Curves
A 30-minute women's fitness center that provides a total body workout.
QUICK FACTS
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- Established: 1992
- Founder: Gary and Diane Heavin
- Headquarters: Waco, Texas
- Accessibility: Fitness facilities and gyms
- Diet Type: 30 minute workout circuit training
- Gender: Female
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.
Curves has expanded its intention to help women live their healthiest lives possible by offering a weight loss programs, support and much more.
Here is a look at some of Curves' additional offerings:
Curves 30-Day Diet plan: The program, which is used in conjunction with the Curves trademark circuit training fitness plan, features diet counseling classes that don't require that you count points or calories as you shape up and trim down.
Curves Smart: The Curves Smart ID Tag allows you to keep track of your fitness goals and monitor the intensity of your exercise sessions. After completing your personalized profile, a Curves staff member will help to develop a workout program that is designed for your body type, endurance and exercise goals.
Curves Diet Book: In the book, you will learn how to exercise three days a week for 30 minutes at a time, in addition to following a three-part nutrition plan, taking self tests and questionnaires that evaluate your calorie and carbohydrate sensitivity, and using Curves recipes, meal plans and progress reports so that you can lose weight effectively without feeling restricted.
Curves Complete: Curves Complete is the new Web membership program. Its doors are open 24/7- giving you greater access to the information and support you trust. It's an online resource to access Curves nutrition experts and dozens of useful tools- a more comprehensive extension of the traditional program.
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
- Expanded services makes it easy for members to lose weight and stay active in an efficient manner
CON
- Curves locations are franchised and may not provide the same quality experience at each one
- Female-only gym
DIET and NUTRITION
Curves has expanded to more than just a fitness gym. Now you can follow a nutrition plan along with your gym membership. This is great for those that want to boost their metabolism or start eating healthier. Before you get started on the diet, you do a self assessment to see which of two plans you will follow. The two plans are a low-calorie diet and a high protein diet that is low in carbohydrates. The low-carb plan restricts carbohydrates pretty severely in the first two weeks. This plan really models many other low carbohydrate diets that are being followed by dieters. During the first two weeks, your daily carb count is limited to less than 20 grams. The amount is raised to 60 grams daily after that.
The low-calorie plan is simpler. You stay within your allotted calories and limit carbs. The first two weeks the diet is more restrictive and you only eat 1,200 calories each day. After the first two weeks, you can eat up to 1,600 calories daily and carbs are limited to 60 grams daily. Although the low calorie diet is more focused on calories, limiting carbohydrates is a constant throughout both plans. Foods that are to be avoided include bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and other foods high in carbohydrates.
No matter which plan you follow, the standard amount of meals per day is six. The goal of the Curves diet is to help you lose weight faster and help you work towards a healthy normal diet for after you reach your goal. Some of the foods you will eat often include lean cuts of meat, poultry, fruits, fresh vegetables, eggs and cheese. A sample day of eating on the Curves low-carb plan is reflected below:
- Breakfast: ¼ fresh blueberries on low-carb cereal
- Snack: Protein shake
- Lunch: Salad made with 4 cups dark green lettuce, 4 oz. cooked chicken, avocado and vinaigrette dressing
- Snack: Celery stalks with peanut butter
- Dinner: Grilled 5 oz lean steak, 1 cup green beans, 1 cup mushrooms with peppers
- Evening snack: ¼ cup whole almonds
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.
Curves is also keeping up with the latest in fitness-tracking gadgets. Its Curves Smart ID is a small tag that you place on your Curves workout equipment. Since it is customized just for you, it tells you when you need to step it up a notch or when you are working out at your peak fitness level by monitoring heart rate and the speed and pace of your workouts.
And with Curves Complete, an online portal of information, you'll find a supportive community available via discussion boards, fitness experts guiding your fitness needs, nutritional guidance and meal planning.
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.
Curves is clearly dedicated to helping women stay healthy and fit and by developing new products and services to its members, it keeps with the ever-growing industry of health and fitness.
Common Misspellings
Curve, Curves deit program, curves for women, curves.com
Featured Diets
Related Diets: Curves 30 Day Diet Plan, Curves Complete, LA Weight Loss, The Curves Diet Book, 24 Hour Fitness, Curves Smart, Elements for Women, 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.
User Feedback
(Page 4 of 8, 156 total comments)Anonymous
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.
posted Sep 25th, 2008 9:06 amMel
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!!
posted Sep 5th, 2008 8:26 pmbp
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 !!
posted Sep 2nd, 2008 8:37 amAnonymous
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!
posted Aug 28th, 2008 11:08 pmDoesn't work
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!
posted Aug 27th, 2008 10:09 pmJulie
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!
posted Aug 21st, 2008 4:14 pmbeth:fresno
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.
posted Aug 17th, 2008 9:42 amrachel
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.
posted Aug 14th, 2008 10:04 amdebby
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!
posted Aug 10th, 2008 8:07 pmPam
I tried Curves before, it does seem to work. However, I didn't join a club. I bought the Curves book for around $13.00 @ BJ's. Maybe some of you can try to gain benefit from the program without having to leave your homes. I did it & I saw results.
posted Aug 4th, 2008 5:33 pmLisa
You only have to sign up for a 1-year committment. It's $39/month. If, for some reason, you want them to stop taking money out of your account, go to your bank and have them put a stop payment on it. Then they can't take the money out. I have been fat most of my life, I felt horrible and unhealthy but I'm losing inches and fat and you know what--my family is going to die of shock and that alone is worth it.
posted Aug 4th, 2008 9:51 amTrailblazer
I was a Curves member about 6 years ago. I stopped going because the location closed that I was going to. I'm going to start up again, because I really liked the workout. I now have one located in my hometown and it's close to where I live. I'm not sure of the hours, but I'll make sure to check everything out before signing any contracts or having any money taken out of my checking account again. I didn't have any trouble getting them to stop withdrawing the funds from my account. It usually takes a written notification to the center that you worked out at and then it takes a couple of months before it stops. (They should refund the money for those months that you don't use the facility). I hope this helps.
posted Jul 31st, 2008 1:01 pmVal
DEAR HARDWORKER: I think your comment was uncalled for, if you are a Curves rep, you would not be who I would want at my side. Not everyone is going to like Curves, thats just hte way it is in life, but to post such a "bossy" message i think is very unprofessional and i would certainly not want to be at your Curves. The curves i belong too is great and so is the staff and owner. When i go for my workout today, i'm going to bring this up and see what the response is. I can bet its not going to be a positive one.
posted Jul 29th, 2008 8:34 amDee
I have not been too happy with the club, been measured 5 times by different staff members and each time something different. Been quite a few times and no one on the floor. I think it depends on your body type. I get better results from pilates and swimming than weights.
posted Jul 29th, 2008 8:34 amSusan
NOT for tall women. I'm 6 feet tall. The equipment is not adjustable and there were a couple of the machines I couldn't use because the proportion was way off. I tried to make the most of it, but after a few months I hurt my back on one of the machines and haven't been back. Too bad!
posted Jul 28th, 2008 9:11 amb
I recently started going to curves on a 10 visits for $10 and i'm glad i took this option instead of just signing on. Curves hours are made for the housewife, they are only open short hours that have no convenience for the working woman, and it is double the cost of a regular gym. Monday to Thursday 5:30=0 pm, however closed for lunch *very convienent for us) Fridays for the summer months Closed at 7pm Saturdays only open 8am-2pm. Sundays - Closed you pay the high cost and you must come on their terms not a convenient time for yourself. When they close for lunch, they actually ask you to leave and come back in an hour to finish your workout if your not complete????who does this in this day and age????its a work age we now live in, however Curves does not want the hardworking at their gym.
posted Jul 28th, 2008 9:11 ammary norris
curves is great joined month ago lost 2 inches on stomach/thighs 2lbs the instructors at our curves are outstanding
posted Jul 24th, 2008 10:13 amnicole washington
i use to be a member at curves but they had no daycare. Does anybody know if the home workout in the curves book is effective?
posted Jul 22nd, 2008 9:46 pmHard Worker
I work at Curves now and have for the past 3 years. I love my club and would do anything to keep it open and all of my freind happy. I hate it when people talk bad about Curves, sure some aren't as great as others, but SO WHAT? And the contracts vary from lcub to club and location to location, as so the prices. You wouldn't expect a big city to have its members only pay $29 a month, rent is not cheap! I get very frsutrated when poeople come in for a first workout and complain about how it is not "hard enough"! My awsner to them is always, "Well miss, maybe if you moved a little more you would feel something" This is an intense workout if you do it right! I make sure my ladies leave here sweaty, if they dont I yell at them (in the nicest possible way!). If you are not a member yet, DO IT NOW! You will not regret it. And if you hate it, well Curves is not for people who want to go to a gym to look for a date. Our slogan at my Curves is... It is not about the outfit, it is about the workout.
posted Jul 17th, 2008 8:14 amChris
I've been a member of Curves for 3 months and it's fantabulous! It's totally what my bod needs and I'm losing weight like a son of a gun. The best part is no one knows I'm a man. With my high voice and lack of facial hair I blend right in. See you tonight girls!
posted Jul 15th, 2008 10:09 pm