Can You Get Muscles At Curves?

Curves 30 Minute Fitness Centers are women's-only gyms with locations throughout the United States, and in many other countries. Curves offers an aerobic and strength training workout. While Curves isn't ideal if you're looking to become a bodybuilder, it can build and tone muscle, support weight loss goals, and provide you with a quick workout.

The Curves Workout

Each Curves gym consists of a circuit of 13 bi-directional pneumatic resistance training machines as well as several recovery stations or platforms. Compressed air provides resistance as you push and pull to work your muscles at each of the training stations. Walking, jogging or running at the recovery stations maintains an elevated heart rate throughout your 30-minute workout.

Some Curves facilities offer the CurvesSmart coaching system to track your muscle strength, calories burned and fitness goals and adjust the machines to maintain a challenging workout.

Quality and Quantity

While Curves claims you can burn as much as 500 calories during a single workout, the American Council on Exercise found that the 30-minute Curves circuit burns, on average, 184 calories. While this is only a moderate-intensity cardio workout, Curves also provides a total body resistance-training routine, according to chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise, Dr. Cedric X. Bryant. Working out at Curves three times a week would provide the strength training recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, but additional cardiovascular exercise is necessary to meet the minimum recommended two and one-half hours per week.

Muscle Strength

The resistance training machines that make up the Curves circuit work all major muscle groups during your workout. Unlike some weight machines, the pneumatic machines at Curves require you to both push and pull to complete each movement. A 2009 study by Chad Kersick published in "Nutrition and Metabolism," showed improved muscular strength, cardiovascular fitness and improvements in body composition for individuals who combine Curves workouts three times each week with a reduced-calorie diet.

Drawbacks

If you are already in shape, the moderate-intensity workout offered at Curves facilities may not provide the challenge you need to feel your best. You may find you need to move on to a traditional gym as your fitness level and muscular strength improves. Other concerns for some women include fit and form. The machines at Curves do not have the adjustable hydraulics typical of gym equipment and maintaining good form can be a challenge if the fit is poor. While franchise owners receive some fitness training, individual employees are not fitness professionals.