Curves
A 30-minute women's fitness center that provides a total body workout.
QUICK FACTS
Start the Diet Now Advertisement
- 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 8 of 8, 156 total comments)A
YOU DO HAVE TO SIGN A CONTRACT FOR TWO YEARS AND BUT YOU CAN TERMINATE AFTER ONE YEAR PENALTY FREE, IF IT IS BEFORE THE YEAR AND YOU CANCEL IT IS FIFTY DOLLARS AND YOU HAVE TO GIVE A MONTH IN ADVANCE. THE COST IS 39 A MONTH
michelle
IM THINKING OF JOINING CURVED BUT I;VE HEARD ALOT OF NEGATIVE FEED BACK ON IT. AND I DONT LIKE THE IDEA OF NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH ITS GOING TO COST OR EVEN IF I HAVE TO SIGN A CONTRACT DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFO ON THIS????
Anonymous
Don't trust all of the negative publicity you see about Curves. It really is a great program. I used to work there myself. It is a little deceptive about pricing. You are memorizing scripts but many companies do that. At the club I worked at it was $39 a month if you paid by cash or check each month. If you let them draft your bank account it was $29 a month. The bank draft program is there to make you think you're stuck in it. That's a good and bad thing. First of all, for women, if we think we're forced to spend that money every month, it'll give us extra motivation to keep going. On the flip side, you're not really stuck. If you press the employees hard enough, they'll tell you that if you're on the draft program and decide to quit, you can come back when you are leaving and pay $10 per month for every month you were a member. That just converts your membership back to the "month-to month" which is what you would have paid had you not drafted your account. Curves is fun. You have support from women-most of whom really care about your success. If you didn't like Curves, I would suggest finding another location. They are franchises, which means the atmosphere will vary. Find one who plays by the rules. For example, every few minutes you are suppossed to stop and check your heart rate. If you're never prompted to do so or if everyone just keeps moving, you need to move on. That's a vital part of your workout. You are paid very low wages, however after your initial 90 days as an employee, you can earn commission on people who sign up. Depending on the traffic coming in and out, that may make up for a bad salary. Overall I would do it again. Actually, I'm on this site because I was thinking about joining. (As an employee your workouts are free) I think I will. Thanks. I hope this was helpful. It's worth the money. It's really about a dollar a day. Wouldn't you pay that to lose weight the safe way? I know I would.
Anonymous
Curves does not have 'trained professionals' working at its gyms. These employess go through a crash course of watching three training sessions on the computer, writing tests and memorizing information about fitness and exercise. Curves employees are paid minimum wage or slightly above that rate. If they were truly professionals they would be paid more and not pressured to memorize phone scripts and price presentation scripts !!! For about half the price of the monthly membership dues members pay at Curves you can go to another women's gym and have access to more equipment and facilities instead of between 8 and 13 exercise machines that Curves offers its members. Not all Curves offer the Six week solution however. If you are a woman who is not terribly active and wants to spend over $50 a month at this club then go for it. Otherwise spend your money elsewhere. Diet and exercise is quite simple for most persons (besides those with health issues). It can be done for free !
Anonymous
I joined Curves a month ago. I just got weighed and measured and lost 6 pounds and 9". I love going and look forward to going.
NORA
I JOINED CURVES ABOUT 3 WEEKS AND AS OF TODAY I HAVE ALREADY LOSTED 3POUNDS THATS AWESOME
KIM
I joined 4 months ago, didn't take it serious for 3 1/2 months and gained weight. Decided to finally take it serious and in two weeks, I lost 6lbs. Attended Curves 12/14 days during the two weeks. Hoping weight loss continues.
TANA
I JOINED CURVES IN OCT. 06' AND HAVE LOST 87LBS. AND STILL GOING! IT'S SO CONVIENT AND EASY! MEETING LOTS OF NEW PEOPLE IS REWARDING ALSO!
CJ
I went for several months, worked hard, lost nothing (I am overweight by about 45 pounds) but felt better. Then they changed the hours they were open which greatly conflicted with my work schedule so I dropped. the fact that it was so clichish didn't help either.
Anonymous
In my 4 months at Curves, I lose a total of 27" overall and about 15 lbs. It is fantastic!!
Amber
I have been going a month now and have lost 3.5 inches off my waist, and 2.5 pounds. I love Curves ad what it has done for women everywhere.
Pat
I started Curves two months ago and I have lost 7 pounds and 15 inches. I just love it.
Ali
Lots of fun and high energy setting.
Jocelyn
THIS PLACE ROCKS!!! I've been a member for a few months now. It's so convenienent. The people are really nice and supportive and help you along the way. I've lost a few inches and not quite to my goal but Curves makes me feel like it is something I can reach!
Kash
There is one in my neighborhood and a whole group of us women gather there a few times each week after work. We love it. It's fun- which I can't say about any other "diet" i've been on. I'm also doing the high protein plan and really like it. It feels like I'm eating all the time- but less and healthier. See you at Curves!
KimKay
Agree and Agree! Why didn't they start this sooner? I have no complaints and no plans to quit. T