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.
I 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.
It seems that very few, if any, of the people commenting here know that Curves are independent franchises, like Subways, McDonalds, etc., therefore you WILL get a different experience to some degree at each one you go to. DO NOT judge them all by ONE. If you go to one Subway and it is kept unclean and untidy and the service is bad, it does not mean that another one will be the same. Most Curves owners (and I AM ONE) are very devoted, and conscientious about delivering the best experience our members can have. Also, if you have a bad experience, tell the owner, or if it is the owner, tell CUrves corporate.
Please don’t make generalizations on public sites like this about all Curves unless you have tried each and every one of them, all thousands!!
I am 44 and weigh 200 pounds. I just joined Curves in Manitoba (Canada) and I really like it. Previously, all the exercise I did was a 30-minute walk. This gives you so much more for your 30 minutes. I have joined gyms many times and I never go because my time is so limited and it takes so long to get there, do 20 minutes of cardio on the treadmil, and 30 minutes of weights on the equipment. Money wasted. Also, I just wanted to join for 3 months but the $30 sign up special (reg. $100+) was only for the one year contract. The OWNER showed me this form where I can get out of the contract any time I want and only pay $10 for every month I have been a member. So I got the special signing fee and have the option of leaving at the end of three months. That is still a good deal to pay $30 to get out of your contract. However, I may just decide to keep going. I like it, too, because the location is very handy. It is always spotless and very clean and I can get in and out quickly. The ladies who work there are friendly, remember your name and chit chat with everyone who comes in. Now, if you are already a body builder this place is not for you – but if your exercise was only a brisk walk – i really recommend it. Also, they have this stretching station that i LOVE. It is absolutely goof proof and you feel so good after the stretches. Hope this assessment from a new person helps.
Thats 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.
HI anyone hear about the new circuit at curves using Zumba fitness? Ms q
I love the curves smart program as well!
It rocks my world! You go, girl!
I started working out at Curves, May 1st, 2010. I work out 5x a week. I started at 299 and I’m now down to 261. Do the math. As long as you apply yourself at the gym and watch your portions and eat in moderation, Curves will work for anyone!
Keep on truckin, Ladies. If you put your mind to it, you can do whatever you want!
As a whole, I started working on losing weight late March of 2010. I started keeping track of my weight at 331.
So as a whole, since adding Curves to my life, I’ve lost a total of 70 lbs!
I failed to mention I have joint problems in my left knee and popliteal areas from working out at Curves club.
I went to curves being 250 pounds and managed to lose 41 pounds. I started on a free trial dating back to January 6th 2010 what started out as a good daily routine until June 6th 2010.
I managed to have pulled something in my body. Not sure if it was nerves, ligaments or what, but, I decided to continue to work out 5 days a week. Later on found out I had damage running about through out my body. I would have pain in my left outer thigh, my upper left arm, and my ankle all on my left side. And a left wrist bone out of place on my left arm. After that it started working its way to my right side of my body starting with under the shoulder blade then on the back of the shoulder on top then front of it then close to my neck finally centimeters away from my right breast and it was stretching itself vertically.
As I was starting to stay home hoping to relax, I started having pain in my right foot in the middle of my foot it traveled to my big toe joint then down to my ankle. After having slowing down my workout schedule at the start of last month and quitting at the end; I still have pain. Be it walking from my house to the other side of the neighborhood.
The owner and the staff were chat friendly. But coaching wise it was rare very rare, you would get that treatment if you were new. But after a while I could look up and see them chatting amongst themselves and web surfing when there is nothing to do.
I guess I should go to YMCA where there are A LOT of things to do there instead of musical machines.
True…it’s ridiculous to hear people say “it won’t work,” …like they know..? Don’t knock it until you try it, people…if it didn’t work, people wouldn’t be losing as much weight as they are losing with it. How about all you negative folk head to a gym and we’ll stick with Curves, because for us, IT IS WORKING.
I cannot do the normal gym thing. Seems to me that the more effort I put into working out at a gym, the quicker I lose my motivation. You work out certain areas more efficiently than others. Knowing that was true, I always left the gym feeling like I didn’t do enough, and Lord knows I could never afford a personal trainer, so I would eventually give up and stop going. I joined Curves a month ago and had my weigh-in today and have lost 14 pounds since I joined. I have also been on a really strict diet, and I found that special K and lean cuisines are my LIFESAVERS. Another thing: DIET green tea speeds your metabolism like NO OTHER. Lean turkey can also do the trick. I will admit, also, that when I first walked into Curves, I thought there was no way you could get a true workout from the machines, but I was definitely wrong. I am young and in decent shape as it is, and I try to go around the circuit a 3rd time but sometimes, I don’t make it. If you treat the machine like there is a 300 pound weight on it, there might as well be one. It’s a mind game to me. CURVES SMART IS AMAZING, by the way. My own personal trainer. 14 lbs. in one month is more than I could have ever dreamed of losing in a normal gym. If you’re anything like me, Curves will work for you.
Its 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?
just read some of the comments, and while i have never been classified as overweight i was unhappy with the fact that i was so out of shape. i was 15 when i started Curves and i initially felt like it was too easy BUT it is sooo true that you get out what you put in! Once i let go of my presuppositions and worked the machines as fast and hard as i could (i really started sweating lol) i really got my heart rate up and felt like i had a good workout. i’m 17 now and way more toned and in shape, i believe Curves CAN work for anybody if they use the machines correctly and up the intensity as there fitness level increases. HARDER BETTER FASTER STRONGER. you also need to remember that your body will grow accustomed to whatever kind of exercise you do, and its important to switch things up and keep your muscles guessing
Running, swimming, walking, tennis, anything; and Curves will keep your muscles more balanced and toned in the harder to work areas. hope this helps!
I am a F/T working single mother of two. I just joined curves…Yes…I am a fattie! BUT, I needed to do something. And Yes, I sweat while there, but not as intense as some other workouts I’ve done. However….you do have to give it your all while there, and I enjoyed the recovery boards….I add a little kick boxing on those….but
Im there for daughter, and she needs to see by example that excercise is fun, and “do-able” I am proud of her for going! A pound of fat weighs as much as a pound of muscle….muscle takes up less space…Im looking to take up less space!
Then that was your own fault. If you don’t know how to exercise you could have even asked any of the women who go there regularly. Its not that difficult…sounds like you’re just one of those people who blame everyone else for your own shortcomings…
THANK YOU. jeeze. I have been reading and shaking my head in disbelief because of the contradictions i’ve just seen lol. A pound…is a pound. Doesnt matter what it is. Get it right people!
you 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
You 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
HI, Do any of these Curve locations give additional exercise classes? Or is it just using the machines?
Thanks
hi, im in my 1st trimester preggi and am wondering if anyone recommends curves for keeping fit during my pregnancy? i found the staff lovely and i have my appraisal tommorrow
I just started curves and I am 22. I workout 4 times a week at curves and I love it. I leave there feeling great with a pink face
it’s a great workout and I dont want to be manly so I think I’m building just the right amount of muscle. If your purely looking to lose weight I think its a great place to start, it’s cheaper than paying a trainer 4 times a week, unlike a regular gym your not running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to figure out what machine does what an how many reps you should do, at curves it’s all laid out infront of you.
Well I am a 28 year old mom of 4 who joined curves in October of 2009 and attend 3 times a week. I have lost 25 pounds and an all over 14 inches,and love the work out that I get. I burn any where from 500-650 calories every work out. I feel sad for those who say its hype or feel as though they have been had!!! you definatly have to give it more then a week and the smart card is a huge bennifit as well! I LOVE CURVES!!!
Did anyone else realize this entry was made by a man about a gym for women?! He hasn’t even had the ability to try it! I have been working for Curves for 2 years. Our Curves is wonderful and it WORKS! I see it everyday! Please don’t judge all Curves on stories of another. Try it out for yourself! That’s the only way you will find if it’s for you or not! If you go to http://www.curves.com you can print out a free week and try it out! Ps. We WANT all of you women to be healthy. We want you to stick with it or some kind of exercise the rest of your life! It’s great to be at Curves! Hope this helped!
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT! Congrats on your weight loss and I am so happy you love Curves. As being a circuit coach, I know how Curves works. I see it everyday. This makes me sad how people are taking 1 bad experience and giving all Curves a bad name. Curves WORKS! Why do you think it’s the largest fitness franchise in the world? And now with Curvessmart women are doing even better and becoming even stronger. Thank you for your story!
Hi, I know of one Curves that offers exercise classes during business hours. I know they are not suppose to to hold any NON-Curve activity during regular business hours. The owner said it was ok to do this and it is free to her ladies, and charges walk ins.
I loved curves when I went there! My mom went and as an over weight teenager she encouraged me to go as well. I was so self conscious and didn’t want to go to a regular gym. When she told me it was only women and there were people there to show you how to work out, I was excited to try it! I loved it! Yes we talked with other women and it was fun. But it was such a good thing for us both. I did the 6 week challenge and won, losing 20 lbs! I did it again on my own a little later after I moved out. I was going to a curves across town and was a little nervous to go without my mom. But they were very supportive. I added running to the 6 week challenge and worked harder at my eating habits than I did the first time and I lost 40 more lbs! I am now confident to go to another gym and work on other things. I outgrew curves but I know I would still be an overweight young adult if I had never joined.