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Curves is a nationally- and internationally-known network of fitness facilities for women. Curves’ success can be attributed to the attentiveness to and understanding of the women the gym serves: those living hectic lives with harried schedules balancing work, family, errands and children. Women who do not always put their health and fitness first find they're able to do so with ease with Curves.
In 2012, Curves expanded its services online with Curves Complete, a personalized weight loss and weight management solution. With Curves Complete, women can:
- Shed excess body fat
- Get fit through exercise
- Customize their meal plans
- Get one-on-one coaching
Curves Complete comes with the Curves Complete Meal Plan, the Curves Complete Workout, personalized one-on-one coaching from a Curves Complete coach and a wealth of online resources, including community support.
The Curves Complete Meal Plan is a flexible and customizable moderate protein diet that encourages dieters to consume lean proteins, healthy fats, fiber, and healthy carbohydrates, much like other diet plans. Members meet with their Curves Complete Coach to develop meal plans and shopping lists to make the diet more easily managed. The meal plan was designed to work hand-in-hand with the Curves Complete Workout to increase metabolism, burn fat, preserve muscle, and keep the weight off for good.
Starting January 2014, Curves launched Curves Workouts with Jillian Michaels, a partnership between the famed Biggest Loser trainer and the most extensive women’s fitness network in the world. Michaels adds her cutting-edge style to Curves’ traditional circuit workouts with new exercises, tools and programs being updated monthly throughout 2014.
Curves Complete is a 90-day program divided into three phases with weekly meetings with fellow members and one-on-one weight loss coaching with a Curves Complete Coach.
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- Workouts are short and manageable
- Celebrity diet and fitness expert creates workouts
- Female-only gym
- Employs certified professionals for coaching, training and support
- Personal coach helps set up diet and fitness plans
- Nutrition and diet plan included
- Nutrition and diet plan are not as calorie- and food-restrictive as Curves original plans
- Includes online diet and fitness resources and member communities
- Additional in-person and online resources are available
- Website does not detail nutrition and diet plan before membership
- Workouts are recommended for only 30 minutes a day four times a week
- Strength training is limited to machines
- Franchised facilities might not provide the same quality of experience at each one
- Must have access to a gym
- Males are not allowed to join Curves
The Curves Complete Meal Plan is broken in to three phases, which are specifically designed for each individual.
Phase 1: Jump Start is the first week of the meal plan. Members learn portion control and how to choose healthy snacks by limiting their calories to 1,400 per day.
Phase 2: Take it Off increases members' calorie consumption to 1,500 per day in order to ensure that they are burning fat instead of muscle. In the second phase, which is less restrictive than the first, additional recipes, approved restaurant food items, alcohol, and desserts are allowed. Phase 2 lasts until the member reaches her goal weight.
A typical day on the Curves Complete Meal Plan looks like:
Breakfast: Bran muffin with an egg white omelet with peppers and fat-free cheddar cheese
Lunch: Plain grilled shrimp with a green salad and oil and vinegar dressing
Dinner: White chili with a tossed salad and fat-free red wine vinaigrette
Snacks: Cottage cheese, cantaloupe or low-fat white cheddar cheese and Wasa crackers
Phase 3: Keep it Off. Once a member reaches her goal weight, she advances to this final stage. In this phase, members are encouraged to continue practicing Curves Complete principles but are no longer following the calorie- and food-restrictive guidelines put in place in the first two phases. Calorie consumption is increased to about 2,000 calories per day to provide adequate nutrition for the member’s new, active lifestyle.
When paired with the Curves Complete Workout, the Curves Complete Meal Plan is effective at targeting and promoting the breakdown of excess body fat, leading to members losing fat and building muscle. Members eat three meals and two healthy snacks per day, which reduces the amount of meals the original Curves program recommended by one snack.
Curves built its fitness network on the Curves Circuit, a 30-minute circuit workout completed at a Curves fitness facility. The Curves Complete Workout is based on the traditional Curves Circuit: alternating strength training machines and cardiovascular exercises. Between each machine, members can rest, stretch or add in more cardio, such as Zumba.
Members are encouraged to complete Curves Circuit four times per week and walk daily throughout the program. Members are given a pedometer to track their steps with the goal of taking 10,000 steps daily. Once the member reaches her goal weight, she is encouraged to continue completing the circuit 3-4 times per week to maintain her weight loss.
Unlike the Curves Complete Meal Plan, the Curves Complete Workout is not specifically customized for each member. Instead, members perform nearly the same tasks in a repetitive circuit, which might become boring or too easy for fitter women.
However, the January 2014 launch of Curves Workouts with Jillian Michaels will add more exercise, tools and programs to the circuit throughout the year to keep members fit and interested.
Curves promotes a healthy weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week, and workouts at franchised fitness facilities are always supervised by a coach.
Curves Complete upgrades its original weight loss system developed in 1992. New research supports the new meal planning guidelines and the Curves Circuit will get a facelift with Jillian Michaels taking the lead on creating new and exciting workouts. For women with hectic schedules, Curves Complete can provide the diet and fitness guidelines needed as well as the one-on-one attention from personal weight loss coaches and support from a greater weight loss community. Depending on your weight loss goals, the Curves Complete program can be a viable 90-day solution for the busy woman.
Cruves, Currves, Curve, Curve Complet, Curves Women
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User Feedback
(Page 3 of 3, 48 total comments)Jean
-I was a member of Curves in Lynchburg, VA in 2002 and was doing very well. Unfortunately, however, the management tried to cut corners and allowed their son in law to become part of their daily staff. I really thought this was very inappropriate and as a result I finally just stopped going. He was the only staff on duty during the times I went and even though he did nothing, but stand at the entrance, I still felt self-conscience. I explained the situation in a letter, however, never got anywhere. I continued to monthly fees deducted from my credit card and was never issued any refund. This put me completely against Curves and what it was suppose to stand for.... what a shame, I ended up gaining all of the weight back and more. What was the worst thing that happened is that my self-esteem continued to plumet and my depression worstened because of this incident.
posted Feb 12th, 2011 12:56 amCatherine Marleau
-I have tried for 3 month to cancel my subscription to Curves Complete and I am still being billed. I cannot afford it. Anyone who want to join don't. There is no cooperation
posted Aug 7th, 2010 10:09 amAgnes
+i love it , everybody should try it.
posted Apr 22nd, 2009 11:19 amKaren Phillips
+I have been a faithful member of Curves for the past 5 years. It is the only system that has helped me to lose and keep the weight off. It has also been a great stress reliever and delightful social activity. I've made many workout buddies over the years and we really do encourage one another. I love the support staff and really like the fact that there are no mirrors or men around to watch me while I'm working out. The food plan and supplements are top notch but like any other fitness program the secret is committment and consistency. I have highly recommended this program to all of my friends and family many of whom are now benefitting. Curves is not for everyone but I have found that most people who try it and truly challenge themselves see results in sometimes less than three weeks. I for one plan on continuing the course. It has really paid off.
posted Feb 5th, 2009 8:20 amdaneholm
I just started the Curves fitness and weight management plan
posted Feb 1st, 2009 2:27 pmValerie Joy
+This is the easiest program I have ever used. It is quick and easy, and you can change things as you go. It is THE best one I have ever seen.
posted Jan 9th, 2009 11:46 amBrenda S
+Very good
posted Nov 3rd, 2008 7:50 amBernadetteS
+Excellent kick start
posted Oct 27th, 2008 10:36 am