"Curves for Women"

"Curves for Women" is the largest chain of franchised fitness centers in the world with over 8000 locations. They are small facilities 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. 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. Curves for Women 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 $29-39/month for a year. Often there are specials and incentives that refund a portion of the fee. Many franchises require a one-year minimum.

Curves for Women is designed for and marketed to those who are intimidated by traditional gyms, health club beginners, older people and those with very limited time. They are trying to take the fear out of starting an exercise and weight loss program which is very important as the epidemic of obesity in America worsens.

The Curves for Women workout regimen does have some drawbacks though. The nature of the workout regimen is the main drawback, in my opinion. A 30-minute circuit in a small gym is awfully mundane, which makes it hard to stick to in the long-term. Every time you workout, it's the same. Also, a recent study published in the The American Council on Exercise's magazine (March/April 2005), showed an average of 184 calories burned during a Curves for Women 30-minute workout. That's less than one candy bar, a half a donut or a bowl of cereal. Consider the amount of food you consume that makes you overweight. That does not leave you much flexibility with your diet. Whether this study is completely accurate or not is up for debate, but it is reasonable to say that such a short, low impact workout is not an efficient calorie burner.

If you are that person mentioned earlier, Curves for Women is a good start. My main concern is sustainability of such mundane exercise. Lifestyle change, weight loss and exercise can be interesting, even fun, if you add lifestyle exercise activities that burn a lot of calories, such as tennis, hiking, cycling, climbing, dancing, power walking, etcetera... Find a basic food plan or choose one of the online programs for structure and support, add lifestyle exercise activities and you have all the ingredients of the best possible option.