Whether you want to lose a few pounds before summer or take off 100 lbs. for your health, you have many different methods to choose from. The Curves Weight Management Program incorporates both exercise and diet. Curves for Women prides itself on being for women only and, as of 2010, had locations established around the world. The company is built on the belief that many women are too shy or intimidated by coed health clubs.
Identification
In 2010, Curves for Women boasted more than 8,000 centers worldwide. Each facility includes a circular setting of exercise machines that use hydraulic resistance as their base. In addition, the machines specifically target certain areas of the body for muscle toning and strength. Curves also has a weight loss diet plan to accompany the recommended every other day exercise routine.
Features
The Curves for Women exercise routine is based on a 30-minute rotation schedule. You arrive at the center every other day and spend 30 minutes going through the program. You spend approximately 30 seconds on each machine, while listening to motivational, fast-paced music. You continue to rotate through the machines until your 30 minutes have passed.
As of 2010, the cost to join Curves included approximately $149 as a set-up fee and an automatic monthly checking account debit of $29 to $39. You sign a one-year contract and are sometimes offered specials or coupons that will reduce the set-up or monthly fee.
Benefits
Benefits of Curves for Women include establishing a routine, accountability and being able to work out with other women who have weight loss goals. Once you have established the routine of exercising every other day at Curves, it may be easier to also begin a routine on the off days where you walk or ride a bike to further work toward your goals. When you go into a center every other day and there is a scale and counselor to guide you in your weight loss quest, you are accountable to a plan that may help you stay on track.
Time Frame
The Curves Weight Management Program incorporates a diet plan with the exercise routine. It encourages you to break your daily calories into five smaller meals a day. The belief is that doing so will boost your metabolism and burn calories at a faster rate.
The Curves plan also gives you a break from the diet every 30 days to rev your metabolism even more when you start back on the diet. The premise is that when you take the break each month that your body is fooled into thinking you are no longer dieting, and when you start it again, your body is kick-started into weight-loss action. The diet is founded in low-carbohydrate, low-refined sugar and high-lean proteins.
Once you reach your target weight, you will eat 2,000 to 2,500 calories a day to maintain your weight.
Potential
If you can stick with the Curves program, it has the potential to work. according to the company website. Reviewers note on the Chase Freedom website, however, that the routine at the center can become boring, making it difficult to stay motivated. The diet can become tedious, but, with a break every 30 days, you can look forward to eating off-limit foods on a regular basis.
Photo Credit
- pretty woman image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
