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Curves

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Posted by: Var

Just wondering if anyone knows anything about Curves (the gym). A girl I work with asks me for fitness advice quite a bit. She goes to Curves and told me about the program they set up for their clients. Basically, its just circuit training using nothing but machines. They have the women come in around 5 days a week to do the same workout every day. I know circuit training is used largely for the cardio benefit, but working the same muscles every day goes against everything I've learned about working out.
Her goals are to gain muscle. She has almost no body fat. Does anyone know if this is the typical program at Curves? Sounds like a bad one to me.

Posted by: Mudge

Most circuit training only does a set or so of each movement, so training each day is not a big deal since they aren't doing much.

Posted by: HoldDaMayo

i thought this post was going to be about those fake boob inserts chicks wear... anyone seen the "Curves" infomercials?

Posted by: Var

Quote:

Originally posted by Mudge
Most circuit training only does a set or so of each movement, so training each day is not a big deal since they aren't doing much.

Do you think this would be beneficial to someone who's goals are to add muscle?

Quote:

Originally posted by HoldDaMayo
i thought this post was going to be about those fake boob inserts chicks wear... anyone seen the "Curves" infomercials?

Do I know how to get reads, or what?

Posted by: Mudge

When I was at the YMCA the routine is "the same", litterally you do one set at nearly every machine they have and that is your workout.

I would stick to the more traditional approach, but I'm sure it will work for awhile, and most women are not interested in getting buff anyway...

Posted by: Leslie

Curves is barely fo rone trying to lose fat ans is DEFINITLY NOT for someone trying to add muscle. In fact, I cannot believe they are in business

All it is basically a circuit setup of machines and cardio areas. Each spot gets 2 minutes. One of their pitches is you never have to wait for a machine cause the max is 2 minutes. You do as many reps as you can in that time. For the cardio spots, you jump jacks or run in place for two minutes. You are supposed to go round twice and be done in under 30 minutes.

For those serious about fat loss and especially muscle gain, this is NOT the place for you. One would be better off with Lucille Roberts type gym if they want an all women environment as opposed to Curves.

Posted by: Mudge

2 minute sets? Oy. YMCA was rep based, 15 reps I believe.

Posted by: Var

Thanks for all the replies. The advice you guys gave comfirms exactly what I was thinking. I didn't want to start talking her out of the place until I knew for sure that I was right.

Posted by: Leslie

Your gut was right. Now get her the hell outta there!

Posted by: calalily1972

Quote:

Originally posted by Leslie
Curves is barely fo rone trying to lose fat ans is DEFINITLY NOT for someone trying to add muscle. In fact, I cannot believe they are in business

I heard about this but I never knew what it was. Unbelievable

Posted by: Leslie

My hairdresser told me all about it. She was so excited and thrilled. I had to bite my tongue

Didnt want to make her feel shitty...and have her take it out on my hair

Posted by: calalily1972

Yeah, that would have sucked.

Posted by: Var

Quote:

Originally posted by Jodi
I heard about this but I never knew what it was. Unbelievable

Seems like they're on every street corner in my area. They're doing some serious business. I think a lot of newbie women are attracted to it because it's all machines, no men, and very structured. Still sounded ALL bad to me.

Posted by: Mudge

At least she is interested in doing something, that is a good thing.

Posted by: Leslie

Quote:

Originally posted by Var
Seems like they're on every street corner in my area. They're doing some serious business. I think a lot of newbie women are attracted to it because it's all machines, no men, and very structured. Still sounded ALL bad to me.

Yup. Know how much it costs to buy a franchise?

$10K

Thats it. But they are all out in the NJ area.

Posted by: Var

Quote:

Originally posted by Mudge
At least she is interested in doing something, that is a good thing.

Definitely! That's another reason I was kinda leary of telling her what I thought. She's VERY into it and I dont want to discourage her. I think I'll just explain that there are more effective ways to reach her goals. Who knows, maybe she'll be my first client when I get certified.

Posted by: Var

Quote:

Originally posted by Leslie
Yup. Know how much it costs to buy a franchise?

$10K

Thats it. But they are all out in the NJ area.

Nice!

I hope they have some standards when allowing people to run the place. Scary to think any meathead with 10K could have that much impact on someones fitness.

Posted by: Leslie

Impact?

Ok I will be nice now

:angel:

Posted by: Mudge

Since "nobody" else does it like that, I think that alone should raise an eyebrow when you tell her... hopefully.

Posted by: Var

Meathead AND impact in the same sentence! I'm getting outta hand now.

Posted by: Leslie

Quote:

Originally posted by Mudge
Since "nobody" else does it like that, I think that alone should raise an eyebrow when you tell her... hopefully.

That and when time goes by and she gets only minimal results as well.

This is what the problem is. People will go there 5x a week and think weight lifting is overhyped since they will not really be getting the results they would if they were "really" weight training in a real gym.
That will lead to discouragement and they will go back to their old habits.

Posted by: Var

Quote:

Originally posted by Mudge
Since "nobody" else does it like that, I think that alone should raise an eyebrow when you tell her... hopefully.

Good thinkin'. I'll make that point when I talk to her.

Posted by: Var

Quote:

Originally posted by Leslie
That and when time goes by and she gets only minimal results as well.

This is what the problem is. People will go there 5x a week and think weight lifting is overhyped since they will not really be getting the results they would if they were "really" weight training in a real gym.
That will lead to discouragement and they will go back to their old habits.

Actually, the reason she brought this up with me was because she's not gaining any muscle. I figured her training was probably ok, and figured the problem was diet. Then she told me she goes to Curves.

Posted by: Jodi R

ok.. please dont throw stuff at me like eggs and rotten tomatoes and shit but this approach actually worked for me.

i used to do gym 4 times a week, 20 minutes cardio and then a round of super circuit which is what we call it in south africa.

i was hardly eating any protein ..probably 1200 cals or so, a lot of fruit actually and i lost weight and had awesome defined arms. people used to come up to me and tell me i had a great body and all the rest.

BUT i was hungry all the time, had no energy and miserable as a result .. so after about a year i cracked and ate and ate and ate.. A LOT and put about 5kg back on. and thats where i am now. doing body for life.

still toned. but a bit bigger

you guys can see the photos in about 2 weeks.

Posted by: Jodi R

but then i must admit that i also build muscle really quickly.. i have stopped doing upper body workout and do super circuit once a week just to maintain ..

check the photos.. i definitely have a defined upper body.

Posted by: I Are Baboon

Curves is there for women who are overweight and have been inactive most of their lives. That is who they market to. While the place is not good for women who are very active and/or want to add muscle (which is about 97% of the women online here), it's good for women who want to take a first step towards an active lifestyle. Sure, no woman is going to get ripped going to Curves, but they learn about getting their heart rate up for a half half hour and work muscles they probably have rarely used before.

Posted by: MtnBikerChk

Quote:

Originally posted by Leslie
Curves is barely fo rone trying to lose fat ans is DEFINITLY NOT for someone trying to add muscle. In fact, I cannot believe they are in business

Not only this - but

1. The machines use air pressure - so unless checked OFTEN, they will not be consistent as they loose air

2. The machines are not adjustable - the resistance is always the same (assuming constant air pressure).

My mom went to curves for a year (like anything else it was too much work and she gave up) but I know a lot of women who like it. It's probably because there is no intimidation factor - everyone there is in the same boat (and they are all women).

Posted by: ponyboy

The funny thing is, I got offered a frachise for the men's version of this type of club. They call it The Blitz, and it is the same cardio circuit, but more geared towards men, so when you do your cardio you hit a punching bag and skip rope, etc. The whole circuit took 20 minutes!

I actually was considering it because these places can make quite a lot of money off of these poor people. But after crunching the numbers, it didn't make any sense to invest in it.

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