did when they joined. One actually, looks BIGGER! Curves, workout is not a workout that shows any results. Every woman that I know who went to curves, still looks obese. What a waste of money!
I am very obese. I joined 4 months ago and I haven't lost much weight, but I FEEL GREAT. Now if I could just stick to a diet, I might lose some weight. I think Curves is saving my life and I love it!
I joined curves about 4 years ago, I love it, the staff is great, helpful and the owner is a delight to be around. It can be social but you can choose not to engage in the socializing that goes on around you, it's your time to exerise if you don't want to talk don't no one is making you talk, again I love it I lost total of 50 lbs/inches in the 4 years.
i have seen reference to an "up to" $50 fee to cancel a membership. is this true? i was told that there was no way out of my contract at all, that i simply had to continue paying even if i would not be going to the club.
I am currently thinking about joining Curves, so I am doing my "homework" before joining... Reading the above comments has pushed me toward the commitment. I used to be an exercise 'junkie,' working with weights. Then I went into exercise 'retirement!' I am knowledgable in using machines, and can read! At the Curves that I visited, they had directions (that looked like they came from the machine manufacturer) at each machine. In response to 'Debating in NOLA:' I am pro-life and find it refreshing to read that the founders of Curves are openly so, as well. The last I heard, we in America are still free to support the causes we believe in. However, I do not support physical violence or verbal abuse to those who do not believe as I do. A friendly conversation will do!
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