Curves Circuit vs. Regular Workouts
We’ve come a long way since the first aerobic workouts. These were great workouts, but aside from high and low impact, they didn’t offer much variety. Today, there are countless workout styles, from quiet and gentle to loud and intense to back-to-basics pushups and non-stop burpees. The workout routine you gravitate most toward will depend on a few factors, most importantly your personality, weight loss goals, and what you want to get out of your exercise routine, physically and mentally. Among the most popular workouts for women are yoga, Pilates, women’s gyms, and traditional gyms.
As you select a workout plan, some of the questions you might ask yourself include:
- Yoga or gym, which one is better for weight loss?
- Which will make me leaner, gym vs. Pilates?
- Will yoga and Pilates give me the same benefits as strength training and cardio?
- Should I consider a women’s gym?
- What’s the difference between yoga and a gym when it comes to mental benefits of exercise?
To answer these questions, first, you must understand what each of these workouts entails.
Yoga is a physical and spiritual discipline from India designed to give the body the strength and stamina for long periods of meditation. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit “yuj,” which means to yoke or bind. Yoga uses breathing techniques, exercise and meditation to improve health and happiness. Yoga sessions typically last 60 to 75 minutes.1
Pilates, developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, involves a series of exercises done on a mat or on special equipment. Pilates is not a cardiovascular workout, but it helps improve strength, flexibility, and posture. The goal is to lengthen and strengthen muscles. Pilates classes are 45 to 60 minutes long.2
Most traditional gyms provide weights and strength training equipment, cardiovascular workout machines, such as elliptical machines and treadmills, and fitness classes. Some gyms offer personal training, usually at an additional cost.
Keep in mind, studio-style gyms that specialize in one type of workout, such as yoga, Pilates, or barre, can be expensive. At these studios, you may pay substantially more per session than you pay for everything you get at Curves, including the one-on-one coaching and the unlimited array of new and different workouts in the same supportive environment.
And finally, women’s gyms provide everything traditional gyms offer, but within the supportive community of women just like you.
At Curves, you get added benefits, such as one-on-one coaching, a members-only portal, and advice on healthy eating. You also get specialty classes† such as Curves Balance and Body Basics, which include low impact strength training, yoga, and tai-chi-inspired moves all in one, giving you the best of all worlds. And the best part? The Curves circuit low impact total body workout is still only 30 minutes in length.
As you weigh your options—gyms, yoga, and Pilates–think about what you want to get out of your workout routine. Do you want to lose weight? If so, your best bet is to go for an exercise routine that incorporates both strength training and fat-burning cardio. Both have been shown to be important elements of a weight loss plan. The low impact full body workout you get in the Curves circuit provides elements of both, under the guidance of a Curves Coach who can help you structure the best whole body workout for your needs. Plus, Curves offers classes that include the strength, cardio, and stretching essential for the best low impact full body workout. If weight loss is your goal, remember that Curves also offers healthy eating plans, meal options, and recipes to support your workout and help you shed pounds. Not to mention the social aspect of working out next to women just like you.
If, as you think about gym vs. Pilates or yoga vs. gym, you want to add some elements of posture and meditation to your routine, consider adding MyCurves On Demand to your low impact full body workout at Curves women’s gym. Curves at home program offers audio classes including coach-led meditations and stretches. These options can supplement your Curves workout and help support your overall efforts to improve your health and wellbeing. Variety is the spice of life, and this motto also holds true when it comes to your exercise plan.
30 years ago, Curves changed women’s fitness by delivering studio fitness with 30-minute workouts that leave you feeling the benefits long after. Unlike traditional gyms and studio memberships, Curves gives you the tools and support you need to reach your goals and set the stage for healthier, more active years to come.
Your Curves Coach is there to lead you through every gym workout. With your Curves Coach success is within reach. Visit ‘Why Curves’ to find out more about Curves women’s only gyms and our full body workout on the Curves Circuit, or find your local Curves and sign up today!
†At participating locations
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