“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 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 $49 one-time service fee to join and it is $29/month for a year. Many franchises require a one-year minimum. If the month to month option is available, the cost is $39. 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. Curves for Women has no frills. It sells T-shirts, towels, energy drinks as well as a line of nutritional products such as powdered shakes and vitamins.
The centers have one room with a reception desk and 8 – 12 machines. Some of the larger centers have added a couple more pieces of equipment but none has more than 12 pieces. There is a changing area with private rooms, restrooms and a matted area for stretching.
In this person’s humble opinion, Curves for Women feels a lot like a franchise business created solely with the marketplace in mind to take advantage of the growing epidemic of obesity in America. The facilities have just enough “fitness equipment” to sell a product, namely memberships, while keeping the cost at a minimum to maximize profit.
And the workout itself? Give me a break… could it be any less interesting? Do you remember every other fitness and diet program that you eventually quit? Lets be honest friends, basic sensible nutrition and lifetime sustainable exercise is the only way to lose weight permanently. What is lifetime sustainable exercise? Exercise that is fun, creates passion in your life and which you normally don’t consider “exercise.”
Tennis, cycling, hiking, dancing, martial arts, cross country skiing, running, etcetera… Find a basic food plan or even better, chose one of the inexpensive online programs for structure and support, add lifetime sustainable exercise and you have all the ingredients of permanent success in weight loss and fitness.