Curves For Women

Curves is an all-women gym. Parent company Curves International has franchised the fitness centers all over the world. The essence of a Curves fitness center is a 30 minute workout done in a circuit using machine weights. Curves is also a series of diet books co-authored by Curves founder Gary Heavin.

Curves has experienced excellent growth, probably due to the simplicity of it's program, and the camaraderie of the fitness center. Many women aim to do their curves workout daily and enjoy meeting others.

Curves Fitness Program

Each Curves gym generally has 8-12 machine weights covering all the main muscle groups (i.e. squat machine, leg extension, leg press, hip abductor, bicep curls, shoulder press, ab machine, etc.). Each exercise is done for 30 seconds, followed by a 30 second 'recovery time' - which could be jogging in place. The idea is to keep your heart rate up to 60% of maximum for the duration of the workout.

Curves has a pricing structure similar to a typical gym except for the joining fee (in the US this is usually $149). From there on payment can be made monthly, or by a single annual payment.

Downsides

• A lack of skilled staff.
• Repetitive music.
• Hydraulic machines are not adjustable.
• A study undertaken by ACE (American Council on Exercise) felt that despite offering a good low/moderate intensity workout, they noted "...that some women seemed more interested in chatting than exercising".

Curves Weight Loss

In 2003 Curves founder Gary Heavin released a book Curves: Permanent Weight Loss without Permanent Dieting which is essentially a diet book. The book was followed up by Curves on the Go. There are two basic diets recommended in the book; a reduced carbohydrate plan (lower in carbs, higher in protein), and a lower calorie plan (typically 1200 calories per day). The meal plans suggested for the first few weeks are quite low in calories (too low).

The book is not one of the greatest diet books around, and seems to almost be another vehicle for advertising the Curves fitness brand. There are some curious statements in the book such as "a diet should be temporary; that is, you should be able to go off the diet when you reach your desired weight... ...it should not become a way of life".

This is peculiar. The key to fat loss, and maintaining health is all about a way of life. Going on and off diets is not the key, understanding healthy nutrition and eating well the rest of your life is the key. There is also mention of eating "2,500 to 3,000 calories a day" - which seems quite out of context with the other recommendations. This calorie level will cause weight gain in most women and even some men.

Curves - The Last Word

Incorporating fitness habits into your life is an excellent and essential part of fat loss, and the Curves Fitness Centers provide a low to moderate-intensity workout. Curves is suitable only for the most sedentary people, and is not a great means of getting fit.

You may find that the circuit training may soon become monotonous, and many people find lifting free weights far more satisfying - when this happens - you have outgrown the "Curves" brand.

The diet books seem to be a marketing ploy to bring more people into the centers. If you know very little about nutrition or diets, they may be worth reading. Although it may be better to look for another nutrition plan to accompany your Curves workouts (for example the BFFM program).