Curves offers advanced, intense program

Justin Pizzala

Many students are hitting the gym in an effort to maintain resolutions
to get fit or lose weight.

But for women who need an extra kick, Curves is offering a program
to intensify the workout plan it already provides.

“(Curves) came up with the Advanced Workout because people have been
with Curves for several years and they needed to take it up to the next
level,” Mount Pleasant Curves owner Connie Ross said.

Curves provides cardiovascular and strength training by alternating
hydraulics machines with recovery jogging pads. The Advanced Workout
strengthens the original program by personalizing it.

“It’s like having a personal trainer,” Ross said. “I do a
one-on-one. We count repetitions and then I do an individualized
workout.”

Ross takes members’ heart rate many times throughout the one-on-one,
which helps her determine how many repetitions should be done on each
machine. The members then workout to maintain an ideal heart rate.

“Heart rate is monitored throughout the workout and should be 80
percent. Normally it’s in the 60 to 70 range,” Curves employee Krista
Jacobson said.

Workout intensity will vary depending on each woman’s drive to work
harder.

“You know your body’s limits,” Jacobson said. “You can get your
heart rate up so easily. If you plateau, we add more reps. It’s your
decision.”

Curves International and researchers at Baylor University teamed up
for a five-year study to create the Advanced Workout.

It is free to Curves members who are in good health, highly
motivated and have been with Curves for at least three months.

Ross said 60 Curves members, including 12 CMU students, have started
the Advanced Workout since it was introduced in November, but she
expects more will begin within the next few weeks.

“Many wanted to wait until they got back from the holidays,” Ross
said. “It’s very exciting because a lot of members are really feeling
the difference. Everyone is really benefiting from this.”

Essexville graduate student Emily Markstrom enjoys the advantages of
the Advanced Workout, and has lost more than 50 pounds since starting
at Curves a year ago.

“I always thought I got a good workout, but when I did this workout
I realized that I wasn’t using the machines to their ability,”
Markstrom said. “I could truly feel I was getting a better workout. I
felt a difference. When I used to leave after my workouts I felt okay,
but now I can tell I’ve done something beneficial.”

Markstrom said she felt she needed a boost in her routine, and the
Advanced Workout helped.

“I had been a member here for a while and had done really well,” she
said. “I sort of plateaued, and I needed something to jump-start me
again. I would just like to continue to tone and firm and feel
comfortable with myself.”