BALTIMORE -- An exercise and weight loss program is catching on across the country -- but can it help you lose weight?

Video

HEADER TEXT Old, Young Change Exercise Stations In 'Curves' Women: Have You Tried Curves?

Curves fitness facilities seem to be popping up all over. According to the company's Web site, there are 5,000 locations in the United States, Canada, Europe and Mexico.

Those who participate in Curves call it a fast and fun workout. It's an exercise and weight-loss program especially designed for women.

"I hated exercise, but I am motivated. I lost 19 inches [and I'm] down to 27½ inches," Curves patron Carol Finkelstein said.

Owner Artha Groves called Curves fun, fast fitness.

"You're in and out in 30 minutes and you've done all three components to fitness, you've done your strength training, you've done your cardiovascular and you've done your flexibility," Groves said.

Curves is a circuit workout that includes hydraulic resistance machines. You can start anywhere you want, and at each stop, you work out just 30 seconds.

While Curves offers nutrition supplements, an eating plan and a book, it is the fast-paced 30-minute total workout that seems to attract a lot of women.

"Thirty minutes, you're in and out. No sticky gyms, no treadmill, just women, [it's] very comfortable," Finkelstein said.

"Here it's like every 30 seconds you move to another machine, [it] moves along fast," Linda Edwards said.

"It's fun, I'm convinced that lots of people come in to dance for a half hour, it's great fun," Linda Rubel said.

Dr. Brian Crites, a sports medicine specialist at the University of Maryland, said that the American College of Sports Medicine recommends three sessions of light to moderate aerobic conditioning, 30 minutes a session. So he said it meets that requirement.