Anyone like Curves?

[Kathy]

I love curves! ALthough the Curves in our area is kinda hard for me to get to easily (so I joined a regular gym) I really like the concept.

I love getting in and out in 30 minutes. I love knowing the machines and I love the bounce stations. (I like to dance!)

Anyone else like Curves?

[boxermama]

I belonged for two years, and while I never lost any big pounds, I did feel a bit better, but get the same feeling if I take a brisk walk for the 30 minutes. However,my friends who had no upper body strength to begin with -saw great improvement.

[crunchies0313]

I did Curves with my mom and sister. If they weren't there I didn't like it. I was too young for the crowd in my neighborhood. Too me it was a great time for me to bond with mom and sis and work ou at the same time! BUT the main reason for my sister and I leaving was the manager/owner...nickname for her was Hitler. Hated to go in when she was there.

[cragots]

I have belonged to Curves for a year, and I am going to cancel my membership this month. It has nothing to do with their system...not too bad for a workout and I like the 30 seconds on/30 seconds off...but I think I would do better (or at least as well) working out at home in private with a DVD. But, I have friends who love Curves and would never trade it for anything!

[Noelle]

I like it alright. I'm generally the youngest person there by at least a decade, but I get in a good workout so what's it matter. It actually doesn't do much for me since what with soccer and dancing and frequent walks, I don't really need it. I just go to keep my mom company. I like working on the arm machines because I have monstrous soccer leg muscles and dinky little arms, so I'm trying to even out the two. Death to the squatting machine!

[gemsab]

I LOVE CURVES! If it wasn't for Curves, I would never have learned to love to exercise. On my third year now and have lost 54 pounds and 34 inches!

[Kymster]

I worked at a Curves and I know Curves CAN be a great workout. You really have to be there the 3 times a week and 4 is better. After being there for at least your first month you really need to start pushing yourself harder on the machines, something many Curves employees fail to explain to the members. As time goes on you should be working those machines so hard that you are really sweating by the time that workout is over. Unfortunately I rarely saw this. Only one instructor can do so much with so many people.
I also saw too many new people trying to push too hard in the beginning and actually causing themselves injuries, or people misusing the equipment and causing injuries. Once again, staff needs to stay on top of this and many of the Curves I have been to have been too understaffed to properly train and coach the membership. For those who like it Don't Give Up !!! It Can Work. :)

[Kyleigh]

I like Curves for many reasons. It's convenient, quick, effective, social and affordable. I have found that I get better results if I work out for 45 minutes rather than 30. I go at least 3 times a week, usually more. It's something I actually look forward to doing whether I go alone or with my daughter. :)

[Naturehike]

I did the Curves tour. As a working woman, the hours were impossible for me. I believe however that working women are not their demographic, they have to get permission from corporate to add hours I understand.

As a person who has worked out in gyms for years, I also found the exercise/equipment movement too jerky. I have a slipped disc in my neck from an auto accident and was worried about jerky movements vs. smoth contolled movements that I've been taught over the years.

I will say there are lots of people that swear by Curves, it just wsn't for me.

[babsRN]

Yeah the hours are hard for me too and the sign-up fees and the way they do things...just a little "off" to me when there's a 24-hour gym down the road where I can just sign up for a month at a time for $25 or $65 for 3 months, and come and go as I please and create my own workout regimen. One word of caution when it comes to Curves...I have seen SO many "Curves" injuries in the ER - make sure you warm up adequately before you get started. This is so so SO important. You must get your heart rate up and stretch before you hit the circuits.

[Meditating Gramma]

I loved Curves because it was what got me started exercising. When I started my weight loss plan I knew to be successful I needed to exercise but was too embarressed to go to a gym. At Curves I got so much support, the staff was very friendly and I lost inches and weight.
I ended up quitting as I was by then going to another gym for water aerobics and wanted to start the weight circuit but use the treadmill. I can do so much at the new gym but they are cold and uncaring. I miss Curves and plan to go back when I reach my goal.

[Mori]

I'm thinking of joining Curves but I'm very skeptical of 30 minutes 3 times a week being adequate for losing weight & getting in shape. :rolleyes: I also didn't like that they don't give prices over the phone & insist on an appointment. I did go to an appointment once & was somewhat dissappointed at the limited floor space & small circuit of machines. I found they're very expensive for what they offer & that other women gyms offer a whole lot more for that price. Now I'm also hearing that there are many who end up in the ER with injuries & that is really making me think long & hard about joining, :confused:

[Kathy]

I know many women who lose weight and get in shape at Curves. Not just a few, hundreds of women. I also know no one who have been injured on their machines and end up in the ER. Their machines are quite tame...in fact so tame that many complain there is not enough resistance for them. Their prices do not fluctuate like a GYM who hide their rates and alter them month by month depending on the salesman and the push to "close the deal". The rates are less costly than a GYM (btw)...

[Meditating Gramma]

Our curves had more machines and you could go around more then 3 times. You could also increase your workout between the machines. My arthritis did go nuts in my ankle but that was more due to going from no exercise to exercise. That is why I did the water aerobics though. I thought the price was reasonable also, just couldn't afford both.

[gemsab]

I agree with Kathy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[babsRN]

The Curves here wants $129 to sign up - for what??? And then it's $30 a month but you get a little break if you give them access to your bank account so they automatically draft it every month...and they're only open here from 7am-8pm Monday thru Friday. Well...when I'm not on surgical leave, I'm either working or on the road those hours. So that's just SO not gonna work. I realize every Curves is different but there have been enough injuries around here that the local ERs have dubbed them "Curves Casualties". And it's all stemming from insufficient warmup.

Nah. I like my little locally owned and operated gym. We don't have any of the big name gyms around here (other than Curves) so we don't have the issues of hidden costs and all that. It's just a neighborhood gym with 24 hour access, come and go as you please, $25/month or if you commit to 3 months then it's $65. No other fees. Can't beat it. And no henparties.

Keep in mind it's franchised just like so many other things and one is not going to be like another.

[gemsab]

Can't beat it. And no henparties.

Keep in mind it's franchised just like so many other things and one is not going to be like another.



What do you mean by no henparties?????? Part of the allure of Curves is that it is for women only. I would rather that than oogling guys checking out the babes. LOL!

[babsRN]

Oh well when I go to the gym there's none of that. Keep in mind I live between two towns of about 2500 people each. There might be one or two others in the gym but that's about it. And I just don't have patience for a lot of chatter - makes my ears tired. Too many years hearing too many alarms and bells and whistles and rings and beeps and screaming and all that in the ERs and ICU and dialysis center and the prisons where I used to work (and we're a prison community)...my ears are just plain tired. I don't like to use the phone anymore for that reason. Can't stand that noise in my ear. I'm there to work out and I'm too busy breathing through my reps to worry about who else might be there. The last couple of reps in a set take all the breathing and pushing I can muster ---pushing for muscle failure. It's not a party for me. It's a workout. Plus if there is anyone to talk to it's the cops I work with...we get along great and they're just as serious and heavy into their workouts as I am into mine. They're great spotters for you too.

[Kathy]

One of the things I love about Curves is seeing my friends and visiting while we work out (or during cool down stretches.)

:bliss:

Its one of the best things about Curves...the friendships.

[gemsab]

Oh, Kathy, I so agree! Funny but Curves is the second largest franchise next to McDonald's so they must be doing something right.

Emily

[Kate]

I do not go to Curves, as I prefer a gym, but I think Curves is a great place for women to go workout. It gives them a women's only environment where they don't have to worry about some hot dude hitting on them or not feeling they can workout to their capacity. Plus, it shows/teaches you what you need to do. I've been working out in gyms for years now and know what I need to do. Men can be intimidating cause they watch you. Hey now, I can't help it if I have bigger muscles than some of those guys. ;) But Curves is doing something right.
Work it, girls! :D

[Kyleigh]

The Curves I go to is a very social place, but we don't always socialize while working out. If a member is zoned in on her workout, no one is going to try to engage her in a conversation. It's easy to spot who is willing to chat and who is focusing on the workout. I'm chattier on days when I've had a super workout the day before. ;)

There are a couple of areas within our Curves where members can sit and socialize before or after their workouts if they choose. I think it's wonderful that friendships are encouraged. We look out for each other and also help with worthy causes in the community. So, not only do we strenghten our bodies, we strengthen our bonds to each other and the community. :)

[Ingy4Peace]

I joined Curves last January (05) and started out very well. I actually regained range of motion in my shoulders and was pain-free for awhile. Then, my heels started hurting so bad at night I couldn't sleep. I stopped working out, the pain stopped. Went to the doc - have plantar faciaitis (sp)....I can walk for exercise and do weights, but they would not let me get out of my 1-year contract. I've cancelled now that a year is over, but wow, what a lesson I learned. They were very nice there, but I agree with the "henparty" comment - not for me - I am talking with and engaging with people all day - all I want is to work out. Another thing that I didn't necessarily appreciate was that they played a lot of Christian music where I went. I am not a Christian and don't really like it being forcefed to me while I'm exercising. Not being able to workout on Sundays was a real downer....

[jasper]

I love Curves too!!! for same reason as alot of the other ladies, it got me into loving exercise in a comfortable surrounding. Saying this some ladies do get too comfortable and don't give it 100% , our instructors recently reminded everyone that you need to workout hard, with proper technique ( anything is dangerous when not using the proper technique) I like to say to myself "Go hard or Go home" and I find most people are pleasant to chat too but still being able to focus on working out.
The hours of 6am-7.30 are very good I think, much cheaper than the other gyms of $60+ per month, staff are helpful and supportive, I hate the way some gyms staff avoid making any eye contact or simple conversation, a hello or how you doing costs nothing but goes a long way to making patrons feel welcome. I am a member at the local council gym but only as an aquatic member , no Curves on sunday gives me a chance to do an aqua class and swim.
I know it's not for everyone but they must be doing something right!!!

[Marian Paroo]

What do you mean by no henparties?????? Part of the allure of Curves is that it is for women only. I would rather that than oogling guys checking out the babes. LOL!

At my local gym, open 7 days a week, varying hours, the last people the guys are checking out are the babes :rofl:

It's a nice cosy litle place, almost nobody comes in fancy outfits, the music isn't bad for a gym. A nice variety of people, I like seeing the older people working out, the pre-draftees getting into shape and people who need to work out working out for the first time. The instructors are very caring.

[SweetOceanBlue]

I've been interested in joining Curves. Although last tear I lost 60lbs on my own. Basically I did alot of walking, made some changes in my eating and certainly I do feel much better that the weight is off. Although having Fibro really makes it's difficult for me to exercise on a daily basis, but I do what I can when I can. It's been great to keep my weight under control. My husband is very pleased as well & also he does offer his support which makes a huge difference as well. Most importantly I'm keeping the weight down for myself & for health reasons, I don't want to gain the weight back... I'm going to check out Curves & see if it's for me..

[Marian Paroo]

SweetOceanBlue-

Great work, keep it up!

- Marian