Curves for Women workout center
 

HI There,

I was just wondering if any of the other women on here have heard about Curves or are members of it. I joined it two weeks ago and am actually loving it. It's the first time since high school that I've been able to do a 30 minute workout straight through. I even voluntarily get up on Saturdays to go in which is just amazing to me that I would do that. Even better, without even changing my eating habits I've already lost about 10 pounds - I'm severly overweight and don't exercise so my body is shocked I think.

My mother, who is also overweight with very bad arthritis, has even joined.

Carolyn

My mom has a good friend that joined Curves (which ironically is in a strip mall infront of my complex). Anyways, she loves it I guess. She enjoys the 30 minute work out and feels like she gets a lot accomplished while she's there. For women who have busy professional lives, or just busy lives in general, it sounds like an ideal environment.

I joined Curves this past year before I had surgery, and I love how easy it was to get a workout in there and not even really think about doing it...the women that go into the center in my town are wonderful and everyone usually chats while they're working out, so the time just flies by! :)

I joined Curves about a month ago because my old gym was just far enough away that I didn't always feel like heaving my butt off the sofa and going. The Curves is only a mile and a half, which I love!

I really enjoy the circuit and the other ladies there. The best part is that I don't have to think about anything thanks to that voice that tells you to change stations!

Also, I find that since the activity is in short bursts, I tend to go full out on each station. I figure, I can stand just about anything for 30 seconds!

PS Carolyn, congratulations on your weight loss! That is so fantastic!!! :)

My mom is a member of Curves and she loves it!!!!

Everyone I know loves Curves but the problem with it is their hours. The one by me doesn't open until 9 or 10 and then closes during lunch time and reopens at 2 or 3 and then closes early. I don't understand how professional women are supposed to get there during those hours.

I belong to Bodies in Motion which only has locations here in Los Angeles. They have great classes and they make it fun to work out.

Chances are that if you are going to curves you probably don't have a lot of experience in training or nutrition related to fitness. Therefore Curves is much better than nothing and certainly not threatening for the novice/meek.

we have curves here. I know one or two people that have membership there.

I go to in-shape city. its right by my house, so normally I ride my bike there.

I don't know exactly how curves works, but I love going to step class and that sort of thing. sometimes I feel like i get a better workout than jogging on the treadmil.

and congrats carolyn!!! that is great news!
LITP girl and keep having fun!

I just discovered that there is a Curves in my town, and I'm toying with the idea of joining.

I'm curious to know a little bit more about the workout. I take it there are several different exercises that you do over a 30-minute period? How often per week do you go?

Is membership portable? If I join one could I go to another occasionally? (i.e. one closer to work)

*sigh* I need motivation to get off my fat lazy butt and exercise... :p

I forgot to say congratulations to Carolyn last night. Keep up the hard work!

Laura

My sentiments exactly. If you do it, I'll do it! :)

The closest Curves to me is a mile away and get this: It is right in between a Japanese restaurant and an ice cream shop! Talk about a bad location!:eek:

I have only "heard" of the name CURVES and don't know much about it, but I think it's terrific that you are enjoying it and that your Mother has joined too. Keep up the good work! :)

Curves is HUGE here. In my town, it is THE thing to do. My mother belonged to Curves a few years ago before she became a bodybuilder and needed something more strenuous, etc. She loved it. I would LOVE to join, but since the head-on collision, my doc has expressly forbidden lifting weights (back) and doing anything that would put more stress on my knee (broken patella).

Off the subject, the only things I can do are walk on my treadmill and swim in my grandparents' pool.

Curves has worked wonders for the women in my town who would never have driven to Murfreesboro just to work out. It seems to provide a great source of support while also providing a way to make new friends/be more sociable.

congrats to all who are losing weight!

i went to a free trial at curves and absolutely hated it. it bored me. i don't really like to work out, but when i do, i like classes, not individual excercises.

although it wasn't right for me, i know so many people who love it.

LOL . . y'all are SUCH chicks . . Gyms are to train in . . . only women would make them into social clubs ;)

A teacher at my school works at the Curves near my house and sent me an offer for a free week to try it out. I think I probably will do it, at least I will try it. I have no idea if my two bad knees can take it or not. I do water aerobics at the YMCA in the summer but I badly need something for exercise in the winter. The women I know that have tried it really like it!

Check it out
 

You should go check it out - most of them offer a one week trial membership to see if you like it.

The workout is 30 minutes which I love because i can do it on my lunch hour. At my curves there are 8 stations in a circle with machines and in between each machine are stations where you run in place, jumping jacks, march, etc - just some time of cardio workout. You are at each station 30 seconds and by doing three circuits you have done your 30 minute workout. The stations are placed so you do a lower body workout machine, cardio, upperbody workout machine and then start the cycle again.

All the machine are based on hydraulic resistance rather then weights. It's the same principle as working out in a pool. For those who have knee problems, like me I damaged my bursa sac and cracked up the knee cap a couple years ago, you may want to check with your doctor. This may be a workout they can give you the okay for - or like my mom's doctor did he gave her limitations so she does a different movement that isn't hard on her joints.

You are asked to make the commitment to go three times a week so that you get the full benefits of the workout. They do have travel cards so you can go to other Curves. I do know at our national conclave last summer one of my L.A. sisters went to the Curves just down the street from the hotel.

Carolyn

The men in my area have turned the gyms into meat markets... a woman can't go to a co-ed gym without getting hit on.

I prefer Fitness USA.. women only M, W, F, men only on T, Th, S and there's another location near me with the opposite schedule. They have a pool, numerous types of classes as well as weight machines and, as a reward afterward, a sauna and hot tub!

Dee

i'm sure it varies from state to state, but how much is it per month and how much are the enrollment fees?

My enrollment fee was $79.00 and I pay $29.00 per month, which they automatically deduct from my checking account. I believe, though, that Curves are all franchised so it could possibly be different at every one.

If you are interested in learning more about Curves, here is a link to its website:

www.curvesinternational.com

Thanks :) I had actually been thinking about it before this thread was started. there are like several locations within like a 10 mile radius of my house and I saw a commercial last night for 1/2 off enrollment. I'm still thinking about it, but its good to hear all the positive feedback...

I've been a member for almost 3 years and still love it. The beauty of it is that you know you've had a workout, but you're not so sore that you can't go back again. I do the bank draft from my checking account--I figure my health is worth a dollar a day!

The hours do seem to be a problem for some people. Ours opens at 8:00, closes at 1:30, and reopens at 3:30 until 7:30 (of course, you have to get there 30 minutes before they close so you can get your workout in).

A ton of my chapter sisters were going to Curves last year - the student gym was sort of a meat market so they hated going there.

Posted by James
Chances are that if you are going to curves you probably don't have a lot of experience in training or nutrition related to fitness. Therefore Curves is much better than nothing and certainly not threatening for the novice/meek.

Why does it sound like you are turning up your nose at Curves, James? There is no call to be mean or snide, just because you are so knowledgeable about training (for what?) and nutrition. Curves is a success in large part due to the fact that most gyms across the country cater to younger, in-shape folks -- and they convey an attitude not unlike yours -- not nice nor helpful... If you are not young, good-looking and in shape, you are sneered or scoffed at or tittered about. I was a member of the nearby (5mins away) Gold's Gym for almost three years and though I am not fat, I certainly could stand to drop several pounds and get in better shape. Without exception, I ALWAYS felt self-conscious going into Gold's -- I was almost always the oldest and largest person there. And many had a know-it-all, "I'm better than you" attitude solely based on their looks...It took a monumental effort to go. I hated it more each time I went and I eventually stopped going. My mom is a charter member of the Curves near her home in Tierra Santa (San Diego -- polarpi, is that the Curves you go to?

My husband saw how much I admired my mom's commitment and how much she loved Curves and gave me a membership for Xmas. I enjoy it because I do not feel self-conscious and it fits well into my schedule which has too many volunteer duties packed in each day.


Posted by James
LOL . . y'all are SUCH chicks . . Gyms are to train in . . . only women would make them into social clubs

James, if you came to the Gold's gym near my house, you'd change your MCP tune in a heartbeat!


The Curves I go to opens at 6:30 am three days a week and stays open till 1pm; then it's open from 3pm till 7:30pm every week day. On Tues and Thurs and Sat it is open 8-noon. It cost $75 to join and $25 each month from a checking account. This annual membership allows me to go to any Curves across the country.

OK, here's my question about Curves...

I was a dance major in college and was very active in performing/classes here in NYC until about a year ago. I am 'out of shape' dancer-wise (lost some flexibility and tone) now and am trying to get back into being fit. I am going to start taking dance classes again, but I also feel I should start a "work-out" regimine as I can't dance forever. And while I would love to loose some weight, I'm not overweight. Will Curves do me any good? It seems to me a lot of older women, and people who are quite overweight, are the ones who really benefit from it. Any opinions - especially from the 20-somethings.

I HATE the normal gym b/c I don't want to deal with being hit on, having trainers bug me, and trying to figure out those darn machines! :rolleyes:

Curves is all over where I live in Northeast Ohio! My mom is a member at the one by her house...she loves it! She went out and bought all new workout wear!!!! I decided not to go that route (too expensive). I am taking Pilates at the YMCA and love it! My class is two days a week and next session I am going to add yoga!!!!

Last summer, I had a membership to a local gym that is very similar to Curves. (I joined with my mom and we let our memberships expire because she lost her job...now that she has a new job we're probably going to rejoin.) I hate to exercise, but I really liked my gym because you just did the workout and didn't have to think about it, and I was never really sore afterwards. Plus, there was no waiting for the machines that you want to use and there was no worrying about what the other people there think of you. It was also much less expensive than other gyms. The only thing that was a little weird is that I was the youngest person there (I'm 24 and everyone else was mid-to-late 30s or older).

I think this is one of the best reasons why Curves has been so successful. I think too many guys don't understand WHY so many women are afraid of the gym. I even took a weight training class in high school so I know how to use most of the machines and I am still way too intimidated to lift at the school gym here.

Well, I am going to try Curves in about an hour. My friend from school is working today. I'll post later and tell you what I thought about it (if I'm not too tired to type - LOL)

Well, I went, and I can do this!! I think the hardest part was the times you have to march in place between machines. The people were pleasant and the music was peppy. Since it's close to my house and it only takes a little time, this may be a good plan for me. I'll let you know how it goes over time.

I belong to a "gym" called Bodyworks for Women. They have all these cool machines that are easy to use (okay most of them, lol.) Their hours are 6-10, Mon-Thur., Fri 6-8, I think and Sat., ?-2. and then a few hours on Sunday.

This was a lot more convienent that Curves which didn't seem to be open when I could get there. The doors closed at 8.

Hi tinydancer,

Welcome to the world of Curves membership. Except for 2 weeks ago when my father was in the hospital I have gone at least 3 times per week if not more. I weigh in and get measured on the 7th so I'll know how the first month went.

So far, I'm sticking to it and loving it. The other women have been great and we all encourage each other so much. The dreaded part for me is the machine where it rests on your shoulder and then you do squats. I messed up my knee cap and bursa sac in the knee a couple years ago and that machine is kind of hard on it. I'm still able to do it though as long as I take it a little easy.

Let us know how you do,
Carolyn

Well, I just did my one month weigh in and measurements.

I've lost 8 1/2 pounds

1 inch in the bust and in the arms
1 1/2 inches in the waist and in the hips
1/2 inch off the abdomen
no inches off the thighs.


I'm really jazzed about this. So far I haven't skipped any days or if I did I went another day instead.

Carolyn

New year's resolutions
 

With all the New Years Resoultions about losing weight and the thread about Weight Watchers I thought I'd revive this thread about Curves international.

Unfortunately for me a couple months after joining Curves last year I stopped going. Life got in the way with family members being sick, then I lost my workout buddy, and I just never went back. Those 8 pounds I lost came back and brought 20 more of its friends with it. That has been very frustrating this past year to gain 30 pounds.

In November one of my friends ended up in the hospital and it scared her enough she wants to get in better health. She said she was going to join Curves near her. Since I was still paying for the Curves membership I told her I was going to transfer my membership to her location and I'd join her in the workout. So far we've gone for two weeks and even have another friend who is joining us there afterwork. It's definitely much better having friends there working out with you.

My mom did Curves for quite a few months and really gained a lot of mobility back. It was great to see her walking and not having to rely so much on the wheel chair. Well she stopped going during the summer and has lost all the gains she made and can barely move again. I'm pushing her to come join us when we workout now. The doctor has told her the best thing for her arthritis is to start exercising. Mom has finally said she's going to join us this week.

Pray for me that I'll stick with going to Curves this time.

Carolyn

Good luck, Carolyn! It is so hard to get those pesky pounds off but getting started is the toughest part and you've done that!

I hope you can get your mom to join you! I'm sure she'll feel so much better after she goes a few times.

I loved Curves when I could go. My biggest issue was the time. I offically quit this month, although the last time I went was Oct. Between work and grad school, I need something that opens at 5:30 am.

Well I was always one skeptical about Curves, but since I had no idea what I was doing at the gym really, I joined in September.

I've only lost about 8 lbs, even though I've been going regularly 3 times a week. I need to lose about 20 more. I really need to get better eating habits. I did throw out the nutella today and am going to stop eating so much pasta roni. Grad school schedules just mess me up.

I love that you can travel with it and while I was home for break I went with my mom (who joined at home shortly after I did at school). Plus, when I move home in August for my internship, I can just transfer my membership.

I don't know about the times. The one where I belong is open 6am-8pm M-Th, 6am-6:30pm F, and 8am-noon Sat and Sun. My mom's does have a bit more restrictive hours, but not by much.

Good luck to everyone. At least we are making changes toward a healthy lifestyle.

I just joined Curves a week ago and I love it. There is one right by my house, only about a 5 minute walk. I am not overweight and am a lot heavier than I was 5 years ago. I used to be active, but somewhere along the line I became really lazy. I am trying to get back in shape and curves is helping. I actually look forward to going. My first weigh isn't for a couple of weeks, but I am already seeing results - my msucles are toning up quite nicely.

My only beef are the hours. My curves is open M-F, 9am-1pm and 3pm-7pm. I wish that it was open a little later in the evening. It is open on Saturdays too, but only from 9am-12pm.