Curves is a fitness and weight management program designed specifically for women. It consists of a 30-minute workout that alternates resistance training with aerobic intervals, along with nutritional guidance and motivational support. Curves programs take place in specially designed training facilities rather than a typical health club or gym. As of 2010, Curves has become the largest fitness club franchise in the world.
History
Curves was founded in 1992 by Gary and Diane Heavin in Harlingen, Texas. Gary Heavin, motivated by the death of his mother due to a blood clot caused in part by high blood pressure, wanted to create a comfortable, supportive, and effective environment for women to improve their health. Following the quick success of the first few clubs, Curves became a franchise in 1995. As of 2010, Curves has more than 9,000 clubs and 4 million members worldwide.
The Workout
The cornerstone of the Curves program is its unique 30-minute circuit training workout. The workout alternates 30 seconds of a resistance exercise with 30 seconds of stationary jogging, walking, or marching on a spring board. There are 12 resistance exercises on hydraulic machines, each targeting different muscle groups for a total body workout. The woman completes two circuits in a standard 25-minute workout. The last 5 minutes of the workout consist of stretching. Trainers are present for guidance and motivation. Some clubs offer CurvesSmart, a workout monitoring device that helps determine appropriate workout intensity and monitors progress based on individual physical data. Curves recommends that women complete the workout at least three times per week. Visit the Curves website for more details on how the circuit works.
Other Components
Curves includes other components of a successful weight loss program in addition to an exercise program. The Curves Weight Management Program is a nutritional guidance program that provides meal suggestions and dietary guidelines. Every 30 days, participants get a break from the reduced calorie plan, allowing them to practice maintaining healthy eating once they reach their goal weight. Curves offers an online support system to help participants track their diets and workouts and access additional weight management resources. Curves also markets vitamins and nutritional supplements. Another cornerstone of Curves is its motivational culture. Designed to foster social interaction and build supportive relationships among women, it encourages participants to maintain a long-term healthy lifestyle.
Benefits
Curves has several benefits for women over traditional gyms. The small, women-only setting makes Curves clubs less intimidating than a large health club. The 30-minute workout is quick and convenient, making it easy to fit into busy schedules. It also takes the guesswork out of choosing exercises, and it uses hydraulic resistance machines, which are easy to use and effective for a wide range of ability levels. When used to foster a healthy lifestyle, Curves can promote weight loss, fitness, and long-term health.
Expert Insight
The effectiveness of the Curves program has been evaluated by fitness experts. The Curves Women's Health and Fitness Initiative was created in 2002 in association with the Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory, located at Texas A&M University as of 2008, to conduct ongoing research to assess and optimize the Curves program. Several studies by the organization have shown a positive impact of the Curves program on body composition, metabolism, weight loss, and exercise capacity, particularly in overweight women.
In a 2005 study sponsored by the American Council on Exercise, researchers determined that the 30-minute Curves workout burns an average of 184 calories. The workout also got heart rates up to an average of 75 percent of heart rate maximum, which is sufficient to achieve cardiovascular improvement. The researchers in this study also noted the benefit of strength training in the Curves workout, which women often tend to shy away from when exercising on their own at the gym. Overall, the experts recommended the Curves program for women who have been mainly sedentary or who are uncomfortable with traditional gyms, but cautioned that the workout intensity may be too low for more active women.
Warnings and Other Considerations
One potential drawback of the Curves program is that the workout remains generally the same over time. While the intensity of the exercises can be increased, many of the same movements are repeated. This will become less challenging to the body over time as it adapts to those movements, leading to less calorie burn and an overall less effective workout. Curves can be an excellent way to introduce yourself to a fit lifestyle, but you may eventually need to add more variety and intensity to your workouts in order to continue losing weight and improving your fitness level.
Always talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise or weight loss program.
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