Curves

This time last year I was fired with enthusiasm to do something which would get me fit and not take up too much of my time.
Recommended by a couple of people I know, and just opened very close to me, I joined Curves for Women.

**The History**

This was founded about 27 years ago by Gary Heavin, who had dropped out of medical school, and then began to provide fitness services which would prevent illnesses.
The first Curves was opened in Texas in 1992 and the first franchise opened in 1995.
In 10 years, Curves reached 9000 locations and has entered the Guinness Book of Records as “the world’s largest fitness center franchise”

**What’s it all about?**

It’s all about fitting exercise into your busy schedule, with a cardio and strength training programme which takes only 30 minutes, 3 times a week.

**The hype and promises…**

QUICKFIT system fits into your lifestyle. The quickfit aerobic esercise circuit with hydraulic resistance means that you can permanently lose fat (apparently)
IT’S FUN, because the workout is done to music and you will be moving from exercise to exercise so won’t get bored
IT’S SAFE- hydraulic resistance is similar to water exercise and the safe controlled resistance keeps you moving smoothly and safely around the circuit. The exercise is recommended for overweight and older members because there is no stress on bones and joints, and the routine is tailored to your own level of fitness.
IT’S SIMPLE and even the least athletic women can follow the programme because the activities are not complicated and can be taught quickly
CHALLENGING because even professional athletes use hydraulic resistance.
5 EXERCISE COMPONENTS. The exercise components (ie warm up, cool down, sustained cardio workout, strength training and stretching) means that you get an effective workout.

**Contact **

The main office is:
Curves International
100 Ritchie Road
Waco
TX 76712

Tel: 1-800-848-1096

However, for further information, rather than telephoning this number and running up a huge phone bill, contact your local Curves or look on the website.

**Website**

www.curvesinternational.com

Lots of information and a facility to type in your post code and be given the address of your nearest Curves.

**So…what happens**

I went along to talk about joining and from the start felt a bit pressurized into doing so; it was almost as though they would come to the bank with me to get the cash out of the machine.
Anyway, I paid my joining fee(I think it was about £70 but check out your local Curves because they often have 2 for 1 offers), filled out the direct debit mandate for £30 a month, and was given a time to go back and be assessed.
This is actually what I wanted to do initially, have an assessment and be weighed and measured before I signed up for a year but this was not allowed, but I did go home with a swipe card and some information on Curves.
The day of measuring arrived and practically every part of me was measured, then I was weighed and my body fat measured. This was all written down and I was shown the details; presumably this was for women who wanted to lose inches.
I was then taken around the equipment and given advice on how to use it effectively.

Ok, so I knew how to use the equipment and all I had to do was go to exercise 3 times a week. Fired with enthusiasm for the first couple of months, I did go regularly.
When you go to the gym, all you do is swipe in and all of your details come up, so that there is a check on how many times in total and that month you have exercised.
The equipment was simple to use, the instructors were friendly, helpful and encouraging and after a month or two I had toned up. I received my monthly printed graphs showing my weight, body mass and measurements, all compared with the previous months, and all was going good
However, then the rot seemed to set in.
The Curves I went to closed down for a couple of weeks for refurbishment and when it reopened, the luster had gone.

That’s “my story” of the Curves experience.

**Verdict**

I think the concept is great- get fit by going to the gym 3 times a week for half an hour at a time. I think there are many people out there who don’t want to spend forever at the gym
However, I read somewhere that a 30 minute workout would burn off only 184 calories so if you are trying to lose weight, you would have to combine it with some serious healthy eating regime.
I found the “going round in circles” Quite tedious after a while- good fun at first but after a while I started to want to have music dvds to watch.
If you find traditional gyms intimidating then this is the place for you. My experience was that there were no super fit people in the latest designer gear, but normal women wanting to tone up.
Another problem was the opening hours. I work full time but have lots of holidays and it was frustrating turning up at lunchtime to find that it was closed for four hours- if I go to the gym, if it’s not open, I won’t go later as I have limited dedication.

Advantages- great for people with limited time, affordable membership, health club beginners and people with a gym fear
Disadvantages- rigidity of the circuit, opening hours.

I am going to recommend it although it’s right for some women and so not right for others, but I enjoyed it while I was there.

Thanks for reading.

Daniela x