Curves for Women--A Review

"Curves for Women"
Review


"Curves for Women" are small, franchised fitness centers with hydraulic resistance machines that are arrayed in a circuit where you move from machine to machine on a time interval. There are 8-12 pieces of equipment in the circuit that target specific body parts. There is a squat machine, an abdominal machine, a leg extension machine, a shoulder press machine, a back machine, a leg press machine, an abductor machine and a biceps machine. The circuit moves you from station to station and is directed by music and taped instruction. You are meant to go at a quick pace to keep your heart rate up. The goal for most women is to workout at 60% of their maximum heart rate, which is determined by taking your pulse regularly on the circuit.

Curves' hours of operation vary by location and are more restrictive than most health clubs. There is a $149 one-time service fee to join and it is $29/month for a year. Often there are specials and incentives that refund a portion of the fee. Many franchises require a one-year minimum. If the month to month option is available, the monthly cost is a bit more. You are supposed to be able to use any Curves for Women center location, but that is not always the case.

By all accounts, the equipment is pretty easy to use. It is designed to be pushed then pulled rather than lifting and lowering weights. If you are prone to injury, this seems like a safer way to workout. Curves is clearly designed for people new to gyms.

Curves for Women has no frills. Some franchises sell T-shirts, towels and energy drinks, others give them away as goal incentives. They also offer a line of nutritional products such as powdered shakes and vitamins. There is a changing area with private rooms, restrooms and a matted area for stretching.

Overcrowding at Curves is possible due to the restrictive size and design of the facilities, but that is uncommon. With only 8-12 machines in most facilities, busy times of the day can lead to an extension in your 30-minute workout, according to received reviews, but again that is uncommon.

Curves is for people who prefer very regimented workouts, health club beginners, older people and those with very limited time. If you're used to an average health club with free-weights, lifting machines, and cardio machines you will probably not like Curves for Women. Such workouts are mundane and hard to stick to in the long-term. Every time you workout, it's the same.

Curves for Women is definately a better option for weight loss than most scams out there. The program focuses on the right things: exercise and balanced nutrition, but falls into the common trap of commercial fitness and weight loss centers: in an attempt to make dull forms of exercise more manageable, they compress the workout into 30 minutes. This strategy of circuit training in a health club may work in the short-term but rarely beyond a dieter's initial burst of motivation. The fundamental question when it comes to weight loss and fitness is: can I sustain the regimen permanently?

A better option for long-term success are lifestyle exercise activities such as power walking, tennis, hiking, cycling, climbing, dancing, etcetera... These are the type of activities that you don't think of as exercise, are fun, and will lead to a lasting victory over your weight problems and/or lack of fitness. Find a basic food plan or choose one of the inexpensive/sensible online programs for structure and support, add lifestyle exercise activities and you have all the ingredients of the best possible option.