The 30 Minute Workout Plan

By Michele Blandino

Ironically, the latest trend in fitness seems to revolve around the premise that “less is actually better than more.”

Whether you are talking about national chains such as Curves and Ladies Workout Express, or one of the hundreds of regional chains popping up in strip malls everywhere, there is no disputing the fact that these seemingly more efficient workouts have gotten the attention of fitness enthusiasts everywhere.

For the uninitiated, these 30 minute workout programs are intended specifically for women and utilize a combination of aerobic exercise and hydraulic resistance machines. The workout is designed to help women increase their metabolism which, in turn, will help them lose weight while increasing their overall fitness. Some centers even offer specialized diet programs to help in the weight loss process.

The real catch here is the time commitment, or lack thereof, involved. These programs contradict the prevailing conventional wisdom that said the only successful fitness programs were the ones that involved long hours in the gym completing numerous sets of lifts, squats and curls using heavy and cumbersome weight stacks. Instead, women spend 30 minutes 3 to 4 times a week completing repetitions on the easy to learn hydraulic resistance machines.

And, while these programs really do seem to work, care should be taken when evaluating the appropriateness of the program for your specific needs.

For instance, if you have quite a bit of weight to lose or even if you are at a healthy weight, but you haven’t set foot in a gym in years if at all, and you are looking for a way to gradually introduce a manageable workout to your routine, then this might well be exactly what you are looking for. If, on the other hand, you are a self-described “gym rat” and are interested in building or maintaining muscle mass, or, if you are looking for a high intensity aerobic workout, then you will probably be disappointed in what programs such as these have to offer.

Membership rates vary by region and franchise, but you can expect to spend in the neighborhood of $29 - $59 per month for your membership. Some locations offer a reduced rate in exchange for a 12-month commitment; however, if you aren’t sure the program will fully meet your expectations, it may make sense for you to pay a slightly higher monthly fee in exchange for the flexibility to discontinue the program at any time.