Curves for Women: The truth about the exercise program.

Curves is designed for and marketed to those who are intimidated by traditional gyms, health club beginners, older people and those with very limited time. They are trying to take the fear out of starting an exercise and weight loss program which is very important as the epidemic of obesity in America worsens.

The Curves workout regimen does have some drawbacks though. The nature of the workout regimen is the main drawback, in my opinion. A 30-minute circuit in a small gym is awfully mundane, which makes it hard to stick to in the long-term. Every time you workout, it’s the same. Also, a recent study published in the The American Council on Exercise’s magazine (March/April 2005), showed an average of 184 calories burned during a Curves 30-minute workout. That’s less than one candy bar, a half a donut or a bowl of cereal. Consider the amount of food you consume that makes you overweight. That does not leave you much flexibility with your diet. Whether this study is completely accurate or not is up for debate, but it is reasonable that such a short, low impact workout would not be as efficient a calorie burner as other forms of exercise.

If you are that person mentioned earlier, Curves for Women is a great option, but understand very few people who lose weight keep it off. Those who succeed invariably make bold and significant lifestyle changes, including addition of regular, vigorous exercise. Lifestyle change, weight loss and exercise can be interesting, even fun, if you add lifestyle exercise activities that burn a lot of calories, such as tennis, hiking, cycling, climbing, dancing, power walking, etcetera... Find a basic food plan or choose one of the inexpensive/sensible online programs for structure and support, add lifestyle exercise activities and you have all the ingredients of the best possible option.