Cutting curves or same as sweating it out?

Some females don't exercise because they say there's not enough time in the day.

This can no longer be an excuse, ladies.

Curves, located at 497 Winchester Street in Keene, is a gym designed for women who don't have a lot of time but want a quality work out.

It opened Jan. 27 last year and memberships are "exceptional," according to Medora King, Keene franchisee.

Perhaps this is because "a 30-minute workout here [at Curves] is the same as a 90-minute workout at traditional gyms," said King.

There are 16 hydraulic resistance machines all arranged in a circle, and recovery boards to jog on or walk on in place between each station. When used collectively, the machines are designed to give one an entire body workout.

And although most of the memberships belong to women 35-years-old and up, college women also join.

"We offer $99 a semester for college students," said King.

Thirty-minute workouts seem like the next best thing to "Eight Minute Abs," but do they really work?

Christine Miles, director of KSC's BodyWorks gym facility, says there are pros and cons to these work-out-and-get-out gyms.

"...Eventually these members will reach a plateau or certain level of fitness and will not progress beyond that without significant changes in their exercise routine," said Miles.

"For one's body to continue to improve its level of fitness there need to be variations to the routine," said Miles.

KSC senior Amber Tetreault is skeptical about 30-minute workout programs.

"I think if it's designed by a professional who knows what they're talking about that's fine but other than that, 30 minutes seems like such a short amount of time," said Tetreault.

And for any guys looking to benefit from the new work-out-and-get-out craze, look elsewhere. Although there are some men-only clubs out there, Curves is exclusively for women.

King said this is because women need a place where they "can let it all hang out" and socialize with other women.

Women find comfort and support in other women, the atmosphere is comfortable, and women can show up with messy hair and no makeup, said King.

High-energy music plays in the background, with a woman's taped voice interrupting every 30 seconds indicating to switch stations. The exercisers go to each station three times overall.

Getting one's heart rate up while at each station is key, according to King.

"It's important to get your heart rate up between 50 and 80 percent during your workouts," she said.

And results may vary but they'll be visible in a matter of weeks.

"You'll see results if you go three times a week for a month," she said.

Senior Greg Rice said he works out five or more times a week.

"Thirty-minute workouts don't really pertain to me," said Rice. "But my mom is huge on it [Curves]. She loves it. She's lost a bunch of inches, but not much weight though."

Senior Katie Burrage agrees that 30-minute workouts seem to be directed toward middle-aged people who have no time for themselves because of work or carting their kids around.

"I think they're good for people like my mom," said Burrage. "My mom likes to work out but she doesn't have a lot of time."

According to www.curvesinternational.com, "The system is built around easy-to-learn hydraulic resistance machines, so there are no cumbersome weight stacks to change or manage."

But Miles believes that cross training, or varying one's exercise routine, is the way to go.

"At BodyWorks, all of the staff are skilled in designing exercise programs to help you meet your fitness goals safely with sound advice," said Miles.

And students can even find 30-minute routines at BodyWorks if they're interested.

"A 30-minute routine is possible. And our routine would include a wide variety of exercises so your body is continually being asked to adapt to something different," said Miles.

At Curves, when a woman first walks in, she is given a tour and a body analysis. That person gets to try out the equipment, schedule a first appointment to learn how to use the equipment and get any questions answered, said King.

BodyWorks has a similar assessment available to all students.

"When we meet with a member who wants help with their fitness routine, one of the first questions we ask is how much time they are able to give each time they come into the gym," said Miles. "And then we design their exercise program based on that as well as on their personal goals."

Curves International, Inc. has become the "world's largest fitness center franchise," according to the Guinness Book of World Records. And from so many gyms opening up, and by word of mouth, 30-minute workouts seem to be working.

"Let's face it...everyone is busy and when something comes along that promises to get us results in 30 minutes we are going to give it serious consideration," said Miles. "And perhaps this type of facility is part of the answer because not having enough time to exercise is a common excuse."

Senior Travis Muckle agrees that working out for 30 minutes is better than not working out at all.

"They're good for anybody who wants to better their lifestyles," he said.