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 6 of 8, 157 total comments)jill
i love curves in less than i month i went from 125 pounds to 118.2 pounds just with 3 30 minute workouts a week i recommend it to anyone... i feel better and sleep better i just love it!!!!
posted May 7th, 2008 9:39 amamy
Do they allow children there and do they have a place for children to play.
posted Apr 28th, 2008 6:41 pmAnonymous
I was a member of Curves until we purchased our own exercise equipment (which we DO use). It was a good experience, and to answer a couple of questions: pretty much everything in a Curves depends on the franchise owners. Our Curves taliored their hours to the traffic flow in our area. They open up at 5:30 and stay open until 7 at night. They are open a half day on Saturday and are closed on Sunday- usually. Also, I used to go around the circuit at least three times, to really feel like I had worked out. So, again, it depends on the franchise you go to. There are so many now that it shouldn't be a problem for those who live in urban or suburban areas. I live in a rural area and my only other choice was a co-ed gym where only the young and tight were pandered to. The rest of us were ignored and the machines were NOT user friendly, meaning they were too big for most women and were generally in bad repair. Now we have our own treadmill and weights, so I work out at home.
posted Apr 24th, 2008 9:21 amQ
I joined Curves and stayed a member for a year (because of the contract) then I terminated my membership. I loved the overall concept but the hours suck. They dont open till 7 (I'm on my way to work by then) they are closed on Sundays, they close early on Wednesdays and on Saturdays the hours are very limited. This made it hard to get my money's worth. I quit and joined Snap Fitness - I love it and it's open 24 hours a day - every day! and NO contracts - its month to month...
posted Apr 22nd, 2008 10:24 amanonymous
I have a question on weather as a curves member you can complete the circuit more than twice if you are wanting a longer workout and want to challenge yourself more. I was told 2 different things form 2 different tec`s and I`m confused.
posted Apr 21st, 2008 12:11 pmMichelle Saunders
I am a trainer at Curves, and I must say that it is the best part time job that I have ever had. I read a comment about the trainers not really being trained except for viewing a couple of videos. That is incorrect. It usually takes 1-2 months, if not longer. We are trained on the 6-week management plan, which is the only plan that has helped my mother and I to lose weight. We are trained on all of the muscles used and the proper ways to use the machines. These are only a few things that we are trained on. I have taken excercise classes before with people who have are certified personal trainers and I knew just as much if not more about fitness, health, and weight loss. I have been a member at other gyms and I have never received as much assistance and support as we give to our members. Not only that but the 39$ monthly fee is about the same , if not cheaper, than other gyms. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but if someone is thinking about joining Curves, see for yourself. Don't get sucked into all of the negative comments by others.
posted Apr 18th, 2008 5:17 pmJanell
I love this place. I went in to this thinking it was going to be so easy, and realized if you go in there and really work the machines, you can get a great workout. I've only been a member a few weeks, but I can't wait to go the next day. I go five days a week, and I feel so good when I leave. I only have 15 pounds to lose, but will be a member forever, cause it's so fun. It is what you make it. If you go in with a negative attitute, you get what you expect. Don't let the "debbie downers" or "negative nancys" bring you down!!! Try it, you'll love it.
posted Apr 18th, 2008 5:17 pmIrene
I started Curves 9 months ago?.I love it. I lost inches and weight. The trainers are there encourage you to work at your peak workout level. I am overweight the best thing about Curves is that everyone there is just like YOU! You don?t have to feel guilty because you are overweight, watching some young tanned thin female working out hard and looking great while you are trying to do your best. Curves has Curves Bucks that you earn for working out, for weighing in, stretching, they even help exercise your BRAIN with games. It?s a family you get to see who is loosing weight and inches each month. It motivates you work just as hard. The 6 week solution is fantastic! I think that everyone that joins Curves should enroll in the 6 week solution it helps you to build a better eating habit. You enjoy real foods. You will be surprised at how much food you eat and still loose weight! Curves is working on getting the ?Smart Machines that will help maximize your workout by burning more calories per workout. Curves will help you if you are willing to do it for YOU! You do things for everyone but we always forget about taking care of our selves. Now is the time to take care of YOU. No one thing can break your eating and weight habit except for YOU. Then and only then will you be successful and enjoy looking at the person on the other side of the full length mirror. And you know that as Fat Girls we don?t like the full length mirror! But it will soon become your best friend because you will enjoy seeing the changes in your body. My favorite machine is the ARM machine because I can actually see my muscles flex as I work them out. Love the Squat Machine because it work my thighs! I work out 3-4 times a week. When I don?t go I fell bad like I?m missing something. Don?t let the unsuccessful comments keep you from making you look fabulous! You deserve it?your worth it!
posted Apr 17th, 2008 8:48 pmFaye
Curves is an awsome establishment. You get out of it what you're willing to put in. I find most of the negative comments to be quite amusing mostly outrageous....also strange that they're all named "Anonymous". While Curves may not be for every woman out there it certainly has been a positive for many. So I say to those who can't seem to say enough bad about it, please, please take your business elsewhere whereas you're guaranteed lower prices, no binding contracts, and pounds just melting away.
posted Apr 11th, 2008 3:19 pmCathy
For grannisandi: I've been doing Curves for about a year. I'm 4' 11". I find the machines pretty comfortable. For the machines that you need to be taller to reach, they do have cushions to use. This seems to solve the problem for us shorter gals.
posted Apr 7th, 2008 8:09 pmlisa
curves is greatthat muscle comment above is so untrue i lost 5 lbs in 3 weeks and i am not that big to start off wth so to all ou busy women try it youll love it
posted Apr 6th, 2008 9:13 pmAnonymous
I tried Curves and was VERY disappointed. It was overpriced, the stafd didn't have a clue, and the workout was a joke. I recommend this place for highly overweight people that haven't had a day's excercise in their life. But if you're looking for a cardio, fast paced, fat burning workout, give CUrves a miss. I was there for only 3 months before cancelling my contract. I never worked up a sweat, and my heart-rate slowed down towards the end of the workout instead of elevating. In all fairness, I did lose body fat, but it was replaced by so much muscle mass that I ended up looking BIGGER than when I had started, when all I wanted to do was slim down and look smaller. Also, they refused to give me the eating plan unless I recommended 5 people to join the gym. I was newly arrived in the city and did not know anybody. For the high monthly fee I had to pay, I thought this was very unfair.
posted Apr 6th, 2008 11:05 amcarol
Wow!! What can I say! Curves is the place to be. I had first joined 4 years ago and lost 30lbs. I stop going because I was unable to go due to my work schedule. Now my job transferred to another location better hours. So my sister and I joined 3 weeks ago and I have lost 6 pounds already. I have more energy and feels wonderful.
posted Apr 5th, 2008 6:58 amAnonymous
You should all try Butterfly Life. They have classes and real weighted machinery that will continue to challenge you. It is fully adjustable to fit a women's body and they have over 80 fitness classes a week. They also have a nutrition program and trained professionals. It's worth a try. Much better then Curves. And any women can benefit. Even if they are already physically fit.
posted Apr 5th, 2008 6:58 ams.
Curves is *ok--a solid C, as we used to say* Pluses--lots of locations, no appointment, so it is good for busy people. Minuses--staff knows nothing about fitness, constantly tries to engage exercises in conversation, lots of talking and inappropriate (nosy) personal questions.
posted Apr 3rd, 2008 9:16 ams
pluses--no appointment needed, open fairly good hours, clean. Minuses-staff knows nothing about fitness or exercise, filled with people chatting and barely exercising. Staff tries to engage clients in conversation--often to the detriment of getting a good work-out.
posted Apr 3rd, 2008 9:16 amLiz
I have enjoyed reading the comments about Curves both positive and otherwise (you can learn from both). I joined in Oct 06 as I was nearing my 50th BD and felt like I was turing to total flab. I had never seen a Curves Ad but my sister-in-law belonged to a Curves and had enjoyed the workout. I was over the "gym scene" having done that in my 20s and 30s. I was now very busy and had limited time to work out. Within 2 weeks I felt a difference. I did not need to lose weight but merely wanted to firm up. At the one month measurement/wt I had lost a total of 3 inches primarily in my lower abds and had lost 1 lb. That does not sound like much but it made a great difference in how I looked and felt. In the spring of 07 I placed both my husband and myself on the Curves Weight Management program (low carb). My husband lost 35 lbs and I lost 13 lbs. I was back to my pre-pregancy weight. That spring I went skiing for an entire week and never once complained that I did not have enough energy to keep up with my 10 year old son (I had complained a lot the prior year!!). Curves is what you make of it. If you put in the effort on the circuit it helps to create energy that you can use in other aspects of your life and you will become stronger. Being a physican I like the fact that women who might never set foot in a traditional gym feel comfortable enough to give Curves a try,potentially losing weight to the point of reducing their need for some medications. I believe in Curves so much I bought a franchise!
posted Apr 3rd, 2008 9:16 amCindy Jo
I am so glad that I joined and I do work out on my lunch break, I think some of you ladies just joined the wrong facility. I am sweaty after the workout but my curves has a shower and I am able to go back refreshed. Working out is more important than vanity so its a quick shower but I am able to accomplish it al in an hour. I joined and in one week I lost 6 pound and I am not dieting. The curves I go to has a lot of retired women attending so it is a real motivater that women in the 60's and 70's are dong this so me as a 30something can keep it up and succeed.
posted Apr 2nd, 2008 6:48 pmAnonymous
HELP! DOES ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW HOW I CAN GET OUT OF THIS CONTRACT THAT I HAVE W/CURVES IN WHICH THE COMPANY AUTOMATICALLY TAKES THE MONEY OUT OF MY BANK ACCOUNT? I am not satisfied with Curves at all. First, I signed up for an indoor temperature controlled environment. You know heat in the winter & AIR CONDITIONG WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE. Well that has not ben the case. We've had at least 15 days of 70-85% temperatures & the HEAT WAS STILL BLASTING ON INSIDE THE CURVES that I go to. Several times I was so overheated - I literally threw up in my car on the way home. And after a workout like that you need a full shower & everything. Don't plan on going on a lunch break to Curves - if it's hot, to be decent you will have to go all the way home & SHOWER & START your day over. I have also had problems with the Curves that I go to because there is usually at least one or two machines that are out of order. Also as different instructors have been there, I have been told several different ways to use one machine. I'll go & start on a machine & the instructor will tell me that I am doing it all wrong & tell me a completely different way to do the machine. So I have had KNEE & BACK PROBLEMS SINCE I STARTED GOING TO CURVES. IF ANYONE KNOWS HOW I SHOULD GO ABOUT GETTING OUT OF THIS CONTRACT WHERE CURVES AUTOMATICALLY DRAFTS MY CHECKING ACCOUNT, PLEASE TELL ME. AND DON'T JUST SAY GO TO ANOTHER LOCATION - THIS IS THE ONLY LOCATION THAT I CAN GET TO. I JUST WANT TO BELONG TO AN HOEST TO GOODNESS AIR CONDITIONED GYM WHERE I CAN WORKOUT WITHOUT PASSING OUT OR THROWING UP FROM THE HEAT! Please any advice or help would be appeciated.
posted Apr 2nd, 2008 7:00 amgrannisandi
I'm thinking of joining Curves. One issue I have and am wondering if it will be a problem for me is this: I'm 4 feet 8 inches short and wonder if I'll have any problems working the machines at Curves. Does anyone have an answer for me. Thanks, Grannisandi
posted Apr 1st, 2008 4:35 pm