In shape: The circle of women

A women-only gym may be the answer for those who hate the idea of exercising.

By LAURA TAUB

DECEMBER 15, 2010 09:54

Women Gym 521 (photo credit: Courtesy) — Women Gym 521

(photo credit: Courtesy)

The only question I keep asking myself in the last month is how come I haven’t heard about Curves before. It must be that I dislike exercising so much that I was able to completely overlook the largest fitness franchise in the world, with 10,000 locations worldwide and 17 branches in Israel.

For those of you that are like me, I will just say that Curves is a franchise of gyms for women only and it is the first one I know I would feel comfortable going to.

The fact that it is for women only means no wasting time on thinking “how ridiculous do I look in this old outfit?” or putting on makeup. In fact, as Orly Gilat, owner, mentor and chief instructor of the Tel Aviv branch, told me, what lured her first to the idea of Curves was the three no-nos: no men, no mirrors and no makeup. It does make going to the gym that much easier. In fact, she confided in me, she hates exercising. She got me with that one. Then she said, “You know you don’t need special gear. Any comfy clothes and a pair of trainers will do. And then there is the best of all – it only takes 30 minutes three times a week. Surely you can spare 30 minutes.”

Yes, but what will I gain with only 30 minutes? I have been told time and again that one needs at least 50 minutes of workout to get any benefit at all. Curves method works on utilizing the fact that while exercising the muscles you also raise heartbeat. It makes you keep it high while exercising and there is no need for the 20 minutes on the treadmill that one normally does in gyms. Moreover, they maintain that you can get all the benefits of a 90- minute workout in just 30 minutes and avoid injuries.

The secret is the combination of strength training and cardiovascular activity around their circuit. Keeping the heart in its target training zone for at least 30 minutes is, according to the Curves plan, great for burning calories and building lung capacity and aerobic fitness.

Despite its crucial importance for health, strength training has been a missing component in women’s fitness. Pound for pound, muscle burns more calories than fat. Dieting without strength training leads to muscle loss, which makes it harder to lose weight. Strength training is also good for building strong bones.

But putting all that aside, what I really like at the Curves gym in Tel Aviv is the atmosphere. Gilat, her staff and clients alike make you feel as if you have come to your neighborhood’s support club rather than the gym, including collecting books for deprived kids and other voluntary activities. Easy-going, no pressure, a lot of encouragement and yet very close attention to your every (wrong) move so you don’t hurt yourself make going to Curves a real treat, and it’s only 30 minutes three times a week. Piece of cake! No, actually I think I’ll pass on the cake and head to Curves.

From next month there will also be a Zumba dance exercise in all of the branches.

Call 1-700-701-750 for the branch nearest you. (NIS 199 a month for 12 months. Diet plan NIS 249 for six weeks.)