Anyone Done Curves?

[APhi Sailorgirl]

Just wondering if anyone has done curves?? I am thinking of joining once I head up to graduate school.

I know it has a stigmatism associated; however, I think it would be good for me to start there where I feel comfortable and then possibly move to a bigger club later.

Just trying to get some feedback. Or if anyone knows of good clubs in Boston that aren't expensive and possibly have personal training like cheap cheap!

[tinydancer]

I go to Curves, and I like the fact that it is fairly small. Since it is in my neighborhood, there are usually people I know there. The exercises are not too difficult, and I think are probably pretty good if you are not used to working out. I have bad knees and a bad back, and I do not have any trouble doing their routine.

[chideltjen]

My grandma was telling me they have a set schedule of circuit training. And you have a certain amount of time on each machine. After the time is up, you move to the next machine. And you HAVE to move. One of her friends got "scolded" for not moving along.

I dunno. I like doing things at my own leisure and I take my time at machines. If I have someone watching me like a hawk telling me to move every 30 seconds, I don't think I would be comfortable. Especially if I am chatting with a friend or something while working out.

I prefer the regular gym.

[Lady Pi Phi]

Curves is entirely a set program.

A woman I work with does it and she loves it.

However, if you like to work out at your own pace and do different things, then Curves is not the place for you.

Also, another friend was interested in checking it out and she told me that she could only go a certain # of days per week.

[APhi Sailorgirl]

Yeah my grad school has a gym, but for some reason they want to charge $200/semester to use it.

At least in undergrad it was free for students, only personal training and classes were extra.

I mean for $200/semester I could have a real gym membership.

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by cougarjim
Since you're going to be in graduate school, you might want to look into whether the school has a rec center or any type of gym facility (assuming you haven't already). It would probably be free for students, no?

I've never been to Curves so I have no idea what it's about, but I'd be wary of a place that is so regimented. It seems like it would be hard to change up and advance your workout.

That's because men aren't allowed in Curves, cougarjim!

[ms_gwyn]

i plan on joining curves....i have the check and everything....

the thing about it is (from my understanding) is that you are there a max of 30 minutes and stay at a station for 30 sec.

so its not like you're working out for 3 hours and on each machine for 30 minutes each.

[MSKKG]

I'm a member (and have been for about 3 and a half years) and love it.

From some of your comments, I think there is a misconception about the workout. It is a circuit workout, and you do get to still talk to your friends because everyone is moving in the same direction at the same time. There is no set time to start, so you won't ever be late for a class. The machines operate with pneumatics, so there are no free weights to adjust. You control the intensity of the workout on the machines. Just like your muscles need a break from weightlifting, your muscles will need a break from the machines so that's why they encourage you to only go 3 times a week (you're supposed to walk or any other type of non-weightlifting exercise the off days). They don't prevent you from going as much as you want, but 3 times a week is what is recommended. They are not Nazis, but when they "scold," they are trying to help everyone get the most out of their time there.

There are women there from young teenagers to grandmas. Some are very overweight, some have no extra fat. It is one of the most comfortable environments for working out that I've ever been in.

Cristina Ferrare (John DeLorean's ex-wife) is a member!

[33girl]

Originally posted by cougarjim
I've never been to Curves so I have no idea what it's about, but I'd be wary of a place that is so regimented. It seems like it would be hard to change up and advance your workout.

I think that's part of the point - one of the groups they're trying to appeal to are those who don't have clue one about how many times they should do something or how heavy of weights. And there are people who, quite frankly, are completely bored by analyzing what's best for your body, etc etc, they just want to get a workout. I would have to include myself in that category....the last time I thought about joining a gym, the guy I talked to explained how he was going to "train" me and this and that which of course added to the price. I just wanted to take some aerobics classes and swim, for crying out loud.

So, while it's not for everyone, for some people it's probably the difference between exercising and not doing anything at all. I know a few of the 50+ ladies I work with go there.

[Mz Destiny]

I've been a member for about 4 months. I like it. It's right in my area and I know a lot of people at my center. Everyone is really nice, and you have people in their 20's all the way up to senior citizens. It's well worth the monthly fee to me.

I believe, at some centers, you can go test it out before you join. You may want to look into that.

[kateshort]

Dunno how common this is with other chains, but apparently Curves lets you into any franchise to work out as long as you have your membership card. I was at a gathering where one woman had brought her card out-of-state, so she could work out at the nearest Curves, but she ended up not going because her friend forgot to bring her own Curves card and didn't want to pay the one-time fee.

[jharb]

I work next to a Psuedo-Curves (American Woman Fitness Center). It's basically the same thing though. What kills me is that I go to a really nice fitness pavillion owned by one of the hospitals in town and there's all kinds of equipment, and this place has like 6 machines. I don't know what happens if there's more than six people there at a time. I just can't imagine going and working out and not being able to just run if you feel like it or going swimming if your joints are achy. I also like if I'm not feeling motivated that I can go and join a class rather than have to be on a machine all the time.

[Xylochick216]

One of my sisters joined Curves this year and LOVED it. She lost a lot of weight and generally just felt better about herself after getting into shape. Sometimes she dreaded weighing day, but I know she loved going I myself have never been, though, so I can't say on personal experience what it's like. Don't they have some kind of offer where you can try it free for a week or so to see if it's your type of thing?

[DolphinChicaDDD]

I'm a Curves member, for about a month now, and I love it. I was so used to a regualr gym that I wasn't sure how I was going to handle it, but I actually really like it.

At my gym, there are all of these ballons on the wall with people's names on it and how many inches and pounds they lost (if you want to put it on the wall, no pressure). I think its so inspiring to see women's names who lost like 10 inches.

I think my favorite thing is that once a month you get measured and wieghed and stuff if you want. I'm one of those people who need constant reminders that I'm doing well, so I like it.

As for traveling, if you have a certin type of membership you get a 30day traveling pass and you can go to any curves in the country, I fully intend to use that when I'm on vacation this summer.

[MeezDiscreet]

cuz i'm up late and browsing, i was wondering how much does it cost to join curves? i'm interested in learning about more people's experiences. i read the website but there was no mention of cost.