Curves For Women: A Lot Of Hype?
Curves For Women is a women-only circuit based exercise program lasting 30 minutes.
It is also an aggressive franchise with over 10,000 locations worldwide.
Curves has managed to generate a lot of buzz - mainly due to the relaxed and social environment.
Recently the American Council of Exercise (ACE) investigated the Curves program:
The study found that the 30-minute Curves workout, including five minutes of stretching and cool-down, burns an average of 184 calories making it a good 'moderate-intensity' workout for those who are not very active.
Curves Basics
Curves most popular plan is Curves Complete. This consists of a 90 day plan that incorporates diet, exercise, and motivation to enable dieters to lose up to 20 inches and 20 pounds.
Curves Exercise
A typical 30 minute Curves circuit workout burns 500 calories. They offer varied forms of exercises combining cardio and weight bearing exercises.Curves is even incorporating Zumba workouts into their routines.
Their Diet
Basically, the Curves Diet is a low calorie diet that incorporates their own recommended Curves supplements and meal replacement products.
Motivation
Members receive some personal consultation with staff at the curves centers and instant feedback while using the machines equipped with Curvesmart, which is an automated personal monitor of the dieter's progress.
Members are also encouraged to support each other.
Bottom Line?
Overall they found it is a good program only for very sedentary people - and was popular with middle-aged women. ACE were concerned that the machines were not adjustable, and also that there was a lack of skilled staff since it is franchised.
They also thought the women talked too much:
Greany also warns that women should avoid the temptation to turn their Curves workout into a social hour. Although the camaraderie and social reinforcement is an integral part of the franchise's success at attracting and motivating non-exercisers, on many occasions the researchers noted that some women seemed more interested in chatting than exercising. "Sometimes it really is kind of like an old fashion beauty salon where women go and catch up on what's going on," says Greany.
Whatever it takes to get sedentary people active must have some merit...
Curves is a good option for woman who prefer to workout with just other woman and need personal diet and fitness support.
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426 Comments
Created / Updated: January 10, 2012
I have been trying to take off pounds. I recently used a Curves - 1 week free coupon. It is pure hype. The actual experience is stupid and leaves you feeling had. I found women there that actually were losing weight, they all signed up for Curves after 6 12 month weight watchers program. I asked the circuit manager about this fact an she said yes most women come to curves to maintain weight loss not to lose weight. All I can say is this: Try it once and you will never try it again. It simply is stupid in practice.
ReplyI am sorry that your experience left you feeling as if you had been "had." I've been a member for 3 years and miss the experience when I can't go. I travel 6 months out of the year and find being a member a great encouragement to get out, exercise and meet new people. I have recently had a hip replacement and am looking forward to the time I can start again.
ReplyI agree that Curves appeal is very limited. I used a one-month trial membership and working out aggressively at Curves for one month, 3 times a week, I actually lost muscle strength. It may be great for those who are extremely sedentary, but the machines don't allow a user to adjust the weight load higher.
ReplyI definitely disagree with you. I have worked at Curves for 3 years and there is o way that you would lose muscle strength. I don't care what kind of strength training you do, Nautilus or Curves, you will NOT lose muscle strength
ReplyYou are crazy if you think you can not lose muscle strength without increasing weight. I am a strong women. If I can not adjust the weight at curves then no thank you. You must always be increasing weight and intensity to become better. That is just logic
ReplyI have been a member of Curves for 3 years now. You may not understand the Curves equipment. Just because there aren't any free weights to add to the machines, doesn't mean you can't adjust the workout. The machines are on hydralics. Those hydralics work in both directions. The harder you work, the harder the workout. If you felt you were not getting a good workout, it was because you weren't working the machines hard enough. It sounds like you came into Curves with your mind made up that it wouldn't work based on old logic! I am sorry you didn't enjoy your time there, but the moment anyone walks through the door at any club will see that it is special. You will feel welcomed. I am a runner not someone who has never worked out. There are several young ladies at my curves and we all get great workouts. We come to work hard, not talk!!! Good luck in all that you do.
ReplyI totally agree. I go to curves 3x per week and i'm 23 years old. I weight 130 lbs, and im fit. BUT, when i go, i dont chat and i workout HARD. I almost threw up the other day because i had stressed my muscles so hard. IT is a great workout. You get out what you put in.
ReplyI completely agree, I was 215lbs at 19 years old and decided to go to curves, and lost 65lbs in 5 months w/out diet supplements. I think it depends on the person, if you go in there and WORK OUT it's great!
ReplyThe fact stands that in order to build muscle the workout must constantly increase, and when it has reached a point at which it cannot, or should not, increase, it must change frequently. You can not, no matter what your situation, expect to find yourself in increasingly better shape if you are doing the same workout day after day. This fact does not change based on the amount of talking anyone is doing - including yourself. In fact, for a good aerobic workout, you should not be able to speak more than three words at a time. Theoretically, then, no one who is working out should be capable of a conversation, thus eliminating any problem talking may - or may not - be causing. But I again say, the real problem is the repetitive exercise and lack of increased effort, not the talking - or lack thereof.
ReplyIts clear that many of you don't exercise your MIND much because as everyone else has said here...tne harder you work out, the more resistant the machines become...which is the equivalent of adding more weights... can you stretch your mind around THAT?
Replyyou dont have to adjust the weight at curves the whole point of it is that the hydraulic pumps resist to your strength.. the stronger you are the more resistance you have.. you can never out grow the hydraulics.. its equivalent to aquacize
ReplyI'm sorry you feel the way you do but you have a right to that. 1 week does not make you a believer. It is what inside you - what drives you (and the other woman there at any location can and will help you) to want to lose your inches and weight as well as maintain. I was 30 lbs overweight-had went thru breast cancer chemo and radiation and just got my strength back. I joined curves due to not being able to lift weights amongst other gym machine exercises needed to lose, tone and maintain. It took 2 months to start noticing a difference in the toning, the weight actually started coming off in a month. There are no magic pills or programs, you have to be willing to work. Just the fact that it is all ladies of all ages etc. helped me. Even my instructors and the franchise owners were working on their 'curves'. Say what you will but I am a believer. I moved and my whole schedule changed as well as the man in my life. I got it together and am going to get my 'Curves' back in shape. Hope this helps any and all... Best of Luck!
Replylike all things in life- not everything fits everyone the same way. If curves works for you and gets you moving then it's a success. If you require a more intense work out & require free weight etc. then join a gym that provides those things for you. Just because something does not work for you does not mean that it's hype or not working for others. In today's world of obesity anyone who's out moving is a good thing regardless where they are doing it. As far as the social aspect, I have done both, curves freindly ladies whom you do bond with, the gym not so friendly and most escape with headphones on watching TV or listening to music...so what's the difference...socialzing with live people or with electronics??? CURVES GETS MY VOTE & MONEY!!
ReplyThats sad and the Curves you went to sucked. the curves I go to is awesome! I personally have lost 7 lbs in just over a month and 3 inches in my butt alone! my biceps have each grown a half inch as well and I feel great. Curves is designed not to hurt you but if you aren't pushing yourself you won't see a result.
ReplyI have been a member for a long time. You get out of it what you put into it. I am 42 years old and fit. I have the strength of a teenager thanks to Curves! I love the social scene - it makes the time go faster.
ReplyHoodia Gordonii hype or help?
ReplyHas anyone heard about the newest weight loss pill?
Is it any good? Has anyone actually used the product?
hoodia curbes the appetite? yes and no. yes, if it's certified from south africa, no, if not. it'll say on the bottle or don't buy it. i've tried both!
ReplyHoodia Gordonii is NOT magic in a bottle. There were no side affects(plus) and NO weight lost(neg). Initially, I lost my appetite and had to make myself eat something, but I guess my system got use to the hoodia quick. I didn't want to eat any more or less, but didn't loose any weight. I feel like if I'm going to deprive myself I want results. I've been going to curves for almost a week and have lost 2lbs. Go with the exercise. You will see better/faster results and save money.
ReplyI have to say that I am a believer in the Curves program. I've been a member for 2 month's now and have lost 22 pounds. I don't think anyone should go to curves for only one week {free}, and then bad mouth it and say that it's stupid or that it leaves you feeling had.Sounds to me like this "Sharon" dosen't try anything long enough to see that it can be a good thing. I think she's just a quiter.
ReplyHey sharon I just join curves about a week ago are you using some kind of diet plan or eating plan. I was mad cause I have gained a lb but im not giving up. Did you gain anything before you started losing? Let me know
ReplyKelly,
ReplyI joined in Jan 08 and after the first 45dys, i too gained 2lbs. i was UPSET. but then realized that i'm building muscle thus i gained. Now - after 7months, i find my clothes fitting looser in some areas. also finding more definition in my legs & arms. now if i could just get the flabby areas down, i'd be much happier with the results. but all in all, i'm glad i'm finally seeing results, even if it took 7mos. though younger women may see results quicker than i.
I started Curves in Jan. 08 to compliment a new diet. I am NOT a good dieter so knew I needed something to keep me active. I lost 37 pounds in 8 months and am more fit than I have been in my life. In the last 15 years, I have had 2 kids, quit smoking and put on 50 pounds. Although the entire 50 is not gone, I think the muscle I've gained & the fat I lost makes up the difference. I no longer have saddle bags on my thighs and am having my belly button pierced because my stomach has not been flatter. I am 47 years old. One week trial will only give you a flavor for the machines. Consistency shows will get you results. I go 2 to 3 times a week. And I still eat Schwans Ice Cream!
ReplyYou always lose before you gain. You are building muscle. You will lose shortly thereafter! Hang in there. I have been a member of Curves for several years. Honestly, I'm not a regular member and waste money. But ... when I do FOCUS on it, I lose weight. Curves, like other programs, work for some. Nothing is one size fits all. Just because it doesn't work for you, doesn't mean it won't work for any one!
ReplyOK losing wieght is not like cleaning...You don't gain weight before you start losing. People are so misinformed these days. It called reduce caloric intake and increase excercise.
Reply...you have to increase your calorie intake in order to have the energy to burn them. I thought that was obvious to everyone? Plus, curves works well; especially if you are walking or running on off days. THAT is the key to weight loss.
ReplyI just graduated and I have a college degree in Exercise Science and you do sometimes gain weight when you work out. Your body is building muscle, and muscle wieghs more than fat.The more you continue to workout correctly, however, you should begin to see a weight loss. However, the reason that I am on this sight is to do research for a clinic I work at. I also know that you must increase either you Intensity or the Duration of your workout in order to continually improve and since Curves is a set timed workout, I am curious how they offer constant improvement for theif clients?
Reply"I just graduated and I have a college degree in Exercise Science and you do sometimes gain weight when you work out. Your body is building muscle, and muscle wieghs more than fat"
ReplyIf you know this much you should know that a pound of fat and a pound of muscle wights the same...1 pound. The difference is that the volume of a pound of fat is greater than the volume of a pound of muscle (1 lb. of fat is "bigger")
It seems to me that you are not as informed as you think you are either. So, it isn't necessary to put down other folks until you get your ducks in a row. I am a trainer. You do not necessarily gain before you lose. But it is possible depending on the workout. If you are doing strength training or anything involving weights, you will probably gain muscle before you lose the fat. Your weight may not change but don't be discouraged. It is just a number. Pay attention to what is in the mirror. When you build muscle, it's just eating up those fat cells. There is a phrase I know we've all heard, "Muscle weighs more than fat" Well, obviously a pound of muscle = a pound of fat. But the phrase refers to the face that muscle is denser than fat so it takes up less space in your body. If you have a balloon filled with muscle lying next to a balloon filled with fat, which one is bigger? The fatty balloon. So if you haven't lost weight or are even gaining a little, don't be discouraged. Keep chipping away at it and it will pay off =)
Replyi did because you are building muscle. but you will loose in inches stick with it and the curves smart does in crease you and challenge you too. i have been member for 1yr and i love it i get all sorts of compliments i have now great curves.
ReplyCurves can be extremely beneficial. All of this about being "had" sounds sketchy. I never felt "had" at Curves. Tired? Yes. A little bit bored by the music? Yes. Physically challenged? Yes...
ReplyI've been a member at Curves now for a month and have seen excellent results. You need to give it more than a week to truly see the benefits. My energy level has been higher, I'm not sluggish in the afternoons at work ( I go during my lunch hour), and let me just say....my sex life-- WHOO HOOO! Like anthing you have to give it 21 days isn't that the old saying. 21 days to form a habit or break one. 21 days to make a permanent change in your life.
Reply7 Days does nothing and if you didn't go all seven days you might not even think you got a workout.
I have been a member of Curves for 2 months now. I have had 22 weigh ins and both times I had dropped 10 lbs. As of right now, I have lost almost 30 pounds. You can not go for 7 days and know whether or not it will work. I truly love Curves and recomend it to anyone thinking about joining. Set your mind to it and you can lose weight!!!
ReplyKristy,
Have you cut down on your eating to lose 30 lbs. in 2 months? If so, what is your secret?
I have been a member of curves now for 3 months (and boy do I sweat when working out) and have only lost 4 lbs., however, I still eat like a pig. I have cut down a little on eating, but I feel like I should have lost more. I can feel the muscle gain under my flab. I don't want to give up!!
ReplyMuscle weighs more than fat.
ReplyIt is quite common to gain weight while loosing inches when you begin working out.
I hear people say this often and it is indeed a misconception. Muscle does not weigh more than fat. A pound of muscle is the same as a pound of fat. Muscle is however more dense. A woman weighing 160 pounds with 10% fat will look much smaller (and be much healthier) than a woman at 160 pounds with 50% fat. They weigh the same, yet the composition is different. Because muscle is more dense than fat the person with less fat and more muscle will look smaller.
ReplyMuscle doesn't weigh more than fat, a pound is a pound, whether it's fat or muscle, BUT muscle is more dense. A pound of fat is about the size of a grapefruit, a pound of muscle is about the size of a golf ball. So if you consistently strength train, with time your body will start using the fat as energy and with a gain in muscle you will look more streamlined even if you don't lose weight. And you'll feel so much better.
ReplyYou do realize that you are contradicting your self. Of course a pound of fat is the same as a pound of muscle! A pound of feathers weighs the same as a pound of iron! IT'S A POUND.
You then say that a pound of fat is like a grape fruit and a pound of muscle is like a golf ball. So Clearly, the muscle weighs more. if it takes less of the substance to equal the weight, it is a heavier substance. Take Iron, one pound is a little block that could fit in your hand. Feathers though, would take piles and piles to make up a pound. So, Iron weighs more, and muscle weighs more.
dum dums
ReplyExercising can help you lose weight, but your eating habits need to change too if you want to maximize your weight loss. You can't say "oh I worked out for 30 minutes, so I can eat whatever I want". If it were that easy, we would all be rail thin. :)
Changing your eating habits is hard and takes a lot of commitment, but you have already made a huge leap in the right direction. Best of luck on your journey!
ReplyI have done research on the Hoodia Gordonii it is a very safe product that works. It actually( if taken properly) will take your hunger away. The hardest part is your will not be hungry to eat. and it is very important if you want to loose weight to eat. Food is the fuel that will keep your motor going if you put good fuel in you will, loose weight feel great and over all be healthier.
ReplyI manage a Curves and in 1 year the members of my club have lost a total of 700 pounds adn 3,000 inches. There is no way that this program does not work. If you work it it will work, it is like anything else. There are people out there who are looking for any excuse to stay in the physical mis shape they are in. They will bad mouth any program they attempt becuase they are not comitted to changing. I have been in fitness for about 20 years and will admit when I saw the machines I thought I would never get a good workout. It has been over 1 year and I workout every day and every day I sweat and get a great workout. It is all in how you work the machines. I have seen Curves work in the lives of many many women. I will say that it is not for everyone, however, I make sure that the ladies who attend my club leave having felt honored, respected and armed to have a great day! Curves works and it is awesome!!
Replywould you recommend curves for pregnant women?
ReplyI would recommend Curves to a pregnant lady!!! The workout is perfect for you. It adjusts to you and your physical changes. You must let the trainer know that you are pregnant. I did this workout with three of my pregnancies, and it is much easier to lose the baby fat afterwards if you stay in shape during. Good luck!!!
ReplyI have been a curves member for two years. I lost weight and inches. I would have lost more if I worked harder.
ReplyThe best part for me was my arthritis- this program has done wonders for me! I was able to walk and move as I did years before. I am only 40 and this was great for me. Last year I was in a car accident so I have been working and this was great.
Sadly, they closed my location. The others are too far to drive with these gas prices. so I will loss and have to start again with a new locationa and not have the old rate. I hope one opens by me again- I do not know if I can afford the "new" price though. Curves main site won't do anything.
After a month- I can tell the differnce by not doing this program.
Shelley,
I like your attitude - "I make sure that the ladies who attend my club leave having felt honored, respected and armed to have a great day!". This was not the case in Cupertino where my wife goes and is upset with the attitude of the franchiser. My wife got a back pain and told the owner that she does not want to continue. Its been two months she had signed up. The owner said she will send her to collection agency and have to go to court and hanged up the phone. I compared this with your statement and it didn't jive. So I guess the owner makes a difference in the experience people get at Curves (or anywhere).
ReplyThat is so sad - the way your wife was treated. I am a former Curves owner. An owner has to honor a Dr's written note for Medical hold for a member. This means that she can return when the doctor has released her. A contract can be broken permantly for a small fee. This is all spelled out in the contract. It is owners like this that can give the others of us a bad name. It is hurtful for business.
ReplyHi:
I've been a member of Curves for 5 months. My goal was to loose 10 pounds. The first few weeks, I didn't loose that much weight but I lost a lot of inches and had much more energy than before. It felt totally revitalized. Then, I took the book "Curves", by Gary Heaven and started changing my eating habits according to the recommendations. I've lost my 10 pounds and I feel better than ever! In our Curves outlet, we had a spring challenge where people were divided in groups and the group that lost the most weight (all together) won a prize. The "top loser" won one month free membership.
The great thing about Curves is the encouragement. It really keeps you motivated. You're not alone in your struggle.
A happy Curves member.
ReplyI have been a member of a Curves for about a year and a half, and I worked at one for about three months. One week probably won't give anyone a great idea of what Curves can do for you, but let's be honest, some people just don't like it. I'm really sorry that some people don't like Curves, but I think it's very wrong to discourage other people that may have very good results and walk away feeling as though they have done something very beneficial for themselves. One of the great things about Curves is that women feel very comfortable there generally. You don't have to look like a model to work out. I would recommend it to most women. The ones for whom I would not recommend Curves are women who are already extremely active. Not because they won't get a good workout, but because it can sometimes be hard to maintain a pace if you are behind someone who is perhaps older or slower at getting into and out of the machines. In my time workind at Curves I noticed that women in truly great shape were sometimes frustrated by the slowness of other women who had not worked out for a long time.
ReplyI have just finished my first year at Curves. I have had wonderful results!!! When I began April 2004, I weighed 252 pounds, 116 of which were fat pounds. From April to December I attended sessions 4 to 5 times a week -- that's all. I made no dietary changes; I continued to binge and eat sweets (I'm not recommending this, it was just the best I could do at the time.)
Despite my imperfections, I still lost 29 pounds!!! So I was motivated to try the Curves Six Week Challenge, an intro to their recommended diet plan. From January to the middle of April I lost another 24 pounds. So after I year I lost a total of 53 pounds, 43 inches. I went from a size 22-24 to a size 14.
It is true that you have to focus during the workout and not socialize while working on the machines. An now that I am more fit, I can really push the workout. I also only work out three times a week.
My results are not really unusual. Many women at my Curves are losing weight and keeping it off. Curves is a great place to work out and the women are great!!!
You cannot do anything for a week and claim to be an expert.
ReplyI have to say that an old friend that stopped by this weekend AND SHE had lost 60 pounds! SHE LOOKED GREAT! She still has quite a bit to go but WHAT an accomplishment.
I was really anxious to find out what finally worked for her! She said it was CURVES. She admitted that she laughed at the women huffing and puffing when she first saw the machines. But she said she quickly realized it was a much better work-out than meets the eye initially.
I was so inspired by her weight loss that I am going tomorrow to sign up myself! No matter what the results, EXERCISE can't HURT you, in fact, it is imperative if we want to live long healthy lives.
Good luck to all of you and whatever you do..........
ReplyJUST KEEP MOVIN!
:-)
I have been a Curves member for 1 month and just had my first weigh-in. I only lost 1 pound and 1/2 inch. BUT, although I had anticipated that I would lose more, and more easily, I have to remember that it took me 68 years to put this weight ON so it will take a while to take it OFF! The thing about Curves, for ME, is that I have always been a very sedentary person. Now I am energized to do some kind of stretches or walking-in-place, or dancing every night! This is unheard of for me, to actually get up and DO something. Probably the really biggest thing for me is that I can go up 2 long flights of stairs at work, fairly quickly, without having to take 5 minutes of gasping to get my breath back, I just breathe normally. Maybe it doesn't sound like much, but to me it is really a biggie. I know that this is something I can stick with.
ReplyI have been a religious curves member for 2 1/2 years, going on my lunch hour every day. I did not need to lose a tremendous amount of weight, but have lst, and kept off what I needed to lose. I have also been able to get through the winter and Holidays w/o a gain. That in itself is success to me. also, it is mentally healthy for me and I go at the cardio/aerobic stations pretty hard so i KNOW that it has to be helping with my cardiovascular,cholesterol and blood pressure. Any form of exercise performed regulalry will reduce our risk of so many diseases that are so prevalent these days. It isn't always just about what the scale reflects. It is also important that my 7 year sees that Mommy works out everyday and that is part of life as he knows it. A very positive thing. Also, people continually ask me how much more weight I have lost. I really haven't, but because of the increased toning, I am smaller. I know this by the way my clothing fits. I ope this helps to motivate anyone considering this program.
ReplyA friend of mine told me about the Curves Program, so I went online to check it out. Sounds great to me.. but does anyone know if the program has reached Europe yet? I live in the Netherlands.
Thanks!
Reply