Does the Curves Exercise System Work?

When you decide to join a health club, especially one with a pre-set workout routine such as Curves, you want to know if the fitness program works. Exercise does bring results when you are consistent in your workouts and perform both resistance and cardiovascular training. A Curves facility can provide the equipment, workout and healthy eating plan you need. You bring the motivation and you should see results.

  1. Curves Franchise

    • The Curves business is the largest fitness franchise in the world. The franchise began in 1992 and serves women in 90 different countries. When you walk into a Curves location, you see 12 hydraulic workout machines with soft platforms in between each machine. The franchises offer minimal equipment and commodities. Many do not have showers, some offer locker rooms, but you will not find cardiovascular equipment or weight-plated workout machines.

    Workout

    • For your Curves workout, you alternate between performing resistance training on a hydraulic machine and doing a cardiovascular movement, such as marching, on the springy platforms. This type of workout is known as circuit training. You spend 30 seconds doing resistance exercise, followed by 30 seconds of cardiovascular, for a total of 25 minutes if you complete one time around the circuit. Many participants repeat the circuit for a 50-minute workout.

    Calories

    • According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the Curves circuit training workout burns approximately 163 calories for each complete circuit. If your goals include weight loss, burning calories contributes to your goal. The Curves franchise also offers nutritional counseling and can set you up on a diet toward weight loss.

    Cardiovascular Benefits

    • The aerobic portions of the Curves workout elevated participant's heart rates to 75 percent of their maximum, according to ACE. This is high enough to benefit the cardiovascular system. The circuit training workout provides a low-impact training option for those who were previously sedentary. If you are a seasoned exercise participant, your heart rate may not elevate high enough for you to see improvements.

    Resistance Training

    • Gains in strength are difficult to measure with the Curves training system. Since the resistance tools are hydraulic machines, your benefits vary by how hard you work. Hydraulic machines work opposing muscles groups at the same time for a very time-efficient training session. For example, you push the handles away from your front to exercise your chest and then pull them toward you to strengthen your back. The faster you move the hydraulic machines, the more resistance you create and the more strength gains are made. If you simply go through the motions, your muscles will not respond.